Олдсмобил Custom Cruiser: 1940-1996 жылдардағы тарихы

Flagship car model produced by Oldsmobile from 1940 to 1996

Naming standards were in flux at Oldsmobile during the late 1930s and 1940s. From 1932 through 1938 Oldsmobile had two series: "F" and "L". F Series came with a straight 6 engine and L Series came with a larger body and a straight 8 engine. The F Series was replaced by the Series 60 in 1939 and L Series was replaced with the Series 70. The Series 60 used the GM A body and the Series 70 used the B body. In 1940 the even larger C body was introduced to Oldsmobile and it alone was powered by the straight 8. The series were also given names for the first time that year with the Series 60, 70, and 90 being called the Special, Dynamic, and Custom Cruiser respectively. In 1941 both engines were offered on each series so to differentiate between the two the second digit was used to denote the number of cylinders, so the Custom Cruiser 90 was replaced with the Custom Cruiser 96 and 98. In 1942 Oldsmobile dropped the six cylinder Series 90 model leaving only the Custom Cruiser 98. The new C body that the 1940 Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser Series 90 shared with Cadillac Series 62, Buick Roadmaster and Super, and the Pontiac Torpedo featured cutting edge "torpedo" styling. Shoulder and hip room was over wider, running boards were eliminated, and the exterior was streamlined and lower. When combined with a column mounted shift lever the cars offered true six passenger comfort. The 90 rode on a wheelbase of A total of 43,658 90s were sold in four body styles. The rarest was the 4 door convertible with only 50 being sold. | weight =

In 1942 the Custom Cruiser 98 was once again the Oldsmobile entrant into the luxury market. Gone was the single year offering of the 96. All cars in this series were powered by the straight eight engine. Also gone in this shortened model year was the ultra rare 4 door convertible. An exclusive inch wheelbase was used in the series. A total of 6,659 98s were made before production was shut down due to World War II. To celebrate the company's 44th anniversary all Oldsmobiles received a small badge on the grille with "B44" attached. This was not a model designation. | length = 1948–49: 1950: 1951: 1952: 1953: This would continue until the demise of the model, with the exception of model years 1957 and 1961. The series shared the higher output 160 HP Rocket V8 with the Super 88s. Standard equipment on the three body styles included bumper guards, gray rubber floor mats front and rear, electric clock, dual horns, aluminum door sill plates, chrome gravel guards, foam rubber seat cushions, turn signals, carpeting front and rear, stainless steel wheel trim rings, windshield washer, and Deluxe steering wheel with horn ring. Upholstery selection was broadcloth or six colors of leather. Standard tire size was by For the first time power steering was an option. Another new option was the Autronic Eye, an automatic headlight dimmer, which in its initial year was shared only with Cadillac.

New in 1953, the Fiesta joined the Cadillac Series 62 Eldorado and Buick Roadmaster Skylark as top of the line, limited production specialty convertibles introduced that year by General Motors to promote its design leadership. It featured a cut down belt line, a wraparound windshield that was lower than the standard Ninety Eight's windshield, and special "spinner" hubcaps, which became a trademark on later Oldsmobiles. Virtually every Oldsmobile option was standard except air conditioning, regarded as unnecessary at the time in a convertible. Mechanically, the Fiesta had a special version of the Ninety Eight engine which gained 5 horsepower to 170 through manifold streamlining and compression increased from 8.1:1 to 8.3:1. A four speed Hydramatic automatic transmission and faster rear axle ratio were designed to keep the 4,459 pound shipping weight Fiesta (336 more than a standard Ninety Eight convertible) up to Oldsmobile performance standards. At US$5,715 ($ in dollars ) (over $700 ($ in dollars ) more than the Skylark) the Fiesta was nearly twice the US$2963 price ($ in dollars ) of a standard Ninety Eight convertible, with only 458 units produced to its 7,521. Standard equipment for 1953 included bumper guards, electric clock, lined trunk, dual horns, cigarette lighter, chrome moldings, twin interior sun visors, rear seat robe rails, special rear stainless steel trim, chrome window ventiplanes, windshield washer, and Deluxe steering wheel with horn ring. In 1953 a padded safety dash also became standard on the Ninety Eight. For the first time air conditioning was an option. The Fiesta convertible would be gone the next year but its name would be resurrected in 1957 for Oldsmobile station wagons.

