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- "Toronado. The All-Car Car for the All-Man Man" Oldsmobile Advertisement, 1968 - Oldsmobile introduced Toronado, a personal luxury car, for 1966. Unlike competitors Ford Thunderbird and Buick Riviera -- or any other American car at the time -- Toronado had front-wheel drive. It was the first front-wheel-drive automobile built in the United States since Cord ended production in 1937. Toronado went through four distinct styling generations, with the last models manufactured in 1992.
- March 01, 1968
- Collections - Artifact
"Toronado. The All-Car Car for the All-Man Man" Oldsmobile Advertisement, 1968
Oldsmobile introduced Toronado, a personal luxury car, for 1966. Unlike competitors Ford Thunderbird and Buick Riviera -- or any other American car at the time -- Toronado had front-wheel drive. It was the first front-wheel-drive automobile built in the United States since Cord ended production in 1937. Toronado went through four distinct styling generations, with the last models manufactured in 1992.
- Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera Ad, "The V6 Diesel," 1984 - As the price of gasoline climbed in the 1970s, Oldsmobile introduced a diesel-fueled V-8 engine for 1978. Four years later, a V-6 joined the lineup. Although Oldsmobile sold more than 300,000 diesel cars in 1981, the engines earned a reputation for unreliability. That, combined with falling gas prices and stricter emissions standards, ended Oldsmobile's diesels in 1985.
- 1984
- Collections - Artifact
Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera Ad, "The V6 Diesel," 1984
As the price of gasoline climbed in the 1970s, Oldsmobile introduced a diesel-fueled V-8 engine for 1978. Four years later, a V-6 joined the lineup. Although Oldsmobile sold more than 300,000 diesel cars in 1981, the engines earned a reputation for unreliability. That, combined with falling gas prices and stricter emissions standards, ended Oldsmobile's diesels in 1985.
- Oldsmobile Delta 88 Royale Nameplate, 1984 - Car model names might seem straightforward (especially once they are well-established and familiar) but most are masterpieces of allusion, rife with references to glamorous locations, social rank, rugged environment -- all tied to the self-image and aspirations of potential car buyers. Different styles of lettering -- whether bold, high-tech, freehand, or formal -- offer further reinforcement to the power of a model name.
- 1984
- Collections - Artifact
Oldsmobile Delta 88 Royale Nameplate, 1984
Car model names might seem straightforward (especially once they are well-established and familiar) but most are masterpieces of allusion, rife with references to glamorous locations, social rank, rugged environment -- all tied to the self-image and aspirations of potential car buyers. Different styles of lettering -- whether bold, high-tech, freehand, or formal -- offer further reinforcement to the power of a model name.
- Oldsmobile 98 Ignition Key, 1988 - Automobile ignition keys replaced complicated starting sequences. The key when turned activates an ignition switch to start the car instantly. This key started a 1988 Oldsmobile 98.
- 1988
- Collections - Artifact
Oldsmobile 98 Ignition Key, 1988
Automobile ignition keys replaced complicated starting sequences. The key when turned activates an ignition switch to start the car instantly. This key started a 1988 Oldsmobile 98.
- "Futuramic Oldsmobile" Sales Brochure, 1948 - Oldsmobile branded its top-of-the-line Ninety-Eight series models as "Futuramic" for 1948. In addition to all-new styling, standard equipment included a "Rocket" inline-8 engine and "Hydra-Matic Drive" automatic transmission. Oldsmobile built more than 65,000 Ninety-Eight series cars that year in sedan and convertible body styles.
- 1948
- Collections - Artifact
"Futuramic Oldsmobile" Sales Brochure, 1948
Oldsmobile branded its top-of-the-line Ninety-Eight series models as "Futuramic" for 1948. In addition to all-new styling, standard equipment included a "Rocket" inline-8 engine and "Hydra-Matic Drive" automatic transmission. Oldsmobile built more than 65,000 Ninety-Eight series cars that year in sedan and convertible body styles.
