Oldsmobile · 1940–1996

Oldsmobile Touring Sedan

The Oldsmobile 98 (spelled Ninety-Eight from 1952 to 1991 and Ninety Eight from 1992 to 1996) is the full-size flagship model of Oldsmobile that was produced from 1940 until 1942 and then from 1946 to 1996. The name, referring to a Series 90 fitted with an eight-cylinder engine, first appeared in 1941 and was used again after American consumer automobile production resumed post-World War II. It was, as it would remain, the division's top-of-the-line model, with lesser Oldsmobiles having lower numbers such as the A-body 66 and 68 and the B-body 76 and 78. The Series 60 was retired in 1949, the same year the Oldsmobile 78 was replaced by the 88. The Oldsmobile 76 was retired after 1950. This left the two remaining number-names to carry on into the 1990s as the bread and butter of the full-size Oldsmobile lineup. In 1995, the Oldsmobile Aurora went on sale, and replaced the Ninety Eight as Oldsmobile's flagship model. The Ninety Eight would be discontinued after 1996, with its styling living on as the Eighty Eight derived Regency. Occasionally additional nomenclature was used with the name, such as L/S and Holiday, and the Ninety-Eight Regency badge would become increasingly common in the later years of the model. The car shared its General Motors C-body platform with Buick and Cadillac. As it was the flagship Oldsmobile sedan, the Ninety-Eight had the most technologically advanced features available, such as the Hydramatic automatic transmission, the Autronic Eye, an automatic headlight dimmer, and Twilight Sentinel (a feature that automatically turned the headlights on and off via a light sensor and a delay timer, as controlled by the driver), and the highest-grade interior and exterior trim. In production for 55 years (with a three year hiatus during the war) across 12 generations, the Ninety Eight was one of the oldest passenger car nameplates in the US at the time of its discontinuation in 1996, and was Oldsmobile's longest running model.

Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Successor: Oldsmobile Aurora

All Oldsmobile Touring Sedan data: UK builds, safety, recalls, model years →

First generation (1941)

Naming standards were in flux at Oldsmobile during the late 1930s and 1940s. From 1932 through 1938, Oldsmobile had two series: "F" and "L". F-Series came with a straight 6 engine and L-Series came with a larger body and a straight 8 engine. The F-Series was replaced by the Series 60 in 1939 and L-Series was replaced with the Series 70. The Series 60 used the GM A-body and the Series 70 used the B-body. In 1940 the even larger C-body was introduced to Oldsmobile and it alone was powered by the straight-8. The series were also given names for the first time that year, with the Series 60, 70, and 90 being called the Special, Dynamic, and Custom Cruiser respectively. In 1941 both engines were offered on each series, so to differentiate between the two the second digit was used to denote the number of cylinders, so the Custom Cruiser 90 was replaced with the Custom Cruiser 96 and 98. In 1942 Oldsmobile dropped the six cylinder Series 90 model, leaving only the Custom Cruiser 98. The new C-body that the 1940 Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser Series 90 shared with Cadillac Series 62, Buick Roadmaster and Super, and the Pontiac Torpedo featured cutting-edge "torpedo" styling. Shoulder and hip room was over 5 in (127 mm) wider, running boards were eliminated, and the exterior was streamlined and 2–3 in (51–76 mm) lower. When combined with a column-mounted shift lever, the cars offered true six passenger comfort. The 90 rode on a wheelbase of 124.0 in (3,150 mm). A total of 43,658 90s were sold in four body styles. The rarest was the 4-door convertible with only 50 being sold. In 1941 the wheelbase was increased to 125.0 in (3,175 mm). A deluxe equipment package was now offered. The top-of-the-line Oldsmobile was available in three body styles in '96 and in four body styles in '98. The

Second generation (1942, 1946–1947)

