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Oldsmobile 88
The Oldsmobile 88 (marketed from 1989 on as the Eighty Eight) is a full-size car that was produced by the Oldsmobile Division of GM from 1949 until 1999. From 1950 until 1974, the 88 was the division's most popular 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 model's 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 and more luxurious C-bodied 98 series, also replaced the straight-8 on the smaller B-bodied 78. With the large, high performance Oldsmobile Rocket V8, the early Oldsmobile 88 is considered by some to be the first muscle car.[citation needed]
Naming conventions used by GM since the 1910s for all divisions used alphanumeric designations that changed every year. Starting after the war, Oldsmobile changed their designations and standardized them so that the first number signified the chassis platform, while the second number signified how many cylinders. A large number of variations in nomenclature were seen over this long model run — Super, Golden Rocket, Dynamic, Jetstar, Delta, Delmont, Starfire, Holiday, LS, 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 numerals in the earlier years ("Delta 88", for example) and was changed to spell out "Eighty Eight" starting in 1989.
Oldsmobile introduced the 88 badge for its new Rocket V8-powered mid-range in 1949, replacing the previous straight-8 engined 78 and complementing the existing division lineup of entry level Seventy-Six and luxury 98.
The new car used the same new A-body platform as the straight-6 engined 76 but paired it with the company’s new 303 cu in (5.0 L), 135 horsepower (101 kW) V8.
This combination of a relatively small, light body and large, powerful engine was a sensation in performance circles, causing it to be viewed by some as the first muscle car.[citation needed] The Rocket 88- powered 88 vaulted Oldsmobile from a somewhat staid, conservative car to a performer that became a Carrera Panamericana winner, and the one to beat on the early NASCAR circuits. It won six of the nine NASCAR late-Carrera Panamericana model division[clarification needed] 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.
The 88 was available in six body styles: a 2-door Club Sedan, a 4-door Town Sedan, 2-door Club Coupe, 2-door convertible coupe, 4-door sedan and 4-door station wagon. The former two were in fastback design, dating back to the pre-war GM streamliners, whereas the others followed the new three-box notchback design. The 4-door Town Sedan would be for 76 and 88 a one-year-only model.
The 88 enjoyed great popular success as well, inspiring a catchy 1950s slogan, "Make a Date with a Rocket 88", and a song, "Rocket 88", often considered the first rock and roll record.[citation needed] Starting with the trunk-lid emblem of the 1950 model, Oldsmobile would adopt the rocket as its logo, and the 88 name would remain in the Olds lineup until the late 1990s.
The 1949 model was equipped with an ignition key and a starter push-button to engage the starter. Pushing the starter button would engage the starter, but if the ignition key was not inserted, unlocking the ignition, the car would not start. The car was equipped with an oil bath air cleaner. At the bottom edge of the front fender directly behind the front wheel was a badge that said "Futuramic" which identified an Oldsmobile approach to simplified driving, and the presence of an automatic transmission.
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Oldsmobile 88 AI simulator
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Oldsmobile 88
The Oldsmobile 88 (marketed from 1989 on as the Eighty Eight) is a full-size car that was produced by the Oldsmobile Division of GM from 1949 until 1999. From 1950 until 1974, the 88 was the division's most popular 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 model's 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 and more luxurious C-bodied 98 series, also replaced the straight-8 on the smaller B-bodied 78. With the large, high performance Oldsmobile Rocket V8, the early Oldsmobile 88 is considered by some to be the first muscle car.[citation needed]
Naming conventions used by GM since the 1910s for all divisions used alphanumeric designations that changed every year. Starting after the war, Oldsmobile changed their designations and standardized them so that the first number signified the chassis platform, while the second number signified how many cylinders. A large number of variations in nomenclature were seen over this long model run — Super, Golden Rocket, Dynamic, Jetstar, Delta, Delmont, Starfire, Holiday, LS, 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 numerals in the earlier years ("Delta 88", for example) and was changed to spell out "Eighty Eight" starting in 1989.
Oldsmobile introduced the 88 badge for its new Rocket V8-powered mid-range in 1949, replacing the previous straight-8 engined 78 and complementing the existing division lineup of entry level Seventy-Six and luxury 98.
The new car used the same new A-body platform as the straight-6 engined 76 but paired it with the company’s new 303 cu in (5.0 L), 135 horsepower (101 kW) V8.
This combination of a relatively small, light body and large, powerful engine was a sensation in performance circles, causing it to be viewed by some as the first muscle car.[citation needed] The Rocket 88- powered 88 vaulted Oldsmobile from a somewhat staid, conservative car to a performer that became a Carrera Panamericana winner, and the one to beat on the early NASCAR circuits. It won six of the nine NASCAR late-Carrera Panamericana model division[clarification needed] 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.
The 88 was available in six body styles: a 2-door Club Sedan, a 4-door Town Sedan, 2-door Club Coupe, 2-door convertible coupe, 4-door sedan and 4-door station wagon. The former two were in fastback design, dating back to the pre-war GM streamliners, whereas the others followed the new three-box notchback design. The 4-door Town Sedan would be for 76 and 88 a one-year-only model.
The 88 enjoyed great popular success as well, inspiring a catchy 1950s slogan, "Make a Date with a Rocket 88", and a song, "Rocket 88", often considered the first rock and roll record.[citation needed] Starting with the trunk-lid emblem of the 1950 model, Oldsmobile would adopt the rocket as its logo, and the 88 name would remain in the Olds lineup until the late 1990s.
The 1949 model was equipped with an ignition key and a starter push-button to engage the starter. Pushing the starter button would engage the starter, but if the ignition key was not inserted, unlocking the ignition, the car would not start. The car was equipped with an oil bath air cleaner. At the bottom edge of the front fender directly behind the front wheel was a badge that said "Futuramic" which identified an Oldsmobile approach to simplified driving, and the presence of an automatic transmission.