Oldsmobile
Fate	Dissolved
Founded	1897
Defunct	2004
Location	Lansing, Michigan, United States
Industry	Automotive
Products	Luxury vehicles Mainstream vehicles
Key people	Ransom E. Olds, founder
Parent	General Motors

Oldsmobile was a brand of automobile produced for most of its existence by General Motors. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the The automotive industry is the industry involved in the design development manufacture marketing and sale of Motor vehicles In 2007 more than 73 million motor vehicles Luxury vehicle is a marketing term for a vehicle that provides luxury &mdash that which is beyond strict necessity &mdash in exchange for increased cost to the buyer Ransom Eli Olds ( June 3, 1864 – August 26, 1950) was a pioneer of the American Automobile industry, for whom both the Oldsmobile General Motors Corporation ( GM) ( is a multinational automobile manufacturer founded in 1908 and headquartered in the United States. A brand is a collection of Images and ideas representing an economic producer more specifically it refers to the descriptive verbal attributes and concrete symbols such as a General Motors Corporation ( GM) ( is a multinational automobile manufacturer founded in 1908 and headquartered in the United States. Founded by Ransom E. Olds in 1897, the company produced automobiles in the United States until 2004. Ransom Eli Olds ( June 3, 1864 – August 26, 1950) was a pioneer of the American Automobile industry, for whom both the Oldsmobile The United States of America —commonly referred to as the In its 107-year history, it produced 35. 2 million cars, including at least 14 million built at its Lansing, Michigan factory. When it was phased out, Oldsmobile was the oldest surviving American automobile marque, and one of the oldest in the world, after Daimler and Peugeot. A marque ( French for "brand" ˈmɑrk is a Brand name especially in the Automobile industry Mercedes-Benz is a German manufacturer of luxury Automobiles Buses coaches and Trucks It is currently a division of the For the article about the bicycle manufacturer see Cycles Peugeot.

Contents 1 History 1.1 Early history 1.2 1930s 1.3 1940s 1.4 1950s 1.5 1960s 1.6 1970s-1980s 1.7 1990s 1.8 2000s 2 Oldsmobile models 3 Oldsmobile in popular culture 4 Marketing themes 5 See also 6 Notes and references 7 Further reading 8 External links

History

Early history

Oldsmobiles were first manufactured by the Olds Motor Vehicle Company in Lansing, Michigan, a company founded by Ransom E. Olds in 1897. Ransom Eli Olds ( June 3, 1864 – August 26, 1950) was a pioneer of the American Automobile industry, for whom both the Oldsmobile In 1901, the company produced 425 cars, making it the first high-volume automobile manufacturer of the day. Olds became the top selling car company in the United States for a few years. Ransom Olds left the company in financial difficulties and formed the REO Motor Car Company. This article is about The REO Motor Car Company for other uses see REO (disambiguation. The last Curved Dash Olds was made in 1907. General Motors purchased the company in 1908. General Motors Corporation ( GM) ( is a multinational automobile manufacturer founded in 1908 and headquartered in the United States.

The 1901 to 1904 Curved Dash was the first mass-produced car, made from the first automotive assembly line, an invention that is often miscredited to Henry Ford and the Ford Motor Company. The Curved Dash Oldsmobile is credited as the first high-volume mass-produced Automobile. This page lists superlatives of the Automobile industry - that is the smallest largest fastest lightest best-selling and other such topics Henry Ford ( July 30, 1863 &ndash April 7, 1947) was the American founder of the Ford Motor Company and father of Ford Motor Company is an American Multinational corporation and the world's fourth largest automaker based on Worldwide vehicle sales, following After Olds sold the company in 1899, it was renamed Olds Motor Works and moved to a new plant in Detroit. By March 1901, the company had a whole line of models ready for mass production. Unfortunately, a mistake by a worker caused the factory to catch fire, and it burned to the ground, with all of the prototypes destroyed. The only car that survived the fire was a Curved Dash prototype, which was wheeled out of the factory by two workers while escaping the fire. A new factory was built, and production of the Curved Dash commenced.

Officially, the cars were called "Olds automobiles," colloquially referred to as "Oldsmobiles. " It was this moniker, as applied especially to the Curved Dash Olds, that was popularized in the lyrics and title of the 1905 hit song "In My Merry Oldsmobile. The Curved Dash Oldsmobile is credited as the first high-volume mass-produced Automobile. " In My Merry Oldsmobile " is a popular song from 1905 with music by Gus Edwards and lyrics by Vincent P " From then on, the company and its products were known as Oldsmobile. Some two decades later, it was apparently the reputation of the vehicles that spawned a revival of the song for another round of popularity, essentially "returning the favor. "

The 1910 Limited Touring was a high point for the company. Riding atop 42-inch wheels, and equipped with factory "white" tires, the Limited was the prestige model in Oldsmobile's two model lineup. The Limited retailed for US$4,600, an amount greater than the purchase of a new, no-frills three bedroom house. Buyers received goatskin upholstery, a 60 hp (45 kW) 707 in³ (11. 6 L) straight-6 engine, Bosch Magneto starter, running boards and room for five. The straight-6 or inline-6 engine (often abbreviated I6 or L6) is a six cylinder Internal combustion engine with all six cylinders Options included a speedometer, clock, and a full glass windshield. A limousine version was priced at $5,800. While Oldsmobile only sold 725 Limiteds in its three years of production, the car is best remembered for winning a race against the famed 20th Century Limited train, an event immortalized in the painting "Setting the Pace" by William Hardner Foster. The 20th Century Limited was an express Passenger train operated by the New York Central Railroad from 1902 to 1967 during which time it would become known

1930s

In the 1930s through the 1990s, Oldsmobile used a two digit model designation similar to that used by the European makes today. As originally implemented, the first digit signified the body size while the second represents the number of cylinders. Body sizes were 6, 7, 8, and 9, and 6- and 8-cylinder engines were offered. Thus, Oldsmobiles were named 66 through 98. The Series 60 was a model range of Automobiles from General Motors Oldsmobile Division during the The Oldsmobile 98 (originally Series 90; aka Ninety-Eight) was a full-size Automobile, as well as the flagship model of the

In 1937, Oldsmobile was a pioneer in introducing a four-speed semi-automatic transmission called the "Automatic Safety Transmission", although this accessory was actually built by Buick, which would offer it in its own cars in 1938. Buick (ˈbjuːɪk is a Marque of automobile sold in the United States, Canada, China, Taiwan, Qatar, and This transmission featured a conventional clutch pedal, which the driver pressed before selecting either "low" or "high" range. A clutch is a mechanism for transmitting rotation which can be engaged and disengaged In "low", the car shifted between first and second gears. In "high", the car shifted between first, third and fourth gears.

