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Oldsmobile Archive
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![Between the development of Synchro-Mesh (launched for 1929) and Hydra-Matic (launched for 1940), General Motors also developed a four-speed semi-automatic transmission, sometimes called the Automatic Safety Transmission, which was available […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/1938-Buick-Model-40C-Phaeton-Titian-Maroon-Patrick-Emzen-RM-Auctions-front-3q-left.webp?resize=115%2C115&quality=70&ssl=1 "Almost Automatic: SIA Drives A 1938 Buick With The Weird Semi-Automatic Ancestor of Hydra-Matic")
Almost Automatic: SIA Drives A 1938 Buick With The Weird Semi-Automatic Ancestor of Hydra-Matic
Posted on August 2, 2025 | 19 CommentsBetween the development of Synchro-Mesh (launched for 1929) and Hydra-Matic (launched for 1940), General Motors also developed a four-speed semi-automatic transmission, sometimes called the Automatic Safety Transmission, which was available […] -
![When the Oldsmobile Cutlass Salon debuted for 1973, Oldsmobile proclaimed it “A new Olds in the grand touring tradition,” complete with a plaque full of national flags to signify […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/1974-Oldsmobile-Cutlass-Salon-4SD-press-right.webp?resize=115%2C115&quality=70&ssl=1 "Vintage AMS Review: 1974 Oldsmobile Cutlass Salon – “Could Be Taken Around Bends Remarkably Quickly”")
Vintage AMS Review: 1974 Oldsmobile Cutlass Salon – “Could Be Taken Around Bends Remarkably Quickly”
Posted on August 1, 2025 | 39 CommentsWhen the Oldsmobile Cutlass Salon debuted for 1973, Oldsmobile proclaimed it “A new Olds in the grand touring tradition,” complete with a plaque full of national flags to signify […] -
![Mechanical objects don’t have feelings, or at least that’s what I always try to tell myself when I’m berating them for being obstinate in my garage, but in case I’m […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/PXL_20250628_151232278a.jpg?resize=115%2C115&quality=75&ssl=1 "Car Show Classic: 1965 Oldsmobile Starfire Convertible – New Engine, New Body, Old Idea")
Car Show Classic: 1965 Oldsmobile Starfire Convertible – New Engine, New Body, Old Idea
Posted on July 30, 2025 | 16 CommentsMechanical objects don’t have feelings, or at least that’s what I always try to tell myself when I’m berating them for being obstinate in my garage, but in case I’m […] -
![Can you imagine being an Oldsmobile product planner during the height of “Cutlass Fever” in the 1970s and ’80s, and being told by some prescient being that Oldsmobile would be […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/54658766195_1bda0234b8_k-e1752959528890.jpg?resize=115%2C115&quality=75&ssl=1 "Curbside Find: 1990 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme – A Stick-Shift Supreme")
Curbside Find: 1990 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme – A Stick-Shift Supreme
Posted on July 24, 2025 | 30 CommentsCan you imagine being an Oldsmobile product planner during the height of “Cutlass Fever” in the 1970s and ’80s, and being told by some prescient being that Oldsmobile would be […] -
![The full-size Oldsmobile line was all-new for 1965, with crisp new styling, a new engine, a new transmission, and a new mid-level trim series called Delta 88. Car Life […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/1965-Oldsmobile-Dynamic-88-Delta-2HT-Lucerne-Mist-RD-Classics-CCA-front-3q-right.webp?resize=115%2C115&quality=70&ssl=1 "Vintage Car Life Review: 1965 Oldsmobile Delta 88 — “The View Through GM-Colored Glasses”")
Vintage Car Life Review: 1965 Oldsmobile Delta 88 — “The View Through GM-Colored Glasses”
Posted on July 21, 2025 | 20 CommentsThe full-size Oldsmobile line was all-new for 1965, with crisp new styling, a new engine, a new transmission, and a new mid-level trim series called Delta 88. Car Life […] -
![First let me acknowledge that we are talking about automotive license plates here, not some painted ceramic wall hanging by Franklin Mint. We are also not talking about “vanity” […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/IMG_1023-1.jpg?resize=115%2C115&quality=75&ssl=1 "Curbside Finds: The Curious World of Collector License Plates")
Curbside Finds: The Curious World of Collector License Plates
