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Oldsmobile


Oldsmobile
Vehicle Manufacturer

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Wikipedia: Oldsmobile

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A former General Motors brand of cars and SUVs from 1897-2004.  Headquartered in Lansing, Michigan, United States.

When Oldsmobile was discontinued, it produced 500 of each of its current models at the time (Alero, Aurora, Bravada, Intrigue, and Silhouette) and designated them Final 500.

Vehicle names used by Oldsmobile throughout history include:  442, 66, 88, 98, Achieva, Aerotech, Alero, Aurora, Autocrat, B-44, Bravada, Calais, Ciera, Curved Dash, Custom Cruiser, Cutlass, Cutlass Calais, Cutlass Ciera, Cutlass Cruiser, Cutlass Salon, Cutlass Supreme, Delta 88, Delta Custom, Dynamic 88, Eighty Eight, F-85, FE 3-X, Firenza, Golden Rocket 88, Hurst/Olds, Intrigue, L36, Model S, Ninety Eight, Omega, Silhouette, Starfire, Super 88, Toronado, and Vista Cruiser.

Car clubs dedicated to Oldsmobiles include:  Archway Oldsmobile Club

Dealerships included:
Bravos Olds (Barrington, Illinois)
Lee Motors (Dunn, North Carolina)
Nereson Chevrolet Oldsmobile Cadillac Jeep (Detroit Lakes, Minnesota)
Ray Oldsmobile (Park Ridge, Illinois)
Wally McCarthy's Twin Cities Oldsmobile (Minnesota)


History

The following section is an excerpt from Wikipedia's Oldsmobile page on 12 December 2015, text available via the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.

Oldsmobile was a brand of American automobiles produced for most of its existence by General Motors. Olds Motor Vehicle Co. was founded by Ransom E. Olds in 1897. In its 107-year history, it produced 35.2 million cars, including at least 14 million built at its Lansing, Michigan factory. When it was phased out in 2004, Oldsmobile was the oldest surviving American automobile marque, and one of the oldest in the world, after Daimler, Peugeot and Tatra. Though it was closed in 2004, it still remains an active trademark of the General Motors Corporation. The closing of the Oldsmobile division presaged a larger consolidation of GM brands and discontinuation of models during the company's 2009 bankruptcy reorganization.


Reference Desk

The Crittenden Automotive Library's "Reference Desk" is a collection of materials that cannot be shared due to copyright restrictions. Information from these resources, however, can be shared. Go to the Reference Desk page for more information.

TypeTitle
1975 Book1975 Oldsmobile Chassis Service Manual by General Motors
1979 Book1979 Oldsmobile Chassis Service Manual by General Motors
1999 BookBuick, Oldsmobile & Pontiac Full-size models 1970 thru 1990 Haynes Repair Manual by Ken Freund & John H. Haynes; Haynes Publishing Group


Multimedia

Motoring's Magic Carpet: Hydra-Matic
Duration: 0:50
1941 advertisement about the automatic transmission in the 1942 B-44.
This film is available courtesy of the Prelinger Archives.
Download Motoring's Magic Carpet: Hydra-Matic from The Internet Archive
Defense Comes First with Oldsmobile
Duration: 0:49
Theatrical screen ad for one of the last pre-World War II automobiles, emphasizing Oldsmobile's adaptability under wartime conditions.
This film is available courtesy of the Prelinger Archives.
Download Defense Comes First with Oldsmobile from The Internet Archive
1948 Commercials
Duration: 3:29
Three commercials, titled Futuramic Design, Ahead Automatically, and First of the Futuramic Cars. Theater advertisements for the first all-new automobile to be placed on the market after World War II, the Oldsmobile Futuramic.
This film is available courtesy of the Prelinger Archives.
Download 1948 Commercials from The Internet Archive


DateMedia or Collection Name & DetailsFiles
1932In My Merry Oldsmobile
Fleischer Studios, Inc. in conjunction with Oldsmobile

Topic Page
- 6:28
1948The Car of Tomorrow Today
The Jam Handy Organization for Oldsmobile

Topic Page
- 660MB - 8:31
1951Trail of the Rocket
Wilding Picture Productions, Inc. for Oldsmobile

Topic Page
- 30:31
1960'sTake A Good Look
Jerry Fairbanks Productions for Oldsmobile

Topic Page
- 373MB - 16:28


Motorsports

Oldsmobile was the marque of the first two championships in NASCAR's top-level series, the series that would eventually become Sprint Cup.  Oldsmobile was the car of the champion driver four times, winning in 1949, 1950, 1958, and 1978 (Cutlass).

