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1953 Oldsmobile Ninety-Eight

Among the defining features of America's car culture of the 1950s was General Motor's traveling Motorama, a forward-looking celebration of innovative new technologies and cutting-edge design. Oldsmobile's top-of-the-line product for 1953 was the 98-based Fiesta Convertible, which shared many of the same characteristics as the Cadillac Series 62 Eldorado and Buick Roadmaster Skylark convertibles. The limited-production Fiesta had a cut-down beltline, special 'Spinner' hubcaps, and a wraparound windshield that was cut down three inches lower than the standard 98's windshield. The Fiesta was given nearly every Oldsmobile option as standard equipment. The list included an electric clock, lined trunk, dual horns, bumper guards, a cigarette lighter, twin interior sun visors, and chrome moldings. Other items included seat robe rails, chrome window vent panes, a windshield washer, Oldsmobile's deluxe steering wheel with horn ring, and special rear stainless steel trim. To aid in safety, the Fiesta had a padded safety dashboard.

1953 Oldsmobile Ninety-Eight photo
Convertible
Chassis #: 539b3344
View info and history
Auction entries : 1
Powering the Fiesta was a special version of the Oldsmobile 'Rocket' engine which gained five horsepower as a result of an increased compression ratio and manifold streamlining. The 303 cubic-inch V8 engine had a cast iron block, overhead valves, hydraulic valve lifters, 8.0:1 compression, and either a Rochester or Carter four-barrel carburetor. It produced 165 horsepower at 3,600 RPM and 284 lb-ft of torque at 1,800 RPM. This engine powered the Super 88 and the Ninety-Eight. (The 1952 Olds Super 88/98 engine had 7.5:1 compression and produced 160 bhp at 3,600 RPM and 284 lb-ft of torque at 1,800 RPM). The Deluxe Eighty-Eight, the 'entry-level' model offered in two body styles, was powered by a two-barrel carbureted 303 CID OHV V8 engine with 150 bhp at 3,00 RPM and 280 lb-ft of torque at 1,800 RPM. The Delux and Super Eighty-Eight rested on a 120-inch wheelbase, while the Ninety-Eight and Fiesta were perched on a 124-inch platform.

The Ninety-Eight received a Hydra-Matic transmission, power steering, and power brakes. Also new for 1953 was the introduction of 12-volt electrics for better starting, safer overall operation, and more dependable lighting.

Total Oldsmobile Fiesta vehicles for 1953 reached 458 units. The sale price of the Fiesta was nearly double that of the standard 98-series convertible. 1953 was the only model year for the original Fiesta; the name would be resurrected in name only four years later as a lower-production station wagon.

1953 Oldsmobile Ninety-Eight photo
Fiesta Convertible
Chassis #: 539M26760
View info and history
Auction entries : 1
Along with the Fiesta, other body styles in the Ninety-Eight Series line included the convertible, Holiday Hardtop, and convertible. The most popular was the Sedan which was priced at $2,550 and accounted for 64,431 sales. This was followed by the $2,770 Holiday Hardtop, which found 27,920 buyers.

Standard equipment included amenities found on the lower series, plus a padded dash, a Deluxe steering wheel with a horn ring, and windshield washers.

The Fiesta was very exclusive and the rarest of General Motors' so-called 1953 'trifecta.' They had a Cadillac-like price tag, and came standard with a unique two-tone livery in a variety of colors, leather upholstery in a special pattern, and special 'spinner' wheel covers. The Fiesta was the only one of the trio that did not spawn a successor model, remaining a one-off offering that did not continue into 1954.

1953 Oldsmobile Ninety-Eight photo
Fiesta Convertible
Chassis #: 539M41439
View info and history
Auction entries : 2
The 1953 Oldsmobile Brochure declared, 'A Custom Classic with a festive flair! It's Fiesta – the merriest, most magnificent Oldsmobile ever built – with low-sweeping silhouette, panoramic windshield...a galaxy of glamour features! For the discriminating motorist – it's the sports car supreme!'


by Daniel Vaughan | Sep 2019

Related Reading : Oldsmobile 98 History

The Oldsmobile Ninety-Eight was a full-size vehicle introduced in 1941 and continued in production until 1996 with only one interruption during that time period while efforts were switched to production of military equipment during World War II. The 98 had been formerly known as the Series 90. The 98 was the top-of-the-line offering for Oldsmobile while its siblings had lower numbers such as the....
Continue Reading >>

Related Reading : Oldsmobile 98 History

The esteemed flagship of the Oldsmobile division of GM, the Oldsmobile 98 or Ninety-Eight was a full-size model that would hold its place as the top-of-the-line model well into the 90s before the arrival of the Oldsmobile Regency in 1997. The 98 name first arrived on the scene in 1941 and was revived following WWII. It shared its GM C-body platform with Cadillac and Buick, and occasionally added....
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1953 Oldsmobile Ninety-Eight Vehicle Profiles

Recent Vehicle Additions

Performance and Specification Comparison

Price Comparison

1953 Oldsmobile Ninety-Eight
$5,717-$12,680
1953 Oldsmobile Ninety-Eight Price Range: $2,550 - $5,717

Compare: Lower | Higher | Similar

Other 1953 Oldsmobile Models

98 (Ninety-Eight)

Specification Comparison by Year

Year
Production
Wheelbase
Engine
Prices
93,478
122.00 in.
8 cyl., 303.00 CID., 135.00hp
$2,360 - $2,975
106,220
122.00 in.
8 cyl., 303.70 CID., 135.00hp
$2,100 - $2,620
100,519
122.00 in.
8 cyl., 303.00 CID., 135.00hp
$2,270 - $2,640
76,244
124.00 in.
8 cyl., 303.00 CID., 145.00hp
$2,530 - $2,935
100,330
124.00 in.
8 cyl., 303.00 CID., 165.00hp
8 cyl., 303.70 CID., 170.00hp
$2,550 - $5,717

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