Oldsmobile Light Eight

The Oldsmobile Light Eight was built from 1916 through 1923. The Light Eight was the first Oldsmobile to use a sidevalve V8 engine. The Light Eight was offered as Oldsmobiles top level car after the Oldsmobile Limited was discontinued.[1] It replaced the Oldsmobile Limited introduced in 1912, and was replaced by the General Motors Companion Make Program Viking introduced in 1929. The engine used was the Cadillac L-head engine, [2][3] and shared a platform with the Buick Six, while all bodies were supplied by Fisher Body. It was more expensive than the market favorite Ford Model T but it did offer the durability of a V8 and a wider range of bodystyles offered.

First Generation Model 44, 45, 45A
1918 Oldsmobile Touring Sedan

The 1916 Model 44 was equipped with a side-valve, 246 cu in (4,031 cc) V8 developing 40 bhp. This generation had a wheelbase of 120 in (3,048 mm) and was offered as a closed body sedan, roadster, coupe and convertible on a chassis it shared with the Oldsmobile Model 43. Mechanical brakes were installed on the rear wheels using hickory wooden spoked wheels. The touring car and roadster didn't have side windows, while the convertible and sedan were offered as closed body options built by Fisher Body and side windows installed that retracted into the doors. The 1917 Model 45 saw an improvement to the engine that developed 58 bhp, while the 1918 Model 45A added 7 seat capacity to the touring sedan. In 1919, only the open sided roadster and touring sedan were offered. Sales were a success, having sold 35,203 in four years.

Second Generation Model 45B, 46
1919 Oldsmobile Model 45B Touring Sedan

The 1919 Model 45B was offered with a longer wheelbase of 122 in (3,099 mm) as a longer version of the 45A with the same side-valve, 246 cu in (4,031 cc) V8. For 1920, the shorter wheelbase model was discontinued, and the longer 45B was available only as either open sided touring sedan or the closed body 4-door sedan that could seat 5-7 passengers. The Model 46 appeared in 1921 and 1922 with minor changes but mechanically unchanged.

Third Generation Model 47
1921 Oldsmobile Model 47 Touring Sedan

The 1921-23 Model 47 was offered with a short wheelbase of 115 in (2,921 mm) with the same side-valve, 233 cu in (3,818 cc) V8 along with the longer wheelbase version. For 1922, the roadster bodystyle returned along with the popular touring sedan and closed body sedan. The 1923 model saw the cancellation of the long wheelbase. The sidevalve V8 was replaced by the Oldsmobile Straight-8 engine and the division wouldn't offer another V8 until 1949.

See also

References
  1. Georgano, N. (2000). Beaulieu Encyclopedia of the Automobile. London: HMSO. ISBN 1-57958-293-1.
  2. "Oldsmobile Light Eight brochure" (PDF). Retrieved 12 December 2020.
  3. Clymer, Floyd. Treasury of Early American Automobiles, 1877-1925 (New York: Bonanza Books, 1950)
  • Kimes Beverly, Henry Clark, Standard Catalog of American Cars 1805–1942 , Iola, Krause Publications Inc, 1996, ISBN 978-0-87341-428-9.

Source: Slauson, H. W.; Howard Greene (1926). ""Leading American Motor Cars"". Everyman’s Guide to Motor Efficiency. New York: Leslie-Judge Company.

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