1949 OLDSMOBILE 88 3.4

Vehicle Overview

Oldsmobile 88 might have been named the first muscle car before the term was even invented, but it ticked all the boxes for that.

Imagined as an evolution over the model 78, the 88 model was available in a few body versions, including a sedan, a station wagon, a coupe, and a convertible. All of them were built on top of Odsmobile’s A-body platform, leading to a lower-mounted engine and thus to a lower center of gravity resulting in good handling for those times.

The open-top version kept the same styling elements as on the coupe, with the chromed lines that emerged from the headlights’ rims onto the front fenders and doors. The rear, enlarged fenders covered part of the wheels and also sported chromed trims. Like most American cars from those times, the 88 featured large, oversized chromed bumpers. One particular detail on the 88 was the winged statue on the hood, which envisioned a rocket with wings. A tribute to the jet-age era.

Even though its cabin was large enough to fit six people in it, the 88 featured two bucket seats at the front and a bench in the rear. The canvas roof could have been completely retracted behind the cabin for a more luxurious look. Inside, the car was fitted with a radio, and a clock adorned the center of the dashboard.

Under the hood, Oldsmobile installed its new V8 engine dubbed Rocket. It featured on-head valves (OHV) and provided 150 hp (152 PS). That power was enough to propel the car up to 100 mph (160 kph), and the transmission was with either a three-speed manual or a four-speed automatic.