Oldsmobile Cutlass Calais
Encyclopedia
The Oldsmobile Calais, renamed the Cutlass Calais for 1988, and briefly available in 1987 as the limited edition GMO Quad-4, was a compact car
produced by General Motors
from 1985 through 1991. In part, it was intended to replace the Omega
in Oldsmobile's lineup. It shared the GM N platform
with the Pontiac Grand Am
and the Buick Skylark
/Somerset
and was replaced by the Oldsmobile Achieva
in 1992. During this time, Oldsmobile also produced two other Cutlass
models, the Cutlass Ciera
and Cutlass Supreme
, each on its own platform. The 1985 Calais
, named for the city in Northern France, was chosen to be the Indianapolis 500
Pace car that year.
The first production model (VIN
1G3NT27UXFM200001), was a white Calais Supreme 2-door with a gray velour interior. Equipped with an automatic transmission
and the 92 horsepower, 151 CID OHV 4-cylinder engine (also known as GM's "Iron Duke" Tech-IV), this particular model was outfitted with nearly every available option, including wire wheel covers. While this front-wheel drive
car is maintained by the R.E. Olds Transportation Museum in Lansing, Michigan
, it is just one of the more than 700 vehicles that make up the GM Heritage Collection of historically significant vehicles that date back to the early 1900s. The Calais Supreme was auctioned in April, 2009, and sold for $6,820.
In 1987, the Quad-4 engine
was developed and became available in a special limited edition of the Calais called the "GMO Quad-4". Early television ads touting the new engine's abilities showed video of the Calais GMO Quad-4 racing around city streets (the submodel was dropped, however the Quad-4 engine continued to be available for several years afterward). Another, later special Cutlass Calais model was the 1990 to 1991 Quad-442
. It used a high-output version of the four-cylinder
coupled to a 5-speed manual transmission
. This same High Output version was also available in the top-of-the-line Cutlass Calais International Series.
The International Series was available as both a 2-door or a 4-door and featured exclusive options for the Calais range including lower front and rear facias, lower rocker extensions, and quad-tipped sport exhaust. Changes inside include thickly bolstered sport seats which feature driver-side power controls and were available in cloth with leather accents or full leather. The International Series came standard with power locks and windows with driver's side auto-down, a multifunction Driver Information Center in the center console, full gauges, cruise control, and the uplevel FE3 sport suspension. The standard engine for the International was the new-for 90 Quad 4 H.O. although the normal Quad 4 L.O. and automatic transmission where an option. Optional equipment on the International series included keyless entry and a Delco CD player.
Previously, the Cutlass Calais nameplate was used on top-line versions of the Cutlass Supreme
coupé
(differing from the Supreme only in minor trim details) from 1978 to 1984. There was also a Cadillac Calais
model, sold from 1965 to 1976.
The last one rolled off the assembly line on April 26, 1991
Compact car
A compact car , or small family car , is a classification of cars which are larger than a supermini but smaller than or equal to a mid-size car...
produced by General Motors
General Motors
General Motors Company , commonly known as GM, formerly incorporated as General Motors Corporation, is an American multinational automotive corporation headquartered in Detroit, Michigan and the world's second-largest automaker in 2010...
from 1985 through 1991. In part, it was intended to replace the Omega
Oldsmobile Omega
The Omega was one of 2 more X-body Chevrolet Nova clones introduced in 1973 . Naturally it shared the Nova's body and many of its mechanicals, but it had its own unique nose and tail, and, being an Oldsmobile, it had a little fancier trim than the Nova...
in Oldsmobile's lineup. It shared the GM N platform
GM N platform
The General Motors N platform was a front-wheel drive compact automotive platform produced from 1985 to 2005. The GM N platform replaced the GM X platform....
with the Pontiac Grand Am
Pontiac Grand Am
The original Grand Am was introduced in the fall of 1972 as a 1973 model. It was based on the GM A platform along with other cars such as the Pontiac LeMans, Pontiac GTO, Chevrolet Chevelle, Buick Century, and the Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme...
and the Buick Skylark
Buick Skylark
The Buick Skylark was a passenger car produced by the Buick division of General Motors. The model was made in six production runs. In each run, the car design varied dramatically due to changing technology and tastes, as well as new standards implemented over the years.-1953–1954:Introduced to mark...
