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This was an era of some pretty awful American cars. A mid-size family sedan would have a v6 with a carburetor and 110-125 hp and still weigh 1.5 tons or more. A

This was an era of some pretty awful American cars. A mid-size family sedan would have a v6 with a carburetor and 110-125 hp and still weigh 1.5 tons or more. An automatic transmission with a lockup torque converter was probably a pretty new improvement at the time, and ABS brakes were still 5+ years away in high-end cars.

bluedino 10mo ago
The best selling car in 1981 (450,000 sold) was the Oldsmobile Cutlass, with 110 or 180 HP V6/V8 engines and a three speed automatic
- buildsjets 10mo ago
  If you were my dad, the V6 in your Gutless Supreme was the normally aspirated diesel, clocking 85 horsepower, and required new head gaskets approx every 20,000 miles. But at least the rich luxury of the crushed orange velour interior could keep you comfortable while you waited for the tow truck.
  - bluedino 10mo ago
    They had gotten rid of the V6 diesel by 1981, and then they used the infamous 350 diesel https://www.curbsideclassic.com/automotive-histories/automotive-history-oldsmobile-diesel-v8-gms-deadly-sin-34-haste-makes-waste/2/ https://www.curbsideclassic.com/automotive-histories/automot...
    - buildsjets 10mo ago
      Whatever. It got sent to the crusher and we never bought an American-made car ever again.
      - bluedino 10mo ago
        Sounds about right. Those engines ruined diesels for Americans. A friend of mine had one as his high school car, but his dad converted it to gasoline. I think it was in an Olds 88
    - mikestew 10mo ago
      From your link: “The 4.3 L V6 that came out in 1982 did have a denser head bolt arrangement, and did not suffer the catastrophic head sealing failures of the V8.” V6 diesels were put in Cutlass’ until at least 1984: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oldsmobile_Diesel_engine#V6 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oldsmobile_Diesel_engine#V6
      - bluedino 10mo ago
        But not in 1981 which is the year we're talking about
        mikestew 10mo ago
        Ah, just 1981, got it.
seanmcdirmid 10mo ago
The 1981 Trans Am was still in its classic design...it didn't go to the knightrider one until 1982.

bluedino 10mo ago

The best selling car in 1981 (450,000 sold) was the Oldsmobile Cutlass, with 110 or 180 HP V6/V8 engines and a three speed automatic

buildsjets 10mo ago
If you were my dad, the V6 in your Gutless Supreme was the normally aspirated diesel, clocking 85 horsepower, and required new head gaskets approx every 20,000 miles. But at least the rich luxury of the crushed orange velour interior could keep you comfortable while you waited for the tow truck.
- bluedino 10mo ago
  They had gotten rid of the V6 diesel by 1981, and then they used the infamous 350 diesel https://www.curbsideclassic.com/automotive-histories/automotive-history-oldsmobile-diesel-v8-gms-deadly-sin-34-haste-makes-waste/2/ https://www.curbsideclassic.com/automotive-histories/automot...
  - buildsjets 10mo ago
    Whatever. It got sent to the crusher and we never bought an American-made car ever again.
    - bluedino 10mo ago
      Sounds about right. Those engines ruined diesels for Americans. A friend of mine had one as his high school car, but his dad converted it to gasoline. I think it was in an Olds 88
  - mikestew 10mo ago
    From your link: “The 4.3 L V6 that came out in 1982 did have a denser head bolt arrangement, and did not suffer the catastrophic head sealing failures of the V8.” V6 diesels were put in Cutlass’ until at least 1984: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oldsmobile_Diesel_engine#V6 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oldsmobile_Diesel_engine#V6
    - bluedino 10mo ago
      But not in 1981 which is the year we're talking about
      - mikestew 10mo ago
        Ah, just 1981, got it.

seanmcdirmid 10mo ago

The 1981 Trans Am was still in its classic design...it didn't go to the knightrider one until 1982.