Oldsmobiles came in two sizes in the 1950s, the smaller 88s and Super 88s, which were the same size as a Chevrolet, and the larger, more luxurious 98s, which were the size of a Cadillac. The 98 was the top-of-the-line Oldsmobile, equivalent to the Buick or Cadillac in both size and appointments, and yet it retained the basic good looks and proportions of the sportier 88 series that helped make 1955 the best sales year in Oldsmobile history. Standard items ranged from spun-glass hood insulation and stainless-steel rocker-panel moldings to vent panes on the rear windows and an electric clock. The list of options included backup lights, air conditioning, power brakes, seats and steering, and a heavy-duty air cleaner. Like many cars of the mid-1950s, Oldsmobiles came in a variety of two-toned paint combinations. The 98s and Super 88s shared the same V-8 engine, while the base-model 88 came with a slightly detuned version of the engine. THE SPECS Price $2,833 Engine 324-cubic-inch V-8 Horsepower 202 at 4,000 rpm Wheelbase 126 inches Overall length 212 inches Passenger capacity 5 HISTORICAL FACTS Year 1955 President Dwight D. Eisenhower Median family income $4,421 Dow Jones industrial average (year-end) 488.39 Academy Award movie "Marty" Milestone AFL and CIO merge
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