Founded by Ransom E. Olds in 1897, Oldsmobile was the oldest surviving automobile manufacturer in America, producing 35.2 million models in the company’s 107 year life. Oldsmobile were renown for models such as the Curved Dash, arguably one of the first mass produced automobiles, the Rocket 88, one of the world’s first muscle cars, the Jetfire, arguably the world’s first turbocharged production car and the Toronado, the first US produced front wheel drive car since the Cord of the 1930s. And it’s not just cars, it’s engines as well, most well known of which was the Rocket V8, the first post-war OHV (overhead-valve) V8 engine made by General Motors. Oldsmobile were also known for their involvement in NASCAR, starting with the Rocket 88, which became the first real “King of NASCAR.” The company proved to be utterly competitive in stock car racing for years to come, until the 1990s when General Motors lessened the entries for it’s other divisions, Chevrolet and Pontiac. The firm shut their doors in 2004, but they will not be forgotten, especially for their reputation for innovation and being one of the oldest surviving car manufacturers in America, and in terms of the world, one of the oldest after Daimler, Peugeot and Tatra.

So here are my 10 favourites from the oldest surviving Detroit marque.

Oldsmobile 98 Fiesta

Oldsmobile 442 Hurst

Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme (1977)

Oldsmobile F85 Jetfire

Oldsmobile F-38 Sloper

Oldsmobile Golden Rocket Dream Car

Oldsmobile Rocket 88 Club Coupe (1950)

Oldsmobile Starfire Holiday Hardtop (1962)

Oldsmobile Toronado (1966)

Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser (1964)