TheOldsmobileL-Series, or theOldsmobile 8,was built from the 1932 through 1938. Oldsmobile hadn't offered a full-sized luxury flagship since the cancellation of theOldsmobile Light Eightin 1923, and theVikingupscale companion brand to Oldsmobile didn't sell very well, being cancelled after two years. The 1933 model introduced a completely new body style influenced by the "streamlined" appearance, and it was shared with all GM brands due to GM's Art and Color Studio headed byHarley Earl.[1]The appearance showed influences of Chrysler andLincoln-Zephyrvehicles, and all Oldsmobiles were manufactured inLansing, Michigan.Due to the popularity of theOldsmobile F-Series,Oldsmobile recognized an opportunity to sell a similar sized alternative to theBuick Super,theCadillac Series 355,and the "junior" companion brandLaSallea platform the L-Series shared on theGM C platform.[2]It was replaced by theOldsmobile Series 90introduced in 1938, and it was exported to Japan as a knock down kit and assembled atOsaka AssemblyinOsaka, Japan.
| Oldsmobile Eight F-Series | |
|---|---|
 1934 Oldsmobile Eight L- Series Sport Coupe | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Oldsmobile(General Motors) |
| Production | 1932–1938 |
| Assembly | Fisher Body,Detroit, Michigan(main plant) Lansing Car Assembly,Lansing, Michigan (branch assembly) Linden Assembly,Linden, New Jersey(starting 1937) South Gate Assembly,South Gate, California(starting 1937) |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | |
| Layout | Front engine, rear drive |
| Platform | B-body |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 240.4cubic inches(3.9 L)Oldsmobile straight-8 engine |
| Transmission | Automatic Safety Transmission(1937-1939) 3-speed manual transmission |
| Chronology | |
| Successor | Olds Series 80[1] Olds Series 90[1] |
L-32 through L-38
editTheL-Serieswas equipped with aside-valve,240 cu in (3,933 cc)straight eight-cylinder enginedeveloping 87 bhp.[1]This generation had a wheelbase of 116–124 in (2,959–3,150 mm) and was offered as a closed body sedan, coupe and convertible. All four wheels now offered as standard equipment hydraulic drum brakes, and in 1933 wooden spoked wheels were permanently discontinued with pressed steel discs instead. With the modern appearance of streamlined gaining widely accepted public approval, all bodystyles across GM's vehicles adopted the appearance, with an overall length of 179–200 in (4,540–5,069 mm). The retail price listed for a 1938 L-38 4-door Trunked Sedan was US$1,107 ($24,728 in 2024 dollars[3]).[1]1933 was the first year all GM vehicles were installed with optionalvent windowswhich were initially called “No Draft Individually Controlled Ventilation” later renamed "Ventiplanes" which the patent application was filed on Nov. 28, 1932. It was assigned to the Ternstedt Manufacturing Company, a GM subsidiary that manufactured components forFisher Body[1]
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1933 Oldsmobile Eight L-Series Model L-33 Touring Sedan -
1936 Oldsmobile Eight L-Series Model L-36 2-door Trunked Sedan
See also
edit- 1935Buick Roadmaster
- 1935Cadillac Series 355
- 1936Cadillac Series 60
References
edit
- ^abcdefKimes, Beverly (1996).Standard catalog of American Cars 1805–1942(third ed.). Krause publications. pp.1061–1088.ISBN0-87341-478-0.
- ^Georgano, N.(2000).Beaulieu Encyclopedia of the Automobile.London: HMSO.ISBN1-57958-293-1.
- ^1634–1699:McCusker, J. J.(1997).How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda(PDF).American Antiquarian Society.1700–1799:McCusker, J. J.(1992).How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States(PDF).American Antiquarian Society.1800–present:Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis."Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–".RetrievedFebruary 29,2024.