1940s

For the 1940 model, Oldsmobile was the first auto manufacturer to offer a fully automatic transmission, called the Hydramatic, which featured four forward speeds. An automatic transmission (commonly "AT" or "Auto" is an Automobile Gearbox that can change Gear ratios automatically as the vehicle Hydramatic (also known as Hydra-Matic) was an Automatic transmission developed by both General Motors 's Cadillac and Oldsmobile divisions

The last pre-war Oldsmobile rolled off the assembly line on February 5, 1942. During World War II, Oldsmobile produced numerous kinds of matériel for the war effort, including large-caliber guns and shells. World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including

Production resumed on October 15, 1945 with a warmed-over 1942 model serving as the offering for 1946.

Oldsmobile once again was a pioneer when, for the 1949 model, they introduced their Rocket engine, which used an overhead valve V-8 design rather than the flathead "straight-8" design which prevailed at the time. The Oldsmobile Rocket V8 was the first post-war OHV V8 at General Motors. An overhead valve (OHV engine, also called pushrod engine or I-head engine is a type of Piston engine that places the Camshaft A flathead engine or sidevalve engine (sometimes called a flatty) is an Internal combustion engine with valves placed in the engine block The term straight-8 is a colloquialism for an inline eight cylinder engine This engine produced far more power than the engines that were popular during that era, and found favor with hot-rodders and stock car racers. The basic design, with few minor changes, endured until Oldsmobile discontinued V-8 production in 1990.

1950s

Oldsmobile entered the 1950s following a divisional image campaign centered on its 'Rocket' engines and its car's appearance followed suit. Oldsmobile's Rocket V8 engine was the leader in performance, generally considered the fastest cars on the market and by the mid 1950s their styling was among the first to offer a wide, "open maw" grille, suggestive of jet propulsion. Oldsmobile adopted a ringed-globe emblem to stress what marketers felt was its universal appeal. Throughout the 1950s, the make used twin jet pod-styled taillights as a nod to its "Rocket" theme. Oldsmobile was among the first of GM's divisions to receive a true hardtop in 1949, and it was also the among the first divisions (along with Buick and Cadillac) to receive a wraparound windshield, a trend that eventually all American makes would share at sometime between 1953 and 1964.

In the 1950s the nomenclature changed again, and trim levels also received names that were then mated with the model numbers. This resulted in the Oldsmobile 88 emerging as base Dynamic 88, the better trimmed Delta 88, and the highline Super 88. The Oldsmobile 88 (aka Eighty-Eight) was a Full-size car sold by the Oldsmobile division of General Motors and produced from 1949 until Other full-size model names included the "Holiday" used on hardtops, and "Fiesta" used on its station wagons. When the 98 was retired in 1996, its length of service was the longest of any model name used on American cars.

GM styling as a whole lost its frontrunner status in 1957 when Chrysler introduced Virgil Exner's "Forward Look" designs. Virgil Max "Ex" Exner Sr was an Automobile Designer for numerous American companies notably Chrysler and Studebaker When compared side to side, Oldsmobile looked dated next to its price-point competitor DeSoto. The DeSoto (sometimes De Soto) was a brand of Automobile based in the United States, manufactured and marketed by the Chrysler Corporation Compounding the problem for Oldsmobile and Buick was a styling mistake which GM called the "Strato Roof". Both makes had models which contained the heavily framed rear window, but Detroit had been working with large curved backlights for almost a decade. Consumers disliked the roof and its blind spots, forcing GM to rush a redesign into production on some of its models.

Oldsmobile's only off year in the 1950s was 1958. The nation was beginning to feel the results of its first significant post war recession, and US automobile sales were down for the model year. Oldsmobile, Buick and Cadillac received a heavy handed makeover of the 1957 GM designs. The Oldsmobile that emerged in 1958 bore little resemblance to the design of its forerunners; instead the car emerged as a large, over-decorated "chromemobile".

Up front, all 1958 Oldsmobiles received one of GM's heavily styled front fascias and quad-headlights. Streaking back from the edge of the headlights was a broad belt consisting of two strips of chrome on regular 88s, three strips on Super 88s, and three strips (top and bottom thin, inside thick) on 98s that ended in a point at mid-body. The bottom of the rear fender featured a thick stamping of a half tube that pointed forward, atop which was a chrome assembly of four horizontal chrome speed-lines that terminated into a vertical bar. The tail of the car featured massive vertical chrome taillight housings. Two chrome stars were fitted to the trunklid.

Ford styling consultant Alex Tremulis (designer of the 1948 Tucker Sedan) mocked the 1958 Oldsmobile by drawing cartoons of the car, and placing musical notes in the rear trim assembly. Alexander Sarantos Tremulis (January 23 1914 in Chicago, United States - December 29, 1991 in Ventura California) was an industrial The 1948 Tucker Sedan or Tucker '48 Sedan (also nicknamed the Tucker Torpedo) was an advanced Automobile conceived by Preston Tucker and briefly Another Detroit stylist employed by Ford bought a used 1958 Oldsmobile in the early 1960s, driving it daily to work. He detached and rearranged the OLDSMOBILE lettering above the grille to spell out SLOBMODEL as a reminder to himself and co-workers of what "bad" auto design meant to their business.

1960s

In the 1960s Oldsmobile's position between Pontiac and Buick in GM's hierarchy began to dissolve. Pontiac is a Brand of Automobiles produced by General Motors that has been sold in the United States, Canada and Mexico Buick (ˈbjuːɪk is a Marque of automobile sold in the United States, Canada, China, Taiwan, Qatar, and Notable achievements included the introduction of the first turbocharged engine in 1962 (the Turbo Jetfire), the first modern front-wheel drive car produced in the United States (the 1966 Toronado), the Vista Cruiser station wagon (noted for its roof glass), and the upscale 442 muscle car. A turbocharger, or turbo, is an air Compressor used for forced-induction of an Internal combustion engine. The Oldsmobile Rocket V8 was the first post-war OHV V8 at General Motors. Front-wheel drive (or FF layout) is a form of engine / transmission layout used in Motor vehicles where the engine drives the front Wheels "Toronado" redirects here For the guitar see Fender Toronado. The Vista Cruiser was a Station wagon built by the Oldsmobile Division of General Motors from 1964 to 1977 which was based on the Oldsmobile The Oldsmobile 442 (pronounced four-four-two was a Muscle car produced by the Oldsmobile division of General Motors. Olds briefly used the names Jetstar 88 (1964-1966) and Delmont 88 (1967-1968) on its least expensive full size models in the 1960s. The Oldsmobile 88 (aka Eighty-Eight) was a Full-size car sold by the Oldsmobile division of General Motors and produced from 1949 until

Notable models for the 1960s:

