Posted on 05/12/2014 9:16:05 AM PDT by Impala64ssa
Oldsmobile died 10 years ago this week. On that day, the final Oldsmobile (an Alero) rolled off the assembly line, and from then on, the oldest-surviving American car company was no more. Its departure was largely bittersweet; Oldsmobile’s final vehicle lineup wasn’t very impressive, filled with bland front-wheel-drive cars, and so many believed that its time had finally come.
But it was a good run, and while the end wasn’t necessarily stellar, Oldsmobile managed to produce some seriously badass cars throughout its 107-year-long history. Below, we take a look at what we believe are the five best Oldsmobiles to ever leave its production facilities.
Also, how can they include the Toronado? It’s admittedly kinda badass looking, but they only made it for five years? Seems like there should be a minimum production period for it to make the list. If it was all that, they would have kept it around.
A friend in high school had a bright yellow ‘57 Olds convertible. Big, heavy car with a hydra-matic but it had balls. Once that thing was moving it had an amazing top end.
My father had a ‘68 Cutlass. I drove an ‘89 Cutlass Calais for 10 years and 225,000 miles before it started falling apart. My ‘99 Intrigue is holding up well at 141,000 miles.
“...what we have today is much better.”
From a technological standpoint, absolutely. Better brakes, better suspension, far better tires. But from the standpoint of fun? Nah!
Second car was a 70 Cutlass Supreme. Built the engine in it too. Sideswiped by a semi changing lanes, went to the junkyard, purchased a 71 Supreme body, (My third car) swapped motors, found an original ram air hood,drove it to dad's in Florida on four bald tires and no spare, had a flat pulling into his driveway. lol I left a week later with a new paint job (white with metallic gold racing stripes), a new white interior that I did myself, and set of brand new white letter tires. Dang I loved that car. 3/4 cam, headers, and built carb, made it sound like lopeing thunder.
I only owned one Olds,a 1951 Super 88;heck of a good car & pretty peppy,too. They’ve had several since then that were good solid cars.
My favorite car for many years- I owned 13 of them, all used. From 1955 (my first car) until about 1990 IIRC. They ALL were 88’s or 98’s except one cutlass and one station wagon.
My favorite car for many years- I owned 13 of them, all used. From 1955 (my first car) until about 1990 IIRC. They ALL were 88’s or 98’s except one cutlass and one station wagon.
I currently have a Cashmire Blue 1958 Chevy Impala (my all time favorite car and second one), with a continental kit, fender skirts, white wall tires, duel rear antennas, forward mirrors on the fenders. It's not show, but a great "Survivor" as it's called. I'm replacing stuff as I can afford.
Recently had a lot of under carriage stuff done and added powered disc brakes in front. Also put a great sound system in the glove box with a powerful amp and sub-woofer in the trunk. It drives like the tank it is, but get many looks and honks while cruising around with some Oldies playing. Often get comments about how rare this car is with all the additional trim. If I had a photo client, I'd post a photo.
The Toronado was produced continuously from introduction in 1966 through 1992.
At one time I owned 2 1981 Cutlass’s and a1982 98.
All 3 were Diesel’s.
1973 cutlass supreme
From cutlass to gutless, that’s what emission controls and CAFE did to cars of the early eighties.
CC
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