Simon Cars - Oldsmobile 1949

Oldsmobile 88 1949 - 55

The '88' was a new model for 1949, utilising the platform of the cheaper '76' and the brand new 4,977cc (303) 'Rocket' V8 engine which turned the '88' into a 'Muscle Car' almost 20 years before the term had been invented. The 'Rocket 88' became the entry level Oldsmobile, albeit a fast one for 1950. The 'Rocket 88' was built on a 119.5 inch wheelbase GM A-body, the fastback 4-door Town Sedan and 2-door Club Sedan equivalent to the Chevrolet Fleetline/Pontiac Streamliner, and the 2-door Club Coupe and 4-door sedan paralleled the Chevrolet Styleline and Pontiac Chieftains. There was also a convertible and a Station Wagon. In 1950 the 88 went ahead of the other A-body cars by getting a one-piece windscreen, and a new hardtop body was launched called the 'Holiday' to match the Pontiac Catalina and Chevrolet BelAir. The Super 88 was launched in 1951 but based on the GM B-body, and in 1952 some of the design features of the Super 88 were given to the A-body 88. An all new body was introduced in 1954.

Oldsmobile 88 1948 Club Sedan - badge on the bootlid. The 'Rocket 88' badge was a reference to the speed of the new Eighty-Eight model with its high power V8 engine in the lightweight 76 body.

Oldsmobile 88 1948 Club Sedan - badge on bootlid

Oldsmobile 88 Club Coupe 1949 - badge on bonnet

Oldsmobile 88 1948 Club Sedan, powered by 4,977cc (303) 'Rocket' V8 135bhp engine. The Oldsmobile 76 had been offered with the same bodies as the 88 but with a 6-cylinder engine.

Oldsmobile 88 1948 Club Sedan. The 1949 Oldsmobile 76 and 88 shared the4 same bodies, but the lower-priced 76 was only given a 6-cylinder engine.

Oldsmobile 88 1948 Club Sedan. The fastback Club Sedan was paired with the 4-door Town Sedan, and shared this streamlined GM B-body with the Pontiac Streamliner.

Oldsmobile 88 Club Coupe 1949 - badge on rear wing

Oldsmobile 88 Club Coupe 1949. The '88' was a new model for 1949, utilising the platform of the cheaper '76' and the brand new 303 cu.in (4965cc) 'Rocket' V8 ohv engine which was designed for development up to 12.7 compression ratio, and lasted almost 20 years and was enlarged to 6.5-litres.

Oldsmobile 88 Club Coupe 1949. The 2-door Club Coupe was one of the Rocket 88 bodies, which included fastback sedans, conventional 'notchback' 2 and 4-door sedans, a convertible and a Station Wagon.

Oldsmobile 88 Club Coupe 1949 - lamps. The grilles under the lamps fed fresh air to the interior, although some believed they picked up traffic fumes.

Oldsmobile 88 Club Coupe 1949. The '88' was a new model for 1949, utilising the platform of the cheaper '76' and the brand new 303 cu.in 'Rocket' V8 engine. This A-body 2-door Club Coupe is the equivalent of Chevrolet and Pontiac Coupes.

Oldsmobile 88 Club Coupe 1949. The 'notchback' Club Coupe was part of the A-body range that was also used by the Pontiac Chieftain and the Chevrolet Styleline.

Oldsmobile 88 Club Coupe 1949 - rear wheel. Notice the '88' badge on the flank. There was a slogan 'Make a date with the 88' at the time.

Chevrolet Styleline 1949

Chevrolet Styleline Deluxe 1949 2-door. The 1949 Chevrolet inherited the 216 cu.in (3.5-litre) ohv engine that dated back to 1937.

Pontiac Chieftain 1951

Pontiac Chieftain 1951 2-door Sedan. The 2-door sedan was one of a range of 'notchback' (booted) bodies supplied as part of the Chieftain range (and shared with the Chevrolet Styleline); there were also fastback 2-door and 4-door sedans marketed as 'Streamliner'.

Oldsmobile 88 1955

Oldsmobile 88 1955 2-door Sedan. On the 1955 model had this 'tongue-shaped' contrast panel, 1954 and 1956 models had a different contast diagonal. The 1955 model had the O L D S M O B I L E lettering set into the grille.

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