Championships Won in Oldsmobiles

YearSeriesDriverModel
1949NASCAR Strictly StockRed Byron
1950NASCAR Grand NationalBill Rexford
1958NASCAR Grand NationalLee Petty
1978NASCAR Winston CupCale YarboroughCutlass
1983NASCAR Budweiser Late Model Sportsman SeriesSam Ard
1984NASCAR Busch Late Model Sportsman SeriesSam Ard
1989NASCAR Busch Grand National SeriesRob Moroso
1991NASCAR Busch Grand National SeriesBobby Labonte


Photographs

The Tour of the Century - 1897 Oldsmobile Art Subject:  The Tour of the Century
Artist:  Ken Eberts
Car:  1897 Oldsmobile
Source:  CarArt.us
View "The Tour of the Century" - 1897 Oldsmobile Art - 88KB
1903 Oldsmobile Advertisement Subject:  1903 Oldsmobile Advertisement
Source:  The World Almanac and Encyclopedia, 1903 Edition
View 1903 Oldsmobile Advertisement - 469KB
Famous GM Cars Subject:  Oldsmobile Limited Roadster
Source:  Famous GM Cars
Caption:  OLDSMOBILE Limited Roadster, 1910. This high-powered speedster, a far cry from the early Curved-Dash Oldsmobile, sold for $4,600, had a four-speed transmission. The catalog said: "With the 42-inch tires, no limit can be assigned to its touring radius nor to its durability and economy of maintenance. No road or hill on which traction may be obtained by anything on wheels can stop the LIMITED roadster."
View Famous GM Cars: Oldsmobile Limited Roadster - 8.4MB
1919 Oldsmobile Touring 45-A Subject:  Oldsmobile Touring 45-A
Source:  Hand Book of Automobiles, 1919 Edition
View Oldsmobile Touring 45-A page of Hand Book of Automobiles, 1919 Edition - 469KB
1919 Oldsmobile Touring 37 Subject:  Oldsmobile Touring 37
Source:  Hand Book of Automobiles, 1919 Edition
View Oldsmobile Touring 37 page of Hand Book of Automobiles, 1919 Edition - 505KB
Oldsmobile - 1922 Dealer Window Subject:  Oldsmobile Dealer Window
Source:  Washington Times-Herald
Date:  31 December 1922
View Winterfront - 1922 Dealer Window - 2.2MB
Abrahamson Motor Company 1929 Oldsmobile Ad Subject:  Abrahamson Motor Company 1929 Oldsmobile Ad
Source:  The Ludington Daily News
Date:  24 May 1929
View photo of Abrahamson Motor Company 1929 Oldsmobile Ad - 1.4MB
An Automobile for Everyone - 1936 Oldsmobile Art Subject:  An Automobile for Everyone
Artist:  Ken Eberts
Car:  1936 Oldsmobile
Source:  CarArt.us
View "An Automobile for Everyone" - 1936 Oldsmobile Art - 64KB
1950 Oldmobile Scale Model Car Subject:  1950 Oldmobile Coupe Scale Model
Photographer:  Bill Crittenden
Event:  2013 GTR Summer NNL
View photo of 1950 Oldmobile Scale Model Car - 3.3MB
1950 Oldmobile Scale Model Car Subject:  1950 Oldmobile Coupe Scale Model
Photographer:  Bill Crittenden
Event:  2013 GTR Summer NNL
View photo of 1950 Oldmobile Scale Model Car - 3.3MB
1950 Oldmobile Scale Model Car Subject:  1950 Oldmobile Coupe Scale Model
Photographer:  Bill Crittenden
Event:  2013 GTR Summer NNL
View photo of 1950 Oldmobile Scale Model Car - 3.4MB
1950 Oldmobile Gasser Scale Model Car Subject:  1950 Oldmobile Gasser Scale Model
Photographer:  Bill Crittenden
Event:  2013 GTR Summer NNL
View photo of 1950 Oldmobile Gasser Scale Model Car - 3.4MB
1950 Oldmobile Gasser Scale Model Car Subject:  1950 Oldmobile Gasser Scale Model
Photographer:  Bill Crittenden
Event:  2013 GTR Summer NNL
View photo of 1950 Oldmobile Gasser Scale Model Car - 3.4MB
1950 Oldmobile Gasser Scale Model Car Subject:  1950 Oldmobile Gasser Scale Model
Photographer:  Bill Crittenden
Event:  2013 GTR Summer NNL
View photo of 1950 Oldmobile Gasser Scale Model Car - 3.2MB
Maintaining the Love Affair - 1954 Oldsmobile Art Subject:  Maintaining the Love Affair
Artist:  Ken Eberts
Car:  1954 Oldsmobile
Source:  CarArt.us
View "Maintaining the Love Affair" - 1954 Oldsmobile Art - 88KB
Crashed Oldsmobile Subject:  WHAT HAPPENED TO THE DRIVER?
Source:  The Spartanburg Herald
Photographer:  B&B Studio
Date:  4 March 1954
Caption:  This late model Oldsmobile was found overturned and smashed in a ditch on... {scan error} ...176 near Inman early Wednesday morning. Police said no one was found at the scene. The windshield was smashed and the steering wheel was pressed against the back of the seat. The driver apparently left the scene. Papers indicating the car's owner was from Arizona were found in the car.
View photo of Crashed Oldsmobile - 3.0MB
Diesel Oldsmobile Badge Subject:  Diesel Oldsmobile Badge
Photographer:  Bill Crittenden
Date:  23 April 2009
View photo of Diesel Oldsmobile badge - 244KB
Oldsmobile Dragster Subject:  Oldsmobile-Engined Dragster Scale Model
Photographer:  Bill Crittenden
Event:  2010 Cedarville Model Car Contest and Swap Meet
View photo of Oldsmobile-engined dragster - 1,919KB
Oldsmobile Dragster Subject:  Oldsmobile-Engined Dragster Scale Model
Photographer:  Bill Crittenden
Event:  2010 Cedarville Model Car Contest and Swap Meet
View photo of Oldsmobile-engined dragster - 3,342KB
Oldsmobile Dragster Subject:  Oldsmobile-Engined Dragster Scale Model
Photographer:  Bill Crittenden
Event:  2010 Cedarville Model Car Contest and Swap Meet
View photo of Oldsmobile-engined dragster - 3,075KB
Oldsmobile Dragster Subject:  Oldsmobile-Engined Dragster Scale Model
Photographer:  Bill Crittenden
Event:  2010 Cedarville Model Car Contest and Swap Meet
View photo of Oldsmobile-engined dragster - 3,208KB
Oldsmobile Sportsman Stock Car Scale Model Subject:  Oldsmobile Sportsman Stock Car Scale Model
Photographer:  Bill Crittenden
Event:  2011 Attack of the Plastic
View photo of Oldsmobile Sportsman Stock Car Scale Model - 1,958KB
Oldsmobile Sportsman Stock Car Scale Model Subject:  Oldsmobile Sportsman Stock Car Scale Model
Photographer:  Bill Crittenden
Event:  2011 Attack of the Plastic
View photo of Oldsmobile Sportsman Stock Car Scale Model - 879KB
America Treasures its Automobiles - Oldsmobile Art Subject:  America Treasures its Automobiles
Artist:  Ken Eberts
Cars:  1905 Oldsmobile Curved Dash (left), Oldsmobile Aurora (right)
Event:  Hershey Car Show
Source:  CarArt.us
View "America Treasures its Automobiles" - Oldsmobile Art - 64KB


