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70-606: The Oldsmobile L-Series, or the Oldsmobile 8 , was built from the 1932 through 1938. Oldsmobile hadn't offered a full-sized luxury flagship since the cancellation of the Oldsmobile Light Eight in 1923, and the Viking upscale companion brand to Oldsmobile didn't sell very well, being cancelled after two years. The 1933 model introduced a completely new body style influenced by the "streamlined" appearance, and it

140-548: A " guinea pig " for testing new technology, with Oldsmobile offering the Toronado Trofeo , which included a visual instrument system with a calendar, datebook, climate controls and several prototypes built in conjunction with Avis with an early satellite-based navigation system. For 1995, Oldsmobile introduced the Aurora , which would be the inspiration for the design of its cars from the mid-1990s onward. The introduction of

210-410: A 60 hp (45 kW) 707  CID (11.6 L) T-head straight-six engine, Bosch Magneto starter, running boards and room for five. Options included a speedometer, clock, and a full glass windshield. A limousine version was priced at $ 5,800 ($ 189,660 in 2023 dollars ). While Oldsmobile only sold 725 Limiteds in its three years of production, the car is best remembered for winning a race against

280-401: A conventional clutch pedal, which the driver presses before selecting either "low" or "high" range. In "low," the car shifts between first and second gears. In "high," the car shifts among first, third and fourth gears. For the 1940 model, Oldsmobile was the first auto manufacturer to offer a fully automatic transmission , called the " Hydramatic ", which features four forward speeds. It has

350-469: A division of General Motors, Oldsmobile slotted into the middle of GM's five passenger car divisions (above Chevrolet and Pontiac , but below Buick and Cadillac ). It was also noted for several groundbreaking technologies and designs. Oldsmobile's sales peaked at over one million annually from 1983 to 1986, but by the 1990s the division faced growing competition from premium import brands, and sales steadily declined. When it shut down in 2004, Oldsmobile

420-471: A fin-top taillight (concave on the 98 models while convex on the 88 models). The 1959 models also offered several roof treatments, such as the pillared sedan with a fastback rear window and the Holiday SportSedan, which was a flat-roofed pillarless hardtop with wraparound front and rear glass. The 1959 models were marketed as "the linear look", and also featured a bar-graph speedometer which showed

490-477: A gas pedal and a brake—no clutch pedal. The gear selector is on the steering column. Starting in 1941 and continuing through 1999, Oldsmobile used a two-digit model designation. As originally implemented, the first digit signifies the body size while the second represents the number of cylinders. Body sizes were 6, 7, 8, and 9, and straight six- and straight eight-cylinder engines were offered. Thus, Oldsmobiles were named " 66 " through " 98 ". Until January 1, 1942,

560-435: A green indicator through 35 miles per hour (56 km/h), then changed to orange until 65 miles per hour (105 km/h), then was red above that until the highest speed read by the speedometer, 120 miles per hour (190 km/h). Power windows were available on the 98 models, as were two-speed electric windshield wipers with electrically powered windshield washers. The 88 still relied on vacuum-operated windshield wipers without

630-512: A new GM bodystyle platform called the " GM B platform ", shared with Buick products. In 1929, as part of General Motors' companion make program , Oldsmobile introduced the higher standard Viking brand, marketed through the Oldsmobile dealer network. Viking was already discontinued at the end of the 1930 model year although an additional 353 cars were marketed as 1931 models. In the 1930s, Oldsmobile produced two body styles of automobile,

700-536: A unique 350-cubic-inch displacement V8. It was during the 1977 model year that demand exceeded production capacity for the Oldsmobile V8 and as a result, Oldsmobile began equipping most full-size Delta 88 models (those with Federal emissions specifications) with the Chevrolet 350 engine instead. Although it was widely debated whether there was a difference in quality or performance between the two engines, there

770-400: A vertical bar. The tail of the car featured massive vertical chrome taillight housings. Two chrome stars were fitted to the trunklid. Ford styling consultant Alex Tremulis (designer of the 1948 Tucker sedan ) mocked the 1958 Oldsmobile by drawing cartoons of the car, and placing musical notes in the rear trim assembly. Another Detroit stylist employed by Ford bought a used 1958 Oldsmobile in

