You think they would have learned. After serving up slow-selling Native American-themed “Designer Interiors” for select 1979 Cutlass models, Oldsmobile tried again for 1980 with another shocking interior trim offering. This time they named it “Renaissance” though it definitely didn’t spark any sort of revival for specialty upholstery at Olds.
For 1980, the Designer Interior was limited to the Cutlass Supreme Brougham models only, though it was available on both the 2-door and newly introduced 4-door notchback. It featured multiple shades of blue velour mixed in a chevron pattern with beige velour. Yowza!
This interior was one of the eight choices on offer for 1980 Cutlass Supreme Brougham models, the others being a fairly tame corduroy-style ribbed velour called “Verado” in 5 colors as well as extra-cost leather options in 2 colors.
Let’s face it, for most Cutlass Supreme Brougham buyers, the standard velour trim was just the ticket. Appropriately plush and conservative, this upholstery was fitted to the vast majority of 1980 Supreme Broughams.
The leather trim option (looking suspiciously like vinyl) cost $285 ($922 adjusted). But if you wanted to load-up your Cutlass Supreme Brougham with added cost goodies, it was an understated choice for upmarket buyers.
Marketing for the “Renaissance” Designer Interior was limited to a small blurb on the page outlining Cutlass options. Hardly a big push for an extra-cost interior that retailed for $135 ($437 adjusted). Though Oldsmobile was probably wise to keep the picture small–anything larger could have scared away Middle Americans!
If you did want a “Renaissance” interior in 1980, you needed to pick from the following exterior colors: Black (with optional Black vinyl roof treatments), White (with optional White vinyl roof treatments), Light Blue (with optional Light Blue vinyl roof treatments), Dark Blue (with optional Light Blue or Light Camel vinyl roof treatments), and Light Camel or Pastel Beige (both with an optional Light Camel vinyl roof treatments).
Blue and Tan “Designer” packages were apparently contagious between Lansing and Flint Michigan in 1980, as Buick also served up a special edition featuring this color combination. Buick’s offering was called the Regal Somerset Limited Edition, and was sold as a total package with just the one paint/trim choice.
Apparently, the Buick Regal Somerset Edition was popular enough that it returned for 1981 as the Somerset II. But not the Oldsmobile Cutlass Designer Interiors—1980 was the swan song for those short-lived specialty trims.
And as for actual Curbside Classics featuring these trims and still running around in the wild? Well, you can find examples of a 1980 Buick Regal Somerset Limited Edition, like this one located in Connecticut.
But exhaustive internet searches for any example of a 1980 Cutlass Supreme Brougham with the Renaissance Designer Interior yielded nothing. Zero. Zilch. Nada. I simply cannot find any shots of any 1980 Cutlass Supreme Brougham with that trim. So it was undoubtedly wildly rare. Of the 77,875 Cutlass Supreme Brougham Coupes and 52,462 Cutlass Supreme Brougham Sedans produced for 1980, it seems like a mere handful of cars were built with the Renaissance interior. Could it be maybe ¼ of 1%? Like maybe 325 cars? Or less? Who knows, but it sure was low. So much for a Renaissance….
This is why non-luxury brands have a choice of grey/beige or black interiors. The buying public avoids any use of color or pattern, and the OEMs just don’t even bother to present any options.
Was this pattern a viable design choice for 1980? I believe it was, but it may have sold better on a Pontiac or Chevy than an Olds or Buick. However, it would be a fool’s errand to offer it, as history shows that any attempt at a bold interior falls on its face. The Pierre Cardin Javelin of the 70s is a personal favorite, but like the other GM offerings we have seen recently in posts, they had a minimal take rate and were generally unloved by the masses.
I was at the Carlisle auction last weekend, and the cars that stood out most to my liking were a couple of full sized GM convertibles, each sporting a white interior. The triple white one was a bit too much of one color, but the blue body was really complimented by a white top and seats, along with blue carpeting and trim. I wish we could have more choices like that in something other than the highest priced models.
Word of the day is “Yowza!” – The other day I tried to get “Shazam!” going. Joseph Dennis was the only one bite on that one. ;o)
Maybe not an exact CC Effect, but I saw this vintage of Cutlass Supreme (in sedan form, not the more popular at the time coupe) on my way to work this morning having a go at the morning rush (which sucks around here in the Baltimore/Washington corridor).
As to the Pierre Cardin Interior… I’ll post it again for your viewing pleasure….
“I tried to get “Shazam!” going.”
Not many cars in that franchise, given the length of its’ run. I guess becoming a flying superhero before you’re old enough for a driver’s license will do that.
A four speed manual mated to a 301was available on the ’79 Grand Prix. Was a four speed offered on offered on this car ? Only 230 Grand Prix were built with that combo.