/Somerset
Buick Somerset
The Buick Somerset was a compact coupe produced by General Motors between 1985 and 1987. Buick had previously used the "Somerset" name as a trim-level package on the Buick Regal in the early 1980s....
and was replaced by the Oldsmobile Achieva
Oldsmobile Achieva
The Oldsmobile Achieva was introduced for the 1992 model year and was a front-wheel drive, compact car based on the GM N-body platform which it also shared with its siblings the Pontiac Grand Am and Buick Skylark...
in 1992. During this time, Oldsmobile also produced two other Cutlass
Oldsmobile Cutlass
The Oldsmobile Cutlass is a line of automobiles made by the Oldsmobile division of General Motors. The Cutlass began as a unibody compact car, but saw its greatest success as a body-on-frame intermediate car....
models, the Cutlass Ciera
Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera
The Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera is a mid-size car that was sold from 1982 through 1996 by the Oldsmobile division of General Motors.It shared the front-wheel drive A platform with the very similar Buick Century, Pontiac 6000 and Chevrolet Celebrity; both Olds and Chevy considered using the Celebrity...
and Cutlass Supreme
Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme
The Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme was a mid-size car produced by General Motors for the American market. It was always at the top of the Cutlass range. It began as a trim package, developed its own roofline, and eventually was mechanically divorced from the later, smaller Cutlasses.The Cutlass Supreme...
, each on its own platform. The 1985 Calais
Calais
Calais is a town in Northern France in the department of Pas-de-Calais, of which it is a sub-prefecture. Although Calais is by far the largest city in Pas-de-Calais, the department's capital is its third-largest city of Arras....
, named for the city in Northern France, was chosen to be the Indianapolis 500
Indianapolis 500
The Indianapolis 500-Mile Race, also known as the Indianapolis 500, the 500 Miles at Indianapolis, the Indy 500 or The 500, is an American automobile race, held annually, typically on the last weekend in May at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana...
Pace car that year.
The first production model (VIN
Vin
Vin may refer to:*Voltage input, an alternative form for Vin-People:*Vin Diesel*Vin Scully*Vin Suprynowicz*Vin, the name of a character from the video games Jak II and Jak 3*a diminutive of the name "Vincent"...
1G3NT27UXFM200001), was a white Calais Supreme 2-door with a gray velour interior. Equipped with an automatic transmission
Automatic transmission
An automatic transmission is one type of motor vehicle transmission that can automatically change gear ratios as the vehicle moves, freeing the driver from having to shift gears manually...
and the 92 horsepower, 151 CID OHV 4-cylinder engine (also known as GM's "Iron Duke" Tech-IV), this particular model was outfitted with nearly every available option, including wire wheel covers. While this front-wheel drive
Front-wheel drive
Front-wheel drive is a form of engine/transmission layout used in motor vehicles, where the engine drives the front wheels only. Most modern front-wheel drive vehicles feature a transverse engine, rather than the conventional longitudinal engine arrangement generally found in rear-wheel drive and...
car is maintained by the R.E. Olds Transportation Museum in Lansing, Michigan
Lansing, Michigan
Lansing is the capital of the U.S. state of Michigan. It is located mostly in Ingham County, although small portions of the city extend into Eaton County. The 2010 Census places the city's population at 114,297, making it the fifth largest city in Michigan...
, it is just one of the more than 700 vehicles that make up the GM Heritage Collection of historically significant vehicles that date back to the early 1900s. The Calais Supreme was auctioned in April, 2009, and sold for $6,820.
In 1987, the Quad-4 engine
GM Quad-4 engine
The engine family known as the Quad 4 was debuted to the public in the spring of 1987. The Quad 4 was a DOHC inline 4-cylinder produced by General Motors' Oldsmobile division...
was developed and became available in a special limited edition of the Calais called the "GMO Quad-4". Early television ads touting the new engine's abilities showed video of the Calais GMO Quad-4 racing around city streets (the submodel was dropped, however the Quad-4 engine continued to be available for several years afterward). Another, later special Cutlass Calais model was the 1990 to 1991 Quad-442
Oldsmobile 442
The Oldsmobile 442 was a muscle car produced by the Oldsmobile division of General Motors. It was introduced as an option package for F-85 and Cutlass models sold in the United States beginning with the 1964 model year. It became a model in its own right from 1968 to 1971, then reverted to an...
. It used a high-output version of the four-cylinder
Straight-4
The inline-four engine or straight-four engine is an internal combustion engine with all four cylinders mounted in a straight line, or plane along the crankcase. The single bank of cylinders may be oriented in either a vertical or an inclined plane with all the pistons driving a common crankshaft....
coupled to a 5-speed manual transmission
Manual transmission
A manual transmission, also known as a manual gearbox or standard transmission is a type of transmission used in motor vehicle applications...
. This same High Output version was also available in the top-of-the-line Cutlass Calais International Series.
The International Series was available as both a 2-door or a 4-door and featured exclusive options for the Calais range including lower front and rear facias, lower rocker extensions, and quad-tipped sport exhaust. Changes inside include thickly bolstered sport seats which feature driver-side power controls and were available in cloth with leather accents or full leather. The International Series came standard with power locks and windows with driver's side auto-down, a multifunction Driver Information Center in the center console, full gauges, cruise control, and the uplevel FE3 sport suspension. The standard engine for the International was the new-for 90 Quad 4 H.O. although the normal Quad 4 L.O. and automatic transmission where an option. Optional equipment on the International series included keyless entry and a Delco CD player.
