How Come no one talks of the 88 RWD

[CutDawg88]

I was reading that wicklopedia or whatever its called :x about olds and other sites and no one mentions that there is a cutlass 88 out there that has RWD, They just say new model 88 FWD, Is my VIN incorrect, or is my car the only one. I have a 88 and as far as i know its RWD

 

[pontiacgp]

in 1988 there were only 2 G bodies still in prodution ..the Monte Carlo and the Olds Cutlass Supreme


* Buick Grand National (1982, 1984-1987)
* Buick Regal (1982-1987)
* Chevrolet El Camino (1982-1987)
* Chevrolet Malibu (1982-1983)
* Chevrolet Monte Carlo (1982-1988)
* GMC Caballero (1982-1987)
* Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme (1982-1988)
* Oldsmobile Cutlass Calais (1978-1984)
* Oldsmobile Cutlass Cruiser (1978-1984)
* Oldsmobile Cutlass Salon (1985-1987)
* Pontiac Bonneville (1982-1986)
* Pontiac Grand Prix (1982-1987)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GM_G_platform_(RWD)

 

[GP403]

And IIRC they were really just '87s left over from production the previous year... I know, I know, I put '88 as the last year on the site (look up!) 😀 I've been contemplating taking it down to '87. What's the general opinion? Are '88s for real?

[EDIT: CutDawg, is yours labelled a "Supreme Classic" or some-such thing? Seems to me I remember them being marketed like that for the last year or two, I could be wrong but it just came back to me.]

 

[85_SS]

Yes, 88's were made in both the Monte and the Cutlass, but not the Regal or Grand Prix.

The Cutlass became the "Cutlass Supreme Classic" (CSC for short) to differentiate it from the new FWD model Cutlass. The Monte kept the same name since it of course died out altogether for a while after 88.

 

[85t5mcss]

If all my info is correct, the 88s were just left-overs. Grand NAtionals were last sold as 87s but the last Grand National was built after the last Monte Carlo. Hmm. Why did they sell "88" Montes and not Grand Nationals, then?

 

[clean8485]

I'm not sure about the '88 RWD Cutlass model, but the Monte Carlo was produced as an '88 model from September to early December of 1987. The '88 G body models were only built for a brief time, and to my knowledge, there are few, if any differences between the '87 and '88 models.

 

[RedHotRegal]

I've heard those models called '871/2 when I worked at used/and new car dealerships.

 

[85_SS]

If all my info is correct, the 88s were just left-overs. Grand NAtionals were last sold as 87s but the last Grand National was built after the last Monte Carlo. Hmm. Why did they sell "88" Montes and not Grand Nationals, then?

This is how I understand it as well - There is no "reason" I have heard as to why some brands were titled as 88s and some not. It's just a fine example of GM logic I suppose

I know in the Monte's there are a few very minor differences in 87 and 88 models - the wiper motor wiring is one of them. And on the SS, all 88's had laydown spoilers, while only some 87's did. There are a couple more differences, but nothing major.

 

[mrapii]

The model year of a vehicle is identifiable by the vin number that the manufacturer assigns it. Those 1988 Montes and Cutlass's were vin numbered as 1988; they are not left over '87's or 1987 1/2 models.

 

[85t5mcss]

The model year of a vehicle is identifiable by the vin number that the manufacturer assigns it. Those 1988 Montes and Cutlass's were vin numbered as 1988; they are not left over '87's or 1987 1/2 models.

Not working in a Manufacturing Plant, I assumed that the VIN was stamped on the block and Tag put in the Dash on the Line. Was the VIN made early for an 88 even though it was built at the same time as 87s? Here's why I ask, I will double check this obviously, but my 88 Monte with Lay Down Spolier was built in Feb 87. I would think that it would have been an 87 still since the Grand Nationals were still being built but sold as 87s. I'll check my door sticker and cowl tag again. I don't remember when they stopped production on the GNs.