1949 Oldsmobile Facts, Figures, and Specifications
Check out this companion article by our good friend Martyn Schorr “1949 OLDS ROCKET 88: GM’s FIRST MUSCLECAR!“
1949 – Oldsmobile Introduces the OHV V-8!
Oldsmobile introduced the 88 badge in 1949. It was named to sit above the already-existing 76 and between the 98. It took the place of the straight-8 engined 78 in the model lineup. With V-8 “Rocket” power, it revolutionized American motoring. In this new 88 line, Oldsmobile used the same new A-body platform as the I-6 engined 76, but paired it with the new 303 CID “Rocket” V-8 producing 135 HP! This combination of a relatively light body and a new, powerful overhead valve engine made it widely considered to be the first muscle car.
1949 Oldsmobile Resources
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1949 Oldsmobile Facts – Body Paint Color Codes
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1949 Oldsmobile
| 42 Garnet Maroon | |
| 43 Tawnee Buff | |
| 44 Crest Blue | |
| 45 Serge Blue | |
| 46 Praline Brown | |
| 47 Silver Gray | |
| 48 Metal Gray | |
| 49 Ivy Green | |
| 42C Chariot Red | |
| 49C Seafoam Green |
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1949 Oldsmobile Facts and Specifications
General Year Information – 1949 Oldsmobile
Oldsmobile would retain a six-cylinder engine through 1950, but 1948 was the last year for three different sized series and the end of the line for the 60 Series. The 76 was now the bottom of the line Oldsmobile. The 76 and 88 were nearly identical, except for power plants. Introduced a bit later than the other two series, the 88 was the logical combination of the all-new Rocket V-8 motor, from the Ninety-Eight series, into the new, lightweight Futuramic Seventy-Six chassis. This was the second year for Futuramic styling in the top of line Oldsmobile 98 series and the first year for Rocket V-8 power. Prior to that, in the previous year, the 98 was part of a marketing campaign for what Oldsmobile called “Futuramic” that was primarily focused on the automatic transmission in 1949 that changed with the introduction of the new V-8.
The Rocket 88 and 98 vaulted Oldsmobile from a somewhat staid, conservative car to a performer. The new 88 became the one to beat on the NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing) circuits.
Then, in February 1949, General Motors introduced the Oldsmobile 98 Holiday, one of the three first hardtop coupe lines ever produced. The Holiday was exclusive to the 98 series that year. Available in four special Holiday colors, as well as four two-tone combinations, it was priced the same as the convertible, and was similarly equipped, with hydraulically operated windows and seat. Only 3,006 Holidays were sold in its first year compared to 20,049 Club coupes.
Historical
Total sales of the 98 reached 93,478 98s in 1949, while the new 88 recorded 99,276, both setting yet a sales record. Along with the 76 Series, a total of 287,710 Oldsmobiles were sold this year – 116,912 over the previous year a 68% sales increase!
1949 Oldsmobile Factoids
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The Oldsmobile V8, originally referred to as “the Rocket”, was a series of engines that was first produced by Oldsmobile in 1949. The Olds Rocket, along with the 1949 Cadillac V-8, were the first post-war OHV cross flow cylinder head V8 engines produced by General Motors and were first to market. It was the first mass-produced OHV V-8. The new 303 CID engine used hydraulic lifters, had an “oversquare” bore/stroke ratio, a counter-weighted forged crankshaft, aluminum pistons, floating wrist pins, and a dual-plane intake manifold.
For more detailed information on the Olds V-8, see the 1949 Oldsmobile SAE Engine Development paper HERE.
General Motors introduced three highly styled “hardtop convertible” coupes, for Oldsmobile, it was the 98 Holiday, the Cadillac Series 62 Coupe de Ville, and the Buick Roadmaster Riviera They were the first hardtop coupes ever produced. The Holiday was exclusive to the 98 Series this year.
1949 Oldsmobile Facts – Models Offered
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76 Series –Standard Seventy-Six equipment included: safety glass, bumper guards, dual horns, dual sun visors, cigarette lighter and solenoid starter. DeLuxe equipment featured foam rubber seat cushions, front and rear floor mats, special external chrome moldings, clock, DeLuxe steering wheel, wheel trim rings and turn signals. Upholstery choices were Bedford cord, broadcloth and leather. Standard tire size was 7.10 x 15 inches.