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840-500: A warmed-over 1942 model serving as the offering for 1946. Oldsmobile once again was a pioneer when, for the 1949 model, the Rocket engine was introduced, which used an overhead valve V8 design rather than the flathead " straight-eight " design which prevailed at the time. The overhead valve was originally exclusive to Buick as they invented the technology and offered it on all of their products. This engine produced far more power than

910-422: A washer feature. 1959 Oldsmobiles were offered with "Autronic Eye" (a dashboard-mounted automatic headlight dimmer) as well as factory-installed air conditioning and power-operated front bench seat as available options. The 1959 body style was continued through the 1960 model year, but the fins were toned down for 1960 and the taillights were moved to the bottom of the fenders. Notable achievements for Oldsmobile in

980-564: A water pool. Oldsmobile commissioned two prominent sculptures by noted sculptor Samuel Cashwan , who had previously served on the General Motors Styling Staff. The exterior Cashwan sculpture, titled Open Cage , previously located outside the Admin Building's primary entrance, was donated in 2006, to be placed at the entrance to the R.E. Olds Transportation Museum . The east wall of the penthouse featured

1050-412: A wheelbase of 116–124 in (2,959–3,150 mm) and was offered as a closed body sedan, coupe and convertible. All four wheels now offered as standard equipment hydraulic drum brakes, and in 1933 wooden spoked wheels were permanently discontinued with pressed steel discs instead. With the modern appearance of streamlined gaining widely accepted public approval, all bodystyles across GM's vehicles adopted

1120-617: A wheelbase of 64 inches (1,600 mm), and rode on 30-inch (760 mm) wooden spoked wheels , with leather fenders. The drivetrain had clear evolutionary roots in Pope's bicycle business, driving the rear axle via a chain drive (typical of automobiles of the era), producing virtually the only operating noise. Between the motor and the chain drive was a transmission with three forward and two reverse speeds. Twenty batteries manufactured by Exide Batteries, also associated with Electric Vehicle Company, were placed above both axles in order to balance

1190-490: A wraparound windshield, a trend that eventually all American makes would share at sometime between 1953 and 1964. New for 1954 on 98 coupes and convertibles (Starfire) would be front and rear "sweep cut" fender styling, which would not show up on a Chevrolet until 1956 and not until 1957 on a Pontiac. 1953 models changed to a 12 volt electrical system that made starting easier. In the 1950s the nomenclature changed again, and trim levels also received names that were then mated with

1260-717: The Chevrolet brand. For the European market, the Oldsmobile Silhouette was sold between 1994 and 1997 as the Pontiac Trans Sport by replacing the Oldsmobile badging with Pontiac badging, along with Pontiac wheels. Sales in Europe were good for an American import, but did not represent enough volume to make a distinct model economically feasible for the European market. Its successors were both

1330-657: The Chevrolet Trans Sport (second generation Pontiac Trans Sport rebadged as a Chevrolet) (LWB), and the Opel/Vauxhall Sintra (SWB). The Oldsmobile Alero was sold in select countries in Europe (and Israel ) between 1999 and 2001 as the Chevrolet Alero, and was only available as a 4-door sedan . The car still featured its Oldsmobile badges even though sold under the Chevrolet brand, but since most European consumers would not recognize

1400-588: The Ford Motor Company in 1903. The 1902 to 1907 Oldsmobile Model R "Curved Dash" was the first mass-produced car , made on a progressive moving automotive assembly line , an invention which is often incorrectly credited to Henry Ford and the Ford Motor Company. Ford was the first to manufacture cars on a continuously moving and synchronized assembly line starting in 1913, five years into Model T production. Olds' moving assembly line

1470-515: The General Motors Technical Center . Approach walkways integrated snow melting units, and the design incorporated interior and exterior artwork. The building has two prominent interconnected towers in the northeast corner: a six-level north wing and a four-level south wing. The building's two-story lobby featured a sunken visitor waiting area, a place to display a current Oldsmobile, and a reception area, 'floating' within

