Oldsmobile launched the Cutlass in 1961. Initial sales were promising, but an ill-founded marketing strategy which would see the Cutlass launched as it's own Marque rather than a model within the Olds range only confused buyers - and lost sales.
A 1961 newcomer to the Olds range was the bucket-seat Starfire convertible on the Super 88 chassis. A companion hardtop coupe was added for '62.