The 76 was available in the following models: 2 door Club Sedan, a4 door Town Sedan, 2 door Sedan, 4 door Sedan, Convertible Coupe, and 4 door Station Wagon.
88 Series – The 88 series was powered by a 2-barrel version of the Rocket V-8. A third model was added to this series — the popular two-door Holiday coupe — and it would become a strong seller. Standard eighty equipment included bumper guards, rubber simulated carpets front and rear, electric clock, lined luggage compartment, dual horns, cigarette lighter, aluminum door sill plates, and turn signals.
The 88 mirrored the 76 line and was available in the following models: 2 door Club Sedan, 4 door Town Sedan, 2 door Sedan, 4 door Sedan, Convertible Coupe, and 4 door Station Wagon.
98 Series – Standard equipment included all items basic to the lower two series plus foam rubber seat cushions, windshield washer and turn signals. The DeLuxe 98 package had a rear center seat armrest, front and rear floor mats, special chrome body moldings, electric clock, DeLuxe steering wheel, stainless steel wheel trim rings and hydraulic window, seat and top controls on convertibles. Upholstery choices were Bedford cord, broadcloth, leather and leather/cloth combinations. Standard tire size was 7.60 x 15 inches.
The 98 was available in the following models: 2 door Club Sedan, 4 door Sedan, Convertible Coupe, and Holiday Hardtop Coupe.
1949 Oldsmobile Facts – Engines
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Series 76 257 CID I-6– All Transmissions: I-6. L-Head, valve in block. Cast iron block. Four main bearings.
Displacement: 257 cubic inches.
Bore and stroke: 3.21875″ x 4.75″.
Compression ratio: 7.25:1.
Horsepower: 105 @ 3400 RPM.
Torque: 202 @ 1400 RPM.
Valve lifters: Mechanical.
Camshaft timing: Intake 230°, Exhaust 230°, Overlap 10°, Lift 0.310″ (intake), 0.308″ (exhaust).
Carburetor: Carter 1-barrel, model WA1 #556985.
303 CID Series 88 & 98 V-8 – All Transmissions: V-8. Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Five main bearings.
Displacement: 303 cubic inches.
Bore and stroke: 3.75″ x 3.4375″.
Compression ratio: 7.25:1.
Horsepower: 135 @ 3600 RPM.
Torque: 263 @ 1800 RPM.
Valve lifters: Hydraulic.
Camshaft timing: Intake 244°, Exhaust 244°, Overlap 28°, Lift 0.366″ (intake), 0.366″ (exhaust).
Carburetor: Carter WGD two-barrel, model 714 #557229 .
1949 Oldsmobile Facts – Chassis Features
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- Wheelbase: 76 and 88: 119.5 inches; 98: 125 inches.
- Overall length: 76 and 88: 202.0 inches; 98: 213.0 inches.
- Overall height: 76 & 88: 63.5967 inches; 98: 63.8437 inches
- Overall width: 76 and 88: 73.1875 inches; 98: 78.750 inches.
- Front track: 76 & 88: 57 inches; 98 58 inches.
- Rear track: 76 & 88: 59 inches; 98: 61.5 inches.
- Standard tires: 76: 7.10 x 15; 88 & 98: 7.60 x 15.
- Optional tires: None.
1949 Oldsmobile Facts – Powertrain Information
- Three Speed Manual Transmission Ratios
- All: 1st – 2.667:1, 2nd – 1.661:1, 3rd – 1.000:1, Reverse – 3.022:1.
- Automatic Transmission Ratios
- All: 1st – 3.8195:1, 2nd – 2. 6341:1, 3rd – 1.4500:1 4th – 1.000:1, Reverse – 4.3045:1.
- Rear Gear Standard Ratios
- 76 SMT: 4.10:1; Optional: 4.30:1.
- 76 AMT: 3.63:1; Optional: 3.90:1.
- 88 SMT: 3.23:1.
- 88 AMT: 3.23:1.
- 98 AMT: 3.63:1.