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1540-508: The Oldsmobile Light Eight in 1916, Oldsmobile offered a Northway -designed flathead V8 engine until 1923, while Buick remained with their division exclusive overhead valve straight-six engine until 1930. Beginning in 1910, bodywork was supplied by Fisher Body , a longstanding tradition that led to the company being eventually merged into GM in later years. In 1926, the Oldsmobile Six came in five body styles, and ushered in

1610-539: The Series F (straight-6 cylinder) and the longer Series L (straight-8 cylinder). In 1933 The Oldsmobile Program appeared on CBS radio for two years which was a new advertising approach to sell products and services. In 1937, Oldsmobile was a pioneer in introducing a four-speed semi-automatic transmission called the "Automatic Safety Transmission", although this accessory was actually built by Buick, which would offer it in its own cars in 1938. This transmission features

1680-646: The "junior" companion brand LaSalle a platform the L-Series shared on the GM C platform . It was replaced by the Oldsmobile Series 90 introduced in 1938, and it was exported to Japan as a knock down kit and assembled at Osaka Assembly in Osaka, Japan . The L-Series was equipped with a side-valve , 240 cu in (3,933 cc) straight eight-cylinder engine developing 87 bhp. This generation had

1750-595: The 1950s was 1958. The nation was beginning to feel the results of its first significant post-war recession, and US automobile sales were down for the model year. Oldsmobile, Buick and Cadillac received a heavy-handed makeover of the 1957 GM designs. The Oldsmobile that emerged in 1958 bore little resemblance to the design of its forerunners; instead the car emerged as a large, over-decorated "chromemobile" which many felt had overly ostentatious styling. Up front, all 1958 Oldsmobile's received one of General Motors' heavily styled front facias and quad-headlights. Streaking back from

1820-644: The 1960s included the introduction of the first turbocharged engine and a factory water injection system in 1962 (the Turbo Jetfire ), the first modern front-wheel drive car produced in the United States (the 1966 Toronado ), the Vista Cruiser station wagon (noted for its roof glass), and the upscale 442 muscle car . Olds briefly used the names "Jetstar 88" (1964–1966) and Delmont 88 (1967–1968) on its least expensive full-size models in

1890-574: The 1960s. In 1968 the split grille appearance was introduced and remained a traditional feature until production ended in 2004. Notable models for the 1960s: The 1970s and 1980s were good years for the Oldsmobile division; sales soared (reaching an all-time high of 1,066,122 in 1985) based on popular designs, positive reviews from critics, and perceived quality and reliability, with the Cutlass series becoming North America's top-selling car by 1976. By this time, Olds had displaced Pontiac and Plymouth as

1960-480: The 1979 Cutlass Salon and Cutlass Supreme/Cutlass Calais models. These were largely based on corresponding gasoline engines but with heavier duty cast blocks, redesigned heads and fast glow plugs; and on the 5.7L, oversized cranks, main bearings and wrist pins. There were several problems with these engines, including water and corrosion in the injectors (no water separator in the fuel line); paraffin clogging of fuel lines and filters in cold weather; reduced lubrication in

2030-597: The Aurora marked as General Motors' catalyst to reposition Oldsmobile as an upscale import fighter. Accordingly, Oldsmobile received a new logo based on the familiar "rocket" theme. Also in 1995 Oldsmobile introduced the first satellite navigation system available in the United States, the Guidestar on the 1995 Oldsmobile 88 . Nearly all the existing model names were gradually phased out: the Cutlass Calais in 1991,

2100-627: The Division was still known by the still official name of Olds Motor Works, when it was changed to the collective name the cars were known as, "Oldsmobiles". Thus, the division was officially christened the Oldsmobile Division of General Motors. The last pre-war Oldsmobile rolled off the assembly line on February 5, 1942. During World War II , Oldsmobile produced numerous kinds of material for the war effort, including large-caliber guns and shells. Production resumed on October 15, 1945, with