For 1959, the Oldsmobile line up was completely redesigned. However, unlike other GM makes (such as Chevrolet and Cadillac) Oldsmobile continued to use a full perimeter frame, instead of the GM X frame. The Ninety Eight shared its appearance with the Oldsmobile 88. Oldsmobile stayed with its top series format by offering four body styles on an exclusive wheelbase: a four door sedan, a two door hardtop, a four door hardtop and a convertible. For 1959 and 1960 only, the hardtop body styles were dubbed "Holiday SceniCoupe" and "Holiday SportSedan" respectively, while the convertible continued the traditional "Convertible Coupe" moniker. Each body style had a distinctive greenhouse, shared with other 1959 GM cars. The 4 door sedan had six side windows and a sloping roof; the 2 door hardtop had a very large rear window and thin pillars; the 4 door hardtop sported a "floating roof" look, with a large wrap around rear window. Standard equipment included oil filter, turn signals, air scoop brakes, Safety spectrum speedometer, rocker panel moldings, special emblems, parking brake light, sponge vinyl headliner, deep twist carpeting, electric clock, wheel trim moldings, power steering, power brakes, and Jetaway Hydramatic Drive. Interiors were selected from leather, "Morocceen" vinyl, or cloth in different colors. Standard tire size was The , the largest first generation Rocket V8, was used from 1959 until 1964. For 1960, the Ninety Eight was completely restyled, while keeping the underlying structure and rooflines of the 1959 models. All four body styles were carried over, and the four door sedan was renamed "Celebrity Sedan" — a designation used only one year on the Ninety Eight, but that was continued on 88 sedans up to 1965. Standard equipment included Safety vee steering wheel, turn signals, air scoop brakes, electric windshield wipers, safety spectrum speedometer, carpets with rubber inserts, padded dash, courtesy lamps, wheel trim rings, Star lite headliner, two speed windshield wipers, chrome roof side moldings, Jetaway Hydramatic transmission, power steering, power brakes, windshield washers, electric clock, and deep twist carpeting. Upholstery was fabric, leather, or "Morocceen" vinyl in a variety of colors. Tire size was An anti spin rear axle was optional.

For 1961, and 1961 only, the Oldsmobile Ninety Eight was renamed Classic Ninety Eight ; nevertheless, most factory literature refers to the line as the Ninety Eight.

