Not without justification, Oldsmobile advertised its 1935 product line as “the car that has everything,” offering a sweet combination of styling, pricing, and features.

Eight Sport Coupe at the construction of the Golden Gate Bridge 

It’s been observed more than once that Oldsmobile weathered the Great Depression better than many carmakers. In The Encyclopedia of American Cars 1930-1980, historian Richard Langworth wrote, “One of the reasons Olds suffered relatively less in the ’30s than most was that it cut its losses more quickly. It also resisted constant changes to its model lineup, and only the two basic series and two wheelbases were offered from 1933 to ’38.” That makes sense. In troubled and uncertain times, hunker down and stick to business.

If we may expand on that theory, we note that from 1933 to 1940, the general manager at Oldsmobile was not a sales or finance man but one of the top engineers at General Motors, Charles L. McCuen. Though his formal education ended at fifth grade, he was an industry pioneer who served as chief engineer at Olds before leading the division, and in 1947 he became GM’s vice president of research when Charles F. Kettering retired.

Six Chassis 

While as Langworth noted, Oldsmobiles in these years were a bit conservative in design, McCuen readily embraced change where it mattered. Olds was one of the first GM divisions to adopt hydraulic brakes in 1934, and in that same year independent front suspension as well, using the same short/long arm wishbone system (“Knee Action”) as Buick and Cadillac. The two available L-head engines for 1935, a 213.3 CID six and a 240.3 CID straight eight, were rated at 90 hp and 100 hp respectively, placing them near the top of their price class in output. As chief engineer at Olds, McCuen had led the development of both.

Eight Sedan 

Another important development at Olds and GM for 1935 was the all-steel Turret Top, which made cars better and less expensive to build at the same time, not the easiest trick. A full range of body styles was offered in both model lines, the 115-in wheelbase Six (F-36) and the 121-in Oldsmobile Eight (L-36). Cabins were well appointed, too,  especially for cars of their price class in the $675-$935 range. The Touring Sedans, with four doors and an integral touring trunk, were the best sellers in both the Six and Eight lines.

Eight Touring Sedan 

So it was not without justification that the top line in Olds advertising for 1935 was “the car that has everything.” As the economy slowly began to recover, Oldsmobile was in the right place at the right time with its styling, features, and pricing. Sales rose 57 percent to 120,00 cars in 1935, leaving Buick in the dust. Sales surged again in 1936, and in 1937 the model year production exceeded 200,000 cars, a division record.

Eight Convertible Coupe