2170-617: The Silhouette only had 360 built as a result of the plant running out of production capacity due to fleet order obligations for minivans on the same assembly line. The Oldsmobile division's last completed production car was an Alero GLS 4-door sedan, which was signed by all of the Olds assembly line workers. It was on display at the R. E. Olds Transportation Museum located in Lansing, Michigan until GM's bankruptcy, when it retook possession of

Oldsmobile L-Series - Misplaced Pages Continue

2240-592: The Toronado and Custom Cruiser in 1992, the Ninety-Eight and Ciera (formerly Cutlass Ciera) in 1996, Cutlass Supreme in 1997, and finally the Eighty-Eight and Cutlass (which had only been around since '97) in 1999. They were replaced with newer, more modern models with designs inspired by the Aurora. Redesigned and new models introduced from 1990 to 2004: In spite of Oldsmobile's critical successes since

2310-429: The appearance, with an overall length of 179–200 in (4,540–5,069 mm). The retail price listed for a 1938 L-38 4-door Trunked Sedan was US$ 1,107 ($ 23,961 in 2023 dollars ). 1933 was the first year all GM vehicles were installed with optional vent windows which were initially called “No Draft Individually Controlled Ventilation” later renamed "Ventiplanes" which the patent application was filed on Nov. 28, 1932. It

2380-606: The badging, Chevrolet badges were added to the grille and rear fascia for the 2000 model year. The Alero featured Chevrolet emblems throughout its entire run in Israel. The Alero was replaced in Europe and Israel by the GM Daewoo -sourced Chevrolet Evanda/Epica . Early on in its history, Olds enjoyed a healthy public relations boost from the 1905 hit song In My Merry Oldsmobile . The same theme—a fast, powerful Olds car helping

2450-427: The bottom end of the range was the 'Columbia Runabout ' car. Priced at just US$ 750 , it used a single electric motor, with an Exide battery and Concord springs. Columbia's basic runabout was typical of the time, resembling a horseless carriage, and was steered via a tiller . It cost US$ 850 , US$ 200 more than the contemporary Curved Dash Oldsmobile . The 1,200-pound (540 kg), single bench seat vehicle had

2520-480: The brand's name, spaced out letter by letter—signage which was removed in 2006 and subsequently also gifted to the Lansing R.E. Olds Transportation Museum. By 1996, the company's remaining employees relocated to Detroit's Renaissance Center . In Canada , the range was limited, with the Oldsmobile Silhouette and Oldsmobile Bravada being unavailable to Canadian consumers until much later in their production life. In Mexico , all Oldsmobile models were sold under

2590-623: The car. It was then located at the GM Heritage Center in Sterling Heights , Michigan. In December 2017, the car headed to New York where it was auctioned off at a dealer-only auction for $ 42,000 to a Florida dealer. Also sold at the auction were a 1999 Cutlass and a 1996 Ciera. During the 107 years of Oldsmobile's existence, it was known for being a guinea pig for new technologies and firsts. The 200,000 square-foot Oldsmobile Administration Building, also known as Building 70,

2660-460: The company on November 12, 1908. When GM assumed operations, platform sharing began with Buick products and Oldsmobile shared platforms were identified with the prefix "Series" followed by a number, while models developed by pre-GM engineers were identified with the prefix "Model" followed by a letter. Early on, Oldsmobile was a competitor to Hudson as some former engineers of Oldsmobile took positions with Hudson. The 1910 Limited Touring Series 23

2730-447: The company produced 635 cars, making it the first high-volume gasoline-powered automobile manufacturer (electric car manufacturers such as Columbia Electric and steam-powered car manufacturers such as Locomobile had higher volumes a few years earlier). Oldsmobile became the top-selling car company in the United States from 1903 to 1904. Ransom Olds left the company in 1904 because of a dispute with sales manager Frederic L. Smith , who

2800-471: The company, Oldsmobile production was moved to Lansing . Officially, the cars were called "Olds automobiles," but were colloquially referred to as "Oldsmobiles." It was this moniker, as applied especially to the Curved Dash Olds, that was popularized in the lyrics and title of the 1905 hit song " In My Merry Oldsmobile ". The last Oldsmobile Curved Dash was made in 1907. General Motors purchased