Oldsmobile built its biggest full size car in 1971 although wheelbase was unchanged from 1970. The Ninety Eights were the roomiest Oldsmobiles ever built thanks to the new GM full size bodies which, at 64.3 inch front shoulder room and 63.4 inch rear shoulder room, set a record for interior width that would not be matched by any car until the full size GM rear wheel drive models of the early to mid 1990s. The 1971 through 1976 Ninety Eight was very similar to the Oldsmobile 88 (which by now was called the "Delta 88") except the Ninety Eight had a longer passenger compartment owing to its 3 inch longer wheelbase, and had rear Cadillac esque tailfins to better differentiate between the two full size models. The standard 455 cubic inch Rocket V8 was rated at and designed to run on lower octane regular lead, low lead or unleaded gasoline for the first time this year thanks to a General Motors mandate that all engines be designed to run on such fuels in preparation for the catalytic converter equipped cars of 1975 and later years that absolutely required unleaded gasoline. Despite this, a few 1975 and 1976 Ninety Eights were released from this catalytic converter requirement in Canada and were given certification along with exemption from requiring unleaded gasoline. V8s were progressively detuned as production wore on in line with tighter emission standards. Trunk mounted louvers for the flow through ventilation system were only found on 1971 models (as in many other GM models of 1971). The louvers were moved to the doorjambs for 1972 1976 models. From 1971 to 1976, Oldsmobile's full sized Custom Cruiser station wagon shared the wheelbase and 455 cubic inch V8 with the Oldsmobile Ninety Eight, and shared its interior and exterior styling, in particular the Ninety Eight's distinctive front fascia and rear quarter panels complete with fender skirts. The number of body styles was reduced to four for 1971. The convertible was gone as were the 4 door sedan body styles. A new body style was the Luxury Coupe. For the first time ever all Oldsmobile Ninety Eights were now hardtops, and for the first time since 1964 not all hardtops were called Holidays. Standard equipment included armrests, front and rear, power brakes with front discs, electric clock, carpeting, inside hood release, lamp package, power seat, power steering and Turbo Hydramatic transmission. Standard tire size was J78 15. Interiors were vinyl, cloth and leather. Ninety Eights were built in both Linden and Lansing. Four body styles were offered in the Ninety Eight series for 1972. Standard equipment included: Deluxe armrests, dual ashtrays, power brakes with front discs, electric clock, carpeting, interior hood release, remote control outside mirror, molding package, interior light package, windshield radio antenna, power seat, power steering, spare tire cover and Turbo Hydramatic transmission. A midyear version of the 4 door hardtop named the Regency was produced to commemorate Oldsmobile's 75th year as an automaker. For the first time in 17 years, the Ninety Eight set a new sales record of 121,568. In 1973 a five body style Ninety Eight series was at the top end of the Oldsmobile line. The 75th anniversary Regency 4 door hardtop continued, following its successful mid 1972 introduction. Standard equipment included: Deluxe armrests, dual ashtrays, power brakes with front discs, cigarette lighter, carpeting, inside hood release, dome light, molding package, windshield radio antenna, foam sheet cushions, power steering, Deluxe steering wheel, Turbo Hydramatic transmission and wheel opening covers. Standard tire size was L78 15. Upholstery was vinyl or cloth. The Oldsmobile Ninety Eight set another record of 138,462 sold. The 1974 Ninety Eight was now Oldsmobile's longest running series dating back to 1941, and was still popular. Five models were offered with the Regency Coupe taking the place of the Luxury Coupe. Standard equipment included: power brakes with front discs, cigarette lighter, electric clock, interior hood release, lamp package, molding package, remote control outside mirror, windshield radio antenna, power steering, Deluxe steering wheel, spare tire cover, power windows, power seat and Turbo Hydramatic transmission. Standard tire size was J78 15. Upholstery was vinyl, cloth or leather. From 1974 to 1975 the Ninety Eight reached a record length of 232.4 in (5903 mm), when federally mandated bumpers were added both front and rear increasing the overall length of the cars by several inches, while 1976 model year saw minimal length reduction to 232.2 in (5898 mm). It is also worth to note that 1974 Oldsmobile Ninety Eight 4 door hardtop was the longest car with that body style sold that year, since the longer Lincoln Continental, Cadillac Sixty Special and Cadillac Series 75 were basically sedans (and 1974 Lincoln Continental came only with one hardtop body style: the 2 door). The 1974 76 Oldsmobile Ninety Eight (as well as all full size Oldsmobiles, Buicks and Cadillacs) also were among the first US production cars to offer an air bag option ("Air Cushion Restraint System") beginning in 1974. Very few cars were so equipped. The high cost ($700) plus public uncertainty about the yet to be proven safety systems that are now universal in today's automobiles saw quite handily to that. The number of Ninety Eight body styles was reduced in 1975. Four were available consisting of coupes or 4 door hardtops in Luxury or Regency trim. Two door models were no longer hardtops. Standard equipment included: power brakes with front discs, cigarette lighter, electric clock, electronic ignition, hood release, bumper impact strips, lamp package, 455 CID engine, molding package, remote controlled outside mirror, power seat, power windows, power steering, Deluxe steering wheel, chrome wheel discs and Turbo Hydramatic transmission. Standard tire size was J78 15. Upholstery was vinyl, cloth or leather. In 1976 the Luxury and Regency editions of the full size Ninety Eights were offered, in 2 door coupes or 4 door hardtops. 4 doors had an extra window (like an opera window) in the C pillar. A landau roof option for the coupe gave it a huge looking opera window. Like the Custom Cruiser, Ninety Eights had a dual section eggcrate design grille, with new front end panel, front bumper, and wraparound horizontal parking lamps. Amber marker lenses aligned with the headlamps wrapped around the fender sides. Separate clear cornering lamps had horizontal ribs. Vertical taillamps were decorated with a small emblem in each lens. Tiny back up lamps stood alongside the license plate, on a panel that also contained small red lenses next to the tail lamps. Standard Ninety Eight equipment included a 455 CID Rocket V8 with 4 barrel carburetor, Turbo Hydramatic, vari ratio power steering, power brakes, power driver's seat, driver's door armrest control console, electronic message center, electric clock, fold down center armrests, front ashtray, and JR78 x 15 blackwall steel belted radials. Rear fender skirts and bumper impact strips were also standard. A new 2.41:1 axle ratio became standard to improve fuel economy.

