1959 Oldsmobile Resources

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• Series 98
• Super 88
• Dynamic 88

1959 Oldsmobile Facts – Body Paint Color Codes

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1959 Oldsmobile 

1959 Oldsmobile Facts and Specifications

General Year Information – 1959 Oldsmobile

For 1959, the Oldsmobile line-up was completely redesigned. Like other GM brands, Oldsmobile no moved to the new GM X-frame. While many 1959 model cars featured bigger and sharper fins, Olds flattened theirs horizontally and reduced chrome from 1958 for a much cleaner look. The “Trans-Portable” Radio continued, however, it was smaller and lighter and was stored inside the glove compartment for security reasons, though in-car operation still used the knobs and dials in the dash. The dashboard was all new, with now a clean horizontal theme, dropping the “jukebox” look. An unusual feature was the “Safety-Spectrum Speedometer”, in which the bar that is used the measure the speed was green from 0–35 MPH, amber at 35–65 MPH, and red at speeds above 65 MPH.

98
The Ninety-Eight shared its appearance with the Oldsmobile 88s. Oldsmobile 98 models were offered in four body styles on an exclusive 126.3 inch wheelbase – a four-door sedan, a two-door hardtop, a four-door hardtop and a convertible. For this year and for 1960 only, the hardtop body styles were dubbed “Holiday Sceni-Coupe” (2-door) and “Holiday Sport Sedan” (4-door) respectively, while the convertible continued with the traditional “Convertible Coupe”. 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”, sometimes called “vista”, with a large wrap-around rear window. Standard tire size was 9 × 14. The 394 CID V-8 was introduced for 98 and Super 88 lines. It was the largest iteration of the original “Rocket” and would be used from 1959 through 1964.

Super 88 and Dynamic 88
The Super 88 shared its appearance with the top-model Oldsmobile 98. Styling highlights for the new models, promoted as the “Linear Look,” included six-window styling on four-door pillared sedans, glassy semi-fastback rooflines on Holiday coupés and flat-blade rooflines with thin windshield and C-pillars on Holiday sedans. As in the 98 Series, two-door hardtops were called “Holiday Sceni-Coupes,” whereas four-door hardtops were called “Holiday Sport Sedans.” Wheelbases on 88 models increased by one inch to 123 inches.

For the first time Olds offered a smaller displacement V-8 engine on the Dynamic 88 models. For the Super 88, a larger, 394 CID Rocket V8 with four-barrel carburetion rated at 315 HP was standard. The lower-priced Dynamic 88 retained the 1957-1958 371 CID V-8 with two-barrel carburetion and 270 HP, with a 300 HP four-barrel version of this engine optional.

1959 Oldsmobile Facts – Powertrain Options

• • Three-standard manual transmission was standard on the Dynamic 88 and Super 88, not available on 98.
  • Jetaway Hydra-Matic Transmission: Optional all 88 Series ($225) – standard equipment on 98 Series.,
  • 270 HP 371 CID V-8 – Standard Dynamic 88, not available on other Series.
  • 300 HP 371 CID V-8 – Optional 0n Dynamic 88, not available on other Series.
  • 315 HP 394 CID V-8 – Standard on the Super 88 and 98, Not available on Dynamic 88.
  • Anti-spin differential ($45).
  • Dual exhausts ($24).
  • Heavy-duty air cleaner/breather system ($5).

1959 Oldsmobile Facts – Significant Options

Prices where known

• • Air conditioning ($430).
  • Autronic Eye
  • Backup lamps, Dynamic 88 ($10).
  • DeLuxe tri-tone horns ($15).
  • Electric antenna ($25).
  • Electric clock ($21).
  • Heater/defroster ($101).
  • Luggage carrier, Fiesta wagons ($98).
  • Outside rear view mirror ($4).
  • Padded dash ($15).
  • Parking brake signal lamp ($4).
  • Power brakes ($43).
  • Power seat, six-way ($102).
  • Power steering ($107).
  • Power windows ($107).
  • Radio ($92).
  • Radio, DeLuxe ($129).
  • Wheel Discs, deluxe.
  • Windshield washer ($13).