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Worst / ugliest Oldsmobile EVER!

Old Oct 14, 2017 | 09:05 AM
  #41  
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Originally Posted by joe_padavano
The 58 long ago transcended ugliness and became cool, like the Edsel.
I'm not sure about the Edsel comparison, but the 58 Chromemobile is a show stopper today.
Old Oct 14, 2017 | 09:57 AM
  #42  
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Originally Posted by joe_padavano
Not that rare. There were what, 20-something million Model Ts built with gravity feed fuel system?
And model A's

Call me weird but I think the 58 Olds is a beautiful work of art.
Old Oct 14, 2017 | 02:42 PM
  #43  
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Originally Posted by B964

I always thought the late 70's Salon was ugliest. After seeing a few on this site that were done nice I've warmed up a bit to them.
X2 on that
Old Oct 14, 2017 | 04:11 PM
  #44  
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Originally Posted by redoldsman
I don't think your car is necessarily an ugly car but more of a plain car. There is a difference. You notice ugly cars and plain cars just kind of blend in.
Thanks, I guess I'll keep it for awhile longer... I do have to say, I took a few trips in the Ciera (600/700 miles each way), decent riding,, economical, and reliable...
Old Oct 14, 2017 | 09:06 PM
  #45  
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There's a hill in Newport Indiana I'd take that 42 to.

As I understand automotive design, there comes a choice. Do you do something out of the ordinary for styling, and accept whatever limitations that choice gives you, or do you stay in the norms and maintain your options? I don't know, but the one thing I DO know is, when you put the freaking door handle on the B pillar, and thus limit yourself to sedans, you do NOT make a convertible body available by virtue of turning your now-mandatory B pillar into an expletive-deleted ROLL BAR.

GAH!

Old Oct 14, 2017 | 11:35 PM
  #46  
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Inspiration for the 1948 Tucker Automobile?

Originally Posted by joe_padavano
No one has picked on the 42s yet, either.

Actually saw this one at Hershey.

Notice the similarity of front chrome with this 48 Tucker?



Just a thought.... Tucker was probably a better car. Certainly more innovative than the 42 Olds.

Jerry
Old Oct 15, 2017 | 10:09 AM
  #47  
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Originally Posted by rustyroger
With polished paintwork and clean chrome, not forgetting a clean engine bay on show with a hood supported correctly and not a length of timber it would look much better.

How many cars were built in 1942?. I understood all production was halted shortly after the USA entered WW2, and factories were turned over to military production. I know it didn't happen overnight.

Roger.
I don't know how many 42's were built but I believe production ceased in January 1942.
Old Oct 15, 2017 | 12:44 PM
  #48  
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Originally Posted by 47 Convertible
Notice the similarity of front chrome with this 48 Tucker?



Just a thought.... Tucker was probably a better car. Certainly more innovative than the 42 Olds.

Jerry
Tuckers came with issues also. I've had the pleasure of being parked next to a Tucker and its owner at a couple of shows and had him explain what he has to do to keep his running. Suspension and rear axles were his main complaint last time. Ever try and find half shafts for a Tucker, not so common a part.... Tedd
Old Oct 16, 2017 | 07:42 AM
  #49  
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I think that 87 and 88 were the worst years for the G-body Cutlass. Why did Oldsmobile redesign the grill? They had a good thing going. Then in 89 they got rid of the RWD Cutlass altogether.


Old Oct 16, 2017 | 07:59 AM
  #50  
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Originally Posted by Olds64
I think that 87 and 88 were the worst years for the G-body Cutlass. Why did Oldsmobile redesign the grill? They had a good thing going.
Olds probably did the grill redesign to not have to make any changes to the basic body design. Probably somebody had made the decision to drop the G body and to not have to make body tooling changes, that was the simplest change that could be made for the least cost. Most people think the 87 is the best looking of that series body styles, myself included. I bought an 85 442 new. Had I known that change was in the works I would have waited.
Old Oct 16, 2017 | 08:42 AM
  #51  
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Originally Posted by edzolz
Most people think the 87 is the best looking of that series body styles, myself included. I bought an 85 442 new. Had I known that change was in the works I would have waited.


