The 1958 Oldsmobile (Dynamic 88/Delta 88/98/Fiesta): Last of the Blobby Chrome Monsters

[@jetsons101]

When I was a kid my dad had a 1957 "Pink" yes a factory pink Oldsmobile 98 with the 3x2 carb setup. The dash had more chrome than you could shake a stick at. My dad was so proud of that car.........

[@johna.4334]

"...the 3x2 carb setup" aka "three deuces"

[@czechmate6916]

@jetsons101 When I was a youngster my next door neighbor had a car matching your description exactly. There’s was a light pink and white with a white interior.

[@jetsons101]

@@czechmate6916 I hear that GM pink was popular in the late 50's. My dad's was all pink with a white top with a black and white interior with (I think) silver piping. Have a good weekend.

[@jetsons101]

@@johna.4334 We used the term six-pack no matter is it was a Mopar, Ford or GM. Have a great weekend......

[@mr.blackhawk142]

That 'pink' was more of a salmon flavor! L0L My 1964 Pontiac was that color!

[@johnp1040]

GM’s 1958 line-up was a one year over the top styling event, everything the designers could think of went into these. Got to love them.

[@wonyankeesays5661]

The single greatest automotive year,,1958

[@imeanithonest5704]

You never saw a '59 Caddy De Ville??????😁😁😁😁😁😁😁

[@johnp1040]

@@imeanithonest5704 yes I have. 59 Caddy’s we’re still over the top, especially the tail fins, maybe a bit less chrome, but except for the fins, the other 59 GMs were toning it down a bit. A great era for autos.

[@mr.blackhawk142]

I'm NOT gonna love them and jou can't make me! ;P

[@wonyankeesays5661]

@@mr.blackhawk142 SO WHAT

[@jeffshadow2407]

I drove a 1958 Oldsmobile Fiesta wagon for an older woman who asked me to help her sell it, in 1993. I recall she lived on Minnesota Street in Long Beach, California. It was one "creaky" car but I really enjoyed it. She asked me to bring it back after a few months, saying she had sold it to Paramount Pictures for $5,000.

[@Paramount531]

A neighbor of mine when I was a kid in the early to mid 60s, his 58 Buick creaked when he would drive by, it must have been a thing with 58 GM cars.

[@ferdburfel7447]

The '58 wagons have never been equaled since. Those are some of the greatest wagons ever.

[@saltandlight-f5p]

What I like about the ads back then is that men dressed well and didn’t look like a slobs.

[@mr.blackhawk142]

Yup it's a SLOB society now! I still can't get over bitches paying for 'new' jeans that come with holes in the knees! Ask me why I'm a loner...

[@kenon6968]

The prewar ones are even better

[@tombrown1898]

The lady in the first commercial was none other than Florence Henderson, who did Olds ads all through the 'Fifties. My Senior English teacher and her husband had a 1957 Olds with the J-2 option. After much trouble, they had it swapped for a 4- barrel carburetor.

[@robertjonas6216]

So THAT was her former husband before she married Mike Brady???

[@michaelwhite2823]

Yes I recognized her blandness

[@arnesahlen2704]

I *thought* it looked like Florence! Thank you😊

[@computerweenie]

I missed that until I saw your post. TY

[@MarinCipollina]

Thanks for this one, Adam.. I was born in 1957, I grew up with cars from this era. Whatever else one can say about them, at least they weren't boring and anonymous.

[@mr.blackhawk142]

Yup! The 1950s-1972 cars had a uniqueness and styling that is probably lost forever! Every car looks the same now... blech...

[@josephgaviota]

@marin ... me too! And I agree about the styling. When I was a kid, dad and I would at night look at the tail lights ahead of us, and announce what kind of car it was.

[@sparky6086]

When I was 8 years old in 1971, an elderly lady gave my dad a 1958 Oldsmobile 88, when she went to the retirement home. It hadn't run in a few years, so Dad gave it to me to tinker with, since he knew I liked technical things. I messed with it for a couple of years, not really knowing, what I was doing or having the means to get it running as an 8 or 9 year old. It was more of a plaything. Dad stored it for me, in the back of his store parking lot, where it would be somewhat out of view. After I'd gone to other interests, Dad sold it or scrapped it for me to get it out of the way, so there's no cool story of me fiximg it up & debuting it, when I turned 16 & got my driver's license. I hadn't even heard of a 1958, Oldsmobile 88 since then, so this video sparked a memory from my childhood.