In 1942 the Custom Cruiser 98 was once again the Oldsmobile entrant into the luxury market. Gone was the single year offering of the '96. All cars in this series were powered by the straight eight engine. Also gone in this shortened model year was the ultra rare 4-door convertible. An exclusive 127.0 in (3,226 mm) inch wheelbase was used in the series. A total of 6,659 '98s were made before production was shut down due to World War II. To celebrate the company's 44th anniversary, all Oldsmobiles received a small badge on the grille with "B44" attached. This was not a model designation. When production was resumed in 1946, the Custom Cruiser 98 remained the top of the Oldsmobile line. Three body styles were offered (a 4-door sedan, a 2-door Club coupe, and a 2-door convertible), and all were eight cylinder powered. Technical features included electrohardened pistons, full pressure lubrication, and an automatic choke with fast idle mode. Standard equipment included front and rear bumper guards, vacuum booster pump, dual sun visors, cigarette lighter and plastic radiator ornament, wraparound bumpers, deluxe instrument cluster clock, rear armrest, and foam rubber seat cushions. Tire size was 7.00 (178) by 15 inches (381 millimetres). Available upholstery was either leather, broadcloth, or Bedford cord. 14,364 98s were sold in its first postwar year of production. In 1947 the top-of-the-line Custom Cruiser 98 again had three body styles. This was the last year for the '98 1942 prewar body. All 98s had the straight eight engine. Standard 98 equipment included safety glass, a spare wheel and tire, dual horns, vacuum booster pump, a cigarette lighter, and a solenoid starter system. Upholstery was either custom broadcloth or leather. The standard tire size was 7.00 (178) by 15 i

Third generation (1948–1953)

=== 1948 === For the first time since 1940 Oldsmobile offered totally different styling during a single model year. The top-of-the-line 1948 Oldsmobile 98 was also included in a marketing campaign for what Oldsmobile called "Futuramic" on all 1949 Oldsmobiles, primarily focused on the automatic transmission 1948 Oldsmobile Futuramic introduction. Standard equipment on 98s included a solenoid starter, fender skirts, E-Z-l rearview mirror, and foam rubber seat cushions. The '98 also included front and rear bumper guards, a vacuum booster pump, a plastic radiator ornament, dual horns, dual sun visors, and a cigarette lighter. Deluxe equipment added front and rear floor mats, deluxe steering wheel, wheel trim rings, rear seat armrests, and hydraulic window, seat, and top controls on all convertibles. Upholstery was either broadcloth or leather. The standard tire size was 6.50 x 16-inch. The Custom Cruiser name was retired until 1971, when it was used to denote full-size Oldsmobile station wagons. The new styling was apparently popular, with a record 65,235 98s sold, exceeding the number of 90s sold in 1940 for the first time. The 98 was produced in three body styles: 2-door Club Sedan, 4-door sedan, and 2-door convertible. The Club Sedan was produced in a teardrop fastback design, dating back to the pre-war GM streamliners; the 4-door sedan and the convertible were produced in a new three-box notchback design. 1949. The following year the new styling was joined by a new engine, the now famous Rocket V8. In February 1949, several months into the model year, General Motors introduced three highly styled "hardtop convertible" coupes, the Oldsmobile 98 Holiday, the Cadillac Series 62 Coupe de Ville, and the Buick Roadmaster Riviera, the first hardtop coupes ever produced. The

Fourth generation (1954–1956)

The 1954 Oldsmobiles were redesigned across the line, with a three body style Ninety-Eight series remaining at the top. Convertibles were called the Starfire, after the previous year's Starfire dream car. A slightly higher horsepower 324 cu in (5.3 L) Rocket V8 was shared with the Super 88 series. Standard Ninety-Eight equipment included bumper guards, rubber simulated carpets front and rear, electric clock, lined trunk, dual horns, cigarette lighter, aluminum door sill plates, turn signals, chrome rocker panel moldings, deck lid ornament, foam rubber seat cushions, padded dash, parking brake light, courtesy light package, stainless steel wheel discs, windshield washer, and deluxe steering wheel with horn ring. Upholstery choices were nylon and leather, in a variety of colors. Standard tire size was 8.00 (203) by 15 inches (381 millimetres). A slightly modified 1954 Holiday Coupe was used as a press car during the final Carrera Panamericana in 1954. Optional air conditioning was available on sedans and hardtops, which consisted of a self-contained Frigidaire unit retrofitted at the customers request. The 98 rode on an exclusive 126.0 in (3,200 mm) wheelbase, 4.0 in (100 mm) longer than the 88. Standard equipment included turn signals, bumper guards, stainless steel moldings, dual horns, cigarette lighter, front and rear floor mats, inside rearview mirror, foam rubber seat cushions, stainless steel rocker panel moldings, front seatback robe cord, spun glass hood insulation, rear window ventiplanes, electric clock, stainless steel wheel discs, custom cushion lounge seats front and rear, hand brake light, courtesy light package, padded dash, deluxe steering wheel with horn ring, and windshield washer. Upholstery choices were covert and pattern cloth, leather and pattern c

