The Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera is a car, according to American standards, that was built in the model years 1982-1996 by the Oldsmobile Division of General Motors. Sales went well. Generally 100.000 new owners were found for these cars every year. The Oldsmobile Cuttlas shared the front-wheel drive A-platform with the GM family members Buick Century, Pontiac 6000 and Chevrolet Celebrity. In addition, there was a name battle in the beginning: both Oldsmobile and Chevrolet considered using the Celebrity name, which was originally used in the 1960s.
The bodywork and technology
Available body styles were a two-door coupe, a four-door sedan and the Cutlass (Ciera) Cruiser station wagon.
The eighties were very important in the American car industry. Revolutionary even. Because 'Americans' were no longer childishly simple and oversized large V8s with rear-wheel drive combined with a dated chassis and with the steering characteristics of a tjalk and moderate brakes. American cars became modern.
Invest in the future
General Motors' CEO Roger B. Smith invested heavily in automation, front-wheel drive, electronics and advanced assembly processes. One of the first products to hit the market under this program was the GM A bodies. The Cutlass Ciera had a very extensive Computer Command Control system, MacPherson front suspension, body-colored urethane bumpers, glued windows, front-wheel drive, a very modern chassis and fuel injection. And those nice bulky V8 blocks? They had made way for 2,5 liter four-cylinder (usually with carburettor) and V6 blocks of 2,8, 3,6 or 4,3 liters (diesel). That diesel was an unreliable thing and soon disappeared from the program.
The Brougham version
The Brougham version was the luxury version and was equipped with a V6 and more beautiful: a luxurious interior with vinyl accents, leather-clad handles on the inside of the door panels, extra chrome finish, electric windows and more beautiful. The Ciera Brougham station wagon was richly covered with 'plestik' foil with a wood grain pattern.
The Brougham version was a luxury car for the Americans. In front of us the Oldsmobile hung a bit through its axes from the bling bling. But for a country where Dolly Parton is a national symbol, it all got along well. From a driving technical point of view, the Oldsmobile remained emotionally authentic, by the way: Comfortable, spacious, softly sprung, and steered with power. With the sturdy V6 with its beautifully flat torque curve in conjunction with an automatic transmission, it was cool cruising in such an Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera Brougham. And it still is.
Such an Oldsmobile Cuttlas Ciera is certainly not an ugly car
In fact: it takes little effort to find it pretty. And it is a good car to drive a beautiful, really usable classic for a manageable amount. The price level for copies that you get greedy without risk is between € 4.500 to just under € 10.000. And those are the asking prices. The parts supply for these cars is good, the parts are not expensive and there are still quite a few people who know how to use the technology. But before signing the purchase contract, check whether all electrically controlled things work properly.
Dear, I own a cutlass 6 ciera brougham v87 sedan myself
I cannot find parts for my car in Belgium
Any tips or addresses would be welcome. Needs a new exhaust.
Olds 4 life
Dear Dolf, nice article about that Oldsmobile. What do you think of an 72 Cuttlass Supreme convertible. Built by Fischer Body. I have one ready for the summer season. Great car.
Thank you. I myself have had a Ciera Cutlass Brougham station wagon with square meters of slab wood. And I am genuinely jealous of your car! Because the cars from before 76 were the most undiluted American.