PAGE CONTENTS:
Olds of a Different Flavor - Oldsmobile and the military
Oldsmobiles Which Have Graced
The Family Drive over the Years
1948 4Dr Sedan
Dad got this as a hand-me-down from his father-in-law
It was 2-tone grey, had a sunvisor and bumber guards
1952 88-4Dr Sedan
This was my father’s drive-to-work car. Working in the
steel mills, one did not take their “good car” to work
It too had a sunvisor and bumper guards
1953 (2) - 98 4Dr Sedan and 88 2Dr Sedan
One was another hand-me-down to Dad from gramps
This car was White/Holiday Blue in color
The other was the 2d car my older brother ever owned
It was a dark green color
1954 88 2Dr Hdtp
This car was purchased by me as a temporary substitute
vehicle while my main ride (’60 Olds) was under repair at
the body shop (which was more often than not!)
The purchase price, in 1966, was all of $150.00
To get in the car one had to reach in and use the interior
door handle – To exit the vehicle one had to reach outside
and use the exterior handle - Don’t ask me why?
The engine threw a rod and died unceremoniously in a huge
cloud of black smoke right after I had filled ‘er up with ethyl
Before junking it, I distinctly recall punching a hole in the gas
tank with a cold chisel and hammer to drain the gas tank
(Not the brightest move, right?)
1957 98 4 Dr Hdtp
This was my parent’s 1st new car purchase
Other than a J-2 setup, if it wasn’t on this car, Olds did not make it
*- 1960 S88 2Dr Hdtp with factory stick (3 on the tree) -*
My older brother’s 1st new car purchase
Also, the 3d car I ever owned
I bought it in 1963, while a junior in high school
Even though it was a 2-Door, I ended up putting 4 doors on it
The car was ordered with manual steering and brakes
60's vintage Olds with a stick were more than a rarity
Many unsuspecting challengers found out how unique it was
It was mildly customized, and a real hauler
I wish I still had it
See “In Search Of …” article http://www.freewebs.com/jeandaveyaros/insearchofarticle.htm
1961 98 4Dr Hdtp
My parents’ 2d new car purchase
White/Green
1963 Dynamic 88 Conv
Purchased by me while in college
Was a “I have to have it” buy on my part
Totalled it graduation eve
1967 98 4Dr Hdtp
My parents last new car purchase
Black Vinyl Roof/Gold
So big one could live in the back seat
Inherited by me in 1969
1998 Intrigue
Purchased used by the Mrs., before she was the Mrs.
What I remember is paying something like $143 for
the multi-volume set of service manuals
Ultimately traded for a used Toyota Avalon (?)
The Family Drive over the Years
1948 4Dr Sedan
Dad got this as a hand-me-down from his father-in-law
It was 2-tone grey, had a sunvisor and bumber guards
1952 88-4Dr Sedan
This was my father’s drive-to-work car. Working in the
steel mills, one did not take their “good car” to work
It too had a sunvisor and bumper guards
1953 (2) - 98 4Dr Sedan and 88 2Dr Sedan
One was another hand-me-down to Dad from gramps
This car was White/Holiday Blue in color
The other was the 2d car my older brother ever owned
It was a dark green color
1954 88 2Dr Hdtp
This car was purchased by me as a temporary substitute
vehicle while my main ride (’60 Olds) was under repair at
the body shop (which was more often than not!)
The purchase price, in 1966, was all of $150.00
To get in the car one had to reach in and use the interior
door handle – To exit the vehicle one had to reach outside
and use the exterior handle - Don’t ask me why?
The engine threw a rod and died unceremoniously in a huge
cloud of black smoke right after I had filled ‘er up with ethyl
Before junking it, I distinctly recall punching a hole in the gas
tank with a cold chisel and hammer to drain the gas tank
(Not the brightest move, right?)
1957 98 4 Dr Hdtp
This was my parent’s 1st new car purchase
Other than a J-2 setup, if it wasn’t on this car, Olds did not make it
*- 1960 S88 2Dr Hdtp with factory stick (3 on the tree) -*
My older brother’s 1st new car purchase
Also, the 3d car I ever owned
I bought it in 1963, while a junior in high school
Even though it was a 2-Door, I ended up putting 4 doors on it
The car was ordered with manual steering and brakes
60's vintage Olds with a stick were more than a rarity
Many unsuspecting challengers found out how unique it was
It was mildly customized, and a real hauler
I wish I still had it
See “In Search Of …” article http://www.freewebs.com/jeandaveyaros/insearchofarticle.htm
1961 98 4Dr Hdtp
My parents’ 2d new car purchase
White/Green
1963 Dynamic 88 Conv
Purchased by me while in college
Was a “I have to have it” buy on my part
Totalled it graduation eve
1967 98 4Dr Hdtp
My parents last new car purchase
Black Vinyl Roof/Gold
So big one could live in the back seat
Inherited by me in 1969
1998 Intrigue
Purchased used by the Mrs., before she was the Mrs.
What I remember is paying something like $143 for
the multi-volume set of service manuals
Ultimately traded for a used Toyota Avalon (?)
AN OLDS I KNEW OF A LITTLE DIFFERENT FLAVOR!
THIS IS NOT YOUR FATHER'S OLDSMOBILE ....
The M35A2 2.5 Ton 6 x 6 Truck, Cargo
Yes, it is an OLDS! Sort of? Believe it or not, this baby was manufactured by REO. REO, you will recall stands for Ransom Eli Olds. I got to know this baby quite well during my time in the Corps.
History and Models of the M35-series of 6 x 6 Trucks -
The M35-series of 6 x 6 trucks began with the M34, a design developed by REO
for the U.S. military in 1949 and manufactured starting in 1950.
The M34 was equipped with 11.00 x 20 single wheel tires and had wheel
wells intruding into the cargo body. The M34 was quickly followed
by a new design from REO, which
became the M35, very similar to the M34 but with dual-mounted 9.00 x 20
tires in the rear and a flat-floor cargo box with folding troop
seats. The M35, and its body type variants and improvements, were
eventually manufactured by ten different companies through the late
1980s.
The length (w/winch) of the truck chassis was 277 inches. Wheelbase measured from the centerline of the front axle to the centerline of the last rear axle was 178 inches. If measured to the centerline of the rear tandem, the wheelbase is 154 inches. Height to the top of the cab was typically 95-105 inches, while ground clearance was 11-12.5 inches and fording approximately 30 inches without a fording kit. The turning radius was 36 feet. Maximum speed of the M35-series trucks is 55 to 60 mph depending on model. Dimensions of M35 models and variants differed depending on the configuration.
The length (w/winch) of the truck chassis was 277 inches. Wheelbase measured from the centerline of the front axle to the centerline of the last rear axle was 178 inches. If measured to the centerline of the rear tandem, the wheelbase is 154 inches. Height to the top of the cab was typically 95-105 inches, while ground clearance was 11-12.5 inches and fording approximately 30 inches without a fording kit. The turning radius was 36 feet. Maximum speed of the M35-series trucks is 55 to 60 mph depending on model. Dimensions of M35 models and variants differed depending on the configuration.
| M35 | M35A1 | M35A2 | |
| Engine Type 6 cyl. | Reo-Continental OA331 Gasoline | LDS-427-2 Multifuel | LDS-465 Multifuel upgraded to LDT-465 turbo |
| Engine H.P. | 127 | 130 | 140/210 |
| Transmission | Manual - 4 Speed | Manual-5 Speed w/Overdrive | Manual-5 Speed w/Overdrive |
Oldsmobile also made this little ditty as part of its WWI effort. It is designated as a Kitchen Trailer:
