a black 1948 postwar Oldsmobile coupe
a yellow 1950 oldsmobile 88 coupe
1957 Oldsmobile fiesta hot rod wagon computer render
a 1965 red Oldsmobile cutlass hardtop coupe
a black cutlass 442 hardtop coupe
a red Oldsmobile 442 cutlass convertible
a blue 1968 oldsmobile cutlass supreme sedan
a blue and white Oldsmobile cutlass notchback coupe with custom wheels
a green oldsmobile cutlass supreme notchback coupe
green oldsmobile cutlass fastback coupe
a white vintage oldsmobile in a row of classic vehicles
Oldsmobile g body coupe tornado toronado
Oldsmobile cutlass supreme notchback coupe
front grille close up of a yellow custom Oldsmobile
cutlass 442 convertible show car
customized oldsmobile cutlass convertible show car
vintage oldsmobile custom coupe
Cutlass convertible with W-30 suspension package
Close up of the grille on a vintage Oldsmobile cutlass s convertible
oldsmobile cutlass convertible with cragar s/s wheels
oldsmobile cutlass hardtop coupe at car show
rear shot of a 1950 Oldsmobile 88 coupe
1949 oldsmobile coupe
Oldsmobile cutlass 442 at SEMA 2012
oldsmobile cutlass fastback at a car show
vintage oldsmobile dynamic 88 convertible at a car show
red 1964 oldsmobile cutlass convertible
Oldsmobile vista cruiser wagon at a car show
green and black 1972 olds cutlass supreme
1973 Oldsmobile Omega in a car parking lot

(Image/OnAllCylinders)

(Image/OnAllCylinders - Matt Griswold)

On this day in 1897, Olds Motor Works was founded in Lansing, MI.

Before its demise in 2004, Oldsmobile gave us some iconic street machines and muscle cars, including the 88, Cutlass, and 4-4-2. During its 107-year run, Oldsmobile produced over 35 million automobiles, and its Curved-Dash model was the first car to be mass-produced on an automotive assembly line (Ford’s version was actually the first moving assembly line).

Here are a few other interesting facts about Oldsmobile from Steve Magnante’s 1001 Muscle Car Facts book:

  • The 1962 Olds Jetfire was America’s first mass-produced passenger car with a turbocharged V8
  • Ten 4-door 4-4-2 models were built in 1964
  • Oldsmobile pioneered the use of rear sway bars in 1964, installing them on under its 4-4-2s
  • Oldsmobile engineers dabbled with their own version of the HEMI-style engine in the late-1960s, but they were derailed by the ecology movement of the 1970s.

We’re celebrating Oldsmobile’s role in American automotive performance with an Oldsmobile-exclusive photo gallery. Check it out above!

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Author: David Fuller

David Fuller is OnAllCylinders' managing editor. During his 20-year career in the auto industry, he has covered a variety of races, shows, and industry events and has authored articles for multiple magazines. He has also partnered with mainstream and trade publications on a wide range of editorial projects. In 2012, he helped establish OnAllCylinders, where he enjoys covering all facets of hot rodding and racing.