Oldsmobile Firsts!!!

[FTW65W29]

Did you know that in the USA Oldsmobile was first:
Successfully build and market gasoline powered automobiles?
Build factories specifically for automobiles production?
Utilize volume mass production techniques?
Succeed at making automobile production a profitable business?
To put into place the successful use of vendors to supply parts on a large scale?

They also established Detroit as the automobile capital of the world.

To bad GM killed the OLDS product line. They should have killed the Saturn name!

[J-(Chicago)]

They should have killed it in 1990 when the last Custom Cruiser rolled off the line.

[71rocket]

To bad GM killed the OLDS product line. They should have killed the Saturn name!

yep

[Olds64]

I read an article about that in an old Journey with Olds magazine. Oldsmobile was also the first manufacturer to offer airbags. I believe it was a pricey option in the 74 Toronados.

They were also the first manuafacturer to offer an automatic transmission. I believe that was in 41... the Hydramatic. :confsued:

[rocketraider]

Airbags in 1974 in B, C, E carlines. Shared with Buick/Cadillac.

True-Track anti-lock brakes for 1971 Toronados.

First use of nickel chrome plated grille/bumper/headlights, 1923.

Safety Automatic Transmission, 1937 which led to

Hydra-Matic transmission, 1940.

First production turbocharged American car, 1962 Jetfire (this one burns the Turbo Buick guys up)

First windshield mounted rearview mirror, 1970 Toronado.

First electric grid rear window defogger, 1969 Toronado.

First use of chromed ABS plastic exterior trim, 1969 Toronado.

First high-mount brake lights, 1971 Toronado.

First use of high-impact moulded plastic body components, 1980 Sport Omega.

And the beat goes on...

Oldsmobile didn't get their engineering/innovation/gadget division reputation for nothing. Most every gadgety option GM ever offered was developed in Olds Engineering, given to Cadillac first, then to the other Divisions.