[@sirmister4411]

I like where the gas filler was on those cars. My father had a blue and white one when I was younger. Thought the filler cap hidden in the tail light was awsome back when I was a kid

[@Greg-xv9qj]

Adam i think you could make a short vidio detailing the wheel covers on the high end oldsmbiles you know *** the ones with no hole for the tire valve stem

[@Greg-xv9qj]

No one could do it better than you!!!

[@mammothscott1455]

An overall ugly car. Our next door neighbor had a pink/lavender looking 2 door. All the kids in the neighborhood enjoyed operating the gas filler door in the driver side tail light. Betty really mind.

[@stanleycostello9610]

Yep.

[@jime.9185]

My parents bought a used 1958 Super 88 with the J2 option when I was 16 , it moved pretty good for a heavy car. I remember almost loosing it when I floored it pulling left out of our side street (the two end carburetors used vacuum linkage and kicked in all at once). WHAT A HANDFUL for a 16 year old. Jim E

[@mr.blackhawk142]

That reminds me of driving a brand new 429 Cobra Jet Mustang in 1970! I was 17 and that car was POWERFUL fast! (dangerous for a teen).

[@Slimjim260]

Excellent lesson, love the 58 radio idea is beyond clever

[@Greatdome99]

"Thieve's delight" just like the old ignition keys

[@johnh2514]

Adam, I absolutely love your content. The fact that you show such variety from one video to the next is informative, refreshing and entertaining.

[@ValdezJu]

The '58 Buick Limited was even more decked out in chrome than the Olds. The front grille and chrome ribbed tail lights (Limited only) were spectacular!

[@Primus54]

Took the words out of my mouth! The ‘58 Impala and Pontiacs were the only GM cars that had some minor vestiges of ‘57 carried over and not completely over the top with bedazzling.

[@djplonghead5403]

I recently saw a 58 Buick road master. I know the limited has more chrome but I really didn’t find it overbearing. The front was very elegant.

[@MarinCipollina]

Everything else in the GM stable made the 1958 Cadillac look restrained in comparison.

[@mr.blackhawk142]

So, what U R trying to say is, the chrome on the Limited was UN-limited?!?

[@williamadam3888]

The '58 Buick Limited and Roadmaster had chrome spear adornment on the rear 3/4 that resembled a shovel.

[@305classics]

There are so many of these cars here in Miami’s car scene. Most folks had these cars in Cuba and have restored them to perfection. There is a 50’s car show every other Friday.

[@mr.blackhawk142]

Up here in Canaduh bcuz of cold weather we only have the classic car show once every summer! It's nice but bitter-sweet bcuz I do NOT own one! It's like taking a kid to a candy store and not buying him any candy.

[@DanEBoyd]

RIP Oldsmobile!!!😪😪😪💔💔💔

[@mr.blackhawk142]

Long live the YOUNGsmobiles!!!

[@rightlanehog3151]

Adam, Speaking of Oldsmobiles, we are patiently awaiting your forensic comparison of the 1968-72 Cutlass Cruiser wagon and 68-72 Olds Vista Cruiser wagon. After all, many vintage car enthusiasts had forgotten the Cutlass Cruiser of this era even existed. 😉

[@DanEBoyd]

I'm one of those "we." I am particularly interested in seeing where the extra wheelbase was added to the Vista Cruiser, versus the Cutlass Cruiser - I believe in or around the rear doors. Would that make it an A body Special? The Vista Roof was super cool, and I believe, an homage to the Scenic Cruiser Greyhound busses. And let's not forget the Buick Sportwagons!

[@DonaldMcKay3768]

I'd like to see that too. Although our Vista-Cruiser was a '67, I have good memories of it. My extra-long legs were the reason we bought it, seemed like the only non-full size wagon with enough room in the back seat. (However, the skylight panels leaked).

