World Classic Autos Index > Guides Index > Oldsmobile 1946 - 1960

Oldsmobile
66 et al. 1946-1948
68 et al. 1946-1948
76 et al. 1946-1950
78 et al. 1946-1948
88 et al. 1949-1960
98 et al. 1946-1960

66, 68 et al.
1946 - the Special or Sixty series was the cheapest of the Oldsmobiles after the war. In 1946 it was only available with a six-cylinder engine, hence the 66 designation. A three speed manual gearbox with a column shifter was standard with an automatic as an option. The car came in 5 body styles including a convertible where a leather interior was also an option.
1947 - the Sixty series was only with an eight cyclinder engine which meant a total of 10 engine/body combinations were offered. This was the last year of production for the Sixty series.
1948 - the Special desination was dropped and the Sixty series was called a Dynamic.

Vehicle Identification

76, 78 et al.
1946 - the Dynamic or Seventy series was the middle of the Olds range and was available with six cylinder and 8 cylinder power (76 & 78). A three speed manual gearbox with a column shifter was standard with an automatic as an option. Two bodies styles were offered with each engines and customers could choose between standard or deluxe trim. Standard equipment included a cigarette lighter and dual sun visors. Deluxes models were fitted with foam rubber cushions, special steering wheel, electric clock and rear arm rest.
1947 - The Deluxe package cost $100 and deluxe models were denoted by a D suffix on the style number.

Vehicle Identification

1949 - The Seventy series was now the bottom of the range. The 76 and 78 were almost identical except for their engines. Deluxe models included floor mats.

1950 - This was the final year for the Seventy-Six series. Standard equipment on base models included dual horns, parking lamps, rubber floor mats and aluminum sill plates. Delux equipment included robe rails and extra chrome moldings.

Vehicle Identification

88 et al.
1949 - This was the first year of production for the 88 series and was fitted with the new Rocket V8 engine. The sedan model could reach 60mph in 12.2 seconds. An 88 convertible was the official pace car for the 1949 Indianapolis 500. The car was based on body and chassis as the Seveny series. Incidently the body style was given a 'B' designation and was also used by Chevrolet and Pontiac.
1950 - A one-piece windshield was a midyear upgrade.
1951 - The Super Eighty-Eight Series of five body styles was introduced. It was completely different from the Eighty-Eight series. It was available with a Deluxe package. The standard Eighty-Eight series was almost identical to the 1950 series. Near the end of the year the model was dropped.
1952 - Power steering was offered for the first time as an option.
1953 - The Deluxe Eighty-Eight was the bottom of the range. It shared many features of the Super Eighty-Eight but has a less powerful version of the Rocket V8 engine. The Super outsold the Deluxe by an order of six to one.
1954 - All models received complete restyles this year. The Eighty-Eight lost its Deluxe prefix. The number of body styles was increased from two to three with the introduction of two-door Holiday hardtop.
1955 - The standard engine on the Super Eighty-Eight, the 202hp Rocket V8 was offered as a $35 option on the Eighty-Eight model. The Rocket engine could take an 88 from 0-60mph in 10.6 secs.
1956 - The Eighty-Eight range was expanded to four body styles. Twenty-one factory colors were offered with twenty-six two-tone combinations. A padded steering wheel came as standard on the Super Eighty-Eight.
1957 - To celebrate Oldsmobile 50th anniversary the Eighty-Eight range was called the Golden Rocket Eighty-Eight. Both Eighty-Eight models were restyled and for the first time since 1957 a station wagon was offered.
1958 - There was a major restyle. The entry level Eighty-Eight was called the Dynamic and all Station Wagons were called Fiestas.
1959 - For the second consecutive year the Eighty-Eight was restyled. All hardtop models were called Holidays.

Vehicle Identification

98 et al.
1946 - the Custom cruiser or Ninety Series was top of the range. Three body styles were offered, all with eight cylinder power. A three speed manual gearbox with a column shifter was standard with an automatic as an option.
1947 - This was the last year of the prewar body.
1948 - The Ninety-eight was redesignated as the Futuramic. Standard equipment included solenoid starter, and foam rubber cushion seats. Deluxe models came with front and rear floor mats!

