1947 Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser Ninety-Eight Series

The 98 (and Ninety-Eight) would be part of the Oldsmobile lineup from the late 1940s through the 1990s. It often represented the company's full-size flagship models with the '8' in 98 representing eight-cylinder power. The 1947 Custom Cruiser Ninety-Eight Series was the top-of-the-line Oldsmobile, powered by a 257 CID V8 engine, and available as a club sedan, sedan, and convertible. Other 1947 Oldsmobile models included the entry-level Special (Sixty Series) and the Dynamic (Seventy Series). The six-cylinder engine was only available on the 66 and 76 series, and the eight-cylinder could be optioned on all three models. A column-shifted manual transmission was standard with a Hydra-Matic automatic optional.

The L-head eight-cylinder engine had electro-hardened aluminum pistons, i-beam construction connection rods, and a two-barrel downdraft carburetor with automatic choke and fast idle system. It developed 11 horsepower at 3,600 rpm which was powered the rear wheels. Standard amenities included a solenoid starter system, safety glass, dual horns, vacuum booster pump, cigarette lighter, and spare wheel and tire. The interior could be done in leather or custom broadcloth. Prices ranged from $1,640 for the club sedan to $2,040 for the convertible. The sedan, priced at $1,690, was the most popular in the series with 24,733 examples sold. The total Ninety-Eight series production accounted for nearly 20% of Oldsmobiles production.

by Daniel Vaughan | Aug 2020