• Oldsmobile 442 - began as a 1964 muscle car option package (4-barrel carburetor, 4-speed manual transmission, 2 exhausts) on the F-85/Cutlass. The Oldsmobile 442 (pronounced four-four-two was a Muscle car produced by the Oldsmobile division of General Motors. In 1965, to better compete with the Pontiac GTO, the original 330 in³ V8 rated at 310 hp (231 kW) was replaced by a new 400 in³ V8 rated at 345 hp (257 kW). The 442 definition was changed to "4" hundred in³ V8 engine, "4"-barrel carburetor, and "2" exhaust pipes, and was named by "Car Craft Nationals" as the "Top Car of 1965. " In 1968 the 442 became its own model and got a larger 455 in³ (7. 4 L) V8 engine in 1970.
• Oldsmobile Cutlass (1961 - 1999) - mid-size car. The Oldsmobile Cutlass was an Automobile made by the Oldsmobile division of General Motors. Oldsmobile's best seller in the 1970s and 1980s, and in some of those years America's best selling car. In 1966 a top-line Cutlass Supreme was introduced as a four-door hardtop sedan with a more powerful 320 hp (239 kW) 330 in³ Jetfire Rocket V8 than the regular F-85/Cutlass models, a more luxurious interior and other trimmings. The Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme was a mid-size car produced by General Motors for the American market In 1967 the Cutlass Supreme was expanded to a full series also including two-door hardtop and pillared coupes, a convertible and a four-door pillared sedan. The Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme was a mid-size car produced by General Motors for the American market
• Oldsmobile F-85 (1961-1972) - compact sedan, coupe and station wagon powered by a 215 in³ aluminum block V8 engine from 1961 to 1963. The Oldsmobile Cutlass was an Automobile made by the Oldsmobile division of General Motors. In 1964 the F-85 was upgraded to an intermediate sized car and the aluminum V8 was replaced by conventional cast iron six-cylinder and V8 engines. The Cutlass was initially the top model of the F-85 line but became a separate model by 1964 with the F-85 nameplate continued only on the lowest priced models through the 1972 model year, after which all Oldsmobile intermediates were Cutlasses.
• Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser (1964-1977) - a stretched wheelbase Cutlass station wagon, which was stretched to 120" from 115" in the 1964-67 models and to 121" from 116" in the 1968-72 models, the stretched area being in the second-row seating area. The Vista Cruiser was a Station wagon built by the Oldsmobile Division of General Motors from 1964 to 1977 which was based on the Oldsmobile This car featured an elevated roof over the rear seat and cargo area and glass skylights over the rear seating area, which consisted of a transverse skylight over the second seat (two-piece from 1964-67, one-piece from 1968-72) and small longitudinal skylights directly over the rear cargo-area windows, and also featured standard second-row sunvisors. The three-seat models featured forward-facing seating, at a time when most three-seat station wagons had the third row of seats facing the rear. From 1965 - 1970, it would be Oldsmobile's flagship station wagon, as no full-sized wagons were produced. The third-generation 1973-77 models no longer had skylights other than an optional front-row pop-up sunroof. This car was merely an up-line trim package on the Cutlass Supreme wagon and carried the Vista Cruiser nameplate rather than the Cutlass nameplate. The optional third seat was rear-facing in the third-generation Vista Cruiser.
• Oldsmobile Starfire (1961-1966) - a sporty and luxurious hardtop coupe and convertible based on the 88. The Starfire name was first used by Oldsmobile on a one-of-a-kind dream car that was shown at the 1953 Motorama auto show The Starfire featured interiors with leather bucket seats and a center console with floor shifter, along with a standard Hydra-Matic transmission, power steering and brakes (and power windows and seats on convertibles). It was powered by Oldsmobile's most powerful Rocket V8 engine, a 394 in³ engine from 1961 to 1964 rated from 330 to 345 hp (257 kW), and a larger 425 in³ Super Rocket V8 from 1965 to 1966, rated at 375 hp (280 kW).
• Oldsmobile Jetstar I (1964-1966) - Life for the somewhat obscure Jetstar I started in 1964. The Oldsmobile Jetstar 1 was produced for only two model years - 1964 and 1965 It was designed to be a low cost option to the successful full size Starfire series - more of a direct competitor to the Pontiac Grand Prix. The Pontiac Grand Prix was an automobile that was produced by the Pontiac division of General Motors. Standard equipment included the 345 hp (257 kW) 394ci Starfire engine, vinyl bucket seats and console. Keeping the “sport” part of the Starfire, it possessed less of the luxury and glitz. It weighed in at 4028 pounds, and 16,084 were produced for 1964. It was a Starfire without the frills and was informally dubbed “the poor man’s Starfire”. Proving to be an ill-fated model, 1965 concluded the 2 year run for the Jetstar I. Only 6,552 were sold. The introduction of the Pontiac GTO and Olds 4-4-2 in 1964 insured the future of the musclecars were the intermediates, and the front-drive Toronado loomed big in Oldsmobile's future taking over the flagship status from the Starfire. Further confused with its less brethren with the Jetstar 88 nameplate, there was no way but out for the Jetstar I. And close examination of prices revealed that unless one bought a sparsely optioned JS1, there was little financial incentive to buy a JS1 over the Starfire. Take the $3602 base price and add the $107. 50 power steering, the $43. 00 power brakes, and the $242. 10 automatic transmission (all standard on the Starfire), and you had a $4,000 Jetstar I. And less than $150 more would buy you the $4148 based priced Starfire, which not only included those standard features but a more luxurious leather interior. But lost the mix was a jewel of a high performance car in the ’65 Jetstar I. Trimmed down to 3963#, the ’65 model was an overlooked performance car. The new 370 hp (276 kW) 425ci Starfire engine delivered 470 lb·ft (637 N·m) of torque, was durable, and was quite an improvement over the ’64 394. How serious was that horsepower and torque in ’65? If you wanted this much power in a Pontiac, it was only available in the top-of-the-line 421 HO Tri-Power engine that was not standard in any Pontiac model, but an extra-cost option. The new Oldsmobile Turbo Hydra-Matic transmission was a vast performance improvement over the previous “slim-jim” Hydra-Matic transmission. But best of all, Olds offered the Muncie 4-speed with Hurst shifter in ’65. Oldsmobile boasted in a 1965 press release that “a Jetstar I proved to be the top accelerator of the entire event” at the 1965 Pure Oil Performance Trials in Daytona beach. Those trials were sanctioned and supervised by NASCAR.

Note: between 1964 and 1966, Oldsmobile named its least expensive full size model the Oldsmobile Jetstar 88 which the Jetstar I was not related to, and priced $500-$600 below the Jetstar I.