For the 1972 model year, the Limited Edition Regency was offered to commemorate Oldsmobile's 75th anniversary. Each 1972 Oldsmobile Ninety Eight Regency was registered at Tiffany's and included the specially styled interior with black or covert gold "pillow effect" velour upholstery, and power split bench seat, in place of the power bench seat with a rear clock. Tiffany touches include the Tiffany Gold paint (an exclusive custom metallic color created especially for this car), the clock has also been specially styled by Tiffany's and bears a white Oldsmobile emblem above Tiffany's name on a golden face. Each 1972 Regency owner received a distinctive sterling silver key ring as a gift. If they were lost, the keys could be dropped in a mailbox, and Tiffany's would return them to the owner. A total of 2,650 75th anniversary Ninety Eight Regency cars were built, all of them four door hardtops. In 1973 the non anniversary Regency stayed in the line up slotted just above the LS. The Regency package would remain available on the Ninety Eight through the 1996 model year when it would become a separate model nameplate.

The 1977 model was redesigned and downsized, like the Delta 88. The new models, at around 4000 pounds curb weight, were over 800 pounds lighter, but headroom and rear seat legroom were increased compared to equivalent 1976 models. The 455 CID engine was replaced by the smaller 403 CID V8, and the Oldsmobile 350 V8 was now the standard engine. The Ninety Eight set a new sales record of 139,423. A four door sedan and a two door hardtop coupe were available. A diesel version of the 350 was added in 1978. Beginning in 1979, production of the Ninety Eight was exclusive to Lansing as Linden Assembly was retooled to build the E body cars. Base LS models were available as sedans only, and the premium Regency model came as either a coupe or a sedan. A limited production top level Regency LX sedan was also offered for 1979. The Ninety Eight was restyled for 1980, along with the Delta 88. That year, it gained a new 307 cu in (5.0 L) V8 as an option. The 403 was dropped completely. The 1980 models received new exterior sheet metal, without drastically changing the look of the car. To improve aerodynamics and fuel economy the hood was sloped downward, while the trunk area was higher. This also gave all models a heavier, more substantial appearance, while even slightly increasing interior and trunk space. The 1981 model year saw the introduction of Buick's 252 cu in V6 as standard, as well as a new 4 speed THM200 4R automatic transmission; the first standard 4 speed automatic since 1960. The gas 350 engine was dropped that same year, completely replaced by the smaller 307. A redesigned steering wheel and slightly revised instrument panel were also new that year. While the 1981 model used a V6 engine, the model designation stayed as "Oldsmobile 98" instead of being called the "Oldsmobile 96". The traditional naming convention established in the late 1930s used the second number as the number of cylinders. The 1983 models received a new grille but were otherwise unchanged. The federal impact standard was rolled back for 1984, prompting GM to make major changes to the bumpers to save weight; predictably, this drastically reduced their effectiveness. An optional 8 track tape player and the 4.1 L V6 were no longer available, though the CB radio was still optional. Production ended in March 1984. These cars were actually sold concurrently with the new front wheel drive 1985 model. The body style reference in GM Manufacturing became "D" for the carryover RWD models, and the new FWD cars became C bodies (which had been the designation used hitherto for the RWD cars).

