Oldsmobile
66 et al. 1946-1948
68 et al. 1946-1948
76 et al. 1946-1950
78 et al. 1946-1948
88 et al. 1949-1960
98 et al. 1946-1960

66, 68 et al.
1946 - the Special or Sixty series was the cheapest of the Oldsmobiles after the war. In 1946 it was only available with a six-cylinder engine, hence the 66 designation. A three speed manual gearbox with a column shifter was standard with an automatic as an option. The car came in 5 body styles including a convertible where a leather interior was also an option.
1947 - the Sixty series was only with an eight cyclinder engine which meant a total of 10 engine/body combinations were offered. This was the last year of production for the Sixty series.
1948 - the Special desination was dropped and the Sixty series was called a Dynamic.

76, 78 et al.
1946 - the Dynamic or Seventy series was the middle of the Olds range and was available with six cylinder and 8 cylinder power (76 & 78). A three speed manual gearbox with a column shifter was standard with an automatic as an option. Two bodies styles were offered with each engines and customers could choose between standard or deluxe trim. Standard equipment included a cigarette lighter and dual sun visors. Deluxes models were fitted with foam rubber cushions, special steering wheel, electric clock and rear arm rest.
1947 - The Deluxe package cost $100 and deluxe models were denoted by a D suffix on the style number.

88 et al.
1949 - This was the first year of production for the 88 series and was fitted with the new Rocket V8 engine. The sedan model could reach 60mph in 12.2 seconds. An 88 convertible was the official pace car for the 1949 Indianapolis 500. The car was based on body and chassis as the Seveny series. Incidently the body style was given a 'B' designation and was also used by Chevrolet and Pontiac.
1950 - A one-piece windshield was a midyear upgrade.
1951 - The Super Eighty-Eight Series of five body styles was introduced. It was completely different from the Eighty-Eight series. It was available with a Deluxe package. The standard Eighty-Eight series was almost identical to the 1950 series. Near the end of the year the model was dropped.
1952 - Power steering was offered for the first time as an option.
1953 - The Deluxe Eighty-Eight was the bottom of the range. It shared many features of the Super Eighty-Eight but has a less powerful version of the Rocket V8 engine. The Super outsold the Deluxe by an order of six to one.
1954 - All models received complete restyles this year. The Eighty-Eight lost its Deluxe prefix. The number of body styles was increased from two to three with the introduction of two-door Holiday hardtop.
1955 - The standard engine on the Super Eighty-Eight, the 202hp Rocket V8 was offered as a $35 option on the Eighty-Eight model. The Rocket engine could take an 88 from 0-60mph in 10.6 secs.
1956 - The Eighty-Eight range was expanded to four body styles. Twenty-one factory colors were offered with twenty-six two-tone combinations. A padded steering wheel came as standard on the Super Eighty-Eight.
1957 - To celebrate Oldsmobile 50th anniverasy the Eighty-Eight range was called the Golden Rocket Eighty-Eight. Both Eighty-Eight models were restyled and for the first time since 1957 a station wagon was offered.
1958 - There was a major restyle. The entry level Eighty-Eight was called the Dynamic and all Station Wagons were called Fiestas.
1959 - For the second consecutive year the Eighty-Eight was restyled. All hardtop models were called Holidays.

98 et al.
1946 - the Custom cruiser or Ninety Series was top of the range. Three body styles were offered, all with eight cylinder power. A three speed manual gearbox with a column shifter was standard with an automatic as an option.
1947 - This was the last year of the prewar body.
1948 - The Ninety-eight was redesignated as the Futuramic. Standard equipment included solenoid starter, and foam rubber cushion seats. Deluxe models came with front and rear floor mats!

Vehicle Identification 1946 - 1948

Car Links Values

Vehicle Identification 1949 - 1960

First two symbols indicate the model year.

49 = 1949      50 = 1950      51 = 1951      52 = 1952      53 = 1953
54 = 1954      55 = 1955      56 = 1956      57 = 1957      58 = 1958
59 = 1959      60 = 1960

Third symbol indicates the model.

6 = Seventy-Six (1949-50)
7 = Eighty-Eight (1951)(1954-60)
7 = Deluxe Eighty-Eight (1953)
8 = Eighty-Eight (1949-50)
8 = Deluxe Eighty-Eight (1952)
8 = Super Eighty-Eight (1951-60)
9 = Ninety-Eight (1949-60)
 
Fourth symbol indicates assembly plant

A = Atlanta
B = Boston (Framington)
C = California (Los Angels/Southgate)
K = Kansas City
L = Linden, NJ
M = Michigan (Lansing)
T = Texas (Arlington) (1954-)
W = Willmington, Del

Remaining symbols vehicle production number

Engines (there is no relationship to an assembly plant)
              6 cyl              8 cyl 
1949          6A1001-6A96888     8A1001-8A193864
1950          6A97001-6A130440   8A194001-8A568689
Engines with a ‘H’ prefix fitted with Hydra-matic automatic transmission.  
1951                             8C1001-287312
Engines with a ‘B’ prefix had synchromesh transmission.
1952                             8R1001-8R214478
1953                             R215001-549482
1954                             V1001-V355083
1955                             V400001-V983275
1956                             A001001-A385513
1957                             A001001-
1958                             B00-1001-
1959-60                          371ci    C00-1001-
1959-60                          394ci    D00-1001-
1960                             371ci    H00-1001-

More Guides | Olds 1946-1960 | Olds 1961-1966 | Olds 1967-1972 | Olds 1973-1975 | Oldsmobile Links