1950s Oldsmobile

In the 1950s Oldsmobile was a byword for rocket style design and 1950s automobiles chic. 

Oldsmobile was founded in 1897 by Ransom E Olds – one of the pioneers of American car manufacture.

Oldsmobile was to continue in existence for over a century, during which time the company rolled out over 35 million vehicles.

Oldsmobile became part of the General Motors conglomerate in 1908 and the brand remained in existence until 2004.

As the 1950s approached Oldsmobile followed the trend for spectacular designs and powerful engines in its cars. Powered by the “Rocket “V8 engine Oldsmobile cars had the reputation as being the fastest available.

The wide grill at the front of an Oldsmobile car gave it the air of a vehicle built for speed. The effect of a real speedster was further enhanced with tail lights set in a twin jet pod style.

Even the names of the models gave the impression of speed and power as the Oldsmobile 88 standard model was named the Dynamic 88 and the up market version the Super 88.
 
American car manufacture was a cut throat business in the 1950s and competition was fierce. Styling was highly important in securing car sales and as the decade came to a close Oldsmobile and other General Motors brands began to lose out to the likes of Chrysler.
 
The year 1958 proved to be a difficult year for American car manufacturers as an economic recession began to bite. Oldsmobile was not helped as a styling makeover led to critics mocking the 1958 model as the “Chromemobile.” Alex Tremulis, a consultant designer at Ford, went further, labelling the Oldsmobile as the “Slobmobile.”

Oldsmobile's flagship model was the Oldsmobile 98. Production of the 98 started in 1941. Production was halted during the United States involvement in World War Two, but resumed in time for the car building boom of the 1950s. The Oldsmobile 98 name was to live on until 1996.