2870-546: The driver romance the opposite sex—was updated in the 1950s with the iconic hit Rocket 88 . Columbia Electric In 1908, the company was renamed the Columbia Motor Car Company and in 1910 was acquired by United States Motor Company . A different Columbia Motors existed from 1917 to 1924. The 1904 'Columbia Brougham ' was equipped with a tonneau . It could seat four passengers and sold for US$ 3,500 . Twin electric motors were situated at

Oldsmobile L-Series - Misplaced Pages Continue

2940-456: The early 1960s, driving it daily to work. He detached and rearranged the Oldsmobile lettering above the grille to spell out slobmodel as a reminder to himself and co-workers of what "bad" auto design meant to their business. In 1959, Oldsmobile models were completely redesigned with a rocket motif from front to rear, as the top of the front fenders had a chrome rocket, while the body-length fins were shaped as rocket exhausts which culminated in

3010-401: The edge of the headlights was a broad belt consisting of two strips of chrome on regular 88s, three strips on Super 88s, and three strips (top and bottom thin, inside thick) on 98s that ended in a point at mid-body. The bottom of the rear fender featured a thick stamping of a half tube that pointed forward, atop which was a chrome assembly of four horizontal chrome speed-lines that terminated into

3080-452: The famed 20th Century Limited train, an event immortalized in the painting Setting the Pace by William Hardner Foster. The Limited was at the time considered technologically advanced and cutting edge, if on the expensive side, but it established the division's reputation for innovation. The Oldsmobile Series 40 was offered in 1912 and was considerably more affordable and smaller, and later

3150-557: The fire was a Curved Dash prototype, which was wheeled out of the factory by two workers while escaping the burning building. While the factory was being rebuilt from insurance, many subcontractors were used to keep production going, including Henry M. Leland for engine production and the Dodge Brothers . Olds was a strong competitor to other independent companies Buick and Cadillac before they became divisions of General Motors between 1908 and 1909. Later after Mr. Olds left

3220-487: The gasoline engine. It helped in urban areas that electrical supply for recharging was easily found within the runabout's 40-mile (64 km) range. Nevertheless, in 1903, a Columbia was driven 250 miles (400 km) from Boston to New York City in 23 hours. In keeping with this urban orientation, the Columbia was positioned as a high-end vehicle (even at a time when automobiles were very expensive), with its showroom across

3290-423: The heads due to undersized oil galleys; head bolt failures; and the use of aluminum rockers and stanchions in the 4.3L V8 engines. While the 5.7L was also offered on various Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, and Pontiac models, it was eventually discontinued by all divisions in 1985. V6 diesels of 4.3L displacement were also offered between 1982 and 1985. In 1988 the then all-new 1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme Pace car

3360-404: The introduction of the four-door Holiday pillarless hardtop, the industry's first (along with Buick). General Motors' styling as a whole lost its frontrunner status in 1957 when Chrysler introduced Virgil Exner 's " forward look " designs. When compared side to side, Oldsmobile looked dated next to its price-point competitors DeSoto and Mercury . Compounding the problem for Oldsmobile and Buick

3430-527: The mid-1990s, a reported shortfall in sales and overall profitability prompted General Motors to announce in December 2000 its plans to shut down the Oldsmobile organization. That announcement was officially revealed two days after Oldsmobile distributed the Bravada SUV – which became another critical hit for the division but turned out to be the final new model for the Oldsmobile brand. The phaseout

3500-487: The model numbers. This resulted in the Oldsmobile 88 emerging as base Dynamic 88 and the highline Super 88 . Other full-size model names included the "Holiday" used on hardtops, and "Fiesta" used on its station wagons. When the 88 was retired in 1999 (with a Fiftieth Anniversary Edition), its length of service was the longest model name used on American cars after the Chrysler New Yorker . Mid-1955 also saw

3570-470: The newly formed entity was known as Olds Motor Works." The company moved to a new plant in Detroit, located at the corner of East Jefferson Avenue and MacArthur Bridge . By March 1901, Olds Motor Works had a whole line of models ready for mass production. However, that month the factory caught fire and burned to the ground, destroying nearly all of the prototypes that were inside. The only car that survived

