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Oldsmobile Ninety-Eight

Oldsmobile 98
1955 Oldsmobile 98 4 Door Hardtop.jpg
1955 Oldsmobile Ninety-Eight Holiday 4 Door Hardtop
Overview
Manufacturer Oldsmobile (General Motors)
Also called Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser 98
Oldsmobile Futuramic 98
Oldsmobile Starfire 98
Oldsmobile Classic 98
Production 1940–1996
Body and chassis
Class Full-size luxury car
Chronology
Predecessor Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser 90
Successor Oldsmobile Aurora
Oldsmobile Regency/LSS (United States only)
First generation
1941 Oldsmobile 96 Club Coupe (3626405833).jpg
Overview
Model years 1941
Assembly South Gate, California, U.S.
Lansing, Michigan, U.S.
Linden, New Jersey, U.S.
Designer Harley Earl
Body and chassis
Body style 2-door coupe
4-door sedan
2-door convertible
4-door convertible
Layout FR layout
Platform C-body
Related Cadillac Series 62
Buick Roadmaster
Buick Super
Pontiac Custom Torpedo
Powertrain
Engine 257 cu in (4.2 L) Oldsmobile I8
Transmission 3-speed synchromesh manual
4-speed Hydramatic automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase 125.0 in (3,175 mm)
Length 213.0 in (5,410 mm)
Curb weight 3,500–4,000 lb (1,600–1,800 kg)
Second generation
1947 Oldsmobile 98.jpg
Overview
Model years 1942–1947
Assembly South Gate, California, U.S.
Kansas City, Kansas, U.S.
Lansing, Michigan, U.S.
Linden, New Jersey, U.S.
Designer Harley Earl
Body and chassis
Body style 2-door coupe
4-door sedan
2-door convertible
Layout FR layout
Platform C-body
Related Cadillac Series 62
Buick Roadmaster
Buick Super
Powertrain
Engine 257 cu in (4.2 L) Oldsmobile I8
Transmission 3-speed synchromesh manual
4-speed Hydramatic automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase 127.0 in (3,226 mm)
Length 216.0 in (5,486 mm)
Curb weight 3,800–4,300 lb (1,700–2,000 kg)
Third generation
'49 Oldsmobile Futuramic 98 (Auto classique Laval '10).jpg
Overview
Model years 1948–1953
Assembly South Gate, California, U.S.
Wilmington, Delaware, U.S.
Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
Kansas City, Kansas, U.S.
Framingham, Massachusetts, U.S.
Lansing, Michigan, U.S.
Linden, New Jersey, U.S.
Designer Harley Earl
Body and chassis
Body style 2-door Club coupe
2-door Holiday hardtop
4-door sedan
4-door fastback Town Sedan
2-door convertible
2-door Fiesta convertible
Layout FR layout
Platform C-body
Related
Powertrain
Engine 257 cu in (4.2 L) Oldsmobile I8
304 cu in (5.0 L) Rocket V8
Transmission 3-speed synchromesh manual
4-speed Hydramatic automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase 1948–49: 125.0 in (3,175 mm)
1950–51: 122.0 in (3,099 mm)
1952–53: 124.0 in (3,150 mm)
Length 1948–49: 213.0 in (5,410 mm)
1950: 209.0 in (5,309 mm)
1951: 208.0 in (5,283 mm)
1952: 213.0 in (5,410 mm)
1953: 215.0 in (5,461 mm)
Width 1951: 80.0 in (2,032 mm)
1952: 76.0 in (1,930 mm)
1953: 77.0 in (1,956 mm)
Curb weight 3,700–4,700 lb (1,700–2,100 kg)
Fourth generation
Oldsmobile 98 Convertible 1955.jpg
Overview
Model years 1954–1956
Assembly South Gate, California, U.S.
Wilmington, Delaware, U.S.
Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
Kansas City, Kansas, U.S.
Framingham, Massachusetts, U.S.
Lansing, Michigan, U.S.
Linden, New Jersey, U.S.
Arlington, Texas, U.S.
Designer Harley Earl
Body and chassis
Body style 2-door Holiday hardtop
4-door sedan
4-door Holiday hardtop
2-door Starfire convertible
Layout FR layout
Platform C-body
Related Cadillac Series 62
Buick Roadmaster
Buick Super
Powertrain
Engine 324 cu in (5.3 L) Rocket V8
Transmission 3-speed synchromesh manual
4-speed Hydramatic automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase 126.0 in (3,200 mm)
Length 1954: 214.3 in (5,443 mm)
1955: 212.0 in (5,385 mm)
1956: 212.3 in (5,392 mm)
Width 78.3 in (1,989 mm)
Height 60.5 in (1,537 mm)
Curb weight 4,000–4,400 lb (1,800–2,000 kg)
Fifth generation
Oldsmobile Convertible.jpg
Overview
Model years 1957–1958
Assembly South Gate, California, U.S.
Wilmington, Delaware, U.S.
Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
Kansas City, Kansas, U.S.
Framingham, Massachusetts, U.S.
Lansing, Michigan, U.S.
Linden, New Jersey, U.S.
Arlington, Texas, U.S.
Designer Harley Earl
Body and chassis
Body style 2-door Holiday hardtop
4-door sedan
4-door Holiday hardtop
2-door convertible
Layout FR layout
Platform C-body
Related Cadillac Series 62
Buick Limited
Buick Roadmaster