Not sure about ’80. but for ’79 you could get a Cutlass with a 3-, 4-, or 5-speed manual, depending on engine, of course.
Hi Jonathan,
I had a 301 4bbl, manual 4-speed 1979 Grand Prix SJ. It was black, had a power moonroof, leather seats, limited-slip diff. and 14 inch version of the snowflake wheels. I bought it in 2000 from the original owner, who ordered it how he wanted it. It had factory air shocks, too. Neat car, not fast and had a heavy clutch but drove very smoothly. It only had 90,000 on it at that time. I sold it to a friend who loved it more than me. He drove it until the clutch went out. Unfortunately he never fixed it and it has been decomposing since 2002 in his mother’s yard…
Ouch my eyes! Looks like a bad drapery design for a ’70s living room. Reminds me of a Don Cherry suit on Hockey Night in Canada.
As a Canadian, please note that not all Canadian share Don’s views.
My eyes!!! It’s so loud I can almost hear it too.
Nothing says Oldsmobile Cutlass like a bunch of big blue Ws and Ms.
I am quite sure I have never seen one of these, and had no idea that they were ever offered. Just wow.
I vaguely remember reading about them, but have never seen one on the street. I also don’t remember many Cutlasses with the leather interior option.
A GM venial sin?
I just love the pillow look on this era cars(favorite was the 74 to 76 Fleetwood talisman as well as 74 to 76 Park ave) they look like rolling living rooms and truly luxurious. The biege seats on that Cutlass look soooooo inviting.
I’d like to join the Renaissance, so sign me up! 😉
Coupe, please. Dark blue with steel roof. Being 1980, can I get that with 305 Chevy power and THM 350?
Great post and follow-up to your earlier article, GN.
As for this “Renaissance” pattern itself (and I’ve made it clear in many of my own posts that I like many aesthetic choices of the late-’70s), I really want to like it. I do. But, honestly, it’s not my favorite.
I was trying to remember what it reminded me of, and I Googled the hallway carpet in the fictional Overlook Hotel from 1980’s “The Shining”. Nope – that wasn’t it. But that carpet had a similar aesthetic – with the multiple contrasting colors in a geometric design, even if the pattern was different.
The “Renaissance” pattern reminds me of wallpaper I would see in a mid-’70s Holiday Inn. I might wear this pattern on a vintage polyester shirt, but to see it every day in my car on the way to and from work? Probably a bit much, even for me.
The interior of the 1980 Regal Limited Somerset is much more appealing. It always sort of reminded me of a caramel-and-blueberry pastry. Mmmm… pastry. Aaaauuughgghgh….
When Oldsmobile was deemed the experimental division of GM, I don’t think this was the kind of experiment Mr. Sloan had in mind…
Frighteningly, I think that zig-zag pattern is making a comeback. Fans of Oldsmobile’s Renaissance upholstery can order this bed cover, for instance:
I find it interesting that GM bothered to create distinct sew patterns for both the Renaissance Cutlass and Somerset Regal (lacking the usual button tufting for example), the difference isn’t just the wacky color patterns. The ’81 Somerset II used standard Regal Limited seat contours, which went unchanged during its 10 year run.
Oooh, I LOVE it! More if you’ve got them please.
It appears to be an art deco influenced pattern:
https://www.google.com/search?q=zigzag+art+deco&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjz4oHRut_gAhWL64MKHbPCDwgQ_AUIDigB&biw=1900&bih=891
It’s not a pattern I’d associate with the Renaissance. Wonder why they called it that? Or who decided that would be a cool style worth offering? While I love artistry and visual patterns, to me this looks like a set of sharp teeth about to bite my behind.
It’s a No from me.
The standard velour in Willow Green is plenty wild enough for me, thanks.
When these cars were new, I was a teenager and usually lusted after a Cutlass SB or Regal Ltd.
I, of course, would have always loaded them up with PW/PL/cassette w/EQ/moonroof, and of course, the leather interior!
I’ve always wondered about the quality of the leather in the Cutlass/Regal. Was it the same quality as a Seville Elegante or Eldorado Biarritz? The comment in the article about the Cutlass leather “looking like vinyl” made me think about it.
Zigzags and Chevrons were very popular in Art Deco design.
I would call the 1980 Olds is a Flame Stitch design, which was popular in the late ‘70s – early ‘80s, especially on cheesy wallpaper use in Holiday Inns. Flame Stitch was also popular on upholstery.
While I like the Buick’s interior over the Olds, I was never a fan of the Regal’s exterior two-tone.
“Flame Stitch” is correct. This was a popular fashion trend in the early 80’s. I remember even having bedding and towels in this pattern.
I own a 1980 cutlass supreme brougham Renaissance edition
Thank you for this post. I had a 1980 cutlass with the renaissance interior and have always wanted to learn about those cars and how they were put together. So cool , with not much info about the history of them.