Self-Improvement Course: The Story of the 1939-40 Oldsmobiles

摘要

The Olds Motor Works was in an expansive mode in the latter half of the Thirties. Plant facilities in its hometown of Lansing, Michigan, grew with the addition of several structures. A new engineering building was added in 1936 and another for a "driveaway" program that allowed customers to pick up their new car at the factory opened in '37. The Oldsmobile product line was broadened, too, with the debut of a third series for 1939. Then there was the matter of production and sales. Apparently breaking free of the firm grip of the Great Depression in 1935, production set a record for the marque—and turned out the 1-millionth Olds in the process. Output increased further in each of the next two model years, reaching 206,086 by 1937. Then a recession tripped up the auto market, but in 1939, Olds starting making back some of the 50-percent loss in sales it had suffered in the downturn. The cars were improved steadily during the decade, adopting features like a synchromesh transmission (1931); straight-eight engine (1932); hydraulic brakes, "No-Draft" ventilation, and "Knee Action" independent front suspension (1934); "Turret Top" bodies (1935); and an optional semiautomatic transmission (1937). This took place on the watch of Charles L. McCuen, who became Oldsmobile's chief engineer in 1930, then served a stint as an assistant to General Manager Irving Reuter before succeeding him in that post on November 1,1933, at the relatively tender age of 41. On the same day, Harold T. Youngren stepped in as chief engineer. Both men pushed new engineering ideas that would serve Oldsmobile well in coming years.