• Oldsmobile Toronado (1966-1992) - a front-wheel drive coupe in the personal luxury car category, introduced in 1966. "Toronado" redirects here For the guitar see Fender Toronado. Front-wheel drive (or FF layout) is a form of engine / transmission layout used in Motor vehicles where the engine drives the front Wheels A personal luxury car is a marketing term used to describe highly styled Luxury vehicle intended for the comfort and satisfaction of its owner/driver sacrificing At the time, the largest and most powerful front wheel drive car ever produced, and one of the first modern front wheel drive cars equipped with an automatic transmission. The original Toronado was powered by a 425 in³ Super Rocket V8 engine rated at 385 hp (287 kW), mated to a three speed Turbo Hydra-Matic transmission. The Toronado was Motor Trend magazine's 1966 "Car of the Year. Motor Trend is one of the oldest Automobile magazines still publishing. "

1970s-1980s

Oldsmobile sales soared in the 1970s and 1980s (for an all-time high of 1,066,122 in 1985) based on popular designs, positive reviews from critics and the perceived quality and reliability of the Rocket V8 engine, with the Cutlass series becoming the North America's top selling car by 1976. Year 1985 ( MCMLXXXV) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link displays 1985 Gregorian calendar) The Oldsmobile Cutlass was an Automobile made by the Oldsmobile division of General Motors. By this time, Olds had displaced Pontiac and Plymouth as the #3 best selling brand in the U. S. behind Chevrolet and Ford. In the early 1980s, model-year production topped one million units on several occasions, something only Chevrolet and Ford had achieved.

The soaring popularity of Oldsmobile vehicles resulted in a major issue in the late 1970s. At that time, each General Motors division produced its own V-8 engines, and in 1977, Oldsmobile, Chevrolet, Pontiac and Buick each produced a unique 350 cubic inch displacement V-8. The popularity of Oldsmobile models caused demand to exceed production capacity for the Oldsmobile V-8, and as a result Oldsmobile quietly began equipping some full size Delta 88 models and the very popular Cutlass/Cutlass Supreme with the Chevrolet 350 engine instead. Although it was widely debated whether there was a difference in quality or performance between the two engines, there was no question that the engines were different from one other. Many customers were loyal Oldsmobile buyers who specifically wanted the Rocket V-8, and did not discover that their vehicle had the Chevrolet engine until they performed maintenance and discovered that purchased parts did not fit. This became a public relations nightmare for GM. Disclaimers stating that "Oldsmobiles are equipped with engines produced by various GM divisions" were tacked on to advertisements and sales literature. GM quickly stopped associating engines with particular divisions, and to this day all GM engines are produced by "GM Powertrain" (GMPT) and are called GM "Corporate Engines" instead of GM "Division Engines". Although the popularity of the Oldsmobile division vehicles prompted this change, declining sales of V-8 engines would have made this change inevitable as all but the Chevrolet version were eventually dropped.

Notable models:

• Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme (1967-1997) - more performance and luxury than the lower priced Cutlass and Cutlass S models, fitting in at the lower end of the personal luxury car market. The Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme was a mid-size car produced by General Motors for the American market A personal luxury car is a marketing term used to describe highly styled Luxury vehicle intended for the comfort and satisfaction of its owner/driver sacrificing Models were similar to the Pontiac Grand Prix, Chevrolet Monte Carlo, and Buick Regal. The Pontiac Grand Prix was an automobile that was produced by the Pontiac division of General Motors. The Chevrolet Monte Carlo was an American-made automobile Originally introduced by Chevrolet for the 1970 model year (as competition with the Ford Thunderbird The Buick Regal is a Mid-size car produced by General Motors ' Buick division from 1973 through 2004 during which Buick also used the Century
• Oldsmobile 98 - Oldsmobile full-sized luxury sedan that was downsized in 1977 and 1985, became front wheel drive in 1985
• Oldsmobile Toronado (1966-1992) - personal luxury coupe, major redesign downsized the car in 1986, Motor Trend Car of the Year in '66
• Oldsmobile Omega (1973-1984) - compact car based on the Chevrolet Nova and later the Chevrolet Citation. The Oldsmobile 98 (originally Series 90; aka Ninety-Eight) was a full-size Automobile, as well as the flagship model of the "Toronado" redirects here For the guitar see Fender Toronado. The Oldsmobile Omega was a Compact car sold from 1973 through 1984 by the Oldsmobile division of General Motors. The Chevrolet Citation was a Compact car sold by the Chevrolet brand of American automaker General Motors from 1980 through 1985
• Oldsmobile Calais (or Cutlass Calais) (1985-1991) - popular compact coupe or sedan on GM's "N-body" platform, similar to the Pontiac Grand Am. The Oldsmobile Calais, renamed the Cutlass Calais for 1988 was a Compact car produced by the Oldsmobile division of General Motors from 1985 The series' name was taken from what was formerly the high-end option package for Cutlass Supreme models.
• Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera (1982-1996) - popular selling upscale mid-sized car based on GM's A platform. The Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera was a Mid-size car produced from 1982 through 1996 at the Oklahoma City plant the Saint Therese Assembly plant (until See also GM A platform (RWD The General Motors A platform (commonly called the A-body) was a Mid-size car
• Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser (1971-1992) - full-size station wagon. Oldsmobile used the Custom Cruiser name on their large Rear-wheel drive Station wagons from 1971 to 1992
• Oldsmobile Starfire (1975-1981) - sporty compact car similar to the Chevrolet Monza, which was itself a spinoff of the Chevrolet Vega. The Starfire name was first used by Oldsmobile on a one-of-a-kind dream car that was shown at the 1953 Motorama auto show See also Opel Monza, an unrelated vehicle marketed by General Motors' European subsidiary The Chevrolet Monza was a rear-wheel drive subcompact The Chevrolet Vega was a Subcompact car sold from 1971 through 1977
• Oldsmobile Firenza (1982-1988) - compact sedan, hatchback, coupe, and station wagon based on GM's J-body, sharing the same bodyshell with the Chevrolet Cavalier, Pontiac Sunbird, Buick Skyhawk and the Cadillac Cimarron. The Oldsmobile Firenza was a Compact car produced by the Oldsmobile division of General Motors from 1982 to 1988 The Chevrolet Cavalier was Chevrolet 's version of the compact GM J platform. The Pontiac Sunbird is an automobile produced by the Pontiac division of General Motors. The Buick Skyhawk was Buick 's Compact car offering in the 1970s and 1980s replacing the Opel Manta that was sold by Buick dealers The Cadillac Cimarron was a Compact car built by Cadillac based on the GM J platform.