[@rightlanehog3151]

@@DonaldMcKay3768 Adam's 1972 Olds Custom Cruiser video of April 6, 2024 really piqued my interest in Oldsmobile's full portfolio of wagons for 1972. 😁

[@movieprod]

The gentleman in the first commercial is Bill Hayes, Bill played "Doug Williams" on the NBC soap "Days of Our Lives" for a whopping 73 years. He was a sweet man, kind, gentle, and a dear friend. Bill passed this past January, he was 98 yrs old and is survived by his wife of 50 yrs, Susan Seaforth-Hayes who played his wife "Julie Williams" on the show for almost 60 years. I had never seen this commercial before...it touched my heart, Thank you.

[@pcno2832]

He had quite a stint, but 73 years must be a typo. From what I've read, it was 1970-2023 for 53 years.

[@movieprod]

@@pcno2832 Could be...I worked on the show...NBC premiered DOOL in '65...thanks for replying!

[@fleetwoodpup8328]

It's very possible Mr. Hayes may have starred in the radio version of DOOL, but I don't know for sure.

[@clarkwright1830]

I love the styling of this Oldsmobile a lot more than the Chrysler. I think it's stunning. I enjoy your expertise and attention to detail in your videos, thank you!

[@67marlins]

Thanks for posting. I'm a Ford guy but I like the '58 Olds and Pontiacs. It was a different time, so in that context the '58 made sense.

[@debbiebermudez5890]

Mr. B. Here ! 🍩🍩☕️👀😎👍. I own a 1958 Olds Super 88 Coupe, every old car needs a owner ! Many of your comments are on the money, the ride is very comfortable, unlike so many SUV’s of today ! If you are one who loves to drive , I love hitting the in comfort & no one else has one ! 🍩☕️👀😎👍

[@opera93]

Thanks, interesting.. & the Station WAGONS are particularly rare… esp. loaded Options. We had the the 1959 DODGE CORONET Nine pass/ Rear Facing Seat: loaded except AIR / & SUPER D Engine ..I never cared for the Wagon,but a BIG, HEARTY car ..( had to drive it for DRIVERs License& a year or two: My Father finding a “ nice” 1954 FORD/2 DR, WITH 1957 engine / Customized!,for me to,drive. …..Anyways,

[@bradg4562]

Love all the historical content and comercials and to each their own but i can tell you with no hesitation that at every MI Dream Cruise attentened since he has owned it my bro in laws '58 convertable (Heather with White/Black interior) gets more thumbs up and pictures taken than any other car of that era. Its a head turner for sure.

[@RareClassicCars]

Awesome.

[@genehart261]

What a massive machine! My dad was a lifelong Ford man and hated GM products for all of their "doo-dads". When my wife and I bought a new Olds in 1987 it was almost hard for dad to ride in it. Seventeen years and 260,000 miles later he admitted that it was a darn fine car. High praise indeed, RIP dad.

[@JackieontheTrunk]

The illustration at the end - what a time piece! Tempra - amazing how they could get the depth, chrome, car length. I love this stuff! Thanks for sharing.

[@kenzahner2682]

I find it humorous those boys in the commercial had trouble distinguishing a '57 from a '58... imagine if they had to do figure out what year all these boring ass SUV's are....

[@ferdburfel7447]

I have a story. In the 2010s, I met an old lady, the widow of a professor of ecology from back when no one had heard of ecology. A woman who drove a Beetle back as early as 1957. And when the subject of her neighbor's 1958 Oldsmobile (my husband's family) came up in conversation, she exclaimed: "I remember that car, that was the most beautiful car!" Our modern eyes see these cars the same way they looked at them back then.

