Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight

Oldsmobile 88
Overview
Manufacturer	Oldsmobile (General Motors)
Model years	1949–1999
Body and chassis
Class	Full-size
Chronology
Predecessor	Oldsmobile 78

First generation
1950 Oldsmobile 88 coupe
Overview
Also called	Oldsmobile DeLuxe 88 Oldsmobile Super 88
Model years	1949–1953
Assembly	South Gate, California Wilmington, Delaware Doraville, Georgia Kansas City, Kansas Framingham, Massachusetts Lansing, Michigan Linden, New Jersey
Body and chassis
Body style	2-door Holiday hardtop 2-door coupe 4-door sedan 4-door station wagon
Layout	FR layout
Platform	B-body
Related	Buick Special Pontiac Streamliner
Powertrain
Engine	303 cu in (5.0 L) Rocket V8
Transmission	3-speed manual 4-speed Hydra-Matic automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	1949–50: 119.5 in (3,035 mm) 1951 88: 119.5 in (3,035 mm) 1951 Super 88: 120 in (3,048 mm) 1952–53: 120 in (3,048 mm)
Length	202 in (5,131 mm)
Width	75.2 in (1,910 mm)

Second generation
1956 Oldsmobile Super 88 convertible
Overview
Also called	Oldsmobile Super 88
Model years	1954–1956
Assembly	South Gate, California Wilmington, Delaware Doraville, Georgia Kansas City, Kansas Framingham, Massachusetts Lansing, Michigan Linden, New Jersey
Body and chassis
Body style	2-door Holiday hardtop 2-door coupe 4-door Holiday hardtop 4-door sedan
Layout	FR layout
Platform	B-body
Powertrain
Engine	324 cu in (5.3 L) Rocket V8
Transmission	3-speed manual 4-speed Hydra-Matic automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	122.0 in (3,099 mm)
Length	205.26 in (5,214 mm)

Third generation
1958 Oldsmobile 88 sedan
Overview
Also called	Oldsmobile Golden Rocket 88 Oldsmobile Dynamic 88 Oldsmobile Super 88
Model years	1957–1958
Assembly	South Gate, California Wilmington, Delaware Doraville, Georgia Kansas City, Kansas Framingham, Massachusetts Lansing, Michigan Linden, New Jersey
Body and chassis
Body style	2-door Holiday hardtop 2-door coupe 4-door Holiday hardtop 4-door sedan 4-door station wagon 4-door Fiesta hardtop wagon
Layout	FR layout
Platform	B-body
Related	Buick Special Pontiac Chieftain
Powertrain
Engine	371 cu in (6.1 L) Rocket V8

Fourth generation
1959 Oldsmobile Super 88 hardtop
Overview
Also called	Oldsmobile Rocket 88 Oldsmobile Dynamic 88 Oldsmobile Super 88
Model years	1959–1960
Assembly	Doraville, Georgia Baltimore, Maryland South Gate, California Kansas City, Kansas Kansas City, Missouri Fremont, California Linden, New Jersey Lansing, Michigan Arlington, Texas
Body and chassis
Body style	2-door Holiday hardtop 2-door coupe 2-door convertible 4-door Holiday hardtop 4-door sedan 4-door station wagon
Layout	FR layout
Platform	B-body
Related	Buick Lesabre Pontiac Catalina
Powertrain
Engine	371 cu in (6.1 L) Rocket V8 374 cu in (6.1 L) Rocket V8 394 cu in (6.5 L) Rocket V8
Transmission	3-speed manual 4-speed Hydra-Matic automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	123.0 in (3,124 mm)

Fifth generation
1964 Oldsmobile Jetstar 88 sedan
Overview
Also called	Oldsmobile Dynamic 88 Oldsmobile Jetstar 88 Oldsmobile Super 88
Model years	1961–1964
Assembly	Doraville, Georgia Baltimore, Maryland South Gate, California Kansas City, Kansas Kansas City, Missouri Fremont, California Linden, New Jersey Lansing, Michigan Arlington, Texas
Body and chassis
Body style	2-door hardtop 2-door coupe 4-door hardtop 4-door sedan 4-door station wagon
Layout	FR layout
Platform	B-body
Related	Buick Invicta Buick LeSabre Buick Wildcat Pontiac Bonneville Pontiac Catalina/Laurentian Pontiac Parisienne Chevrolet Bel Air Chevrolet Impala
Powertrain
Engine	330 cu in (5.4 L) Jetfire Rocket V8 394 cu in (6.5 L) Sky Rocket V8
Transmission	3-speed Roto Hydra-Matic automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	123.0 in (3,124 mm)

Sixth generation
1966 Oldsmobile Delta 88 convertible
Overview
Also called	Oldsmobile Jetstar 88 Oldsmobile Dynamic 88 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Oldsmobile Delmont 88
Model years	1965–1970
Assembly	Fremont, California Doraville, Georgia Fairfax, Kansas Framingham, Massachusetts Lansing, Michigan Linden, New Jersey Arlington, Texas
Body and chassis
Body style	2-door hardtop 2-door convertible 4-door hardtop 4-door sedan
Layout	FR layout
Platform	B-body
Related	Buick LeSabre Buick Wildcat Pontiac Bonneville Pontiac Catalina/Laurentian Pontiac Parisienne Chevrolet Bel Air Chevrolet Caprice Chevrolet Impala
Powertrain
Engine	330 cu in (5.4 L) Jetfire Rocket V8 350 cu in (5.7 L) Rocket 350 V8 425 cu in (7.0 L) Super Rocket V8 455 cu in (7.5 L) Rocket 455 V8
Transmission	2-speed automatic 3-speed automatic 4-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase	1965–68: 123.0 in (3,124 mm) 1969–70: 124.0 in (3,150 mm)

Seventh generation
1972 Oldsmobile Delta 88 hardtop sedan
Overview
Also called	Oldsmobile Delta 88 Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser
Model years	1971–1976
Assembly	Fremont, California Fairfax, Kansas Framingham, Massachusetts Lansing, Michigan Linden, New Jersey Arlington, Texas
Body and chassis
Body style	2-door hardtop 2-door convertible 4-door hardtop 4-door sedan
Layout	FR layout
Platform	B-body
Related	Cadillac Deville Buick LeSabre Pontiac Bonneville Pontiac Catalina/Laurentian Pontiac Parisienne Chevrolet Bel Air Chevrolet Caprice Chevrolet Impala
Powertrain
Engine	350 cu in (5.7 L) Rocket 350 V8 455 cu in (7.5 L) Rocket 455 V8
Transmission	3-speed THM400 automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	124.0 in (3,150 mm)

Eighth generation
1981 Oldsmobile Delta 88 sedan
Overview
Also called	Oldsmobile Delta 88
Model years	1977–1985
Assembly	South Gate, California Fairfax, Kansas Lansing, Michigan Detroit, Michigan
Body and chassis
Body style	2-door coupe 4-door sedan
Layout	FR layout
Platform	B-body
Related	Buick Estate Buick LeSabre Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser Oldsmobile 98 Pontiac Bonneville Pontiac Catalina/Laurentian Pontiac Parisienne Pontiac Safari Chevrolet Caprice Chevrolet Impala
Powertrain
Engine	231 cu in (3.8 L) Buick 231 V6 260 cu in (4.3 L) LV8 V8 307 cu in (5.0 L) LV2 V8 350 cu in (5.7 L) L34 V8 350 cu in (5.7 L) LM1 V8 350 cu in (5.7 L) LF9 V8 403 cu in (6.6 L) Olds 403 V8
Transmission	3-speed TH350 automatic 3-speed TH200 automatic 4-speed THM 200-4R automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	116.0 in (2,946 mm)
Length	217.5 in (5,524 mm) (1977–79) 218.1 in (5,540 mm) (1980–85)
Width	76.8 in (1,951 mm)
Height	55.0 in (1,397 mm) (coupe) 55.7 in (1,415 mm) (sedan)

Ninth generation
1990 Oldsmobile Eighty Eight Royale sedan
Overview
Also called	Oldsmobile Delta 88 (1986–88) Oldsmobile Eighty Eight (1989–91)
Model years	1986–1991
Assembly	Flint, Michigan Ypsilanti, Michigan Wentzville, Missouri
Body and chassis
Body style	2-door coupe 4-door sedan
Layout	Transverse front-engine, front-wheel drive
Platform	H-body
Related	Buick LeSabre Pontiac Bonneville
Powertrain
Engine	3.8 L Buick LG3 V6 Specifications Years Used: 1986-1988  • Family: GM Buick 90° V6  • RPO/VIN: LG3/3  • Displacement: 3,791 cc (231 cu in)  • Stroke: 3.40 in (86 mm)  • Bore: 3.80 in (97 mm)  • Power: 150 hp (112 kW) at 4,400 rpm  • Torque: 210 lb·ft (285 N·m) at 2,200 rpm  • Fuel Type: Gasoline  • Fuel System:SFI  • Configuration: 12V/OHV  • Compression: 8.5:1  • Aspiration: Normal 3.8 L Buick 3800 LN3 V6 Specifications Years Used: 1988-1991  • Family: GM Buick 90° V6  • Model: 3800  • RPO/VIN: LN3/C  • Displacement: 3,791 cc (231 cu in)  • Stroke: 3.40 in (86 mm)  • Bore: 3.80 in (97 mm)  • Power: 165 hp (123 kW) at 4,400 rpm  • Torque: 220 lb·ft (298 N·m) at 2,800 rpm  • Fuel Type: Gasoline  • Fuel System:MPFI  • Configuration: 12V/OHV  • Compression: 8.5:1  • Aspiration: Normal
Transmission	4-speed 440-T4/4T60 automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	110.8 in (2,814 mm)
Length	1986–88: 197.6 in (5,019 mm) 1989 Brougham: 196.1 in (4,981 mm) 1990–91: 196.3 in (4,986 mm)
Width	1986–89: 72.4 in (1,839 mm) 1990–91: 73.0 in (1,854 mm)
Height	Delta 88 coupe: 55.5 in (1,410 mm) Delta 88 sedan: 54.7 in (1,389 mm) Eighty Eight Royale coupe: 53.7 in (1,364 mm) Eighty Eight Royale sedan: 54.5 in (1,384 mm) Eighty Eight coupe: 53.9 in (1,369 mm) Eighty Eight sedan: 54.6 in (1,387 mm)

The Oldsmobile 88 (known from 1989 onwards as the Eighty Eight) is a full-size car that was sold and produced by Oldsmobile from 1949 until 1999. From 1950 to 1974 the 88 was the division's top-selling line, particularly the entry-level models such as the 88 and Dynamic 88. The 88 series was also an image leader for Oldsmobile, particularly in the early years (1949–51) when it was one of the best performing automobiles thanks to its relatively small size, light weight and advanced overhead-valve high-compression V8 engine. This engine, originally designed for the larger C-bodied and more luxurious 98 series, also replaced the straight-8 on the smaller B-bodied 78. With the large, high performance V8, the Oldsmobile 88 is widely considered to be the first muscle car, although this title is disputed.

A large number of variations in nomenclature were seen over this long model run — Futuramic, Super, Golden Rocket, Dynamic, Jetstar, Delta, Delmont, Starfire, Holiday, L/S, LSS, Celebrity, and Royale were used at various times with the 88 badge, and Fiesta appeared on some station wagons in the 1950s and 1960s. The name was more commonly shown as numbers in the earlier years ("Delta 88", for example) and was changed to spell-out "Eighty Eight" starting in 1989.

Oldsmobile introduced the 88 badge in 1949. It was named to complement the already-existing 76 and 98, and took the place of the straight-8 engined 78 in the model lineup. The new car used the same new Futuramic B-body platform as the straight-6 engined 76 but paired it with the powerful new Rocket V8 engine. This combination of a relatively small light body and large, powerful engine made it widely considered to be the first muscle car. The Rocket 88 vaulted Oldsmobile from a somewhat staid, conservative car to a performer that became the one to beat on the NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing) circuits. It won six of the nine NASCAR late-model division races in 1949, 10 of 19 in 1950, 20 of 41 in 1952, and was eventually eclipsed by the low-slung, powerful Hudson Hornet, but it was still the first real "King of NASCAR." This led to increased sales to the public. There was a pent up demand for new cars in the fast-expanding post-World War II economy, and the 88 appealed to many ex-military personnel who were young and had operated powerful military equipment.