1990s

After the tremendous success of the early 1980s, things changed quickly for Oldsmobile, and by 1990 the brand had lost its place in the market, squeezed between the resurgent Pontiac and Buick divisions. Oldsmobile's signature cars gave way to rebadged models of other GM cars, and GM shifted the performance mantle to Chevrolet and Pontiac. Chevrolet (ˌʃɛvroʊˈleɪ - French origin (also known as Chevy) is a Brand of Automobile, produced by General Motors (GM Pontiac is a Brand of Automobiles produced by General Motors that has been sold in the United States, Canada and Mexico GM continued to use Oldsmobile sporadically to showcase futuristic designs and as a "guinea pig" for testing new technology, with Oldsmobile offering the Toronado Trofeo, which included a visual instrument system with a calendar, datebook, and climate controls. The Guinea pig (also commonly called the cavy after its scientific name Cavia porcellus) is a species of Rodent belonging to the family Caviidae "Toronado" redirects here For the guitar see Fender Toronado. For 1995, Oldsmobile introduced the Aurora, which would be the inspiration for the design of its cars from the mid-1990s onward. The Oldsmobile Aurora was a performance / luxury sedan made by the Oldsmobile division of General Motors and launched in 1995 The introduction of the Aurora marked as GM's catalyst to reposition Oldsmobile as an upscale import fighter. Accordingly, Oldsmobile received a new logo based on the familiar "rocket" theme. Nearly all the existing model names were gradually phased out: the Cutlass Calais in 1991, the Toronado and Custom Cruiser in 1992, the Ninety-Eight and Ciera (formerly Cutlass Ciera) in 1996, Cutlass Supreme in 1997, and finally the Eighty-Eight and Cutlass (which had only been around since '97) in 1999. Year 1991 ( MCMXCI) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar. Year 1992 ( MCMXCII) was a Leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1992 Gregorian calendar) Year 1996 ( MCMXCVI) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display full 1996 Gregorian calendar) Year 1997 ( MCMXCVII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1997 Gregorian calendar Year 1999 ( MCMXCIX) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1999 Gregorian calendar) They were replaced with newer, more modern models with designs inspired by the Aurora.

Redesigned & new models introduced from 1990–2004:

• Oldsmobile Achieva (1992-1998) - compact sedan & coupe
• Oldsmobile Alero (1999-2004) - compact sport sedan & coupe
• Oldsmobile Aurora (1995-2003) - full-size luxury/performance sedan (redesigned for 2001)
• Oldsmobile Bravada (1991-2004) - mid-size premium SUV (redesigned for 1996 and 2002)
• Oldsmobile Cutlass (1997-1999) - mid-size sedan
• Oldsmobile Eighty Eight (1949-1999) - full-size premium sedan (redesigned for 1992)
• Oldsmobile Intrigue (1998-2002) - mid-size luxury/sport sedan
• Oldsmobile Ninety-Eight (1941-1996) - full-size luxury sedan (redesigned for 1991)
• Oldsmobile Silhouette (1990-2004) - premium minivan (redesigned for 1997)

2000s

In spite of Oldsmobile's critical successes since the mid-1990s, a reported shortfall in sales and overall profitability prompted General Motors to announce in December 2000 their plans to phase out the Oldsmobile brand. Overview The Oldsmobile Achieva was introduced in 1992 and was a Front-wheel drive Compact car based on the GM N platform with Pontiac The Oldsmobile Alero was introduced in spring 1998 as a 1999 model to replace the Achieva and Cutlass. The Oldsmobile Aurora was a performance / luxury sedan made by the Oldsmobile division of General Motors and launched in 1995 The Oldsmobile Bravada was a Mid-size luxury Sport utility vehicle (SUV from the now retired Oldsmobile Marque of General Motors A sport utility vehicle ( SUV) is a generic marketing description for a rugged automotive vehicle similar to a Station wagon but built on a light-truck chassis The Oldsmobile Cutlass was an Automobile made by the Oldsmobile division of General Motors. The Oldsmobile 88 (aka Eighty-Eight) was a Full-size car sold by the Oldsmobile division of General Motors and produced from 1949 until The Oldsmobile Intrigue was a Mid-size sedan manufactured from 1998 through 2002 by the Oldsmobile division of General Motors. The Oldsmobile 98 (originally Series 90; aka Ninety-Eight) was a full-size Automobile, as well as the flagship model of the The Oldsmobile Silhouette and its siblings the Pontiac Trans Sport (and later the Pontiac Montana) and Chevrolet Lumina APV (and later the A minivan, multi-purpose vehicle (abbreviated MPV) people-carrier, people-mover or multi-utility vehicle (shortened General Motors Corporation ( GM) ( is a multinational automobile manufacturer founded in 1908 and headquartered in the United States. The announcement took place just two days after Oldsmobile unveiled what would be its last new model ever, the Bravada SUV - which became, somewhat ironically, another critical hit for the division. The Oldsmobile Bravada was a Mid-size luxury Sport utility vehicle (SUV from the now retired Oldsmobile Marque of General Motors A sport utility vehicle ( SUV) is a generic marketing description for a rugged automotive vehicle similar to a Station wagon but built on a light-truck chassis

The phaseout was conducted on the following schedule:

• Mid-2001: The 2002 Bravada, the company's last new model, hits Oldsmobile showrooms
• June 2002: Production ends for Intrigue and the Aurora V6 sedans
• May 2003: Aurora V8 sedan production ends
• January 2004: Bravada SUV production ends
• March 2004: Silhouette minivan production ends
• April 2004: Alero compact car production ends

The final 500 Aleros, Auroras, Bravadas and Intrigues produced received special Oldsmobile heritage emblems and markings which signified 'Final 500'. The Oldsmobile Bravada was a Mid-size luxury Sport utility vehicle (SUV from the now retired Oldsmobile Marque of General Motors The Oldsmobile Intrigue was a Mid-size sedan manufactured from 1998 through 2002 by the Oldsmobile division of General Motors. The Oldsmobile Aurora was a performance / luxury sedan made by the Oldsmobile division of General Motors and launched in 1995 The Oldsmobile Aurora was a performance / luxury sedan made by the Oldsmobile division of General Motors and launched in 1995 The Oldsmobile Bravada was a Mid-size luxury Sport utility vehicle (SUV from the now retired Oldsmobile Marque of General Motors A sport utility vehicle ( SUV) is a generic marketing description for a rugged automotive vehicle similar to a Station wagon but built on a light-truck chassis The Oldsmobile Silhouette and its siblings the Pontiac Trans Sport (and later the Pontiac Montana) and Chevrolet Lumina APV (and later the A minivan, multi-purpose vehicle (abbreviated MPV) people-carrier, people-mover or multi-utility vehicle (shortened The Oldsmobile Alero was introduced in spring 1998 as a 1999 model to replace the Achieva and Cutlass. A compact (North America small family (European or c-segment car is a classification of cars which are larger than a supermini All featured a unique Dark Cherry Metallic paint scheme. Auroras and Intrigues would be accompanied by special Final 500 literature.

The final production day for Oldsmobile was April 29, 2004. Events 1429 - Joan of Arc arrives to relieve the Siege of Orleans. "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " The division's last car built was an Alero GLS 4-door sedan, which was signed by all of the Olds assembly line workers. It is on display at the R.E. Olds Transportation Museum located in Lansing. The RE Olds Transportation Museum is named for Ransom E Olds, founder of Oldsmobile, and is located in Lansing Michigan.

Oldsmobile is well remembered today as one of America's oldest marques, for its technological innovations, for its tremendous popularity and sales in the 1970s and 1980s, and its critical resurgence in its final years.

