In the early 1980s, the Oldsmobile Cutlass in its various forms was often the best-selling car model of any type in the United States. Within the Cutlass line, the coupes were the most prevalent.
“Any wonder why it’s America’s best-selling mid-size?”
For 1980, Oldsmobile’s Cutlass coupe was little changed other than the return of quad headlamps. The significant Cutlass change was with the sedans, where most of the unpopular slantback models transitioned to notchbacks that resembled baby first-generation Cadillac Sevilles.
The standard engine remained the LD5 110 bhp 3.8 liter/231 ci V6 with a Rochester M2ME two-barrel carburetor. There were three optional engines: a $180 105 bhp 4.3 liter/261 ci V8 with a Rochester M2MC two-barrel carburetor, a $295 155 bhp 5.0 liter/305 ci V8 with a Rochester M4MC four-barrel carburetor, and a $960 105 bhp 5.7 liter/350 ci diesel V8. A three-speed automatic transmission was the only transmission available with any engine. Most early eighties Cutlasses were stylish but slow—0-60 came in a little under 15 seconds with the base V6. Mileage with the V6 was 21 city/30 highway by the day’s standards—with an 18.1-gallon gas tank, a Cutlass owner could expect a range of about 315 to 415 miles with a 10% fuel reserve.
Standard equipment on the $6,252 Cutlass Supreme (about $26,900 in today’s dollars) included power steering, power front disc brakes, and P195/75R14 steel-belted radial-ply blackwall tires (a size still available thanks to Hankook and Kumho) on 14-inch wheels. Inside, a Deluxe steering wheel and a Custom Sport bench seat with a center armrest and a choice of vinyl or cloth were included.
Moving up to the Cutlass Supreme Brougham ($6,691) added snazzier exterior moldings, full wheel discs, and a divided cloth velour bench seat with individual controls.
Described as “the grand touring Cutlass,” the $6,716 Cutlass Calais added special painted wheel discs, tungsten halogen high beam headlamps, a Rallye suspension, reclining front bucket seats in cloth or vinyl, a Rallye gage instrument cluster, and a Custom Sport steering wheel.
Available only on the Calais, the $1,425 4-4-2 package added the L34 170 bhp 5.7 liter/350 ci V8 not available on any other Cutlass. Other 4-4-2 equipment included Sport mirrors, a Sport console, an electric digital clock, and P205/70R14 raised white-letter steel-belted radial-ply tires on aluminum Sport wheels. A choice of 4-4-2 only gold trim over black paint or gold trim over white paint color schemes along with W-30 insignia meant that everyone would know you had the sportiest and by far the fastest Cutlass for 1980.
Options & Production Numbers
Optional exterior and mechanical equipment included cast-aluminum wheels, tungsten halogen high beam headlamps, an engine block heater, a limited-slip differential, a power antenna, dual Sport mirrors, an electric rear window defogger, a sunroof, and a T-roof with lift-out panels. Inside, you could add either Four-Season ($601) or Tempmatic air conditioning, a Tilt-Away steering wheel, automatic cruise control, power windows, power door locks, bucket seats, a digital or regular electric clock, and a series of radios. Oldsmobile also offered value packages that combined various popular options at a discount.
The Cutlass coupe sure was popular—Oldsmobile sold 169,597 Cutlass Supreme coupes in the 1980 model year, along with another 77,875 Cutlass Supreme Brougham coupes and 26,269 Cutlass Calais coupes for a total of well over a quarter of a million. Olds made it well known that the Cutlass brand overall continued to be the most popular car in the United States.
A mere 866 Cutlasses were ordered with the 4-4-2 option—a hint to Olds that they should further emphasize luxury over sport. Lansing would bring back the 4-4-2 in 1985 as a replacement for the 1983-1984 Hurst/Olds.
The View From 2025
A few folks are collecting these cars, but they aren’t that common at shows. You do see Cutlasses for sale in the Hemming’s Motor News classifieds, on eBay Motors, and on Bring a Trailer.
Make mine Dark Claret Metallic, please.
Other Cutlasses I have written about include the 1981 Cutlass Supreme coupe and the 1985 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme coupe. I have written about many other Oldsmobiles—highlights include the 1982 Toronado Brougham coupe and the 1985 Ninety-Eight Regency sedan.
Last updated September 2025.
Eighties Cars 