Previously, the Cutlass Calais nameplate was used on top-line versions of the Cutlass Supreme
Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme
The Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme was a mid-size car produced by General Motors for the American market. It was always at the top of the Cutlass range. It began as a trim package, developed its own roofline, and eventually was mechanically divorced from the later, smaller Cutlasses.The Cutlass Supreme...
coupé
Coupé
A coupé or coupe is a closed car body style , the precise definition of which varies from manufacturer to manufacturer, and over time...
(differing from the Supreme only in minor trim details) from 1978 to 1984. There was also a Cadillac Calais
Cadillac Calais
The Calais was a full-size luxury car made by Cadillac from 1965 to 1976. For 1965, Cadillac renamed the entry-level Series 62 the Calais, after the French town and resort which overlooks the narrowest point in the English Channel, and from which the White Cliffs of Dover can easily be seen on a...
model, sold from 1965 to 1976.
The last one rolled off the assembly line on April 26, 1991
Engines
- 1985–1988 Tech IV 2.5 L (151 in³) I4Straight-4The inline-four engine or straight-four engine is an internal combustion engine with all four cylinders mounted in a straight line, or plane along the crankcase. The single bank of cylinders may be oriented in either a vertical or an inclined plane with all the pistons driving a common crankshaft....
, 92-98 hp and 135 lbft - 1985–1988 Buick 3.0 L (181 in³) V6, 125 hp
- 1987–1991 Quad-4GM Quad-4 engineThe engine family known as the Quad 4 was debuted to the public in the spring of 1987. The Quad 4 was a DOHC inline 4-cylinder produced by General Motors' Oldsmobile division...
2.3 L (140 in³) I4Straight-4The inline-four engine or straight-four engine is an internal combustion engine with all four cylinders mounted in a straight line, or plane along the crankcase. The single bank of cylinders may be oriented in either a vertical or an inclined plane with all the pistons driving a common crankshaft....
, 150-160 hp and 152 lbft - 1989–1991 Tech IV 2.5 L (151 in³) I4Straight-4The inline-four engine or straight-four engine is an internal combustion engine with all four cylinders mounted in a straight line, or plane along the crankcase. The single bank of cylinders may be oriented in either a vertical or an inclined plane with all the pistons driving a common crankshaft....
, 98 hp and 135 lbft - 1990–1991 Quad-4GM Quad-4 engineThe engine family known as the Quad 4 was debuted to the public in the spring of 1987. The Quad 4 was a DOHC inline 4-cylinder produced by General Motors' Oldsmobile division...
2.3 L (140 in³) I4Straight-4The inline-four engine or straight-four engine is an internal combustion engine with all four cylinders mounted in a straight line, or plane along the crankcase. The single bank of cylinders may be oriented in either a vertical or an inclined plane with all the pistons driving a common crankshaft....
, 180 hp and 160 lbft (Oldsmobile 442Oldsmobile 442The Oldsmobile 442 was a muscle car produced by the Oldsmobile division of General Motors. It was introduced as an option package for F-85 and Cutlass models sold in the United States beginning with the 1964 model year. It became a model in its own right from 1968 to 1971, then reverted to an...
model) - 1991 Quad-4GM Quad-4 engineThe engine family known as the Quad 4 was debuted to the public in the spring of 1987. The Quad 4 was a DOHC inline 4-cylinder produced by General Motors' Oldsmobile division...
2.3 L (140 in³) I4Straight-4The inline-four engine or straight-four engine is an internal combustion engine with all four cylinders mounted in a straight line, or plane along the crankcase. The single bank of cylinders may be oriented in either a vertical or an inclined plane with all the pistons driving a common crankshaft....
, 190 hp and 160 lbft (Oldsmobile 442Oldsmobile 442The Oldsmobile 442 was a muscle car produced by the Oldsmobile division of General Motors. It was introduced as an option package for F-85 and Cutlass models sold in the United States beginning with the 1964 model year. It became a model in its own right from 1968 to 1971, then reverted to an...
W41 model) - 1991–1992 Quad-4GM Quad-4 engineThe engine family known as the Quad 4 was debuted to the public in the spring of 1987. The Quad 4 was a DOHC inline 4-cylinder produced by General Motors' Oldsmobile division...
2.3 L (140 in³) I4Straight-4The inline-four engine or straight-four engine is an internal combustion engine with all four cylinders mounted in a straight line, or plane along the crankcase. The single bank of cylinders may be oriented in either a vertical or an inclined plane with all the pistons driving a common crankshaft....
, 120 hp and 110 lbft - 1989–1991 3300 3.3 L (204 in³) V6, 160 hp and 185 lbft