Oldsmobile launched the 88 in 1949 by putting its new overhead-valve Rocket V8 into a lighter body. The Rocket 88 is often described as an early muscle car, and it won races in early NASCAR. The 88 name continued through the 1950s, the Dynamic 88 of 1959-1964 and the Delta 88 from 1965. It moved to front-wheel drive on the H-body in 1986 and lasted until 1999 as the Eighty Eight, and the LSS of 1996-1999 could have a supercharged 3.8-litre V6.
One of Oldsmobile's best-known nameplates, launched in 1949 by putting the new overhead-valve Rocket V8 into a lighter body. Some consider the result an early muscle car, and it won NASCAR races. The Rocket 88 set the brand's performance image. The 88 name lasted through many generations until 1999 and ended on a front-wheel-drive H-body sedan.
77years
5generations
6trims
133–296hp range
The Lineage
5 generations · tap any to explore1 trimFirst generation (Rocket 88)
1949–1953
1 trimSecond generation
1954–1956
1 trimThird generation
1957–1958
1 trimFourth generation
1959–1964
2 trimsH-body (FWD)
1988–1999