Vehicle Identification

1949 - The Rocket V8 engine was introduced to the range. A windshield washer and turn signals were offered as standard. 1950 - The four-door fastback curiously returned after its absence in 1949. Equipment was similar throughout the Olds range. Deluxe equipment included rear seat arm rest, deluxe electric clock, steering wheel and horn button, special door trim and stainless steel wheel trims.
1951 - Illuminated ashtrays were standard equipment!!!
1952 - A higher ouput 160hp was fitted. Carpets were fitted front and rear and power steering was offered as an option.
1953 - Late in the model year, a limited production run called the 'Fiesta' was offered whichgave the opportunity to try out some of the proposed changes for 1954. The Fiesta had almost every Oldsmobile option fitted as standard except for air conditioning. Air conditioning was offered at $500.
1954 - The convertibles in the range were dubbed 'Starfires'. The name had been used on a 1953 fibre glass bodied two seater concept car. The name was taken from the Lockheed F-94B Starfure, a rocket firing jet.
1955 - A handbrake light and courtesy light package were offered as standard.
1956 - Standard equipment included windscreen washers and power steering.
1957 - Designated at the Starfire, equipment now included power brakes.
1958 - The Ninety-Eight had dual exhausts, color accented wheel trims and chrome wheel trims.
1959 - The 4 model range was restyled for the second consecutive year.

Vehicle Identification

Vehicle Identification 1946 - 1948

First two symbols indicate the series 66 = Series 66 6 cyl - Special (46-47)/Dynamic (48) 68 = Series 68 8 cyl - Special (46-47)/Dynamic (47) 76 = Series 76 6 cyl - Dynamic 78 = Series 78 8 cyl - Dynamic 98 = Series 98 8 cyl - Custom Cruiser (46-47)/Futuramic (48) Third symbol indicates assembly plant Remaining symbols vehicle production number Lancing (no third symbol) 1946 1947 1948 66 112001- 132001- 165001- 68 13001- 25001- 76 920001- 134001- 164001- 78 33001- 50001- 72001- 98 32001- 43001- 65001- A - Atlanta 1947 1948 66A 1001- 2001- 68A 1001- 2001- 76A 1001- 2001- 78A 1001- 2001- 98A ? 1001- B- Boston, (Framingham), Mass 1948 66B 9001- 68B 1001- 76B 1001- 98B 1001- C - California (Los Angeles) 1946 1947 1948 66C 12001- 15001- 21001- 68C 4000- 6001- 76C 9001- 13001- 18001- 78C 5001- 7001- 11001- 98C 5001- 7001- 11001- K - Kansas City 1946 1947 1948 66K -2431 -8124 9001- 68K 1001- 3001- 76K 1001- 4000- 9001- 78K 1001- 3001- 7001- 98K 1001- 2002- 6001- L - Linden, NJ 1946 1947 1948 66L 14001- 19001- 31001- 68L 4001- 8001- 76L 13001- 2801- 31601- 18939 29949 78L 5001- 8001- 16001- 98L 7001- 10001- 11001- W - Wilmington, Del No numbers available Engines (there is no relationship to an assembly plant) 6 cyl 8 cyl 1946 6-1001 - 6-82337 8-1001 - 8-36397 1947 6-83001 - 6-186314 8-37001 - 8-125584 1948 6-188021 - 8-256090 8-127001 - 8-164285

Car Links Values

Vehicle Identification 1949 - 1960

First two symbols indicate the model year.

49 = 1949      50 = 1950      51 = 1951      52 = 1952      53 = 1953
54 = 1954      55 = 1955      56 = 1956      57 = 1957      58 = 1958
59 = 1959      60 = 1960

Third symbol indicates the model.

6 = Seventy-Six (1949-50)
7 = Eighty-Eight (1951)(1954-60)
7 = Deluxe Eighty-Eight (1953)
8 = Eighty-Eight (1949-50)
8 = Deluxe Eighty-Eight (1952)
8 = Super Eighty-Eight (1951-60)
9 = Ninety-Eight (1949-60)
 
Fourth symbol indicates assembly plant

A = Atlanta
B = Boston (Framington)
C = California (Los Angels/Southgate)
K = Kansas City
L = Linden, NJ
M = Michigan (Lansing)
T = Texas (Arlington) (1954-)
W = Willmington, Del

Remaining symbols vehicle production number

Engines (there is no relationship to an assembly plant)
              6 cyl              8 cyl 
1949          6A1001-6A96888     8A1001-8A193864
1950          6A97001-6A130440   8A194001-8A568689
Engines with a ‘H’ prefix fitted with Hydra-matic automatic transmission.  
1951                             8C1001-287312
Engines with a ‘B’ prefix had synchromesh transmission.
1952                             8R1001-8R214478
1953                             R215001-549482
1954                             V1001-V355083
1955                             V400001-V983275
1956                             A001001-A385513
1957                             A001001-
1958                             B00-1001-
1959-60                          371ci    C00-1001-
1959-60                          394ci    D00-1001-
1960                             371ci    H00-1001-

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