Posted on July 20, 2025 | 45 CommentsFirst let me acknowledge that we are talking about automotive license plates here, not some painted ceramic wall hanging by Franklin Mint. We are also not talking about “vanity” […] -
![How did the Ford Thunderbird stack up against its personal luxury competition in 1968? Ford Division tackled that question in this intriguing 1968 booklet for Ford salespeople, which highlighted the […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/1968-Thunderbird-vs-Major-Competition-0.webp?resize=115%2C115&quality=70&ssl=1 "1968 Ford Thunderbird Versus Rivals – How Ford Ranked The T-Bird’s Competition")
1968 Ford Thunderbird Versus Rivals – How Ford Ranked The T-Bird’s Competition
Posted on July 3, 2025 | 24 CommentsHow did the Ford Thunderbird stack up against its personal luxury competition in 1968? Ford Division tackled that question in this intriguing 1968 booklet for Ford salespeople, which highlighted the […] -
![Although Hydra-Matic Drive was developed and manufactured by General Motors, GM’s Detroit Transmission Division also sold Hydra-Matic transmissions to outside automakers, including most of the U.S. independents and even […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/1940-Oldsmobile-Series-90-blue-Barrett-Jackson-front-3q-left.webp?resize=115%2C115&quality=70&ssl=1 "Early Hydra-Matic Users: Many Non-GM Automakers Bought This Pioneering Automatic Transmission")
Early Hydra-Matic Users: Many Non-GM Automakers Bought This Pioneering Automatic Transmission
Posted on June 22, 2025 | 17 CommentsAlthough Hydra-Matic Drive was developed and manufactured by General Motors, GM’s Detroit Transmission Division also sold Hydra-Matic transmissions to outside automakers, including most of the U.S. independents and even […] -
![Between 1965 and 1969, General Motors corporate policy limited most smaller GM cars to engines no bigger than 400 cubic inches, with no more than 1 rated horsepower per […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/1968-Hurst-Olds-AC-Mecum-Auctions-F233.1-front-3q-left.webp?resize=115%2C115&quality=70&ssl=1 "Vintage M/T Review: 1968 Oldsmobile Hurst/Olds – Olds Breaks The Rules, Hurst Runs Interference")
Vintage M/T Review: 1968 Oldsmobile Hurst/Olds – Olds Breaks The Rules, Hurst Runs Interference
Posted on June 18, 2025 | 18 CommentsBetween 1965 and 1969, General Motors corporate policy limited most smaller GM cars to engines no bigger than 400 cubic inches, with no more than 1 rated horsepower per […] -
![Yesterday, I explained how the 1966 Oldsmobile Toronado and 1966 Buick Riviera were closely related structurally and yet very different mechanically. Today, let’s conclude this comparison by taking a […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/1966-Buick-Riviera-GS-and-1966-Oldsmobile-Toronado-DX-left-side-composite-labeled-1.webp?resize=115%2C115&quality=70&ssl=1 "1966 Buick Riviera Versus 1966 Oldsmobile Toronado – Closely Related, Yet So Different (Part 2)")
1966 Buick Riviera Versus 1966 Oldsmobile Toronado – Closely Related, Yet So Different (Part 2)
Posted on June 1, 2025 | 33 CommentsYesterday, I explained how the 1966 Oldsmobile Toronado and 1966 Buick Riviera were closely related structurally and yet very different mechanically. Today, let’s conclude this comparison by taking a […] -
![The two most impressive new cars of 1966 both came from rival General Motors divisions, and both shared the same GM E-body shell. Yet, they both looked and were […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/1966-Buick-Riviera-and-1966-Oldsmobile-Toronado-side-composite-labeled-1.webp?resize=115%2C115&quality=70&ssl=1 "1966 Buick Riviera Versus 1966 Oldsmobile Toronado – Closely Related, Yet So Different (Part 1)")
1966 Buick Riviera Versus 1966 Oldsmobile Toronado – Closely Related, Yet So Different (Part 1)
Posted on May 31, 2025 | 30 CommentsThe two most impressive new cars of 1966 both came from rival General Motors divisions, and both shared the same GM E-body shell. Yet, they both looked and were […] -
![In the early 1960s, GM’s Oldsmobile and Pontiac divisions responded to the burgeoning personal luxury market with re-trimmed B-body hardtops, the Oldsmobile Starfire and Pontiac Grand Prix. Both were restyled […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/1963-Pontiac-Grand-Prix-vs-1963-Oldsmobile-Starfire-front-composite-1.webp?resize=115%2C115&quality=70&ssl=1 "1963 Pontiac Grand Prix Vs. 1963 Oldsmobile Starfire Coupe – How Did These Sporty Luxury Hardtops Compare?")