[@jefffixesit60]

Great content as always, Adam, another well told story of the 'behind the scenes' drama of automotive design studios. One of our neighbors had a 1958 Olds 98 in the early 1960's. It was a black and red 4-door hardtop, and I thought it was one of the most beautiful cars ever. I also liked the Chrysler 'forward look' cars, but didn't really think they looked any less bulbous, heavy, or over chromed. I still like all those mid to late 50's cars, but I like the '59 to '67 GM cars best of all. Thanks again, see you on the next one 😁

[@OLDS98]

Thank you Adam. The Buicks from 1958 were just as over chromed too. I recall them calling the 1958 the chromist cars on the road. The 1959's ere so different. Thank you for the design sketches and the commercials. I have seen this radio in a Oldsmobile book. Good to know about the engines and the transmissions. The interesting thing about the air ride suspension. They had trouble with that years after that. Lincoln did too. I do not think they ever got that right overall. I thought the: 1963, 1965-1966,1968, 1969, 1970, 1973,1974,1975-1976,1980-1984, 1991-1996 were good styling years. I thought the 1960-1962 have a little too much "Chevrolet" to it. Please understand I like and support the many generations of Oldsmobiles. The Harley Earl story was interesting and the change over to Bill Mitchell.

[@jamesengland7461]

Pullout, portable radio in 1958? Wow! There are a few cars nowadays with portable speakers, like Jeeps, Rivian, and others. I would never have guessed they were 50 years behind! Adam, it would be great if you could make a video showing the classic origins of other "modern, high-tech features."

[@Romiman1]

In Germany in the 90s theft of car-radios was a huge issue, so makers invented the "quick-out" system. The handling was very similar to this from the '58 Olds. But of course, those radios weren't able to play outside the dash. (No speaker and power-supply. And back then stereo speakers already were usual.)

[@loumontcalm3500]

The radios aren't overly difficult to find- the in- dashboard portion is.

[@dsan2509]

History repeats itself

[@SuperCommando60]

I love the '58's! So much style and presence! Never to be repeated! I have a Fleetwood, and if ever another garage magically appears, I'd round out my '58 collection with a Bonneville and yes, a Fiesta wagon...a most awesome wagon, agreed with Adam on that. There were significant differences between the brands this year...in '59 they were basically the same car, like the '57-'58 Mopars.

[@fearsomebeard4290]

Such stunning cars! I think they are beautiful.

[@craigcoe5332]

My parents had a 1957 super 88 4 dr ht. It was salmon in color. I always thought it looked awesome. It got me interested in old cars at a young age.

[@kroge007]

Adam you hit the nail on the head when you said it looked heavy!!

[@leestamm3187]

Lots of memories here. When I was a kid, my dad was an Olds fan. We would get a new 98 4-door every 2 or 3 years. Our pink '58 had the J2 with 3-deuces and was our first car with seatbelts. I remember it cruised along on 1 deuce and when Dad floored it to pass, the other 2 deuces would cut in on the downshift, which really pushed us back into our seats. (Kind of scary, actually.) After we finished passing, my Mom would often say "There goes another quart of gas." 😄

[@DanEBoyd]

Dare I say, "Pontiac levels of cartoonish garishness?" Though I'm not lying when I say that the blue and white two door shown at 4:23 is hooking and reeling me in. I'd love to see a lot more of that car! Those whitewall tires with the blue on the wheels peeking out from under the wheel covers - which feature that nice white painted band...

[@dannyg6592]

I agree 100% with Adam's assessment of Oldsmobile 1958 styling. The removable radio is a cool feature, but I wonder how many of them were lost to thievery? Love your channel, Adam!

[@bobbywason9572]

Loved my: 1. '67 Olds Delmont 88 2 dr. coupe in turquoise body with a black vinyl top 2. '74 Delta 88 Royale 2 dr. coupe with a silver body & red vinyl top 3. '79 Olds Cutlass Coupe 2dr. coupe with a silver body & silver vinyl top with a diesel engine I feel very fortunate that my dad's uncle was a 30 year Oldsmobile salesman veteran who I bought all my Oldsmobiles from o'er the course of 30 years. Thanks for yer salesmanship service to me, Uncle Emmett. Bob The Builder👷

[@sergioleone3583]

That 57 Olds you led with is such a beauty.

