W-Body aficionados – and surely there are some of you out there – will be delighted to see these images taken from a now sold Craigslist post. The original owner took the most attractive of the first-generation W-Body/GM-10 cars – the slippery, pre-facelift Cutlass Supreme coupe – and went to town on the options sheet. The result is one of the most desirable W-Bodies. It even has a stick!
Here’s proof of the manual, an option that can’t have been a popular choice. The Pontiac Grand Prix and Chevrolet Lumina were also available early in their model runs with manual transmissions, but they all became auto-only after 1994. If you wish for more W-Body trivia, that can be found in my post covering GM’s 1980s FWD proliferation.
The five-speed manual transmission isn’t the only interesting option. The original owner also ticked the box for the firmer FE3 suspension. This Cutlass Supreme SL also has power seats, windows, locks and sunroof, as well as steering wheel controls. Surprisingly, the owner didn’t spring for the top-spec International Series; the SL was the mid-range model.
It’s been kept tastefully stock on the outside – I actually don’t mind those vintage “luggage racks” – but underneath, the owner added new struts and a larger anti-roll bar at the back.
Ok, so the 2.8 V6 was no rocketship, even if it had a nice sound. And there was no mention of how many miles were on this, or how much a replacement steering column would cost. Back when this was for sale for $1000, a fully-loaded W-Body Cutlass sounded tempting to me at that cost. Last year, another similar one was found by Hyperpack. I wonder if this one is still on the roads?
Note: a rerun of an older post.
Related Reading:
Curbside Classic: 1988-96 GM-10 Buick Regal – Right Car, Wrong Time
Curbside Classic: 1990-94 Chevrolet Lumina – Not Quite Saving The Best ‘Til Last
Open question: Speaking of new struts, how many folks having owned American cars found the factory shocks/struts too flabby? And how did the roadholding improve when replaced?
Neil: For me, I didn’t find them “flabby”, but to my liking. What I did find was many (but not all) import brands to be too firm.
The center console coin holder is an interesting place in time.
It is an interesting coincidence between the rapid rise in tolls and the advent of electronic toll collection which hides the actual toll as you incur it. I don’t go to Carlisle shows anymore due to the huge increase in the PA turnpike tolls.
Scott NJ,
At least the Tpk. still accepts cash …… in mostly-empty lanes, where I’m the only one paying in bills & coinage, for the S. Jersey — NYC run.
This Olds, with its anachronistic coin sorter, would be a terrific (non-Mercury) “turnpike Cruiser” !
The funny thing is in my MN12 Thunderbird/Cougar circles one of the most sought over retrofits is the 1997 cupholder console top which is a nearly direct fit into the 94-96 models that instead had a very large ashtray in the spot. Though the cupholder retrofit is much more in tune with modern day sensibilities also they come with those oh so 90s spring loaded coinholders!
There are still some parking meters in my town that take coins. Only quarters I think, for 6? minutes. One of those weird memories from youth that’s going to be stuck in my brain forever is that one got 12 minutes for a penny when I started driving, a nickel an hour. My Tacoma has an “coin tray” but it’s almost horizontal with only a tiny lip that doesn’t keep the coins from spilling on the floor.
My brother had one in black with burgundy cloth. A real stunner.It was last of the line of new Cutlasses starting with a sliver 83 coupe.
Now you need to find a ’90 with the HO Quad4 and stick!
I thought that these were pretty cool looking; an extremely clean design. It kind of reminded me of a first gen Acura Legend coupe. But without the quality look.I thought that it might make a nice late model “custom,” lowered with Moon Disc wheels and narrow white wall tires. Some trick panel painting or a two tone combo would finish out the design. Thinking about that after my ’97 Riviera, I bet that the heater/a/c controls would be hard to source if they aren’t working properly. Even my Riviera was saddled by a very cheap looking interior and this Oldsmobile doesn’t look any better. I test drove a used coupe and did not find the drive objectionable.
Nice ;
I hope it gets refurbished then used a lot .
-Nate