1963 Pontiac Grand Prix Vs. 1963 Oldsmobile Starfire Coupe – How Did These Sporty Luxury Hardtops Compare?
Posted on May 4, 2025 | 33 CommentsIn the early 1960s, GM’s Oldsmobile and Pontiac divisions responded to the burgeoning personal luxury market with re-trimmed B-body hardtops, the Oldsmobile Starfire and Pontiac Grand Prix. Both were restyled […] -
![The four-seat Ford Thunderbird was a highly profitable hit that struck deep in the over-$4,000 price territory occupied by mid-price brands like Oldsmobile and Buick. Oldsmobile tried to fight […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/1962-Oldsmobile-Starfire-Coupe-Wedgewood-Mist-ClassicCars.com-front-3q-right.webp?resize=115%2C115&quality=70&ssl=1 "1962 Oldsmobile Starfire Coupe Vs. 1962 Oldsmobile Dynamic 88 Holiday Coupe – Thunderbird-Fighter Or Just A Fancier Olds?")
1962 Oldsmobile Starfire Coupe Vs. 1962 Oldsmobile Dynamic 88 Holiday Coupe – Thunderbird-Fighter Or Just A Fancier Olds?
Posted on April 24, 2025 | 26 CommentsThe four-seat Ford Thunderbird was a highly profitable hit that struck deep in the over-$4,000 price territory occupied by mid-price brands like Oldsmobile and Buick. Oldsmobile tried to fight […] -
![Writing in CARS in 1968, Roger Huntington had demonstrated the effectiveness of the Oldsmobile Force-Air induction system on the hot Olds W-31 350 engine, but how did it actually […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/1969-Oldsmobile-Cutlass-S-W-31-RK-Motors-left-front-3q.webp?resize=115%2C115&quality=70&ssl=1 "Vintage C/D Review: 1969 Oldsmobile Cutlass S W-31 – “The Difference Between Transportation And A Trip”")
Vintage C/D Review: 1969 Oldsmobile Cutlass S W-31 – “The Difference Between Transportation And A Trip”
Posted on March 13, 2025 | 25 CommentsWriting in CARS in 1968, Roger Huntington had demonstrated the effectiveness of the Oldsmobile Force-Air induction system on the hot Olds W-31 350 engine, but how did it actually […] -
![Back in the spring of 1963, GM’s now-defunct Oldsmobile division introduced a new version of its F-85 compact sedan called Jetfire, which added a turbocharger to its lightweight aluminum V-8 […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/1962-Oldsmobile-Jetfire-featured-MT-1962-09.webp?resize=115%2C115&quality=70&ssl=1 "1962–1963 Oldsmobile F-85 Jetfire – How Powerful (And How Fast) Was This Early Turbocharged Car?")
1962–1963 Oldsmobile F-85 Jetfire – How Powerful (And How Fast) Was This Early Turbocharged Car?
Posted on March 5, 2025 | 9 CommentsBack in the spring of 1963, GM’s now-defunct Oldsmobile division introduced a new version of its F-85 compact sedan called Jetfire, which added a turbocharger to its lightweight aluminum V-8 […]
