2000-2001 OSV Oldsmobiles

[IRONDOG442]

Euro and I were talking tonight about OSV "Oldsmobile Specialty Vehicle" cars and I decided I would share my knowledge of these cars as a whole and let people who dont know about them that wants to know learn...

As I am sure you have heard me ramble on before about some of this stuff but I have never tied it all together before and went from alpha to omega per se. I'll start from the beginning...

 

The real motivation to build these cars started around 1997, Oldsmobile’s Centennial year, a pivotal year when GM announced that they were going to change which direction the Rocket was headed and were going to attempt to change Oldsmobile’s image, perception, and purpose and start thinking outside of the box and brake away from the "Old" in Oldsmobile. Evidence of this was clear early on when Olds decided to change the old "chicken foot" rocket logo and turn it into a rocket going through an oval ring, this first showed up in 1996 On the Bravadas and was also used on the 88s made that year.

 

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As part of this campain the Oldsmobile Intrigue was launched as the flagship car of Oldsmobile it was designed to challenge imports to the like of the Honda Accord and the Toyota Camry, buyers of those cars were actually surveyed and were asked to help create or elect a monaker for the new Oldsmobile generation II w-body. They had several choices but it came down to two.

 

1. Cutlass Supreme

 

2. Intrigue

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Because Oldsmobile was attempting to head into a new direction they wanted to break ties from the Old image and decided to use the name Intrigue. The car was supposed to be ready in 1997 like the other gen II w's but development of the engine and key suspension components unique to the Olds W delayed it's release. The new DOHC chain driven engine the LX-5 was to replace the aging and outdated push rod L36 in ALL w bodies when Oldsmobile finally got the tooling and process set up properly it was 1999. When the other GM divisions were made aware of how pricey the new platform engine was going to be they kindly replied thanks but no thanks. This hurt Oldsmobile financially quite a bit as the cost of tooling and initial set up was high.

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Because the cost of the Intrigue was much higher than anticipated each unit sold cost GM reportedly $2500 per unit in loss. Before GM figured this out a man named Richard L. Balsley (special vehicle manager) was assigned the task to create several cars to promote Oldsmobile's superiority in the W line of vehicles. Oldsmobile requested he create 3 examples of Oldsmobiles to show off at SEMA in 2000. He was told to create an N body a W body and a Minivan using aftermarket equipment but original powertrains to announce Olsmobiles commitment to their new direction. They also specifically requested these vehicles be WHITE !!!!!!

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Richard told them that he would employ MSX of Detroit Michigan to build these vehicles but suggested that GM recosnider regarding their color choice because is GM intended these vehicles to stand out from the crowd that white would not be the best choice for exterior color options. GM upper management told him they were to be white period, and he risked his job (seriously not a joke) and told them that he would have them done in his color of choice which was candy apple red with ghosted oldsmobile logos on the body and if GM didnt like them they could send them back to repainted white if they so chose.

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Well he sent the cars after MSX had made them oh by the way heres the details of the W car...

 

Based on the 2000 model that includes a new four-channel vehicle stability and

yaw system and the Oldsmobile-exclusive 3.5L DOHC powertrain, the OSV Intrigue

includes increased power, specific chassis upgrades and custom exterior ground effects

and paint.

Starting with the engine, power for the 3.5L has increased to 250 bhp at 5600 rpm

with torque increased another 30 lb. ft. to 260 at 4400 rpm with the addition of an Eaton

62 supercharger. Compact and belt-driven off the crankshaft, the supercharger provides

the necessary air to provide more power and torque, particularly at lower rpms. Power

also is increased through the use of 9.5:1 with forged aluminum pistons.

To facilitate better induction and exhaust, airflow is increased by deleting

resonators in the induction system coupled with the use of K&N filtration. Exhaust

back-pressure is reduced with gases exiting through custom-tuned headers coupled to a

Borla exhaust system with center outlets.

Complimenting the 3.5L DOHC engine is a 4T65E electronically controlled

transaxle with a 3.29:1 final drive ratio.

The fully independent, four-wheel suspension system utilizes Koni springs and

struts. To maximize braking efficiency, four 13-inch Brembo calipers with cross-drilled

rotors provide an increase in braking area of 30 percent.

-moreStock

stabilizer bars measuring 36 mm in front and 17.5 mm in the rear are

retained.

Ride height of the Intrigue is lowered approximately 1.5 inches. A complete

ground effects package, along with front and rear spoilers, is included with the OSV

Intrigue.

Hart C-6 Evolution chrome wheels, measuring 19†x 8†inches and featuring a

distinctive six spoke design, are fitted with Michelin 255/40ZR19 tires.