Oldsmobile models

• Oldsmobile Curved Dash (1901-1907)
• Oldsmobile Limited Touring
• Oldsmobile 40
• Oldsmobile 53
• Oldsmobile 66 (1940s)
• Oldsmobile 88 (1949-1999)
• Oldsmobile 98 (1941-1996)
• Oldsmobile Series 60 (1939-1948)
• Oldsmobile Series 70 (1946-1950)
• Oldsmobile Series 90 (1941-1996)
• Oldsmobile 442 (1968-1971)
• Oldsmobile Cutlass (1964-1999)
• Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme (1970-1997)
• Oldsmobile Cutlass Salon
• Oldsmobile Cutlass Calais (1985-1991)
• Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera (1982-1996)
• Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser (1971-1992)
• Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser (1964-1977)
• Oldsmobile F-85 (1961-1963)
• Oldsmobile Toronado (1966-1992)
• Oldsmobile Starfire (1975-1980)
• Oldsmobile Firenza (1982-1988)
• Oldsmobile Aerotech(1987-1992)
• Oldsmobile Achieva (1992-1998)
• Oldsmobile Alero (1999-2004)
• Oldsmobile Aurora (1995-2003)
• Oldsmobile Bravada (1991-2004)
• Oldsmobile Intrigue (1998-2002)
• Oldsmobile Silhouette (1990-2004)

Oldsmobile in popular culture

The Oldsmobile is notable for having inspired several popular songs:

• "In My Merry Oldsmobile", a 1905 song with music by Gus Edwards and lyrics by Vincent P. Bryan; the song enjoyed a second round of popularity in the 1920s. The Curved Dash Oldsmobile is credited as the first high-volume mass-produced Automobile. The Series 60 was a model range of Automobiles from General Motors Oldsmobile Division during the The Oldsmobile 88 (aka Eighty-Eight) was a Full-size car sold by the Oldsmobile division of General Motors and produced from 1949 until The Oldsmobile 98 (originally Series 90; aka Ninety-Eight) was a full-size Automobile, as well as the flagship model of the The Series 60 was a model range of Automobiles from General Motors Oldsmobile Division during the The Oldsmobile Series 70 Dynamic Cruiser was an Automobile from General Motors in the 1940s. The Oldsmobile 98 (originally Series 90; aka Ninety-Eight) was a full-size Automobile, as well as the flagship model of the The Oldsmobile 442 (pronounced four-four-two was a Muscle car produced by the Oldsmobile division of General Motors. The Oldsmobile Cutlass was an Automobile made by the Oldsmobile division of General Motors. The Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme was a mid-size car produced by General Motors for the American market The Oldsmobile Cutlass was an Automobile made by the Oldsmobile division of General Motors. The Oldsmobile Calais, renamed the Cutlass Calais for 1988 was a Compact car produced by the Oldsmobile division of General Motors from 1985 The Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera was a Mid-size car produced from 1982 through 1996 at the Oklahoma City plant the Saint Therese Assembly plant (until Oldsmobile used the Custom Cruiser name on their large Rear-wheel drive Station wagons from 1971 to 1992 The Vista Cruiser was a Station wagon built by the Oldsmobile Division of General Motors from 1964 to 1977 which was based on the Oldsmobile The Oldsmobile Cutlass was an Automobile made by the Oldsmobile division of General Motors. "Toronado" redirects here For the guitar see Fender Toronado. The Starfire name was first used by Oldsmobile on a one-of-a-kind dream car that was shown at the 1953 Motorama auto show The Oldsmobile Firenza was a Compact car produced by the Oldsmobile division of General Motors from 1982 to 1988 The Oldsmobile Aerotechs were a series of experimental high-speed vehicles created between 1987 and 1992 incorporating the latest in performance technology with the intention of breaking Overview The Oldsmobile Achieva was introduced in 1992 and was a Front-wheel drive Compact car based on the GM N platform with Pontiac The Oldsmobile Alero was introduced in spring 1998 as a 1999 model to replace the Achieva and Cutlass. The Oldsmobile Aurora was a performance / luxury sedan made by the Oldsmobile division of General Motors and launched in 1995 The Oldsmobile Bravada was a Mid-size luxury Sport utility vehicle (SUV from the now retired Oldsmobile Marque of General Motors The Oldsmobile Intrigue was a Mid-size sedan manufactured from 1998 through 2002 by the Oldsmobile division of General Motors. The Oldsmobile Silhouette and its siblings the Pontiac Trans Sport (and later the Pontiac Montana) and Chevrolet Lumina APV (and later the Popular music is Music belonging to any of a number of musical styles that are accessible to the general public and are disseminated by one or more " In My Merry Oldsmobile " is a popular song from 1905 with music by Gus Edwards and lyrics by Vincent P Gus Edwards ( 18 August 1879 &ndash 7 November 1945) was an American Songwriter and vaudevillian. Vincent Patrick Bryan ( June 22, 1878 - April 27, 1937) was a Composer and Lyricist. This music is available in a short cartoon (1932) with same name by Fleischer Studios. Fleischer Studios Inc is an American corporation which originated as an Animation studio located at 1600 Broadway, New York City New York.
• "Rocket 88", a 1951 song by Ike Turner said by many to be the first rock and roll record. This article is about the song For the band by this name see Rocket 88 (band. Ike Wister Turner ( November 5 1931 &ndash December 12 2007) was an American Musician, Bandleader, There are many candidates for the title of the first rock and roll record, but it is arguable whether any such thing exists
• In the 1974 Tom Waits song "The Heart of Saturday Night," the subject of the song drives an Oldsmobile. Thomas Alan Waits (born 7 December 1949) is an American Singer-songwriter, Composer, and Actor.
• "You're Gonna Get Yours" from Public Enemy's 1987 debut album Yo! Bum Rush The Show, an ode to the Ninety-Eight. Public Enemy, also known as PE, is an influential hip hop group from Long Island New York, known for its politically charged Lyrics, criticism Yo! Bum Rush the Show is the debut album by Public Enemy, released by Def Jam / Columbia Records on January 26, 1987. The Oldsmobile 98 (originally Series 90; aka Ninety-Eight) was a full-size Automobile, as well as the flagship model of the
• "This Is Your Daddy's Oldsmobile," a 1990 song by Ray Stevens.
• "455 Rocket", a 1997 song by Kathy Mattea. Kathleen Alice "Kathy" Mattea (born June 21 1959 in Cross Lanes West Virginia) is an American female Country music and bluegrass performer who
• Elliott Smith's song "Condor Ave. Steven Paul "Elliott" Smith (August 6 1969 – October 21 2003 was an American Singer-songwriter and Musician. " from album Roman Candle (album) begins with the line, "She took the Oldsmobile out past condor avenue. Roman Candle was Elliott Smith 's debut album as a solo artist even though he was still a singer and guitarist for the band Heatmiser. "
• A line in the Wreckers song "My, Oh My" goes, "This parking lot used to be a field, I parked here in my Oldsmobile. "

Oldsmobile cars can also been seen in several popular movies:

• Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (1978): A stretch Toronado Limo is used. Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band is an American Musical film released in 1978. "Toronado" redirects here For the guitar see Fender Toronado.
• The Blues Brothers (1980) - During the famous chase scene inside the Dixie Square Mall, the Blues Brothers skid through the windows of an Oldsmobile showroom filled with 1980 models. The Blues Brothers are a Grammy Award -nominated American blues and soul revivalist band founded in 1978 by comedians Dan Aykroyd Dixie Square Mall was an enclosed Shopping mall located in Harvey Illinois, United States. As they pull away, Elwood remarks, "New Oldsmobiles are in early this year. "
• Any Which Way You Can (1980) - When Clint Eastwood arrives in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, for the big fight, his opponent and friend William Smith is driving a brand-new, red 1980 98 Regency sedan which is featured prominently in the end of the film. Any Which Way You Can is a 1980 Comedy movie starring Clint Eastwood, Sondra Locke, Geoffrey Lewis, William Smith
• Director Sam Raimi features a yellow 1973 Oldsmobile Delta 88 in many of his films, particularly the Evil Dead films where it is driven by main character Ash. Samuel Marshall "Sam" Raimi (born October 23, 1959) is an American Film director, producer, Actor and The Evil Dead (also known as Evil Dead, The Book of the Dead, Sam Raimi's The Evil Dead and In Raimi's Spider-Man, the car is driven by Uncle Ben. This vehicle was personally owned by Raimi.
• A Christmas Story (1983) - Ralphie says, "Some men are Baptists, others Catholics, my father was an Oldsmobile man. For other uses see A Christmas Story (disambiguation A Christmas Story is a 1983 film based on the Short stories "
• Sudden Impact (1983) - Clint Eastwood's co-star and real life girlfriend Sondra Locke squeals the front tires while driving away in a then-new Olds Firenza hatchback. Sudden Impact is a 1983 crime thriller and the 4th film in the ''Dirty Harry'' series, directed by and starring Clint
• Lethal Weapon (1987) - Murtaugh drives a 1986 Oldsmobile Delta 88. Lethal Weapon is a 1987 Action film, the first in a series of American Films that were released in 1987 1989 The Oldsmobile 88 (aka Eighty-Eight) was a Full-size car sold by the Oldsmobile division of General Motors and produced from 1949 until 1985 Oldsmobile 98 Regency is seen as the villain's vehicle. The Oldsmobile 98 (originally Series 90; aka Ninety-Eight) was a full-size Automobile, as well as the flagship model of the
• The Dead Pool (1988) - Clint Eastwood's character, Harry "Dirty Harry" Callahan, is pursued by a remote controlled bomb disguised as a radio controlled car through hilly San Francisco in a 1985 Oldsmobile 98 Regency . The Dead Pool ( 1988) is the fifth and last film in the Dirty Harry film series, set in San Francisco California and starring Clint The Oldsmobile 98 (originally Series 90; aka Ninety-Eight) was a full-size Automobile, as well as the flagship model of the
• Lethal Weapon 2 (1989) - Murtaugh is driving his wife's brand new Custom Cruiser station wagon, which is slowly and methodically destroyed throughout the movie. Lethal Weapon 2 is a 1989 Action film directed by Richard Donner, and starring Mel Gibson, Danny Glover, Joe Pesci Oldsmobile used the Custom Cruiser name on their large Rear-wheel drive Station wagons from 1971 to 1992
• Turner and Hooch (1989) stars Tom Hanks as a police officer who is in charge of a dog that destroys the interior of his 1989 Oldsmobile 88 Royale Brougham. Turner & Hooch is a 1989 Comedy film starring Tom Hanks, Mare Winningham, Craig T The Oldsmobile 88 (aka Eighty-Eight) was a Full-size car sold by the Oldsmobile division of General Motors and produced from 1949 until
• King of New York (1990) - A 1978-80 Ninety Eight Regency is used as an undercover vehicle by crooked NYPD narcotics where they pursue Frank White (Christopher Walken) in a mid-1980s Cadillac Fleetwood limousine. For the Charlie Chaplin film see A King in New York. King of New York is a 1990 film, starring Christopher The Fleetwood Metal Body Company began business in Fleetwood Pennsylvania on April 1, 1909 and continued as an independent automobile body builder until A limousine (or limo) is a longer than normal Luxury car. The chassis may have been extended by the manufacturer or by an independent coach builder traditionally The Ninety Eight was totalled.
• The Dark Half (1993) - The villain, George Stark (played by Timothy Hutton), is seen driving a jet-black 1966 Toronado in several scenes. The Dark Half is a horror Novel by Stephen King, published in 1989
• Demolition Man (1993) - Set mostly in the year 2032, a bright red 1970 Olds 442 is discovered by police officers John Spartan (played by Sylvester Stallone), Lenina Huxley (played by Sandra Bullock) and Alfredo Garcia (played by Benjamin Bratt) in the slums beneath San Angeles. Demolition Man is a 1993 American Action film. It was directed by Marco Brambilla, written by Peter M Demolition Man is a 1993 American Action film. It was directed by Marco Brambilla, written by Peter M Using an old elevator, the car bursts up through the floor of a modern-day Oldsmobile dealer, and Stallone's character drives it out of the showroom onto the street, beginning an extensive car chase scene. Many other GM cars and concept vehicles were used in the film including the GM Ultralite, which was featured prominently. The General Motors Ultralite was a 1992 Low emission vehicle Concept car intended to demonstrate the benefits of advanced Ironically, since Oldsmobile folded in 2004, the Oldsmobile dealer set in the year 2032 is now an anachronism. The dealer was also still using the early-90s version of the Oldsmobile logo, which was replaced only 3 years after the release of the film.
• Get Shorty (1995) - John Travolta's character is incredulous at being given an Oldsmobile Silhouette minivan for a rental instead of his requested Cadillac, to which the rental clerk responds, "You got the Cadillac of minivans," a line oft-repeated outside of the movie. Get Shorty is a novel by American novelist Elmore Leonard, first published in 1990, and a movie adaptation of the same name, released in
• Fargo (1996) - late 1980s Oldsmobile cars including the Cutlass Ciera and Ninety-Eight Regency Brougham were featured, as William H. Macy's character was general manager of his father-in-law's Oldsmobile dealership. Fargo is a 1996 American Film produced directed and written by brothers Ethan and Joel Coen. William Hall Macy Jr (born March 13, 1950) is an Academy Award -nominated double Emmy - and Screen Actors Guild Award -winning
• The X-Files (1998) - an Oldsmobile Intrigue was heavily used by the characters as part of a promotional tie-in between General Motors and the movie's producers. The X-Files is a Peabody, Golden Globe and Emmy Award -winning American Science fiction television series created by Chris Carter Earlier on in the series, Oldsmobile Cutlass Cieras were featured.
• That 70's Show (1998-2006) features a 1969 Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser driven by lead character Eric Forman, and many scenes take place in or around "the Vista Cruiser". That '70s Show is an American television sitcom that centered on the lives of a group of teenagers living in the fictional town of The Vista Cruiser was a Station wagon built by the Oldsmobile Division of General Motors from 1964 to 1977 which was based on the Oldsmobile
• Reindeer Games (2000) - a 1989 or 1990 Cutlass Ciera sedan is used as a getaway vehicle. Reindeer Games (also known as Deception) is a 2000 movie directed by John Frankenheimer and starring Ben Affleck, Gary Sinise
• An Oldsmobile 88 is featured on the cover art and opening sequence of the video game Driver 2. Driver 2 The Wheelman is Back (named Driver 2 Back on the Streets in Europe) is the second installment of the Driver
• Cheaper By The Dozen (2003) - Tom Baker (Steve Martin) gives his son Charlie (Tom Welling) a well-worn early 1980s Olds Cutlass Supreme. Cheaper by the Dozen is a 2003 American Comedy film about a family with twelve children (seven boys and five girls
• Memphis Bleek (2003) - 'Round Here' music video produced by Def Jam. Malik Thuston Cox, better known by his rap persona of Memphis Bleek, is a New York Rapper currently signed to Roc-A-Fella Records.
• The Matrix Reloaded (2003) - many Oldsmobiles are used as cameo vehicles, especially during the famous highway chase scene. The Matrix Reloaded is a 2003 Film, the second installment in ''The Matrix'' trilogy, written and directed by the Wachowski Brothers Even though the characters never drive an Oldsmobile in the film, there was interaction between Oldsmobiles in the scene. There is one part when Agent Johnson jumps on top of the front of an Aurora, completely destroying the front end and causing the car to do a front flip and land on its roof. Below is a list composing of all the artificial characters from ''The Matrix'' series of Science fiction Films Comic books and Video games The Oldsmobile Aurora was a performance / luxury sedan made by the Oldsmobile division of General Motors and launched in 1995 Another scene involves the Twins gunning down an Intrigue and shoving it into the divider wall, causing it to do a barrel roll and land on its roof. In The Matrix, The Twins (played by Neil and Adrian Rayment are the two silvery henchmen of The Merovingian who can become Transparent The Oldsmobile Intrigue was a Mid-size sedan manufactured from 1998 through 2002 by the Oldsmobile division of General Motors.
• Common (2005) - The Corner (song) music video features a blue 1980s Oldsmobile 88. COMMON is the largest association of users of IBM Midrange computers and IBM-compatible technology in the world " The Corner " is the second single released by rapper Common on his sixth album Be. The Oldsmobile 88 (aka Eighty-Eight) was a Full-size car sold by the Oldsmobile division of General Motors and produced from 1949 until He even raps "So we can cop clothes & roll in a Rolls / Now I roll in a Olds with windows that don't roll. "
• Cars (2006): Piston Cup Championship Sportscaster Bob Cutlass, voiced by Bob Costas, is a 1999 Aurora. Cars is a 2006 animated Feature film produced by Pixar and directed by both John Lasseter and Joe Ranft. A sportscaster, (also sports announcer, sport commentator or sport presenter) is a type of Journalist on Radio and/or Television Robert Quinlan "Bob" Costas (born March 22, 1952) is a Sportscaster, on the air for the NBC network since the early 1980s The Oldsmobile Aurora was a performance / luxury sedan made by the Oldsmobile division of General Motors and launched in 1995
• Tenacious D in the Pick of Destiny (2006): A Blue 1987 Cutlass Supreme sedan is used in the Car chase scene, and is also referenced in one of the songs during the movie. The Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme was a mid-size car produced by General Motors for the American market