Fifth generation (1957–1958)

The Oldsmobile line underwent a sweeping reengineering in 1957, with a 3-piece rear window making a reappearance on some models. Once again the 4-door 98s were at the top, this year officially named Starfire 98. Standard equipment included armrests, turn signals, rubber floor mats, sun visors, front fender chrome script, exposed chrome roof bows, side interior courtesy lights, electric windows, special emblems, power steering, power brakes, and Jetaway Hydramatic. Upholstery choices included a variety of cloth, "Morocceen" (vinyl), and leather. Standard tire size was 9.00 (229) by 14 inches (356 millimetres). The standard engine was now the 371 cu in (6.1 L) Rocket V8. A safety recessed steering wheel was added. Front leg room was 43.8 inches (1,113 millimetres). A major styling change was seen in 1958. The Ninety-Eight series again had its own exclusive wheelbase of 126.5 inches while sharing the more powerful Rocket V8 with the Super 88. The 1958 models shared a common appearance on the top models for each brand; Cadillac Eldorado Seville, Buick Limited Riviera, Oldsmobile 98, Pontiac Bonneville Catalina, and the Chevrolet Bel-Air Impala; the Starfire nameplate was cancelled. Four body styles were available. Standard series equipment included four headlights, oil filter, turn signals, printed circuit instrument cluster, aluminum anodized grille, padded dash, foam rubber padded seat cushions, courtesy lights, parking brake light, special side moldings, chrome rocker panel moldings, Jetaway Hydramatic transmission, power steering and brakes, dual exhaust, electric clock, color accented wheel discs, and chrome wheel frames. Interiors could be ordered in a variety of colored leathers, cloth, and "Morocceen" vinyl. Standard tires were 8.50 (216) by 14 inches (356 millimetr

Sixth generation (1959–1960)

For 1959, the Oldsmobile line-up was completely redesigned. However, unlike other GM makes (such as Chevrolet and Cadillac) Oldsmobile continued to use a full perimeter frame, instead of the GM X-frame. The Ninety-Eight shared its appearance with the Oldsmobile 88. Oldsmobile stayed with its top series format by offering four body styles on an exclusive 126.3 in (3,208 mm) wheelbase: a four-door sedan, a two-door hardtop, a four-door hardtop and a convertible. For 1959 and 1960 only, the hardtop body styles were dubbed "Holiday SceniCoupe" and "Holiday SportSedan" respectively, while the convertible continued the traditional "Convertible Coupe" moniker. Each body style had a distinctive greenhouse, shared with other 1959 GM cars. The 4-door sedan had six side windows and a sloping roof; the 2-door hardtop had a very large rear window and thin pillars; the 4-door hardtop sported a "floating roof" look, with a large wrap-around rear window. Standard equipment included oil filter, turn signals, air scoop brakes, Safety spectrum speedometer, rocker panel moldings, special emblems, parking brake light, sponge vinyl headliner, deep twist carpeting, electric clock, wheel trim moldings, power steering, power brakes, and Jetaway Hydramatic Drive. Interiors were selected from leather, "Morocceen" vinyl, or cloth in different colors. Standard tire size was 9 in × 14 in (229 mm × 356 mm). The 394 cu in (6.5 L), the largest first generation Rocket V8, was used from 1959 until 1964. For 1960, the Ninety-Eight was completely restyled, while keeping the underlying structure and rooflines of the 1959 models. All four body styles were carried over, and the four-door sedan was renamed "Celebrity Sedan" — a designation used only one year on the Ninety-Eight, but that was continued on 88 se

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Specifications

name: Oldsmobile 98
Manufacturer: Oldsmobile (General Motors)
aka: Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser 98, Oldsmobile 98 (1948–1951), Oldsmobile Ninety-Eight (1952–1956, 1958–1960, 1962–1991), Oldsmobile Starfire 98 (1957), Oldsmobile Classic 98 (1961 only), Oldsmobile Ninety Eight (1992–1996)
Production: 1940–1942, 1946–1996
Layout: Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive (1940–1942, 1946–1984), Transverse front-engine, front-wheel drive (1985–1996)
Class: Full-size luxury car
Predecessor: Oldsmobile L-Series
Successor: Oldsmobile Aurora