The Five Best Oldsmobiles to Come off the Line

Web2carz ^ | 5/12/14 | Andrew Krok

[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.

[RegulatorCountry]

Early 60’s “bubble top” full size coupes are fine looking cars, from any GM brand. Not as obvious in a convertible other than the teardrop vent windows, though.

[Iscool]

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.

I had a '58...A Sherman tank...Two door hardtop...It was kinda cool and uncool at the same time...

[flying Elvis]

Nice. I once owned a 72 Skylark Sun Coupe. Bought one with a blown engine in 1986 it for 75 dollars. I should have kept it.

[A Navy Vet]

Your 3rd photo of the 49-53 was one of the ugliest front end designs ever. The trim below the headlights always looked like the thing was crying. Plus, the direction of all the chrome from the hood made it look even sadder. THE ugliest front end ever.

BTW, looks like a 1958 Impala behind the Olds. Distinct slopping back roof and window...could be wrong. Personally, I think the design of the ‘58 Impala was Chevy’s best design ever, even over the iconic ‘57. 1963-4 were also smooth cool looking lines.

Interestingly, every one says Mopar were the first muscle cars, when in truth Chevy produced the 409 in 1961 that beat anything on the road in a straight line.

[A Navy Vet]

"... teardrop vent windows ...".

Wind wings as we used to call them.

[MHGinTN]

‘72 Cutlass Supreme, in mint green with green cloth interior.

[mikey_hates_everything]

"The same could be said for Buick, too, though, and it still lives."

The Chinese are keeping Buick alive.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

A neighbor has a very rare ‘61 409 Super Sport coupe. Black with red interior.

[UnbelievingScumOnTheOtherSide]

Oldsmobile is a nameplate, not a car, since 1908. Sometimes it got put on a good car and sometimes a bad one, more or less at random, just like every other meaningless nameplate.

[Bender2]

Sorry, Web2carz, but you missed... a couple of great Olds:

First, there is the 1954... Oldsmobile F-88 Convertible Concept Car:

Granted, it was based on the first Corvette body style... but that big Rocket 88 V8 would have left the '53 Vette's Blue Fame six banger in the dust.

Then there is the 1948-1952 Olds... Rocket 98 Flastbacks:

And there is the 1962 Starfire... which my old cuz Jerry bought brand new for more than $5,000 in 1962 dollars. That was more than a top line Caddy cost in those days, but just look at this baby:

Whoa there, Bendy! I hate to pull on ya, old pard... but stop and consider the 1955 "Golden Anniversary" Oldsmobile Rocket 88:

We drove that baby in my 1975 flick W.W. and the Dixie Dancekings... and we had a blast in it!

Okay, Burt, you are forgiven... but Web2carz ain't!

[amigatec]

Yes they were, there were some differences between them and the gas motors they came from. But yes they were converted.

[SevenofNine]

Hey Bender my mom have Ventura 1974 ran good 30 years before it went out on her that was her baby

[Mastador1]

1968-72 Vista Cruiser

We had one of these when I was a kid. Probably a '68.

I wonder why they excluded the '67, that was year we had. Also what was wrong with the 442 prior to '68? This author apparently only appreciates models with curves, though that's how I likes me women I'm not so picky with me cars!

[minnesota_bound]

I still say the Olds was the most comfortable car to sit in with the bench seats. My 1992 and 2003 Honda Accord has those bucket seats that are too restricting and I am 195lbs & 5’ 11” plus you do feel the road at times. The Olds just glided over the bumps.

[Mears]

I loved our Delta 88s.

Great cars.

.

[Dr. Bogus Pachysandra]

“I still say the Olds was the most comfortable car to sit in with the bench seats. he Olds just glided over the bumps.”

Like driving a comfortable sofa! Perfect pedal steel player’s car. Just take off the rear legs, and set it on the back seat. Put the Twin in the trunk.

[shove_it]

The Toronado was the first front wheel drive American production car. Oldsmobile was GM’s leading edge brand in that new features were first introduced on the Olds before going into general production on the other brands.

[bert]

chevy, pontiac, buick, olds, cadillac...... the path of growth in wealth

[Publius]

GM used their LaSalle brand (before 1948) to test innovative features that, if successful, would be used in the next generation of Cadillac cars. As Archie and Edith sang,

Didn't our LaSalle run great?
Those were the days!

I saw a 1947 LaSalle on the streets of Vancouver (BC) in 2005 during a classic car parade. It had a nice look to it.

[beelzepug]

I bought one of the 64 1/2 Mustangs before I went into the Army. It was light and the little 289 had enough power to break the break the tires loose and make the rear end hop all over the place. It was fun. When I got back from RVN, I bought one of the late ‘67 Barracudas with the 383. Heavy clutch, no power steering because there was no room left in the engine bay for it. Fast in a straight line, though.

Times change. Our daily driver is a 2013 Kia Soul.