To each his own. The only thing that could have made it look worse in my book would be if it had an Aerocoupe rear window on it.
Old Oct 16, 2017 | 09:17 AM
  #52  
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Originally Posted by edzolz
. Most people think the 87 is the best looking of that series body styles, myself included.
IDK about most, but I'm with Ed on this one
Old Oct 16, 2017 | 09:50 AM
  #53  
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Looking at these posts I realised I owned probably the worst car ever made by Olds. The Cierra diesel. I can't remember what year it was but mid eighties is my educated guess. It was such a pos that at speeds of right around 43mph the car would shudder like it was coming apart. I guessed at the time it was a synchronizing of the driveshaft with the crankshaft. I mean it would shake as if it was going to destroy itself! I had to replace a starter on it and even back then the part was like a hundred bucks.
I traded it in on a new '87 5.0 Mustang Notch with a stick. They said they could only give me $600 for it. I jumped and said, "Done!" The car had also lost reverse that week.
I learned to drive on a 78 Cutlass Salon with the slump back. POS.
In laws bought the convertible Salon thing. Not a bad car but not a good car either. They sold it because it didn't have air bags.
All I'm missing is the 42.
Old Oct 17, 2017 | 01:05 PM
  #54  
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Originally Posted by rustyroger
With polished paintwork and clean chrome, not forgetting a clean engine bay on show with a hood supported correctly and not a length of timber it would look much better.

How many cars were built in 1942?. I understood all production was halted shortly after the USA entered WW2, and factories were turned over to military production. I know it didn't happen overnight.

Roger.
Um, that IS polished paintwork. That is one of only 102 8 cylinder 60 Series convertibles produced. Possibly the only one known to survive. There is supposedly another '42 60 Series convertible in Colorado, but we don't know if it is a 6 or 8 cylinder, or where it is currently at. Of 216 98 convertibles, 2 are known to survive.
Old Oct 17, 2017 | 03:06 PM
  #55  
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Originally Posted by edzolz
Most people think the 87 is the best looking of that series body styles, myself included. I bought an 85 442 new. Had I known that change was in the works I would have waited.
Personally I like both styles... I presently still have an 85, 87, and 88...
Old Oct 18, 2017 | 04:56 AM
  #56  
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Originally Posted by Olds64


To each his own. The only thing that could have made it look worse in my book would be if it had an Aerocoupe rear window on it.
I see you have a Kia Soul in your stable. In my and my wife's opinion that should make you something of an expert in ugly cars.

Roger.
Old Oct 18, 2017 | 05:21 AM
  #57  
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Originally Posted by rustyroger
I see you have a Kia Soul in your stable. In my and my wife's opinion that should make you something of an expert in ugly cars.

Roger.
Nuh uh, he didn't!

Yes I agree my wife's Kia Soul is UGLY. But, what mama wants mama usually gets.
Old Oct 18, 2017 | 08:36 AM
  #58  
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Originally Posted by Olds64
I think that 87 and 88 were the worst years for the G-body Cutlass. Why did Oldsmobile redesign the grill? They had a good thing going. Then in 89 they got rid of the RWD Cutlass altogether.





The 81-86 is Ugly. Olds saved the best for last in 87-88. Love that look.
Old Oct 18, 2017 | 06:38 PM
  #59  
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Originally Posted by Olds64
IMHO, the FWD Cutlass of the 80s is quite possibly the WORST vehicle Olds ever made. They are ugly, anemic and I rarely see people posting about them on our website because they are undesirable.

What do you think? Please post pics of the ugliest AND worst cars Olds made.
I had a Buick Century of that vintage and it was a remarkably reliable little car. Boring, but it did all I asked it to do.

And it introduced me to piston slap...
Old Oct 19, 2017 | 05:25 AM
  #60  
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Originally Posted by bw1339
And it introduced me to piston slap...
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