Buick Super
Powertrain
Engine 371 cu in (6.1 L) Rocket V8
Transmission 4-speed Hydramatic automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase 126.5 in (3,213 mm)
Length 216.7 in (5,504 mm)
Width 1957: 76.4 in (1,941 mm)
1958: 78.5 in (1,994 mm)
Height 1957: 58.2 in (1,478 mm)
1958: 57.4 in (1,458 mm)
Curb weight 4,700–4,900 lb (2,100–2,200 kg)
Sixth generation
'59 Oldsmobile 98 (Auto classique Laval '12).JPG
1959 Oldsmobile Ninety-Eight Holiday SceniCoupe
Overview
Model years 1959-1960
Assembly South Gate, California, U.S.
Wilmington, Delaware, U.S.
Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
Kansas City, Kansas, U.S.
Framingham, Massachusetts, U.S.
Lansing, Michigan, U.S.
Linden, New Jersey, U.S.
Arlington, Texas, U.S.
Designer Bill Mitchell
Body and chassis
Body style 2-door Holiday hardtop
4-door sedan
4-door Celebrity sedan
4-door Holiday hardtop
2-door convertible
Layout FR layout
Platform C-body
Related Cadillac Eldorado
Cadillac Sixty Special
Cadillac De Ville
Cadillac Series 62
Buick Electra
Powertrain
Engine 394 cu in (6.5 L) Rocket V8
Transmission 4-speed Hydramatic automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase 126.3 in (3,208 mm)
Length 1959: 223.0 in (5,664 mm)
1960: 220.9 in (5,611 mm)
Width 1959: 80.8 in (2,052 mm)
1960: 80.6 in (2,047 mm)
Height 1959: 56.0 in (1,422 mm)
1960: 56.1 in (1,425 mm)
Curb weight 4,500–4,700 lb (2,000–2,100 kg)
Seventh generation
'64 Oldsmobile 98 Convertible (Auto classique VACM Laval '13).JPG
Overview
Model years 1961–1964
Assembly Wilmington, Delaware, U.S.
Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
Kansas City, Kansas, U.S.
Framingham, Massachusetts, U.S.
Lansing, Michigan, U.S.
Linden, New Jersey, U.S.
Arlington, Texas, U.S.
Designer Bill Mitchell
Body and chassis
Body style 2-door hardtop
4-door 4-window hardtop
4-door 6-window sedan
4-door 6-window hardtop
2-door convertible
Layout FR layout
Platform C-body
Related Cadillac Eldorado
Cadillac Sixty Special
Cadillac De Ville
Cadillac Series 62
Buick Electra
Powertrain
Engine 394 cu in (6.5 L) Rocket V8
Transmission 3-speed Roto Hydramatic automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase 126.0 in (3,200 mm)
Length 1961: 218.0 in (5,537 mm)
1962: 220.0 in (5,588 mm)
1963: 221.5 in (5,626 mm)
1964: 222.3 in (5,646 mm)
Width 1961: 77.2 in (1,961 mm)
1962–63: 77.9 in (1,979 mm)
1964: 78.0 in (1,981 mm)
Height 1961–62: 56.6 in (1,438 mm)
1963: 57.1 in (1,450 mm)
1964: 56.5 in (1,435 mm)
Curb weight 4,400–4,700 lb (2,000–2,100 kg)
Eighth generation
Oldsmobile 98 -65.jpg
1965 Oldsmobile 98 convertible
Overview
Model years 1965–1970
Assembly Lansing, Michigan, U.S.
Linden, New Jersey, U.S.
Designer Bill Mitchell
Body and chassis
Body style 2-door hardtop
4-door sedan
4-door hardtop
2-door convertible
Layout FR layout
Platform GM C platform
Related Cadillac Eldorado
Cadillac De Ville
Cadillac Calais
Buick Electra
Powertrain
Engine 425 cu in (7.0 L) Rocket V8
455 cu in (7.5 L) Rocket V8
Transmission 3-speed TH-400, automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase 1965–68: 126.0 in (3,200 mm)
1969–70: 127.0 in (3,226 mm)
Length 1965: 222.9 in (5,662 mm)
1966–67: 223.0 in (5,664 mm)
1968: 223.7 in (5,682 mm)
1969: 224.4 in (5,700 mm)
1970: 225.2 in (5,720 mm)
Width 80.0 in (2,032 mm)
Height 1965–68: 55.8 in (1,417 mm)
1969–70: 54.8 in (1,392 mm)
Curb weight 4,300–4,700 lb (2,000–2,100 kg)
Ninth generation
1971 Ninety-Eight.jpg
Overview
Model years 1971–1976
Assembly Lansing, Michigan, U.S.
Linden, New Jersey, U.S.
Designer Bill Mitchell
Body and chassis
Body style 2-door hardtop
2-door coupe
4-door hardtop
Layout FR layout
Platform C-body
Related Cadillac De Ville
Cadillac Calais
Buick Electra
Buick Estate
Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser
Pontiac Grand Safari
Pontiac Safari
Chevrolet Kingswood Estate
Chevrolet Kingswood
Chevrolet Townsman
Powertrain
Engine 455 cu in (7.5 L) Rocket V8
Transmission 3-speed TH-400, automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase 127.0 in (3,226 mm)
Length 1971: 226.1 in (5,743 mm)
1972: 227.8 in (5,786 mm)
1973: 230.3 in (5,850 mm)
1974–75: 232.4 in (5,903 mm)
1976: 232.2 in (5,898 mm)
Width 1971: 79.0 in (2,007 mm)
1972–73: 79.6 in (2,022 mm)
1974–75: 79.8 in (2,027 mm)
1976: 80.0 in (2,032 mm)
Height 1971–72: 54.6 in (1,387 mm)
1973: 54.7 in (1,389 mm)
1974–75: 54.2 in (1,377 mm)
1976: 54.7 in (1,389 mm)
Curb weight 4,700–5,200 lb (2,100–2,400 kg)

