The Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme is one of the most recognizable nameplates in the history of American cars, and well represented by many iterations stretching back to the 1960s. Of course, if you owned this model at that time and were transported via time machine to the late 1980s and early 90s, you might have been in disbelief at what the car ultimately became in its fifth generation. However, at the time that this 1989 Cutlass Supreme listed here on craigslist was a brand-new model, it was a very popular choice for car buyers who wanted a sporty two door, a reliable sedan, or a stunning convertible – a bit of something for everyone.
This Oldsmobile is listed for sale in British Columbia for $2,600. It is said to have been off the road for several years, and while it does fire up, it doesn’t stay running. It’s interesting to see a tow hitch on the back, and makes me wonder just how this Olds was used over the years. Of course, its durability was one of its strong suits, as the engine choices were generally fairly stout. The two-tone paint job, faux luggage rack on the trunk, and those pie crust-style hubcaps were all calling cards of the Cutlass Supreme in the early days of its fifth generation, and it would generally become sleeker and more aggressive over time.
This Olds is powered by a 2.8L V6 with an automatic transmission, and I’d wager the majority of them came this way. I learned in recent years that a 5-speed manual was offered, and that there was even a surprisingly high-performance model offered that combined the stick shift with the venerable Quad 4 engine. I can’t recall ever seeing a Cutlass Supreme equipped like that, but it does exist – it’s just near impossible to find one today. Even a plain-jane model like this has effectively gone extinct, undoubtedly due to its many years of becoming just another cheap, used car.
It’s too bad, as the Cutlass Supreme was by all accounts a success, and the convertible has emerged as a bit of a collector’s item when discovered in excellent condition. In fact, the convertible’s popularity would be foreshadowed by the Cutlass Supreme’s role in the 1988 running of the Indianapolis 500, wherein a small batch of 50 cars were converted to drop-tops by an aftermarket company and later on, each one of the 50 pace vehicles were sold to select dealers. Eventually, GM would recall those cars back to the factory to be destroyed, but that’s a story for another day. The Cutlass Supreme sitting in front of us deserves to be brought back to life, but I’m not sure the asking price and its Canadian location is going to work for most American shoppers. Thanks to Barn Finds reader Curvette for the find.
I am always looking for a deal and this could be it! But the location and getting it to the US makes it a non starter for me.
The price, $2,600, would be pretty good if it ran and drove, but it doesn’t and hasn’t for years, according to the seller. If it was a straightforward fix it probably would have been done. This is 1 of the sellers 697 Craigslist listings, including a few other cars, which suggests they aren’t in a hurry to sell things. Unless this is someone’s dream car, keep looking,
Steve R
$2600 Canadian is $1900 US and 125000 km is 78000 miles. These cars were everywhere back then.
The quad 4 is not “venerable”.
Rust free? Under 100K miles? If it were on the other side of the border, I’d be on it… even with the likelihood of leaking head/intake gaskets (it’s a 3.1, so of course gasket calamities are a constant consideration).
20 years ago, these cars were one of my go-to options when seeking a driver candidate on the cheap – and this one’s miles/condition/price certainly seems like a throwback to those days.
If not for the international difficulties involved, I’d definitely give it a home.
Judging by the lower body cladding and the wheel style, this appears to be an “International Series” car. Maybe the Canadian market didn’t offer it by that name, but appears to be a fairly rare sub model of the standard Supreme. I’d look into it if I was closer.
Just another front wheel drive turd from the 80s. A beater. These were the 2.8L V6s that started out on Mass Airflow and they couldn’t keep them from stalling and running terrible. They finally converted all of them to a speed/density system to run but the fuel economy dropped. The first W body. A good Winter car. Not much else.
I remember the 4 seater package that had rear buckets and center console
Jeff, this car has the 3.1 liter engine. Not much difference but every bit helps, LOL! 125,000 is low km, but it doesn’t really run. Why bother with this car, it’s not really special in any way.
this is not nor will it be a collector car. at this point it’s a $2600.00 hooptie for basic transportation. i don’t think the running issue is too big a deal with the 3.1 in it. good motors better than the 3.4dohc
My guess is the car towed a decent-sized camper as that’s not your typical U-Haul trailer hitch.
I have really liked the body style of these. The mechanicals, not so much. (Comes from being an Oldsmobile service manager) One interesting thing that has not been brought up is the rear suspension. Very much like the rear suspension of a C3 Corvette or the front suspension on an 850 Fiat. A transverse leaf spring. On this car it is a single plastic, mono spring. But never had any issues with the rear suspension.
I would think this potentially could be a great project car for someone with mechanical aptitude. The GM W-body from several years had the Series I, II, & III 3.8 engines. Perhaps a Series II L-67supercharged variant could be swapped here. I have a friend who did this on an H-Body Buick LeSabre T-type with awesome results & stellar performance.
Further, I always wondered if a Grand Prix
GXP could lend its transverse 8 cylinder power plant to such a W-body project!