Documents

DateDocument Name & DetailsDocuments
24 January 1905
grant date
Body for Motor-Vehicles.
United States Patent US 780,746
Norman T. Harrington for the Olds Motor Works

PDF
- 220KB - 3 pages
27 June 1905
grant date
Carburetor for Hydrocarbon-Engines.
United States Patent US 793,498
Jacob LaGrange Ash for the Olds Motor Works

PDF
- 242KB - 3 pages
5 March 1907
grant date
Detachable Running-Board for Motor-Vehicles.
United States Patent US 780,746
Howard E. Coffin for the Olds Motor Works

PDF
- 164KB - 2 pages
11 February 1908
grant date
Speed-Controlling Mechanism for Motor-Vehicles.
United States Patent US 878,786
George W. Dunham for the Olds Motor Works

PDF
- 202KB - 2 pages
31 August 1909
grant date
Design for a Hub-Cap for Automobiles.
United States Patent USD 40,249
George W. Dunham for the Olds Motor Works

PDF
- 48KB - 2 pages
22 August 1916
grant date
Design for a Radiator-Frame.
United States Patent USD 49,552
Fabio B. Sergardi for the Olds Motor Works

PDF
- 58KB - 2 pages
1936
model year
Oldsmobile Flat Rate Manual 1936
Olds Motor Works

PNG
- 171MB - 126 pages
31 March 1967
report date
NHTSA Recall 67V034000
1967 Buick, 1967 Oldsmobile, 1967 Pontiac
Recall Page - 1 page
8 January 1982
publication date
A Second Diesel Choice from Oldsmobile
Oldsmobile
JPG - 35.6MB - 8 pages


Article Index

DateArticleAuthor/Source
11 April 1909Auto News From Near and Far: Oldsmobile Success.The New York Times
12 December 1909Jinricksha Wheels Coming.The New York Times
11 January 1910SEEN AT THE SHOW: The Oldsmobile Exhibit.The New York Times
2 August 1922AUTOMOBILE PRICE WAR IS PREDICTEDThe New York Times
31 December 1922AUTOMOBILE 'TICKS' FASTER THAN WATCHWashington Times-Herald
21 September 1924AUSTRALIAN "OLDS" DUPLICATES FEAT OF CANNON-BALL TRIPThe Pittsburgh Press
9 January 2001Demise of Oldsmobile Linked to Positioning DifficultiesVisual Forecasts LLC
18 October 2012A New Vision for General MotorsBill Crittenden





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