The Oldsmobile 98 (sometimes spelled Ninety-Eight after 1958) is the full-size flagship model of Oldsmobile that was produced from 1940 until 1996. The name — reflecting a "Series 90" fitted with an 8-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 until the Oldsmobile Regency replaced the 98 in 1997.

Occasionally additional nomenclature was used with the name, such as L/S and Holiday, and the 98 Regency badge would become increasingly common in the later years of the model. The 98 shared its General Motors C-body platform with Buick and Cadillac.

As it was the top-line Oldsmobile, the series had the most technologically advanced items 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 timer, as controlled by the driver), and the highest-grade interior and exterior trim.

Naming standards were in flux at Oldsmobile during the late 1930s and 1940s. From 1932 through 1938 Oldsmobile had two series: "F" and "L". Series F came with a straight-6 engine and Series L came with a larger body and a straight-8 engine. Series F was renamed Series 60 in 1939 and Series L was replaced with the Series 70 and 80, with the Series 70 and 80 being powered by the straight-6 and the straight-8 respectively. The Series 60 used the GM A-body and the Series 70 and 80 used the B-body. In 1940 the even larger C-body was introduced to Oldsmobile and it alone was powered by the straight-8. In order to differentiate it from the previous year's Series 80 it was named Series 90 (there was no Series 80 that year). 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.


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