Oldsmobile Firenza (J-car). 1982–8 (prod. 320,000 approx.). 4-door sedan, 2- and 3-door coupé, 5-door wagon. F/F, 1796, 1998 cm³ (I4 OHC), 2838 cm³ (V6 OHV). Oldsmobile’s version of the J-car, taking its name from a Vauxhall of the 1970s and a trim level on the Oldsmobile Starfire (1975–80). Not very successful: the car probably looked too much like the lesser Chevrolet Cavalier (1982–94) to make any sales’ impact. Two- and four-doors at launch, wagon from 1983, hatch from 1985, the same year the LE2 V6 option became available. Facelift for 1988, looking like the larger Cutlass Ciera, and hatchback deleted. Not directly replaced, though Cutlass Calais, with some J-car hardware underneath, took over at Oldsmobile’s entry level.

Manufacturing location: Leeds, Missouri, USA

Marque: Oldsmobile | Predecessor: Oldsmobile Starfire (1975–80) | Successor: Oldsmobile Cutlass Calais (1988–91)

q.v. Buick Skyhawk (1982–9)