1947 OLDSMOBILE SPECIAL 66

Now relegated to history after producing its last automobile on April 29, 2004, the Oldsmobile, one of General Motors’ five brands, was first produced by Ransom Eli Olds in late 1896. Olds was one of the pioneers of US automotive development.

As with Ford, post-war production at Oldsmobile was very much a continuation of  the 1942 models.

With general design by Harley Earl, the 1947 styles were introduced with the same engines, but new grilles designed by Oldsmobile’s studio head George Snyder. Leaving its mark on the 1950s and becoming a real icon, his “Fishmouth” design was the same in the 1946, 1947 and 1948 Oldsmobiles. This 1947 example, a Special Sixty 66 Convertible, is from the smallest and cheapest model range. In GM tradition, it shares its “A-Body” with the Chevrolet Stylemaster and Pontiac Torpedo, both manufactured on the same platform. The Special Sixty line had a chassis with a 119-inch wheelbase. The number 66 represents 6-cylinder engines and 68 represents the 8-cylinder engines. Our automobile is from the Sixty line, and so has a 6-cylinder Fire-Power, 238 cu.in. engine developing 100 bhp. This 3400 rpm engine is also used in the medium-sized Dynamic 76 range. Transmission is a manual, 3-speed column shift, the standard for Oldsmobile.

Offering four other models in addition to the Convertible, the Sixty line was the only Oldsmobile series offering a Station Wagon (Woody). With a total 1947 model production of 191,454 numbers, the Convertible accounted for 3,949. It sold for 1,845 Dollars with standard accessories.