- Advertisement, "In My 'Rocket' Oldsmobile," 1950 - Oldsmobile introduced the 88 for 1949. It featured a new "Rocket" V-8 engine displacing 303 cubic inches and producing 135 horsepower. The car was a hit with racers and gearheads. It also inspired the song "Rocket 88," released by Jackie Brentson and his Delta Cats in 1951 and widely considered one of the first rock and roll records.
- November 01, 1950
- Collections - Artifact
Advertisement, "In My 'Rocket' Oldsmobile," 1950
Oldsmobile introduced the 88 for 1949. It featured a new "Rocket" V-8 engine displacing 303 cubic inches and producing 135 horsepower. The car was a hit with racers and gearheads. It also inspired the song "Rocket 88," released by Jackie Brentson and his Delta Cats in 1951 and widely considered one of the first rock and roll records.
- Oldsmobile Special Driving Controls for Handicapped Persons and Driver Education Programs, 1965 - This booklet features specialized automobile controls offered by Oldsmobile in the mid-1960s. Special adapters, used to operate accelerator and brake pedals by hand rather than by foot, made cars more accessible for drivers of differing abilities. Dual brake controls, with a second brake pedal mounted on the passenger side, were used in student-driver cars.
- 1965
- Collections - Artifact
Oldsmobile Special Driving Controls for Handicapped Persons and Driver Education Programs, 1965
This booklet features specialized automobile controls offered by Oldsmobile in the mid-1960s. Special adapters, used to operate accelerator and brake pedals by hand rather than by foot, made cars more accessible for drivers of differing abilities. Dual brake controls, with a second brake pedal mounted on the passenger side, were used in student-driver cars.
- Diagram of a Car's Catalytic Converter System, 1974 - As auto companies were increasingly pressured to comply with more stringent government regulations, the catalytic converter emerged as a popular device that both improved fuel economy and reduced emissions. Noxious by-products of combustion passed from the engine through the catalytic converter, where chemical reactions converted the emissions to less toxic substances.
- August 22, 1974
- Collections - Artifact
Diagram of a Car's Catalytic Converter System, 1974
As auto companies were increasingly pressured to comply with more stringent government regulations, the catalytic converter emerged as a popular device that both improved fuel economy and reduced emissions. Noxious by-products of combustion passed from the engine through the catalytic converter, where chemical reactions converted the emissions to less toxic substances.
- Sales Brochure, "1986 Oldsmobile" - Oldsmobile showcased its Cutlass and Calais lines in this sales brochure. Cutlass included five models for 1986, ranging from the two-door S coupe to the Cruiser station wagon. Calais, introduced as a coupe for 1985, added a four-door sedan for 1986. GT and ES packages, available on both lines, added larger engines, additional trim, and special bucket seats.
- 1985-1986
- Collections - Artifact
Sales Brochure, "1986 Oldsmobile"
Oldsmobile showcased its Cutlass and Calais lines in this sales brochure. Cutlass included five models for 1986, ranging from the two-door S coupe to the Cruiser station wagon. Calais, introduced as a coupe for 1985, added a four-door sedan for 1986. GT and ES packages, available on both lines, added larger engines, additional trim, and special bucket seats.
- Oldsmobile Delta 88 Royale Nameplate, 1984 - Car model names might seem straightforward (especially once they are well-established and familiar) but most are masterpieces of allusion, rife with references to glamorous locations, social rank, rugged environment -- all tied to the self-image and aspirations of potential car buyers. Different styles of lettering -- whether bold, high-tech, freehand, or formal -- offer further reinforcement to the power of a model name.
- 1984
- Collections - Artifact
Oldsmobile Delta 88 Royale Nameplate, 1984
Car model names might seem straightforward (especially once they are well-established and familiar) but most are masterpieces of allusion, rife with references to glamorous locations, social rank, rugged environment -- all tied to the self-image and aspirations of potential car buyers. Different styles of lettering -- whether bold, high-tech, freehand, or formal -- offer further reinforcement to the power of a model name.