1948 Oldsmobile 78 Fastback

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The 1948 Oldsmobile 78 fastback is a 2dr model. The '78' was Oldsmobile's middle priced line of cars. Olds offered the lower price line with the six and eight cylinder engines. The company named the medium range 76 and 78. ('8' is indicating the inline eight engines.) Technical features included aluminum pistons and a full-pressure lubrication system. Standard tire size was 6.00 x 16in.

1948 Oldsmobile 78 Fastback
1948 Oldsmobile 78 Fastback

History

Regarding the 1948 Oldsmobile 78 fastback: The manufacturer offered the following models in the low-and middle-priced field: The A-body line names are '66' and '68'. Compared to '76' and '78' (B-body). It had a longer wheelbase. One can distinguish them from the A-body cars by different (wrap-around) bumpers. Standard equipment was: Spare wheel, safety glass and dual horns. The standard interior fabric was a tan or grey mixture cloth. The 1948 model year was the first year with the new 'Futuramic' model line featuring integrated fenders.

1948 Oldsmobile 78 Fastback
1948 Oldsmobile 78 Fastback

Oldsmobile equipped this car with the 8 cylinder inline engine. It has the Hydramatic transmission. Olds used it first in the 1940 model year. It hadn't changed much in this model line since 1946. - The straight-eight (or inline-eight) engine has the cylinders mounted in a straight line. All eight pistons are driving a common crankshaft. These engines provided extreme reliability und durability.

At the Auction
Note: Auction has ended!

The auction describes the following features of this original car: Hydramatic transmission, reverse light. And it has the DeLuxe version of the pushbutton AM radio. Other options: Glovebox lid clock, lefthand rear view mirrors. The tires are very old and need replacement. Other facts mentioned: Frozen engine. So a test drive is currently not possible. Still a good example on the market in this original shape. It is priced low.

1948 Oldsmobile 78 Fastback
1948 Oldsmobile 78 Fastback

The car is in very original state. The Olds inline-eight engine is frozen unfortunately. One of the windscreens is broken. But replacement is not a problem, as they are flat glass. An amazing time capsule. There is an (original) aftermarket bumper attached to the front. The right front bumper has a dent. The paint is a two tone green and obviously original. Because of its high degree of authenticity it is easy, but probably not cheap, to bring it back to the original state.