[@cuda426hemi]

4:00 Looks like a AF/VK illustration before they mainly did the Pontiacs. AF did the cars and VK the artsy backgrounds and people. YOU would be the perfect dude to do a piece on Art Fitzpatrick and Van Kaufman. When I was a kid I ruined a fat stack of National Geographics, LIFE, LOOK, mags to rip out at least 200 AF/VK ads from '58 through '73. Those mags were the ONLY mags that showed these in huge full color spreads every issue. Think about it, Motor Trend and Car & Driver didn't run Pontiac Catalina ads, Le Mans ads,Tempest ads as much. The razor blade widened drawings of wide-track Bonnies, the wet look metallic renderings, shading and shadow. The James Bond locations like Monte Carlo that Van Kaufman would put these face it run of the mill GMs in but it made them seem worldly. I DO think the '67 Pontiac big cars and those illustrations of such were killer sublime.They made the ad agency SH*T when they did LeMans or Firebird covered in snow, or being poured on in rain- but they WORKED, they were outstanding life style pieces of art, no pun intended. They have a good story, too - YOU would be the man.............jes sayin' 👍🏻

[@craigford4641]

1 word for 1958 Oldsmbiles : Ostentatious ! Gotta love the in your face design cues ! Beautiful Cars ! ❤❤❤

[@TigerDominic-uh1dv]

Growing up the neighbor had one ❤. 😊

[@THROTTLEPOWER]

Great video!!!! 🤜🤛 🙂

[@Greatdome99]

I got a ride to school in a friend's mother's '58 Olds convertible and I still remember all the chrome on the dashboard as well! A pillars, steering wheel, huge glaring instrument panel.

[@JasonFlorida]

I sure enjoy the deep dive storyline you provide in your videos! It really is special how you can visualize the time with your in depth knowledge. Thank you so much, very interesting and enjoyable content!

[@augie1715]

Adam, I love your videos on the late 50's cars (especially)...and your commitment to bringing "bedizenment" back into common usage. Seriously, though, learning a lot from your love of these rare and classic beauties!

[@Jerry-ok8gj]

Oldsmobile was a fantastic car! Can't believe it's gone.

[@stanleycostello9610]

My Dad had a 1957 Olds. Exterior, white with a turquoise stripe. Interior, turquoise. The dashboard was chrome and more chrome.

[@alxf66]

Dynamic Eighty Eight, Super88, and Ninety Eight. No Delta in 58. Still have one. Not my favorite year, but it's a pleasure to drive and it's well built. Even has the TransPortable radio.

[@animalactivist7820]

Another great video Adam. Although these appeared to be behemothian, I think they are good looking cars for the time. Sure would love to own a loaded factory air J-2 Super 88 Fiesta wagon or a loaded Ninety Eight convertible! Thanks and keep up the good work.

[@Richard4point6]

Without exception, all GM divisions offered cars that looked as if they weighed, at a minimum, 7,000 lbs.

[@61rampy65]

That was a good thing back then. It meant more "road-hugging weight".

[@dsan2509]

Yeah but they crumbled like a tin can unfortunately

[@rodneygolden2796]

A very well delineated.review overall on your part. "Festooned" is a very accurate way to describe that over- spectacled gunboat.This is well before the well- conceived reduced GLARE factor regulations instituted by the SAE and govt safety bureaucracy into the mid to late 60s. Even the windshield wiper arms on cars were metallic-powdered to a brushed aluminum patina to cut down on opposite driver glare IN- visibility. Good show!

[@quincyq-radio6300]

Beautiful classic cars👏🏾☺️

[@dansmusic5749]

I like to see the photo of the DeSoto as a comparison to the Olds as the DeSoto was a direct competitor in the marketplace. That is a nice attention to detail that makes the video seem well researched. It also helps that DeSoto is one of my favorite 50’s brands. 👍 I would also like to add that I like the ’58 Olds quite a lot while I agree that it is what it is. It is hard for me now at this late stage of my life to see a 50s, 60s or 70s car that I do not like (or love), although there definitely are some. lol

[@flyonbyya]

Videos keep gettin better n better!

[@OldRustySteele]

Hi Adam, I’ll see your ‘58 Chrome Oldsmobile and see you a ‘58 Buick!!! Both the Buick and Olds were festooned with chrome!!

[@sergioleone3583]

Great to have a few vids for this weekend. Always great work from you Mr. Adam, thanks for all you provide for us history- and entertainment-wise. Would be interesting to do a compare/contrast between the 58 Buick and 58 Oldsmobile...

[@Porschedude8]

I'd want that radio! 😍🤩

[@jyd9591]

Great video. Very interesting. I don't care much for the '58 GM lineup, especially the Buick and Olds, for the obvious reasons but my neighbor used to own a Dynamic 88 and it actually had a pretty comfortable ride. The '59's from GM were a step in the right direction, imo. The first Delta 88 was introduced in 1965.

[@phildavis3105]

I was a car crazy kid in the 1950s (and the 2020s). I collected car themed coffee table books, one of which covered the 58 Olds in detail. Among the cool fact was that by weight, the 58 set the all-time record for chrome plate at something like 168 pounds (memories fade, but I remember the number being more than I weighed at the time. We were an Oldsmobile family. 1958 would have been the normal time for my dad to retire his much loved 55 Super 88, but … he gave Chrysler a strong look, but decided to wait until 1959.

[@peterselten500]

58 is my favourite yr for so many cars

[@spynles7947]

Nice looking wagon, even with all the bling.

[@jroeger]

I remember seeing the pullout transistor radio in the 1959 Pontiac brochure. As for the GM 1958 design efforts. Oh the horror!

[@markmiller1795]

My dad was a 57 olds fanatic. Even drag raced one all the way up to the mid 60's I was very young at that time i remember. and i must say it held its on. It was a head snapper it had the torque for sure. . When he sold it. For a Mopar. Witch he like but he use to say. It ain't no Oldsmobile. He always wanted another 57. But he passed away before he got that chance. But he sure loved those 57 Oldsmobile's

[@HelpingHand-ic4wt]

Does anyone know what the big fuel economy development was for the '58 Olds "Rocket" engine?

[@iswc27]

From Collectible Automobile, April 1994, as listed among "The Ten Most Over-Styled Cars": "There's nothing wrong with a lot of chrome, but at least the glitter up front should complement the glitter up back. In this case, it simply clashed. As with the '58 Buick, styling was completely gratuitous. And, yes, I'd love to have one of these, too. Running a close second to the '58 Buicks. In styling terms, not a "Merry Oldsmobile" at all." That said, we did have a 1958 Olds Super 88 Fiesta named "Best of Show" last year at the International Station Wagon Club's annual convention. Hey, if nothing else you can't exactly fault it for being bland! Thanks, Adam, for another fascinating presentation!

[@Romiman1]

@Adam, as a GM-insider: Please tell us about the rumors about the return of Pontiac!!!

[@e-handle9634]

Dad had a '57 Pontiac Star Chief w/ 347tri-power Black on Black Chrome on Chrome 🤩

[@JohnDoe-ot3zd]

My cousin had a black one 1958 Olds. He bought it in 1964 and drove that car until 1980....he loved it

[@jetsons101]

Adam, just thinking here: How about a vid on all the different ways gas caps were hid on 50's cars.....

[@MarinCipollina]

All the GM cars of the late 1950s had trick James Bond gas cap locations.

[@jetsons101]

@@MarinCipollina I guess the Bean Counters got involved and put their two cents in and got rid of them.... lol

[@bigblockelectra]

They might've looked over the top back then, but those 1958 GM cars are still some of my favorite 50s cars. The Buick Limited could've done without those vertical chrome strips on the quarter panels, but I still like them. The Oldsmobile 98 is also very nice.

[@georl1]

Love all the 58 GM model cars. I think they were outstanding in design.

[@tabbott429]

There was a pink 58 Olds for sale near Detroit area last year. It looked to be in pretty good shape overall. I think it was around 18-20k asking. I like unique cars and have a 58 Bel Air 4 door sedan i restored in 2018. TONS of stainless on that too. I restored every piece like 60+ pieces of stainless. Then theres the chrome pieces...another 25+ if you include every chrome piece on exterior. Its insane and totally impractical for a daily car to have all those holes in the body for the trim mounting. It no wonder they rusted out quick. Putting the trim back on my 58 was a PITA and I had to go over the top sealing everything up after the hundreds of metal on metal clips were installed. Funny enough the bodies had ZERO crash worthiness. no crash bars in doors, solid steering shaft that will impale you on impact, A tin can on wheels that looked like jewelry. lol

[@arjnsdca]

I had a great aunt & uncle that only drove 98’s. I remember them having a 59 98.

