1954 Oldsmobile Described In Detail
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General Year Information
A rather complete styling change was made across the board for Oldsmobile in 1954 with the car losing some of its blockiness and showing a more rounded appearance. One of the most noticeable 1954 features was the “panoramic” wrap-around windshield previewed on the limited-production 1953 Fiesta. Some new two-toning options were added to the Oldsmobile line as well. The wheelbase was up two inches on both models, and a new chassis was featured.
The big news was the upgraded Rocket V-8, now with new cylinder heads and displacing 324 cubic inches. A 4-barrel carbureted, 185-horsepower V-8 was shared between the 98 and Super Eighty-Eight models.
Gone was the rather misleading “DeLuxe Eighty-Eight” base model descriptor with merely “88,” “Super 88,” and “98” to describe the model lines.
Production for the model year was 351,634, up slightly from 1953’s 332,086. A significant portion of the gain was in the base 88 series where a 2-door Holiday Hardtop Coupe was now offered.
Chassis Information
- Wheelbase: 88 and S88 Series 122″ 98 Series 126.0″
- Overall length: 88 and S88 205.26″ 98 Series 214.26″
- Front tread: All – 59.0″. Rear tread: All – 58.0.
- Tires: 88 Series 7.60 x 15 98 Series 8.00 x 15 inches
Models Offered
The 88 series was powered by a 2-barrel version of the Rocket V-8. A third model was added to this series — the popular two-door Holiday coupe — and it would become a strong seller. Standard eighty equipment included bumper guards, rubber simulated carpets front and rear, electric clock, lined luggage compartment, dual horns, cigarette lighter, aluminum door sill plates, and turn signals.
Eighteen standard paint colors were offered in 1954 with 18 factory-sanctioned two-tone combinations also in place. Upholstery in this series was in either gray, green, or blue pattern cloth.
Oldsmobile featured a new look in 1954, and the Super Eighty-Eight continued to be the division’s bread-and-butter series. Standard equipment on this series included all items from the Eighty-Eight series plus chrome rocker panel moldings, deck lid ornament, and foam rubber seat cushions.
Upholstery selection spanned a nylon and orlon cloth combination or a variety of colored leathers.
A three-model Ninety-Eight series was atop the Olds lineup for this year. This year Olds dubbed the Ninety-Eight series convertibles “Starfires” after the previous year’s dream car. Standard Ninety-Eight equipment included items from the bottom two series plus a padded instrument panel, brake signal light, courtesy light package, stainless steel wheel discs, windshield washer, and DeLuxe steering wheel and horn ring.
Upholstery choices were nylon and leather in a variety of colors.
Engine Options and Availability
Overhead valves. Cast Iron block. Displacement: 324 CID. Bore and stroke: 3.875″ x 3.4375″. Compression ratio: 8.25:1. Horsepower: 170 @ 4000 RPM. Torque: 300 @ 2000 RPM. Five main bearings. Hydraulic valve lifters. Carburetor: Carter WGD two-barrel, model 851S.
Overhead valves. Cast Iron Block. Displacement: 324 CID. Bore and stroke: 3.875″ x 3.4375″. Compression ratio: 8.25:1. Horsepower: 185 @ 3600 RPM. Torque: 300 @ 2000 RPM. Five main bearings. Hydraulic valve lifters. Carburetor: Carter WCFB or Rochester 4GC four-barrel.
Power Train Options
- Oil filter ($10)
- Air cleaner($5)
- All cars came standard with a column-shifted, three-speed manual transmission.
- The Hydra-Matic was a $165 option on any series, any model.
Other Significant Options
- Accessory group Z – exhaust extension, visor vanity mirror, and luggage compartment, under the hood, and glove box lights ($10).
- Air conditioning ($550).
- Autronic eye ($45).
- Backup lights ($14).
- Cadet sun visor ($33).
- Courtesy light package ($4).
- DeLuxe heater/defroster ($79).
- DeLuxe wheel discs ($30).
- Electric antenna ($20).
- Hydraulic window lifts and 4-way power seats ($165).
- Mimetic wire wheel discs ($60).
- Oversize tires ($18).
- Padded dash ($17).
- Power 4-way seat ($65).
- Power brakes ($37).
- Power steering ($125).
- Radio, Deluxe ($100).
- Radio, Super DeLuxe ($129).
- Rear seat speaker ($14).
- Stainless steel wheel trim rings ($8).
- Tinted glass ($30).
- Whitewall tires ($30).
- Windshield washer ($10).
Body Paint Color Codes
| 10 Black | |
| 21 Etna Maroon | |
| 22 Flare Red | |
| 30 Glacier Green | |
| 31 Willow Green | |
| 32 Glade Green | |
| 33 Sarasota White (Green) | |
| 40 Capri Blue | |
| 41 Cadet Blue | |
| 50 Mist Gray | |
| 51 Juneau Gray | |
| 60 Polar White | |
| 61 Maize Cream | |
| 62 Desert Tan | |
| 63 Copper | |
| 70 Royal Marine | |
| 72 Turquoise |
Click on the Images Below to Enlarge
1954 Oldsmobile Detail Image 1
he new kid on the block for Olds in 1954 was the 88 line’s 2-door Holiday Hardtop. This model contributed heavily to the increase in sales for that year.
1954 Oldsmobile Detail Image 2
The leader in the “prestige” 98 line was the convertible, this year called the “Starfire Convertible.” A total of 6,800 were sold in 1954.
1954 Oldsmobile Detail Image 3
A very popular model was the 98 2-door Holiday Hardtop. Almost 39,000 were sold.
1954 Oldsmobile Detail Image 4
The bread and butter car in the 1954 98 series was the 4-door Sedan, with 48,605 produced.
1954 Oldsmobile Detail Image 5
The 1954 Super 88 Convertible was the potent little sister to the Starfire and yet only 6,452 were sold that year.
1954 Oldsmobile Detail Image 6
The 1954 Super 88 2-door Holiday Hardtop was very popular – 42,155 were sold.
1954 Oldsmobile Detail Image 7
Like the 98, the bread and butter Super 88 was the 4-door Sedan with 111,326 produced.
1954 Oldsmobile Detail Image 8
he “hot rod” Olds for ’54 would have been the lighter Super 88 2-door Sedan since it packed the 4-barrel 180 HP V-8.
1954 Oldsmobile Detail Image 9
For 1954, the 88 4-door Sedan sold the best of that line, but it railed its S-88 cousin by over 80,000 units!
1954 Oldsmobile Detail Image 10
The old standby, the 88 2-door Sedan, was the entry level Olds for 1954 at a $2,066 base price.
1954 Oldsmobile Detail Image 11
The new for 1954 Olds “Rocket” now sported a 324 cubic-inch displacement, improved heads, and a 4-barrel carb in the S-88 and 98. 180 HP was now on tap.
