The unpopular diesel. But looks like reserve is already met at $1500. https://www.ebay.com/itm/224062811669 Car appears to be in mint condition.
Not sure why in the picture section he calls the Diesel a 4.1. GM never made a 4.1 Diesel and the 5.7 was the only Diesel available in this car in 1981. Looks like a nice car.
It may be a 4.3 Liter V8 diesel. I know they made a small displacement Olds V8 diesel around that time frame, but I don't know what year or years it was available, my mother almost bought one in 1979 before coming to her senses and buying a gas V8 powered LeSabre. Or it is a model year mistake as the 4.3 V6 was available in the 1982 model year.
I don't think the 260 Diesel was available on the big cars. I know they made some RWD V6 Diesels, but I've only seen FWD cars with them. Up higher in the description details he has it listed as a 5.7 Diesel so I am guessing that is what is in there. I'd love to have another Olds Diesel powered car, but this one just doesn't do a whole lot for me. I'd prefer another A/G-Body two door or wagon.
I'm 56, so in late 70's early 80's i was more interested in performance cars, not looking into family cars. What was the thinking of gm in offering diesel cars? Gas mileage? gas prices? endurance?
Fuel mileage. My '81 Cutlass with the 5.7 Diesel and three speed trans would get 28-30mpg on the highway no problem. Bear in mind that was back when most highways were still 55mph and very few were 60-65.
Back in the day diesel fuel was cheaper than gas and a diesel engine could get 35-40MPG in the right driving conditions. The gas crisis killed off the bigger engines and cars and customers wanted their cushy sofas to get better fuel economy. It's a real shame how badly GM botched this design back then. I personally want another '77-85 Pontiac full size with a diesel engine to drive around. The crowd that knows these engines knows how to make them live, albeit they'll never be powerhouses with their 110HP...
I've seen it done on one car. Guy says it is very close to the crossmember and oil pan for clearance.