[@AlexanderWaylon]

Interesting video sir

[@paulwindisch1423]

I may be in the minority, but I love almost all of the GM cars from 1958. The insane amount of chrome and other accouterments are fantastic! Yes, way over the top by today's standards, but they represent the period very well, and they also sort of represent the American identity that if a little is good, then more is better. I also really like the forward look Mopars though. I'm so glad that both examples exist.

[@daveallen8824]

Love that intro picture of the 57. That was my first car; this particular one even had the Oldsmobile script pulled out of the grille, just as I did, except I then painted it black - really badass, right? It turned out to be a lemon - couldn't keep lifters in it - oh, well, it only cost $100... The 58 is nearly the ultimate in jukebox - I think only the same year Buick Limited was worse.

[@loumontcalm3500]

Proof in my eyes that Harley Earl was at least 15 years overdue for retirement. His pinnacle was '41 imho. These were topped by Virgil Exner's '61 Plymouth and Dodge.

[@jamesengland7461]

I'd say the 55-57 models, especially Chevy, were some of the greatest designs of all time. Then everyone went bonkers with excess.

[@johna.4334]

Agreed

[@loumontcalm3500]

@@jamesengland7461I'd say that '55-7 Chevrolets are cars that became popular over time, starting in the early '60's thru the hot rod crowd. The '55-6 Ford and Plymouth were on par with Chevrolet, design wise. They both left the dowdy '57 Chevy in the dust in '57 when new.

[@TheCat1dog]

Seeing the station wagon at the end, reminded me of the question why didn’t Oldsmobile and Buick have full size wagons in the mid and late 60s?

[@marcelgaud]

Hey Adam, when my mom met my dad, he owned a '56 Olds 88,,,, I don't know if it was called the Delta at that time, but it was creme and brown 2-tone. That was back in '62, because I've come along in '63

[@dmiller1000]

No Delta or Delmont until the 60s.

[@dmiller1000]

My grandparents had a 4dr 88 B/W two tone, bought new, from 58-67. They looked dowdy, and the car fit them, while my parents generation looked young and hip with 60s models. And since my other grandparents drove even dowdier used cars, these were the hip grandparents!

[@alsguitars5127]

You’re too hard on these. My grandfather went to a Detroit Tigers game in 1958 and they rolled the new Oldsmobiles out onto the field for a live commercial. He went right down to the dealer got a brochure, and a new 98 coupe to go with it. He loved that car both its looks and luxury it gave. Many people found them to be just what they wanted.

[@valengreymoon5623]

And I thought pull-out radios were a 90s thing.

[@SuperMAZ007]

The 58 Fiesta wagon is rare cause most of them where probably pre ordered and the sales where not doing that great. Was not the cheapest station wagon of the time. 58 olds is actually very much wanted vehicle if it's not a total rust bucket. Major downside is the chrome and replacing or redoing it can be a hard hit on the wallet. Same with 58 Buicks. Lot of them probably got crushed in the late 60s. Cause they where out dated by that time and not much worth in terms of money. If you look at what where towed to the junkyards in the late 60s it would make lot of people today cry out loud.

[@stephenholland5930]

Were, not where

[@SuperMAZ007]

@@stephenholland5930 sorry typo

[@madmike2624]

Sure, as all get out, never knew about the pull-out radio!! Rip Harley Earl!!

[@machpodfan]

Oh boy, that Bernie sketch👌👌👌👌

[@Stan-rj8ki]

The 58 Bonneville actually had more decoration and chrome. Olds was a second close

[@draggonsgate]

Not sure how true this is, but I read that Bruce McCall used the '58 Olds as an inspiration for his National Lampoon Bulgemobile parody. Olds wasn't the only victim of festooning in '58 though. GM across the board somehow managed to take the somewhat svelte '57's and make them look like they made one too many trips to the all you can eat buffet, but in actuality, we're no bigger. At least GM redeemed themselves in '59. The GM flattops were the sharpest looking things out there!

