1955 Oldsmobile Ninety-Eight

The public agreed with the 1955 Oldsmobile styling, performance, and long list of standard and optional equipment, resulting in fourth place in overall automotive sales for the year. The company's remarkable success was due to its modern and stylish Holiday two- and four-door hardtop models which accounted for nearly 70,000 sales on the Ninety-Eight line. The four-door sedan was also very popular with 39,847 sales and the stylish 98 Starfire Convertible formed a growing part of the Oldmsobile's model range as well, with 9,149 sales.

The 1955 Oldsmobile lineup continued to use a three-model lineup that consisted of the entry-level Eighty-Eight, the Super Eighty-Eight, and the top-of-the-line Ninety-Eight. Period advertising described 'Oldsmobile 88 Rockets into 1955 with Flying Colors' wearing all-around new 'Go Ahead Look' styling. They continued to be based on the strong 'X-member' frame design that was introduced in 1954, with the larger 98 series resting on a 126-inch wheelbase platform, a full four inches longer than that of the 88 models. The Super 88 and 98 lines shared the top Oldsmobile 'Rocket' V-8 engine, with 324 cubic-inch displacements and 202 horsepower. Oldsmobile's growing performance reputation was aided by drivers Dick Rathmann and Jim Pascal of the Wood Racing Team.

Oldsmobile continued to set the bar high by offering standard features not available on other makes, and leading the charge was the 98 series with the inclusion of the Hydra-Matic automatic transmission, an electric clock, power steering, deluxe steering wheel, a padded dash, windshield washer, courtesy lights, and backup lights. The interior was upholstered in leather and pattern cloth, covert and pattern cloth, leather, and nylon and leather.

The Oldsmobile 98
The 98 (Ninety-Eight) was part of Oldsmobile's lineup for over half a century, serving as the company's full-size flagship model. The 'Fourth Generation' of the Ninety-Eight was introduced in 1954 and built through 1956, resting on a 126-inch wheelbase with a width of 78.3 inches and a height of 60.5 inches. Body styles include a sedan, a two-door holiday hardtop, and a convertible - the latter was known as the Starfire. A four-door pillarless hardtop, known as the Holiday Sedan, was introduced mid-year 1954.

The 324 cubic-inch Rocket V8 engine was shared with the Super 88 series. The 324 cubic-inch engine was paired with a three-speed synchromesh manual transmission or an optional four-speed Hydramatic automatic. The gear selector of the Hydramatic had an S on it, which was used for better performance climbing hills.

Upholstery options included covert and pattern cloth, leather and pattern cloth, leather and nylon, and leather and dimple leather.

The well-equipped Oldsmobile Ninety-Eight came with dual horns, cigarette lighter, front and rear floor mats, bumper guards, turn signals, inside rearview mirror, electric clock, hand brake light, courtesy light package, padded dash, Deluxe steering wheel with horn ring, and front seatback robe cord. There were stainless steel rocker panel moldings, a Deluxe steering wheel with a horn ring, spun glass hood insulation, and rear window ventiplanes. The optional air conditioning unit now resided in the engine bay rather than its previous location in the trunk.

by Daniel Vaughan | Aug 2020