The new Regency Brougham model was introduced for 1982 and available for the sedan model only. This car featured plush "Prima" velour seats with embroidered emblems, cut pile carpeting, and electroluminescent opera lamps on the B pillars. Wire wheel discs were also standard as well as Tungsten halogen headlamps, cornering lamps, full padded vinyl roof, and a tilt steering wheel. Regency became the new 'base' model as the LS was discontinued.

In 1985, GM downsized the Ninety Eight again, moving from rear wheel drive to a new front wheel drive platform, with sales beginning in April 1984. Significantly shorter, narrower, lighter and more fuel efficient than the platform they replaced, the C Platform Ninety Eights were noted for having nearly the same key interior dimensions as their predecessors and a much more nearly flat passenger compartment floor — albeit with thinner seats and dramatically less upper tumblehome, locating windshield as well as side glass closer to passengers. As in previous years, the 1985 Ninety Eight was available as a 4 door sedan and a 2 door coupe, in either Regency or Regency Brougham trim. Both models featured standard velour seating, with optional leather seating surfaces, marketed as Sierra Grain leather. For the first year, the Buick 181 cu in V6 was the standard engine. V8 engines were no longer used with the Ninety Eight. Optional engines included Buick's 231 and Oldsmobile's 263 cu in Diesel V6. The 3.0 gas V6 and 4.3 Diesel V6 were dropped for 1986. Anti lock brakes became optional for 1986 and a "Grande" package was offered in 1986 and 1987 with composite headlights and specific front end panel (1986 only), and 45/45 leather seats with pigskin inserts and console with a combination lock. In what was to be the last year for the 2 door coupe, in 1987 all Ninety Eights received a revised grille with flush composite headlamps. Late in the 1987 model year a new derivative called the Oldsmobile Touring Sedan was introduced; available only as a four door sedan with a floor shifter, this version targeted buyers of imported sports luxury sedans, e. g., those from Audi, BMW, Mercedes Benz and Acura. Treated as a separate model, the nameplate directly recalled the company's earlier "Touring Sedan" models from the 1910s and 1920s; it was the first five passenger full size Oldsmobile with a center floor console and floor shifter. Officially designated the W12 option package, the trim level's final assembly was executed by ASC of Michigan. With a base price of just over $24,000 USD (24107.0 in 1987 is equivalent to about <calculated amount> in recent years), the Touring Sedan cost roughly 30% more than the most expensive other trim levels of the Ninety Eight. 25,275 examples were built of this version; 3,985 in 1987, 8,531 in 1988, 7,193 in 1989, and 5,566 in 1990. For the next generation, the "Touring" badge was relegated to being a trim level on the Ninety Eight. There were no changes to the Touring Sedan's drivetrain, but Oldsmobile equipped it with the FE3 suspension package (also referred to as "Level 3" or Sport Suspension), featuring a larger front stabilizer bar, an added rear stabilizer bar, firmer suspension bushings, stiffer springs at all corners, upgraded struts, 15" wheels, performance tires and a special steering gear. It also included the Teves four wheel anti lock brake system. Externally the Touring Sedan used cloisonné badges on the hood, C pillars and rear quarter panel The 1989 Touring Sedan featured gray painted and rear bumpers matching the side lower body cladding and a 12 aperture grille and headlamp bezels painted a matching gray. Larger, 16 inch "turbine" wheels (shared with the Toronado Troféo) became standard on the Touring Sedan. It was replaced by the Oldsmobile Aurora as the top level car in Oldsmobile's product line.