[@briansilcox5720]

My dad bought a ‘58 Olds 88 and drove it until he was taken with the 1964 Pontiac Grand Prix coupe. I was three yrs old who he got it, and I remember well metallic pink color well.

[@jeffryblackmon4846]

I owned a 58 4 door 98. The neighbor who owned it said it would not start. He put a starter in it, still no start. $25 deal for me. Fresh out of high school auto shop, I dropped the pan, found a seized bearing. With a replacement, I was on the road. I sold it before I left for basic training in the USAF. Should have kept it.

[@TonyKuehler]

I like this design, maybe I'm just giving it a break because of its garish cousins at Buick that year. Lots of CHROME, no doubt, but interesting design themes well executed. End of an era to be sure. Thanks for this.

[@pcno2832]

8:58 VW was offering a similar pull-out radio, probably as a dealer-installed option, during this time. I'll venture a guess that they were both made by Motorola, which seemed to have a constant presence in the not-quite-factory car audio market up to maybe the late 1960s. 1958 was one of those awkward, in-between years when vibrator-powered car radios had been banished, but transistors were too expensive and trouble prone for most automotive use. GM had settled on hybrid radios with a solid-state output stage and "space charge" 12 V tubes for everything else by this time, and these pull-out radios seem more like a toughened version of the portable "transistor radios" on the market at the time, sacrificing sound quality for portability. But, I'll bet the reception of these little things was at least as good as that of the hybrid sets that were more common in cars; some of them were a step down from their all-tube predecessors.

[@kc9scott]

My dad bought a Blaupunkt AM/FM/SW radio sometime around late ‘60s or early ‘70s. Initially for use as a portable radio for a few years. Then in ‘74 he bought a new AMC Hornet, ordering it with only 2 options, not including any factory radio. Blaupunkt made a slide-in dash chassis compatible with that radio, so he put one of those in the Hornet.

[@larskars5835]

My parents had what I'm assuming was a Dynamic 88-I remember that it had white paint with the faintest black specks in it, also that it was enormous and the grill scared me. I was only four but I don't think my father like the car very much; he next bought a Willys Jeep as well as a Buick sport wagon to accommodate the growing family. Another Olds came later… then just Hondas, Volvos and Volkswagens.

[@cjdesign5700]

I had one of those radios as a trans radio buff..a heavy well made unit. I had the Buick Trans-portable also...a little more stylish.

[@kc9scott]

Transistor?

[@cjdesign5700]

@@kc9scott yes

[@paulmaul2186]

These 58s (Olds and Buick) were absurd, but a fascinating representation of their time.

[@steve20118]

1958 Buick Roadmaster is a chrome monster!

[@montymatilda]

I agree and believe that it has more chrome than the Olds.

[@robertehlers3757]

Enjoyed a very young Florence Henderson in the ad at the beginning of this video.

[@OldRustySteele]

At 4:50, the front end & grille of the Olds looks a lot like a ‘59 Ford Galaxie 500 to me. (Other than the Ford’s round turn signal lights).

[@Rick-S-6063]

I've never been a GM fan, but I will say that the best looking 1958 GM lineup was from Pontiac. The 1958 Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet and Oldsmobile helped make the Pontiac look all the more attractive.

[@georgewilson1184]

It’s hard to compete with Christine

[@hughjass1044]

The big, bulky 1958 GM models were referred to as "The Mistakes of '58" but they're some of my favorites.... especially the Olds. But then that's just me. I sort of go against the grain on these sort of things.

[@VTMCompany]

I think that's Florence Henderson ("The Brady Bunch") in the first commercial. I really prefer this heavy styling.

[@daveallen8824]

Do you know where the gas cap is? Check out the left rear chrome fin over the tail light - it rotates outward - there's the gas cap. GM was very big on hiding gas caps in the 50's.