1940Oldsmobile Custom 8

Oldsmobile quietly encroached on the luxury space of its in-house GM rival Buick with its Custom Cruiser eight. Built on a 124 inch wheelbase, longer than either the Special or Super series Buick, power came from a 110 horsepower 257 cubic inch engine, also larger and more powerful than its Buick counterparts, it offered an attractive alternative to upwardly mobile prewar buyers. This 1940 Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser Eight is one of just 290 Convertibles built in 1940. It has been restored to showroom condition and is still a very pretty, sharp car. Finished in a light pastel green with red leather upholstery and a tan cloth top with glass rear window it is impressively equipped including fender skirts, Guide fog lights, wide whitewall tires, hubcaps, trim rings, bumper guards, an exhaust pipe turndown, clock and radio. The three-speed column shift is balanced by a very cool and unusual Oldsmobile turn signal control on the left side of the steering column. The dashboard and window sills are attractively woodgrained. Each of the sunvisors has a vanity mirror with frosted areas for noting engine and chassis service dates including replacement of the engine oil filter's cartridge. The driver's visor has an integrated thermometer. Its passenger's counterpart is lighted. This is a very unusual and rare automobile done to high standards and it still shows proudly inside, outside and under the hood.