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Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight

Oldsmobile 88
81-85 Oldsmobile Delta 88.jpg
Overview
Manufacturer Oldsmobile (General Motors)
Model years 1949–1999
Body and chassis
Class Full-size
Chronology
Predecessor Oldsmobile 78
First generation
1950 Oldsmobile Rockett 88 DE-93-36 p6.jpg
1950 Oldsmobile 88 coupe
Overview
Also called
  • Oldsmobile DeLuxe 88
  • Oldsmobile Super 88
Model years 1949–1953
Assembly
Body and chassis
Body style
Layout FR layout
Platform B-body
Related
Powertrain
Engine 303 cu in (5.0 L) Rocket V8
Transmission
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 88.jpg
1956 Oldsmobile Super 88 convertible
Overview
Also called Oldsmobile Super 88
Model years 1954–1956
Assembly
Body and chassis
Body style
Layout FR layout
Platform B-body
Powertrain
Engine 324 cu in (5.3 L) Rocket V8
Transmission
Dimensions
Wheelbase 122.0 in (3,099 mm)
Length 205.26 in (5,214 mm)
Third generation
Oldsmobile '88' pic3.JPG
1958 Oldsmobile 88 sedan
Overview
Also called
  • Oldsmobile Golden Rocket 88
  • Oldsmobile Dynamic 88
  • Oldsmobile Super 88
Model years 1957–1958
Assembly
Body and chassis
Body style
Layout FR layout
Platform B-body
Related
Powertrain
Engine 371 cu in (6.1 L) Rocket V8
Fourth generation
Oldsmobile Super 88 1959 Länsrundan.jpg
1959 Oldsmobile Super 88 hardtop
Overview
Also called
  • Oldsmobile Rocket 88
  • Oldsmobile Dynamic 88
  • Oldsmobile Super 88
Model years 1959–1960
Assembly
Body and chassis
Body style
Layout FR layout
Platform B-body
Related
Powertrain
Engine
Transmission
Dimensions
Wheelbase 123.0 in (3,124 mm)
Fifth generation
1964 Oldsmobile Jetstar 88, front left.jpg
1964 Oldsmobile Jetstar 88 sedan
Overview
Also called
  • Oldsmobile Dynamic 88
  • Oldsmobile Jetstar 88
  • Oldsmobile Super 88
Model years 1961–1964
Assembly
Body and chassis
Body style
Layout FR layout
Platform B-body
Related
Powertrain
Engine
Transmission 3-speed Roto Hydra-Matic automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase 123.0 in (3,124 mm)
Sixth generation
1966 Olds Delta88 convertible.jpg
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
Body and chassis
Body style
Layout FR layout
Platform B-body
Related
Powertrain
Engine
Transmission
Dimensions
Wheelbase
  • 1965–68: 123.0 in (3,124 mm)
  • 1969–70: 124.0 in (3,150 mm)
Seventh generation
1972 Oldsmobile Delta 88.jpg
1972 Oldsmobile Delta 88 hardtop sedan
Overview
Also called
Model years 1971–1976
Assembly
Body and chassis
Body style
Layout FR layout
Platform B-body
Related
Powertrain
Engine
Transmission 3-speed THM400 automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase 124.0 in (3,150 mm)
Eighth generation
81delta88.jpg
1981 Oldsmobile Delta 88 sedan
Overview
Also called Oldsmobile Delta 88
Model years 1977–1985
Assembly
Body and chassis
Body style
Layout FR layout
Platform B-body
Related
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
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
Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight -- 08-28-2009.jpg
1990 Oldsmobile Eighty Eight Royale sedan
Overview
Also called
  • Oldsmobile Delta 88 (1986–88)
  • Oldsmobile Eighty Eight (1989–91)
Model years 1986–1991
Assembly
Body and chassis
Body style
Layout Transverse front-engine, front-wheel drive
Platform H-body
Related
Powertrain
Engine 3.8 L Buick LG3 V6 3.8 L Buick 3800 LN3 V6
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.


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Wikipedia

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