1951 Oldsmobile Facts, Figures, and Specifications
Five Fast Facts You May Not Know
1951 Oldsmobile 98 Convertible
1951 Oldsmobile Super 88 2-Door Coupe
1. V-8 Engine Has Slight Compression Boost.
2. No More Six-Cylinder
3. Super 88 Gets New Frame
4. Hydra-Matic Improved But Still Optional
5. No Station Wagon Until 1957
1951 – The Super 88 Appears
In 1951, the 88 line moved to the new GM B-body, and became the entry-level Olds with the discontinuation of the straight six-cylinder 76 line, leaving all Oldsmobiles V-8 powered. The more upscale Super 88 made its debut, with a slightly longer 120 inch wheelbase. 98s lost the Club Coupe model. V-8 HP remained at 135.
1951 Oldsmobile Resources
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1951 Oldsmobile Facts – Body Paint Color Codes
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1951 Oldsmobile
| 50 Black | |
| 51 Cascade Green | |
| 52 Empire Maroon | |
| 53 Sand Beige | |
| 54 Otsego Blue | |
| 55 Serge Blue | |
| 57 Dove Gray | |
| 58 Flint Gray | |
| 59 Palm Green | |
| 52C Chariot Red | |
| 53C Canto Cream | |
| 55C Algiers Blue | |
| 59C Shoal Green |
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1951 Oldsmobile Facts and Specifications
General Year Information – 1951 Oldsmobile
Series 88 and Super 88
In 1951, the 88 moved to the new GM B-body and became the entry-level Olds with the discontinuation of the straight six-cylinder 76 line, leaving all Oldsmobiles V-8 powered. The 88 now used an I-beam frame, and an in-house manual transmission replaced the modified Cadillac gearbox. The more upscale Super 88 made its debut, which included restyled rear body panels, a more luxurious interior, and a slightly longer 120 inch wheelbase than the 119.5 inch all previous 88s had ridden on. With its five body styles, the Super 88 offered the Olds buyer more selection than the other Olds series. The station wagon was discontinued and would not reappear until the 1957 model year. Hydraulic power windows and seats were a new option.
Series 98
The 98 topped the Oldsmobile line again for 1951 with Three body styles available. The 4-door sedan and convertible came only with Deluxe equipment, while the Holiday hardtop was available with either Deluxe or Standard trim. The pillared Club coupe was no longer offered. With the only choice in a closed 2-door 98 now being the hardtop, whose sales nearly doubled to 17,929 units.
1951 Oldsmobile Factoids
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The Super 88 line was introduced. It showcased GM’s new “B” body, including a new chassis 5 distinct models, and an increase in wheelbase to 120 inches. There was no upscale Rocket V-8 for this line this year but the styling more closely emulated the 98.
The 76 Series with its 1930’s L-Head I-6 is retired leaving only V-8 powered Oldsmobiles going forward until the mid-size car appears in 1961. Oldsmobile is the “performance Division in GM, until the arrival of the Chevrolet and Pontiac V-8s in 1955.
The 303 CID Oldsmobile V-8 was unchanged except for an increase in compression from 7.25 to 7.5:1. Horsepower was not advertised as increasing from it 135 level – nor was the torque at 263 ft. lbs.
1951 Oldsmobile Facts – Models Offered
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88 Series – This series was also known as the 88-A due it using the 1950 body style and 119.5 inch wheelbase. Near the end of the model year, 88-A production was dropped. Standard features included: bumper guards, cigarette lighter, dome light, rubber floor mats, stainless steel moldings and lined luggage compartment. DeLuxe cars had extras including foam seat cushions, rear ash receiver and stainless steel gravel shields. Upholstery choices were nylon or nylon cord. Standard tire size was 7.60 x 15 inches. Just two body styles were available.
The 88 was available in the following models: 2 door Sedan and 4 door Sedan.
Super 88 Series – The mid-level series was styled completely different than the 88 series looking more closely like the 98. With its five body styles the Super 88 offered the Olds buyer more selection than the other Olds series. A DeLuxe package of equipment was offered on this series. It included items from both the standard and DeLuxe Eighty-Eight packages, plus low pressure tires, special interior chrome door trim, exposed chromed roof bows and dual rear quarter courtesy lights. Upholstery choices were colored leathers, nylon cloth or nylon cord. Standard tire size was 7.60 x 15 inches.
The Super 88 was available in the following models: 2 door Holiday Hardtop Coupe, 2 door Club Coupe, 2 door Sedan, 4 door Sedan, and Convertible Coupe.
98 Series – Topping the Oldsmobile lineup was the 98 Series. Three body styles were available, the four door sedan and convertible came only with DeLuxe equipment, while the Holiday coupe could be had in either DeLuxe or Standard trim. Ninety-Eight standard equipment included all items from the Super 88 series plus illuminated ash tray, foam rubber seat cushions and extra chrome moldings. DeLuxe equipment was special rear door ornament, rear center seat armrests, DeLuxe electric clock, DeLuxe steering wheel and horn ring and special chrome trim. Upholstery choices were nylon cord, nylon cloth and leather.
The 98 was available in the following models: 4 door Sedan, Convertible Coupe, and 2-door Holiday Hardtop Coupe.
1951 Oldsmobile Facts – Engines
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303 CID 2-Barrel V-8 – All Transmissions: Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Five main bearings.
Displacement: 303 cubic inches.
Bore and stroke: 3.75″ x 3.4375″.
Compression ratio: 7.5:1.
Horsepower: 135 @ 3600 RPM.
