Oldsmobile Reviews

Among the earliest and most enduring automotive names was Oldsmobile, a company founded in 1897 and later acquired by General Motors. Throughout its 107-year history, Olds, as it is often referenced, delivered a number of noteworthy models. In 2004, GM shut down the brand, a marque that had lost its identity along the way.

Beginning in the late 19th century, American car manufacturers began to emerge. That followed a trend seen in Europe decades earlier. Ransom Eli Olds is credited with giving the industry traction in the U.S. when he co-founded the Olds Motor Company.

One of the company’s first models was its one-cylinder Curved Dash, an entry-level runabout with room for two. It was the first mass-produced gasoline-powered model in the world.

Olds left the company bearing his name in 1904 to form the REO Motor Car Company. In 1908, the General Motors Company acquired Oldsmobile, then transformed it into one of its divisions.

Early Oldsmobile models included the 1910 Limited Touring. It was a large seven-passenger touring car that established this brand’s luxury credentials. Later models included its first closed-top vehicle and by the 1920s Olds had its first V8.

In 1926, GM created its “B” platform for Olds, Buick and two other brands. That move enabled Oldsmobile to expand its product line. Olds also brought to the market an automatic transmission and an independent front suspension.

Leading up to World War II, Oldsmobiles included coupes, convertibles and sedans. Its full-size Series 70 model came out in 1938 and was reintroduced after the war as the company began to design and manufacturer its newest models.

Oldsmobile gained a fresh perspective in the 1950s with the release of its “rocket” engines and cars. That name played on America’s interest in the future and later with the launch of its space program. The 1953 Olds Starfire won acclaim for its fiberglass body, low beltline and strong 200-horsepower engine.

Two of Olds’ most well-known models set the pace for the brand during that era, including the 98 (later Ninety Eight) and the 88 (Eighty Eight). Both were full-size models powered initially by a V8 and outfitted with luxurious features.

During the 1960s, the Oldsmobile Toronado rolled out. This front-wheel-drive coupe is related to the Cadillac Eldorado and Buick Riviera. That decade also saw the launch of the midsize Olds Cutlass and the 442 muscle car. In 1968, the first Hurst/Olds models rolled out, which were special-edition performance versions of the Cutlass Supreme and the 442.

By the 1970s, Olds’ identity became less clear. However, the brand was still separate enough to develop its own V8 diesel engine, which was also used by other GM brands. Unfortunately, the engines had problems, requiring GM to replace them with gasoline engines. The 1974 Olds Toronado was also the first U.S. car outfitted with a driver side airbag.

Olds’ most popular model during the 1980s was the Cutlass, which was available in multiple body styles. The Olds Omega was its compact car, which was replaced later by the Firenza.

During the 1990s, Olds gained several new models. These included the midsize Oldsmobile Bravada SUV and the Olds Silhouette minivan. In 1994, the full-size Olds Aurora sedan rolled out, which eventually replaced both the Eighty Eight and Ninety Eight. For its midsize sedan offering, the Olds Intrigue debuted in 1997 and stayed around just ahead of the brand’s cancellation.

For its final year in 2004, Oldsmobile offered the Bravada and Silhouette, along with the Olds Alero. The Alero was available as a midsize coupe or sedan, and it was powered by four- and six-cylinder engines.