1939-1940
| Model years | 1939–1940 |
|---|---|
| Assembly | South Gate, California Lansing, Michigan Linden, New Jersey |
| Body style | 2-door Business coupe 2-door Club coupe 2-door Sedan coupe 4-door sedan 2-door convertible 4-door station wagon |
| Engine | 215 cu in (3.5 L) Oldsmobile I6 230 cu in (3.8 L) Oldsmobile I6 |
| Transmission | 3-speed synchromesh manual 4-speed Hydra-Matic automatic |
| Wheelbase | 1939: 115.0 in (2,921 mm) 1940: 116.0 in (2,946 mm) |
| Length | 1939: 189.0 in (4,801 mm) 1940: 197.8 in (5,024 mm) |
| Height | 1939: 66.0 in (1,676 mm) 1940: 65.0 in (1,651 mm) |
| Curb weight | 3,100–3,700 lb (1,400–1,700 kg) |
| Related | Pontiac Deluxe Chevrolet Special Deluxe Chevrolet Master Deluxe Chevrolet Master 85 |
| Designer(s) | Harley Earl |
Naming standards were in flux at Oldsmobile during the late 1930s and 1940s. From 1932 through 1938 Oldsmobile had two series: "F" and "L". Series F came with a straight-6 engine and Series L came with a larger body and a straight-8 engine. Series F was renamed Series 60 in 1939 and Series L was replaced with the Series 70 and 80, with the Series 70 and 80 being powered by the straight-6 and the straight-8 respectively. The Series 60 used the GM A-body and the Series 70 and 80 used the B-body.
The Series 60 occupied the entry level position for Oldsmobiles sold in the United States from 1939 through the 1948 model years. They were trimmed in an entry level fashion and, in parts and components, the Series 60 models were closely related to Chevrolet and junior Pontiacs.
The 1939 Oldsmobiles were available with the "Safety Automatic Transmission" and not with the Hydramatic. The safety automatic transmission was semi-automatic, in that is still used a clutch to get the car going and then shifted automatically. The Hydramatic Transmission, a fully, clutchless automatic transmission debuted in the 1940 model year.
In 1939 four body styles were available: a Business Coupe with no rear seat, a Club Coupe with two rear fold-away jump seats, a 2-door Sedan with a full rear seat and a 4-door Sedan which shared its roofline with the 2-door Sedan. The wheelbase was 115 inches. The back of the front seats were rounded and padded for protection of the rear seat occupants. A 216CID 90 hp (67 kW) I6 was used.
In 1940 the even larger C-body was introduced to Oldsmobile and it alone was powered by the straight-8. In order to differentiate it from the previous year's Series 80 it was named Series 90 (there was no Series 80 that year). The series were also given names for the first time that year with the Series 60, 70, and 90 being called the Special, Dynamic, and Custom Cruiser respectively.
Two body styles were added to the model line up in 1940: a 2-door convertible and a 4-door station wagon. In addition a full rear seat was added to the Club coupe although it still did not share the roofline of the somewhat roomier 2-door Sedan. A Deluxe equipment package was also new this year.
Read more about this topic: Oldsmobile Series 60