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1938 Oldsmobile Series L Convertible

    Ransom E. Olds began producing automobiles in 1897. Oldsmobile was the first company to use the assembly line, but Ford Motor Company later added the conveyor belt. General Motors acquired Oldsmobile in 1908 and Mr. Olds later pursued another of his inventions, the power lawn mower. The Ideal Power Lawn Mower began production in 1914 and was eventually sold to the Indian Motorcycle Company in 1945.

    1938 was a year of firsts and lasts for Oldsmobile. This was the last year General Motors would offer a rumble seat in any of their cars. It was also the first year that GM shared a common body among divisions (Cadillac, LaSalle, Buick and Oldsmobile). This was the first year for Oldsmobile to offer the safety transmission, which was an automatic transmission with a clutch. This car is one of 330 'L' series convertible coupes built in 1938; 16 are still knwon to exist. Approximately 21 were built with safety transmissions and this may be the only convertible coupe in existence with the safety transmission.

    The top-of-the-line Oldsmobile for 1938 was the L-38 Convertible Coupe. Powered by an inline eight-cylinder engine, the exhibited L-38 is also equipped with the 'Automatic Safety Transmission' option. This unit provided semi-automatic shifting...the driver had to engage the clutch to get the vehicle moving, but could then shift up and down through the gears without declutching. In 1940, Oldsmobile introduced the General Motors Hydra-Matic fully automatic transmission.

    The L-38 Convertible shared its basic Fisher body shell with the 1938 Buick, LaSalle and Cadillac 60 Series convertible coupes. Like them, the Oldsmobile came with a rumble seat - these were the last GM cars to offer such a configuration. The Olds exterior was distinguished by its advanced frontal design, with headlamps moved out onto the fenders. Inside, the instrument cluster was an unusual unit that suggested designs to come. Cars equipped with the Automatic Safety Transmission had a column shift in lieu of the conventional floor shift provided with the regular manual transmission.

    The L-38 Oldsmobile Convertible was - and is - a rare car. Only 407 were built, including 77 for export. It is estimated that about 20 were equipped with the semi-automatic. This freshly restored example had been street-rodded before undergoing an exacting professional restoration to factory specs. It is finished in its original combination of Starlight Blue Metallic with grey top and red leather.

    No auction information available for this vehicle at this time.

    1938 Oldsmobile Series L Auction Sales

    Recent Sales of the Oldsmobile Series L

    (Data based on Model Year 1938 sales)
    1938 Oldsmobile L-38 Convertible Coupe 'Safety Transmission'
    Chassis#: L215175
    Sold for USD$55,000
      2023 RM Sothebys : Hershey
    1938 Oldsmobile Series L image  1938 Oldsmobile Series L image  
    1938 Oldsmobile Eight Two-Door Travel Sedan
    Chassis#: CL-187561
    Sold for USD$13,475
      2021 RM Auctions : Auburn Fall
     
    1938 Oldsmobile Eight
    Sold for USD$31,350
      2020 RM Sothebys : Auburn Fall Auction
     
    1938 Oldsmobile L-38 Convertible Coupe 'Safety Transmission'
    Chassis#: L215175
    Sold for USD$55,000
      2020 RM Sothebys : Open Roads, North America
    1938 Oldsmobile Series L image  1938 Oldsmobile Series L image  
    1938 Oldsmobile L-38 Convertible Coupe 'Safety Transmission'
    Sold for USD$72,600
      2018 RM Sothebys : Hershey
    1938 Oldsmobile Series L image  1938 Oldsmobile Series L image  
    1938 Oldsmobile Eight Convertible Coupe
    Sold for USD$49,500
      2015 Auctions America - Auburn Fall
     
    1938 OLDSMOBILE L38 CONVERTIBLE COUPE
    Sold for USD$137,500
      2007 Worldwide Auctions - Houston Classic 2007
     

    Oldsmobile Series Ls That Failed To Sell At Auction

    1938 Oldsmobile Series L's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
    VehicleChassisEventHigh BidEst. LowEst. High
    1938 Oldsmobile L38 Business Coupe 2022 Mecum : Glendale$50,000  
    1938 Oldsmobile Two-Door Travel SedanCL1875612021 RM Sothebys : Open Roads February   
    1938 Oldsmobile Two-Door Travel SedanCL1875612020 RM Sothebys : Auburn Fall Auction $18,000$25,000

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    1938 Oldsmobile Series L

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