Oldsmobile Series 60
Encyclopedia
The Series 60 was a model range of automobile
s from General Motors Oldsmobile
Division during the 1940s. In Oldsmobile's naming convention, the Series 60 occupied the entry level position for Oldsmobiles sold in the United States beginning in 1939 and throughout the 1940s.
Series 60 were built on the shorter (119 in) of two wheelbases used by Oldsmobile at this time, and trimmed in an entry level fashion. In parts and components, the Series 60 models were related to Chevrolet
and the junior Pontiac
s. In 1939, when the car was introduced, the wheelbase was only 115 inches. The back of the front seats were rounded and padded for protection of the rear seat occupants. A 216CID 90hp I6
was used.
In 1941, two models were produced, the 66 which used a 238 in³ (3.9 L) straight-6
engine and the 68 which used a new 257CID 110hp straight-8
. All series 60s came with a three-speed column shift manual, or the optional four-speed Hydramatic
automatic. Both options could be paired with either engine choice. It used full instrumentation.
The line up consisted of a two-door club coupe, two-door "Fleetline", four-door "bustle back", four-door 9-seat wood bodied station wagon (a.k.a. "Woody") and a convertible. Except the convertible and station wagon
, all were available in either "Standard" or "De Luxe" trim versions.
In 1946, dual windshield wipers were standard. In 1947, horsepower grew to 100 for the six and 110 for the eight. It also had a 37ft. turning circle.
The Series 60 model designation was retired after 1948, the L-head six cylinder was then uprated to 257 in³ (4.2 L) and used in the Oldsmobile 76
models which were discontinued in 1950. A limited amount were put through production in 1950 but only 5 exist today
The 1938 and 1939 Oldsmobiles were available with the "Safety Automatic Transmission" and not with the Hydra-Matic. The safety automatic transmission was semi-automatic, in that is still used a clutch to get the car going and then shifted automatically. The Hydra-Matric Transmission a fully, clutchless automatic transmission debuted in 1940.
, where it was marketed as the Oldsmobile Ace. Local bodies were fitted and these cars are completely different from the scuttle back and were the last GM cars to feature "suicide doors" (hinged at the back).
in complete knock down (CKD) form for local assembly.
Automobile
An automobile, autocar, motor car or car is a wheeled motor vehicle used for transporting passengers, which also carries its own engine or motor...
s from General Motors Oldsmobile
Oldsmobile
Oldsmobile was a brand of American automobile produced for most of its existence by General Motors. It was founded by Ransom E. Olds in 1897. In its 107-year history, it produced 35.2 million cars, including at least 14 million built at its Lansing, Michigan factory...
Division during the 1940s. In Oldsmobile's naming convention, the Series 60 occupied the entry level position for Oldsmobiles sold in the United States beginning in 1939 and throughout the 1940s.
Series 60 were built on the shorter (119 in) of two wheelbases used by Oldsmobile at this time, and trimmed in an entry level fashion. In parts and components, the Series 60 models were related to Chevrolet
Chevrolet
Chevrolet , also known as Chevy , is a brand of vehicle produced by General Motors Company . Founded by Louis Chevrolet and ousted GM founder William C. Durant on November 3, 1911, General Motors acquired Chevrolet in 1918...
and the junior Pontiac
Pontiac
Pontiac was an automobile brand that was established in 1926 as a companion make for General Motors' Oakland. Quickly overtaking its parent in popularity, it supplanted the Oakland brand entirely by 1933 and, for most of its life, became a companion make for Chevrolet. Pontiac was sold in the...
s. In 1939, when the car was introduced, the wheelbase was only 115 inches. The back of the front seats were rounded and padded for protection of the rear seat occupants. A 216CID 90hp I6
I6
I6 or I-6 may refer to:* Polikarpov I-6, a Soviet fighter prototype of the 1930s* Straight-six engine, six cylinder internal combustion engine...
was used.
In 1941, two models were produced, the 66 which used a 238 in³ (3.9 L) straight-6
Straight-6
The straight-six engine or inline-six engine is a six-cylinder internal combustion engine with all six cylinders mounted in a straight line along the crankcase...
engine and the 68 which used a new 257CID 110hp straight-8
Straight-8
The straight-eight engine or inline-eight engine is an eight-cylinder internal combustion engine with all eight cylinders mounted in a straight line along the crankcase...
. All series 60s came with a three-speed column shift manual, or the optional four-speed Hydramatic
Hydramatic
Hydramatic was an automatic transmission developed by both General Motors' Cadillac and Oldsmobile divisions. Introduced in 1939 for the 1940 model year vehicles, the Hydramatic was the first fully automatic mass-produced transmission developed for passenger automobile use.-History:During the...
automatic. Both options could be paired with either engine choice. It used full instrumentation.
The line up consisted of a two-door club coupe, two-door "Fleetline", four-door "bustle back", four-door 9-seat wood bodied station wagon (a.k.a. "Woody") and a convertible. Except the convertible and station wagon
Station wagon
A station wagon is a body style variant of a sedan/saloon with its roof extended rearward over a shared passenger/cargo volume with access at the back via a third or fifth door , instead of a trunk lid...
, all were available in either "Standard" or "De Luxe" trim versions.
In 1946, dual windshield wipers were standard. In 1947, horsepower grew to 100 for the six and 110 for the eight. It also had a 37ft. turning circle.
The Series 60 model designation was retired after 1948, the L-head six cylinder was then uprated to 257 in³ (4.2 L) and used in the Oldsmobile 76
Oldsmobile Series 70
The Oldsmobile Series 70 Dynamic Cruiser was an automobile from General Motors introduced in 1939 as the mid-range model. Two models were produced, the 76 which used a straight-6 engine and the 78 which used a straight-8. The wheelbase was in 1949...
models which were discontinued in 1950. A limited amount were put through production in 1950 but only 5 exist today
The 1938 and 1939 Oldsmobiles were available with the "Safety Automatic Transmission" and not with the Hydra-Matic. The safety automatic transmission was semi-automatic, in that is still used a clutch to get the car going and then shifted automatically. The Hydra-Matric Transmission a fully, clutchless automatic transmission debuted in 1940.
Australian production
The Series 60 was also produced from 1946 to 1948 by General Motors-Holden's in AustraliaAustralia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, where it was marketed as the Oldsmobile Ace. Local bodies were fitted and these cars are completely different from the scuttle back and were the last GM cars to feature "suicide doors" (hinged at the back).
South African production
Cars were exported to South AfricaSouth Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
in complete knock down (CKD) form for local assembly.