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3640-472: The other engines that were popular during that era, and found favor with hot-rodders and stock car racers. The basic design, with a few minor changes, endured until Oldsmobile redesigned its V8 engines in the mid-1960s. Oldsmobile entered the 1950s following a divisional image campaign centered on its 'Rocket' engines and the Space Race , and its cars' appearance followed suit. Oldsmobile's Rocket V8 engine

3710-505: The rear of the car . Similar 'Columbia' coupes, 'Columbia Hansom ' cabs, or hansoms, were also produced for the same price. They could achieve 13 mph (21 km/h). A 'Columbia Victoria Phaeton ' was priced at US$ 3,000 , but was based on the same design. The 'Columbia Surrey' and 'Columbia Victoria' were more traditional horseless carriages. Both used the same power system as the larger cars, with twin electric motors, but cost much less at US$ 1,500 and US$ 1,600 , respectively. At

3780-435: The rocket image, that was used throughout the late 1950s, the make used twin jet pod-styled taillights as a nod to its "Rocket" theme. Oldsmobile was among the first of General Motors' divisions to receive a true hardtop in 1950 called the "Holiday coupe" (Buick's version was called the "Riviera", and Cadillac's was called the "Coupe De Ville"), and it was also among the first divisions (along with Buick and Cadillac) to receive

3850-582: The street from the Metropolitan Opera House in New York. The Columbia Touring Car was an entirely different car. A touring car model, it used a tonneau , seating six passengers, and resembled the touring models offered by many other companies at the time. Priced at US$ 4,500 to US$ 5,000 , it used a vertically mounted straight-4 , situated at the front of the car, producing 24 hp (18 kW). A four-speed sliding transmission

3920-456: The third best-selling brand in the U.S. behind Chevrolet and Ford. In the late 1970s and again in the mid-1980s, model-year production topped one million units, something only Chevrolet and Ford had achieved. The very popularity of Oldsmobile's cars created a problem for the division in the late 1970s, however. At that time, each General Motors division produced its own V8 engines, and in 1977, Oldsmobile, Chevrolet, Pontiac, and Buick each produced

3990-419: The weight. Brakes on both rear wheels featured a bell, which rang when the vehicle reached a full stop. Top speed was about 15 mph (24 km/h). Besides the runabout, Columbia manufactured about 20 other models including taxis , police cars, and buses . The vehicles were most popular in cities, where relatively smooth roads made the electric motor, with its smoothness and silence, appear superior over

4060-536: Was a styling mistake which GM called the "StratoRoof", which was reminiscent of the "greenhouse" canopy used on the Convair B-36 Peacemaker high altitude bomber. Both makes had models which contained the heavily framed rear window, but Detroit had been working with large curved backlights for almost a decade. Consumers disliked the roof and its blind spots, forcing GM to rush a redesign into production on some of its models. Oldsmobile's only off year in

4130-504: Was an early, ambitious high point for the company. Riding atop 42-inch (1067 mm) wheels, and equipped with factory "white" tires, the Limited was the prestige model in Oldsmobile's two model lineup, with the smaller Oldsmobile Autocrat Series 32 having 36-inch wheels. The Limited retailed for US$ 4,600, ($ 150,420 in 2023 dollars ) an amount greater than the price of a new basic three-bedroom house. Buyers received goatskin upholstery,

4200-683: Was assigned to the Ternstedt Manufacturing Company, a GM subsidiary that manufactured components for Fisher Body Oldsmobile Oldsmobile (formally the Oldsmobile Division of General Motors ) was a brand of American automobiles , produced for most of its existence by General Motors . Originally established as "Olds Motor Vehicle Company" by Ransom E. Olds in 1897, it produced over 35 million vehicles, including at least 14 million built at its Lansing, Michigan , factory alone. During its time as