Torque: 263 @ 1800 RPM.
Valve lifters: Hydraulic.
Camshaft timing: Intake 244°, Exhaust 244°, Overlap 28°, Lift 0.333″ (intake), 0.333″ (exhaust).
Carburetor: Carter WGD two-barrel, Model 851.
NOTE 1: Except where cited, Torque is in lb. ft.
1951 Oldsmobile Facts – Chassis Features
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- Wheelbase: 88: 119.5 inches; Super 88: 120.0 inches 98: 122 inches.
- Overall length: 88: 202.0 inches; Super 88: 204.0 inches; 98: 208.0 inches.
- Overall width: 88: 75.1875 inches; Super 88: 76.0 inches; 98: 80.0 inches.
- Overall height: 88: 64.0625 inches; Super 88 63.63 inches; 98: 62.4375 inches.
- Front track: 88 & Super 88: 57.0 inches; 98: 59.0 inches.
- Rear track: 88 & Super 88: 59 inches; 98: 61.5 inches.
- Standard tires: All: 7.60 x 15.
- Optional tires: None.
1951 Oldsmobile Facts – Powertrain Information
- Three Speed Manual Transmission Ratios
- All: 1st – 2.3933:1, 2nd – 1.5259:1, 3rd – 1.000:1, Reverse – 2.534:1 (Buick Sourced).
- 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
- 88 SMT: 3.64:1 Optional 3.90:1.
- 88 AMT: 3.42:1.
- Super 88 SMT: 3.64:1 Optional 3.90:1.
- Super 88 AMT: 3.42:1.
- 98 SMT: 3.91:1.
- 98 AMT: 3.64:1 Optional: 3.90:1.
1951 Oldsmobile Facts – Powertrain Options
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- 3-speed, column shift, manual transmission – standard equipment on 88, super 88, and 98.
- 4-speed Hydramatic transmission, optional on the 88, super 88, and 98. ($150.00).
- Oil filter, V-8 Only ($6.00).
1951 Oldsmobile Facts – Significant Options
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- Auxiliary driving and fog lights ($16).
- Backup lights ($18).
- Battery vitalizer ($5).
- Cadet outside sun visor ($32).
- Cadet visor ($27).
- Center bumper guard ($5).
- Chrome vent shades ($14).
- DeLuxe steering wheel and horn ring ($20).
- DeLuxe wheel covers ($17).
- Electric clock ($15).
- Exhaust extension ($2).
- Fog and driving lights ($19).
- Glove box light ($2).
- Heater and defroster, Deluxe ($60).
- Heater/defroster ($42).
- Hood ornament ($5).
- License plate frames ($2).
- Outside rear view mirror ($4).
- Radio antenna ($7).
- Radio, DeLuxe ($88).
- Radio, Super DeLuxe signal seeking ($113).
- Rear radio speaker ($18).
- Spotlight with rear view mirror ($25).
- Stainless steel wheel trim rings ($10).
- Traffic light viewer ($5).
- Trunk light ($2).
- Turn signals ($21).
- Under hood light ($2).
- Visor vanity mirror ($2).
- Windshield washer ($10).
1951 Oldsmobile Downloads and Images
1951 Oldsmobile Facts – Related Document Downloads
Files directly related to the Oldsmobile Line will appear below. Click to Download:
1951 Oldsmobile Full Line Foldout Brochure
1951 Oldsmobile 88 Series AMA Specifications Sheets
1951 Oldsmobile Super 88 Series AMA Specifications Sheets
1951 Oldsmobile Facts – Related Images
Related Images to the Oldsmobile Line will appear below
1951 Oldsmobile 98 Convertible
The 1951 Oldsmobile 98 Convertible was the top line drop top in the line in 1951. 4,468 were sold.
1951 Oldsmobile 98 2-door Holiday Hardtop
The 1951 Oldsmobile 98 2-door Holiday Hardtop was the sporty model in the 98 line. 8,385 found buyers.
1951 Oldsmobile 98 Holiday 4-door Sedan
The 1951 Oldsmobile 98 Holiday 4-door Sedan was the post popular 98 in the line. It was the second best-selling Olds that year with 78,122 delivered.
1951 Oldsmobile Super 88 Convertible
The 1951 Oldsmobile Super 88 Convertible was the top of the line drop top and the only short wheelbase convertible offered. 3,844 were produced.
1951 Oldsmobile Super 88 2-door Holiday Hardtop
1951 Oldsmobile Super 88 2-door Holiday Hardtop was the only hardtop in the 88 line. It was very popular with 13,279 finding happy buyers.
1951 Oldsmobile Super 88 4-door Sedan
The 1951 Oldsmobile Super 88 4-door Sedan was the most popular Oldsmobile this year. with 90,131 sold.
1951 Oldsmobile Super 88 2-door Sedan
The 1951 Oldsmobile Super 88 2-door Sedan was a bit more roomy choice for 2-door buyers. As such it was a popular choice with 34,963 produced.
1951 Oldsmobile Super 88 2-door Club Coupe
The 1951 Oldsmobile Super 88 2-door Club Coupe would have been the choice of the performance Super 88 buyer. Only 7,328 were delivered.
1951 Oldsmobile 88 4-door Sedan
The 1951 Oldsmobile 88 4-door Sedan was the entry level Olds this year, replacing the 76 line 4-door but having V-8 power. 22,848 were built.
1951 Oldsmobile 88 2-door Sedan
The 1951 Oldsmobile 88 2-door Sedan was the entry level 2-door Olds this year. 11,792 found buyers.