1949 Oldsmobile Facts – Powertrain Options
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- 3-speed, column shift, manual transmission – standard equipment on 76 models, special order on 88 and 98.
- 4-speed Hydramatic transmission, standard 88 and 98, optional on the 76 ($185.00).
- Heavy-duty air cleaner ($4.40).
- Oil filter ($9.00).
1949 Oldsmobile Facts – Significant Options
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- Auxiliary driving and fog lights ($19).
- Backup lights ($15).
- Cadet visor ($30).
- Condition-air heater/defroster ($67).
- Exhaust extension ($2).
- Glove box light ($2).
- Hood ornament ($5).
- License plate frame ($2).
- Outside rearview mirror ($3).
- Spotlight ($26).
- Stainless steel wheel rings ($10).
- Standard radio ($88).
- Super deluxe radio ($96).
- Traffic light viewer ($5).
- Trunk light ($2).
- Turn signals ($21).
- Underhood light ($2).
- Vanity visor mirror ($2).
- Windshield washer ($9)
1949 Oldsmobile Downloads and Images
1949 Oldsmobile Facts – Related Document Downloads
Files directly related to the Line will appear below. Click to Download:
1949 Oldsmobile Full Line Brochure
1949 Oldsmobile V-8 Engineering – SAE Paper
1949 Oldsmobile 76 Series AMA Specifications Sheets
1949 Oldsmobile 88 Series AMA Specifications Sheets
1949 Oldsmobile Facts – Related Images
Related Images to the Oldsmobile Line will appear below
1949 Oldsmobile 98 Convertible
The 1949 Oldsmobile 98 Convertible was the most expensive offering other than the Holiday Hardtop. even so, 12,002 were delivered.
1949 Oldsmobile 98 Holiday Hardtop
The 1949 Oldsmobile 98 Holiday Hardtop was introduced mid-year. It was a landmark design. 3,006 were produced.
1949 Oldsmobile 98 4-door Sedan
The 1949 Oldsmobile 98 4-door Sedan was Oldsmobile’s best seller, even though it was the most expensive 4-door. 57,821 were built.
1949 Oldsmobile 98 2-door Club Sedan
The 1949 Oldsmobile 98 2-door Club Sedan had neat fastback styling, and it sold surprisingly well at 20,049 units.
1949 Oldsmobile 98 Series Identification
The 1949 Oldsmobile 98 Series was identified by its longer wheelbase and “Futuramic” in the front fender’s sill molding. No “98” emblem appeared.
1949 Oldsmobile 76-88 Convertible
The 1949 Oldsmobile 76 and 88 Convertibles were only distinguished by the 88’s V-8 power. It seems that the pizzazz of the looks was as significant as having a “Rocket” under the hood. 5,338 76 and 5,434 88 convertible models were produced.
1949 Oldsmobile 76-88 4-door Sedan
The 1949 Oldsmobile 76-88 4-door Sedan was to be the “bread and butter” sales leader for Oldsmobile. Combined, the dominated sales with 37,505 76 and 46,386 88 versions sold!
1949 Oldsmobile 76-88 4-door Town Sedan
The 1949 Oldsmobile 76-88 4-door Town Sedan was available in Series 76 and 88 models. 6,466 76 and 5,833 88 versions were delivered.
1949 Oldsmobile 76-88 2-door Club Sedan
The 1949 Oldsmobile 76-88 2-door Club Sedan was a slick looking piece, and it was the 88 version that became the scourge of NASCAR and USAC circle tracks with powered by the “Rocket” V-8!
1949 Oldsmobile 76-88 Club Coupe
The 1949 Oldsmobile 76-88 Club Coupe was intended to be the price leader for the 76-88 Series. Again, they were healthy sellers with 32,019 76 and 28,707 delivered.
1949 Oldsmobile 76-88 Station Wagon
The 1949 Oldsmobile 76-88 Station Wagon was only available in the 76 and 88 line. Not a hefty seller, only 1,545 76 and 1,355 88 wagons left the factory.
1949 Oldsmobile 76-88 Series Identification
Body style-wise there was no sheet metal alterations to distinguish a 76 Series Oldsmobile from an 88. However, the 88 received its famous “88” and “Futuramic” logos on the front fender to distinguish it from the lesser line.