 1937 L-37 Eight |
 |  |  |  |  |
 |  |  |  |  |
 |  |  |  |  |
1938 Oldsmobile Series L news, pictures, and information | ||
| Tweet | ||
 |  |  | Convertible |
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.
As the 1930s continued, the effects of the Great Depression dwindled and the economy continued to pick up steam. Oldsmobile restyled many of their vehicles for the 1937 model year and did mild refreshing for 1938. A new 'Automatic Safety Transmission' was introduced in 1937 which was a clutchless manual gearbox. The following year, it was optional on both the six- and eight-cylinder Oldsmobiles.
Oldsmobile offered two engine sizes for 1938, a six- and eight-cylinder unit. The six-cylinder had an L-head design with cast iron block and a displacement size of 230 cubic-inches. Power was rather impressive at just under 100 bhp. The eight cylinder displaced 275 cubic-inches and produced 110 horsepower. Both had a three-speed sliding gear transmission with synchromesh as standard, with the 'Safety Automatic' unit costing an additional $100.
There were two series, the Series F and the Series L. The Series F vehicles rode on a wheelbase that measured 117-inches. The Series L were fitted to 124-inch frames. Both the Series F and Series L could be purchased in a convertible, touring sedan, club coupe, two-door sedan, business coupe, two-door touring sedan, and four-door sedan. The most popular bodystyle was the Touring Sedan for both the F and L models. The Series F Touring Sedan saw production reach 36,484 while the similarly designed Series L saw about half that figure, at 17,987.
Among the more rare and sought after in modern times is the L-38 convertible. There were 475 examples produced, each having a base price of $1,160. A mere 68 were ordered with the factory sidemount enclosed tire - an important feature as this would be the final year Oldsmobile would offer a convertible with rumble seat and the sidemounted spare.
By Daniel Vaughan | Aug 2008
Oldsmobile offered two engine sizes for 1938, a six- and eight-cylinder unit. The six-cylinder had an L-head design with cast iron block and a displacement size of 230 cubic-inches. Power was rather impressive at just under 100 bhp. The eight cylinder displaced 275 cubic-inches and produced 110 horsepower. Both had a three-speed sliding gear transmission with synchromesh as standard, with the 'Safety Automatic' unit costing an additional $100.
There were two series, the Series F and the Series L. The Series F vehicles rode on a wheelbase that measured 117-inches. The Series L were fitted to 124-inch frames. Both the Series F and Series L could be purchased in a convertible, touring sedan, club coupe, two-door sedan, business coupe, two-door touring sedan, and four-door sedan. The most popular bodystyle was the Touring Sedan for both the F and L models. The Series F Touring Sedan saw production reach 36,484 while the similarly designed Series L saw about half that figure, at 17,987.
Among the more rare and sought after in modern times is the L-38 convertible. There were 475 examples produced, each having a base price of $1,160. A mere 68 were ordered with the factory sidemount enclosed tire - an important feature as this would be the final year Oldsmobile would offer a convertible with rumble seat and the sidemounted spare.
By Daniel Vaughan | Aug 2008
 |  |  | Convertible |
There were only 475 of these Series L convertible coupes built starting at $1,160. A Minnesota Oldsmobile dealer owned this car for $50 years. It has only 35,000 miles and is unrestored except for one repaint.
| BMW at the NAIAS Detroit 2013 | |
 | Captivating looks laced with premium quality and groundbreaking innovations are the standout features of the models charged with continuing the success of the BMW brand into the future. The NAIAS 2013 in Detroit will see BMW presenting visitors with new models now entering series production and pioneering vehicle concepts combining technological progress, innovative forms and exemplary sustainability in a single package. BMW Concept 4 Series Coupe: more elegant, more dynamic, more individ...[Read more...] |
| VOLKSWAGEN CLAIMS BEST HIGHWAY FUEL EFFICIENCY, WITH SEVEN MODELS THAT ACHIEVE MORE THAN 40 MPG | |
 | • New Jetta Hybrid earns EPA fuel economy rating of up to 48 mpg; the first compact hybrid available with a turbocharged engine Herndon, VA - With EPA estimated fuel economy ratings of 48 mpg on the highway, 42 mpg in the city, and a combined rating of 45 mpg, the Jetta Hybrid becomes the most fuel-efficient vehicle in the Volkswagen lineup and the seventh model capable of more than 40 mpg on the highway. With sales of the Jetta Hybrid beginning later this month, Volkswagen wil...[Read more...] |
| Mercedes-Benz Classic at the 2012 Grossglockner Grand Prix | |
 | • Revival of the mountain race from the 1930s • Mercedes-Benz SSK and W 125 at the start • 92 bends, 14 hairpins, 15 kilometres and a 1300-metre altitude difference The Grossglockner mountain race was one of the most prestigious motor sports events of the 1930s. This year it will be revived with the 2012 Grossglockner Grand Prix to be held from 20 to 22 September 2012 and Mercedes-Benz will be there with some famous cars. In 1938, the brand took part for the first time. As a classic c...[Read more...] |
| The Champion in Touring Car Racing : The BMW M3 | |
 | In August 1985, a rumour surfaced in motor magazine Auto-Deutschland which emanated from a new sports car. An A Group Car from BMW that was a thoroughbred racing car according to the rules but was also to be produced in a version licensed to drive on open roads for everyday use. Speculation about this dream car that could take to normal roads and was intended for the 'Most dynamic among BMW 3 Series drivers' was right on target. But the pundits missed the mark about the motor-sport car by a mile...[Read more...] |
| Auctions America By RM's 2012 Auburn Spring Auction | |
 | 'Variety' is the buzzword for this year's Auctions America by RM June 1-3 Auburn Spring auction, which will offer a huge range of collector vehicles and an enormous private collection of automotive memorabilia. More than 600 American muscle cars, Classics, foreign sports cars and hot rods will cross the block at the historic Auburn Auction Park, the company's national headquarters in Auburn, Indiana. 'Last year was our first spring event at the park,' said Auctions America by RM's President ...[Read more...] |
 1938
Oldsmobile
models |
| Oldsmobile Series F |
| Similarly Sized Vehicles from 1938 |
| Lagonda LG6 |
| Similarly Priced Vehicles from 1938 |
| Studebaker President ($1,100-$1,204) |
| Buick Series 40 Special ($945-$1,406) |
| Oldsmobile Series F ($875-$1,045) |
| Studebaker State Commander ($965-$1,365) |
| Chrysler C-19 ($1,125-$1,125) |
| Hupmobile Skylark ($1,045-$1,340) |
Average Auction Sale: $137,500 |
| Oldsmobile: 1931-1940 |
| Similar Automakers |
| Oldsmobile History |
| Other models by Oldsmobile |
| Related Articles and Event Coverage |
| Meadow Brook Concours d'Elegance |
| 32nd Annual Ault Park Concours d'Elegance |
| Meadow Brook Concours d'Elegance |
| 4-4-2 88 98 Achieva | Alero Aurora Bravada Curved Dash Model R | Cutlass F-85 Limited Model 30 | Model T N Series 60 Series F | Series G Series L Series X Starfire | Toronado |
| 1937 L-37 Eight |
