1985 Oldsmobile FE3-X Project Cars
Oldsmobile always represented luxury and quality with a healthy measure of performance, but in 1985 there wasn’t really anything wow-worthy since the W30 and W31s of the musclecar era. These concept cars represented a new aggressive posture for Oldsmobile, one that hinted at the promise of exciting performance offerings for the future. Far more than just flashy styling and trick paint, these special vehicles were designed to illustrate a unique bond between Oldsmobile’s musclecar heritage and their ‘total car” performance future. Oldsmobile was interested in performance again, emphasizing handling, braking, and 
aerodynamics, as well as acceleration. These cars were the first in a series of transition cars intended to illustrate Oldsmobile’s expertise in building strong, reliable performance cars.
The rear-wheel-drive G-body Cutlass was the most conventional, with a host of long-standing hot rod modifications to enhance its capabilities. If performance enthusiasts could buy a Cutlass that looked this good, Oldsmobile dealers would have been overrun with customers. With shaved tires this car pulled a staggering 1.0g on the skidpad.
The Silver Calais illustrated where they were heading with front-wheel-drive performance cars, and its message was loud and clear. it circled the adhesion pad with equal tenacity and made its way through the slalom course just as fast as the Cutlass. That’s virtually identical performance from two entirely different vehicles, and it confirmed the potential of FWD as a performance alternative.
Words by Hot Rod
James Garner drives the 1985 Oldsmobile Cutlass Calais Indy 500 Pace Car
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