Marketing themes

Early on in their history, Olds enjoyed a healthy public relations boost from the 1905 hit song " In My Merry Oldsmobile". The well known song was updated in the fifties to sing about "The Rocket 88".

The strong public relations efforts by GM in the 1950s was epitomized in the Motorama auto show. Motorama was an Auto show staged by General Motors from 1949 to 1961. The impact of that traveling show, was literally a "one company", auto-show extravaganza. Millions of Americans attended, in a spirit not unlike a "mini-World's Fair". Expo (short for "exposition" and also known as World Fair and World's Fair) is the name given to various large public exhibitions held since the Every GM division had a "Dream Car". Oldsmobile's dream/concept car was called "The Golden Rocket".

The Dr. Oldsmobile theme was one of Oldsmobile's most successful marketing campaign's in the early '70s, it involved fictional characters created to promote the wildly popular 442 muscle car. 'Dr. Oldsmobile' was a tall lean professor type who wore a white lab coat. His assistants included 'Elephant Engine Ernie' who represented the big block 455 Rocket engine. 'Shifty Sidney' was a character who could be seen swiftly shifting his hand using a Hurst shifter. 'Wind Tunnel Waldo' had slicked back hair that appeared to be constantly wind blown. He represented Oldsmobile's wind tunnel testing, that produced some of the sleekest designs of the day. Another character included 'Hy Spy' who had his ear to the ground as he checked out the competition.

In the 1970s, the mid-size Oldsmobile Cutlass was the division's best-selling model, and for several years in the late 1970s and early 1980s, it was the best-selling car in America. The Oldsmobile Cutlass was an Automobile made by the Oldsmobile division of General Motors. But the sales of the Cutlass and other Oldsmobile models fell beginning in the 1990s. The brand was hurt by its image as old and stuffy, and this perception continued despite a public relations campaign in the late 1980s that proclaimed this was "not your father's Oldsmobile. " Ironically, many fans of the brand say that the declining sales were in fact caused by the "this is not your father's Oldsmobile" campaign", as the largest market for Oldsmobiles was the population whose parents had in fact owned Oldsmobiles. ^[1]

See also

• List of automobile manufacturers
• Oldsmobile V8 engine
• Irving Jacob Reuter

Notes and references

• Kimes, Beverly R. The automotive industry is the industry involved in the design development manufacture marketing and sale of Motor vehicles In 2007 more than 73 million motor vehicles The Oldsmobile Rocket V8 was the first post-war OHV V8 at General Motors. Irving Jacob Reuter (1885-1972 was an automotive leader in the early 1900s , Editor. Clark, Henry A. (1996). The Standard Catalog of American Cars 1805-1945. Kraus Publications. ISBN 0-87341-428-4.  
• Gunnell, John, Editor (1987). The Standard Catalog of American Cars 1946-1975. Kraus Publications. ISBN 0-87341-096-3.  
• 1957-58 Oldsmobile: From Beautiful to Baroque. John Lawler, author. Collectible Automobile Magazine. February, 1994, pp. 22-37.

Further reading

• Oldsmobile Prepares For The End, published in June 2003
• Dead at 106: Oldsmobile, published in April 2004

External links

• oldsmobile.com Oldsmobile's old web site, now a GM-run Olds heritage site
• oldsmobile.com Oldsmobile's website of 2004: The last year of production
• Encyclopedia of Oldsmobile
• Oldsmobile at the Open Directory Project
• Oldsmobile Club of America
• Outright Oldsmobile Photo archive, history, concepts, vintage ads, videos and owners registry. The Open Directory Project ( ODP) also known as dmoz (from directory

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