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Amazing book especially for us Oldsmobile gurus and the new Oldsmobile hobbyist. I knew Helen Earley one of the Authors personally when I was using “then Oldsmobile historical” and today GM historical’s private sealed archives during a 2 week trip to Lansing in the 90s and several follow up trips even after Helens passing documenting everything I couldnfrom 1966-1971 cars the years I specialize in and am an authenticator for the W machines and rare 442s, as well as their experimental X “ER” (experimental research) archives which are not documented anywhere online. It’s 95% accurate with some numbers being off a bit from the microfiche and real olds documents I was given or made copies of by Helen and a few other folks in the historical library, when they were downsizing and sadly forced to destroy paperwork due to limited space and downsizing. Fortunately I’ve been able to documents thousands of rare vins, including all 54 1966 w30 vins of which only Curt Anderson also has a list. Very fortunate to have the info I was given and to help several others with their W machine restorations as well as provide factory blue prints for their cylinder heads, engine blocks and all the dyno testing done from 1964-1976. A new books is being written and an authentication service with punch card data from thousands of 66-71 W cars and 442s. Should be done in 24 months and will help the many guys and gals out there with real cars and no way to prove it with paperwork minus a few money hungry fake appraisals and self called authority’s who give opinions. No paperwork, no proof, not real. Several of the corvette guys were able to get 10s of thousands of docs and are now providing documentation Fuji know who to reach out to. Good luck and the book is amazing SM-4Read full review
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Both of the authors worked for Oldsmobile throughout their working lives. Sadly, Helen Jones Earley has since died. This book really does start "at the beginning", in 1880. The story is told through 1997, and sadly, Oldsmobile Division "died" soon thereafter. The authors discuss the cars, the assembly plants, the shift to World War II ammunition production and other war material. Oldsmobile had a considerable reputation for what would be known as "high tech" engineering and design, as evidenced by the story of their first overhead-valve V-8, and of course the front wheel drive Toronado was the first POWERFUL front drive car produced anywhere. Olds even built jet engine turbines, and the Olds-built parts were superior to those made by established jet engine manufacturers. There is information on the turbocharged aluminum block engine of the early sixties. There are many wonderful photos and other illustrations of the cars, plants, and people associated with Oldsmobile. The photos alone are worth the cost of the book. Overall, I'd like to have seen even more detail on the achievements of Oldsmobile in the sixties, but that's more my preference than a complaint about the book. Appendices are included that detail Oldsmobile presidents, general managers, and many other categories of employees including the chief engineers, along with the years that those people held the position. There is a year-by-year production summary, and even a list of buildings owned and used by Oldsmobile, and what work was done in each building. A good book about a great company. Too bad that GM mis-management squandered the "high tech" reputation of this once-fine marque. If this guide has been helpful, please give me a "Yes" vote by clicking the button below. If you have suggestions for improvement, you can contact me through the "My Messages" feature of eBay by clicking on my user name above, and then click on "Contact Member".Read full review
Great perspective. Henry Ford was neither the only, nor the "father," of the American automobile. Read the book and be surprised tolearn who made Detroit, Michigan's America's "Car City".
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
It's a great book. Page after page of information and pictures of a wonderful automobile. I wish they were still producing Oldsmobiles.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Like the book, but missing the jacket cover. The photo of the book showed the jacket cover which is missing.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
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