Special custom paint that includes Oldsmobile’s logo and OSV badging identify

the model apart from stock Intrigues.

On the interior, Recaro Style seats with a unique neutral and red leather seating

area are used in the front seating positions. Both the steering wheel and floor-mounted

shifter also are trimmed in the neutral/red leather pattern.

The advance design, Recaro seats feature an Airmatic system for lumbar support

and are both heated and air-conditioned.

Trim upgrades in the Intrigue also include titanium brake and accelerator pedals.

On the door uppers and console trim plate, the standard trim has been upgraded with

carbon fiber accent panels.

 

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And After GM seen these cars they liked them so much they had Richard build a second set for AJ Foyt and Al Unser to test on the track to see how they would perform! The other set was sent to SEMA in Las Vegas to see how the public would react to these cars as a whole. The public liked them so much Richard was assigned another task to present these cars in PRODUCTION FORM !!!!!

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Well GM also recommended that Richard Build some other Oldsmobile show cars as well to show off some of Oldsmobile's engineering muscle perse... Here's an example of the other cars Richard helped create.

 

1. Oldsmobile Alero Razzi Fx

2. Oldsmobile Alero RKS California Edition

3. Oldsmobile Alero Convertible

4. Oldsmobile Alero 442 Concept (had a 475 hp 4.6 Northstar motor and 5 speed manual trans)

5. Oldsmobile Alero SC-3 (Show Car 3) later known as Zebra edition Alero

6. Oldsmobile Alero 2001 OSV Green with LX5

7. Oldsmobile Intrigue Saturday Night Cruiser

8. Oldsmobile Intrigue Polar Bear

9. Oldsmobile Intigue SC-3 Intrigue

10. Oldsmobile Green 2001 OSV

11. Oldsmobile Intrigue 442 475 hp Northstar 4.6 with 4t80HD trans

 

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So back to the production cars... Even tho SCX built some amazing 2000 OSV cars GM told Rirchard Balsley that they would allow him to make OSVs production there was no way he was going to get a supercharged LX-5 in an Intrigue and no way they would make an Alero with a v-8 so he settled for the consolation prize. They told him that they would produce an Intrigue with a stock Oldsmobile Aurora V-8 with better exhast and the Alero would get a standard LX-5 with less restrictive dual exhaust as well. They asked him to choose a production GM color to build these in since GM would not apply House of Kolors (the red) paint to any production car.

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So Balsley looked at GMs choice of production paint and found out that the 2001 Cadillac Green was the best blend of base coat/clear coat they had to offer and the cars were made in that color, also the ground effects and side skirts and spoiler was to be made in bolt on fashion rather than molded into the body like the 2000 OSVs

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They had the paint, the wheels, the interior, the brakes, the suspension, the logos, the transmissions, the engines, the body kit, and exhaust ready to go, and actually sent 50 sets to the fairfax and lansing assembly plants. GM sent out flyers to the dealerships offering the Oldsmobile Specialty Vehicle kit as an option and 3 days later GM announced that Oldsmobile was to be phased out and the program was cancelled. What was sure to be a success and probably a total recovery for Oldsmobile turned out to be a total tragedy. Pics to the story will be added shortly.

[Euro]

That's awesome info Rob. I can't wait to see some of the pics of those cars you listed. Some of the names intrigued me.

[IRONDOG442]

Thanks and for those of you who still dont know why I like Intrigues I don't know what else to tell you.

[ManicMechanic]

Good info.

[jeremy]

<----wants to have Rob's baby

[Crazy K]

<----wants to have Rob's baby

 

<-------------willing to wait to wait until rob's baby is 18 and.... j/k

 

very good info Rob!

 

[Andrew]

that was awesome Rob. i didnt really know any of that.

 

that just fulfilled my learning quota for the month!

[BCM]

YOu should just write a book about all of this stuff.

 

Good info.

[89SupremeCutty]

that was kick ass! that was something i didn't know about oldsmobile. i'd also love to see some of those above mentioned cars.

[ismellrealbad]

that was awesome Rob. i didnt really know any of that.

 

that just fulfilled my learning quota for the month!

 

x5 billion

[IRONDOG442]

I'll add pictures tonight and I will write an ending to the story.

[89SupremeCutty]

I'll add pictures tonight and I will write an ending to the story.

 

yay! i'll have something to read when i get home from work tonight. im excited to hear how it ends.

[IRONDOG442]

Pics entry 1

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Pics entry two I will clean this up when I get home

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pics page 3