Oldsmobile L-Series

The Oldsmobile L-Series, or the Oldsmobile 8, was built from the 1932 through 1938. Oldsmobile hadn't offered a full-sized luxury flagship since the cancellation of the Oldsmobile Light Eight in 1923, and the Viking upscale companion brand to Oldsmobile didn't sell very well, being cancelled after two years. The 1933 model introduced a completely new bodystyle appearance influenced by the "streamlined" appearance appearing at both Chrysler and Lincoln-Zephyr and were all manufactured in Lansing, Michigan. Due to the popularity of the Oldsmobile F-Series, Oldsmobile recognized an opportunity to sell a similar sized alternative to the Buick Series 90 Roadmaster, the Cadillac Series 355, and the "junior" companion brand LaSalle a platform the L-Series shared on the GM C platform.[1] It was replaced by the Oldsmobile Series 90 introduced in 1938, and it was exported to Japan as a knock down kit and assembled at Osaka Assembly in Osaka, Japan.

Oldsmobile from early 1930's

L-32 through L-38
1936 Oldsmobile L-Series Touring Sedan

The L-Series was equipped with a side-valve, in-line 240 cu in (3,933 cc) eight-cylinder engine developing 87 bhp. This generation had a wheelbase of 116–124 in (2,959–3,150 mm) and was offered as a closed body sedan, coupe and convertible. All four wheels now offered as standard equipment hydraulic drum brakes on all four wheels, and in 1933 wooden spoked wheels were permanently discontinued with pressed steel discs instead. With the modern appearance of streamlined gaining widely accepted public approval, all bodystyles across GM's vehicles adopted the appearance, with an overall length of 179–200 in (4,540–5,069 mm).

See also

References
  1. Georgano, N. (2000). Beaulieu Encyclopedia of the Automobile. London: HMSO. ISBN 1-57958-293-1.
  • Kimes Beverly, Henry Clark, Standard Catalog of American Cars 1805–1942 , Iola, Krause Publications Inc, 1996, ISBN 978-0-87341-428-9.
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