4270-510: Was completed in 1966 to accommodate the company's major administration departments. Located at 920 Townsend Avenue, at what is currently the GM Lansing Grand River Assembly plant, the project was constructed by Michigan contractor Utley-James, with architectural design contracted by GMAC. The headquarters accommodated about 900 employees in a Modern design with exterior marble and curtain walls reminiscent of

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4340-480: Was conducted on the following schedule: The last 500 Aleros, Auroras, Bravadas, Silhouettes and Intrigues produced received special Oldsmobile heritage emblems and markings which signified 'Final 500'. All featured a unique Dark Cherry Metallic paint scheme. Auroras and Intrigues would be accompanied by special Final 500 literature. However, only the Intrigue, Aurora, Bravada, and Alero had all Final 500 models built;

4410-491: Was manually progressed, meaning that the vehicle being assembled was manually pushed to the next workstation after the assigned assembly was performed at the previous station. This differed from hand-made vehicles in the past where various workers would work on one car until it was completed and was labor- and time-intensive. After Ransom Olds merged Olds Motor Vehicle Co. with the Olds Gas Engine Works in 1899,

4480-854: Was no question that the engines were different from one another. Many customers were loyal Oldsmobile buyers who specifically wanted the Rocket V8, and did not discover that their vehicle had the Chevrolet engine until they performed maintenance and discovered that purchased parts did not fit. This became a public relations nightmare for GM. Following this debacle, disclaimers stating that "Oldsmobiles are equipped with engines produced by various GM divisions" were tacked onto advertisements and sales literature; all other GM divisions followed suit. In addition, GM quickly stopped associating engines with particular divisions and to this day, all GM engines are produced by "GM Powertrain" (GMPT) and are called GM "Corporate" engines instead of GM "Division" engines. Although it

4550-584: Was questioning production techniques and wanted Mr. Olds to certify that each car that left the plant was free from defects. Mr. Smith then set up an experimental engineering shop without Mr. Olds' knowledge or consent, causing Mr. Olds to leave in 1904 and form the REO Motor Car Company . This was similar to the situation Henry Ford experienced when he was forced out of the company he founded (the Henry Ford Company ) before starting

4620-650: Was shared with all GM brands due to GM's Art and Color Studio headed by Harley Earl . The appearance showed influences of Chrysler and Lincoln-Zephyr vehicles, and all Oldsmobiles were manufactured in Lansing, Michigan . Due to the popularity of the Oldsmobile F-Series , Oldsmobile recognized an opportunity to sell a similar sized alternative to the Buick Super , the Cadillac Series 355 , and

4690-531: Was the first production car with heads up display . Notable models : After the tremendous success of the 1970s and 1980s, things changed quickly for Oldsmobile, and by the early 1990s the brand had lost its place in the market (as annual sales had fallen from a record high of 1,066,122 in 1985 to just 402,936 in 1993), squeezed between other GM divisions, and with competition from new upscale import makes Acura , Infiniti and Lexus . GM continued to use Oldsmobile sporadically to showcase futuristic designs and as

4760-420: Was the leader in performance; its cars were generally considered the fastest on the market; and by the mid-1950s their styling was among the first to offer a wide, "open maw" grille, suggestive of fighter jet propulsion. From 1948 to 1957, Oldsmobile adopted a ringed-globe emblem depicting North America to stress what marketers felt was its universal appeal. Starting in 1958, the grille logo changed again to reflect

4830-483: Was the oldest surviving American automobile brand , and one of the oldest in the world, after Peugeot , Renault , Fiat , and Opel . Oldsmobiles were first manufactured by the Olds Motor Vehicle Company in Lansing, Michigan , a company founded by Ransom E. Olds in 1897. In 1901 (the same year that Horace and John Dodge won a contract to produce transmissions for the Oldsmobile company),

4900-428: Was the popularity of the Oldsmobile division vehicles that prompted this change, declining sales of V8 engines would have made this change inevitable as all but the Chevrolet version of the 350-cubic-inch engine were eventually discontinued. Oldsmobile also introduced a 5.7L (350 cu-in) V8 diesel engine option on its Custom Cruiser, Delta 88 and 98 models in 1978; and a smaller 4.3L (260 cu-in) displacement V8 diesel on

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