Nineteen-forty-two was a brief model year for Oldsmobile, but a fascinating one. Here’s the new B-44 Olds with Fuselage Fenders and Double-Duty Bumpers.
The 1942 model year was a busy one for the Oldsmobile division at General Motors, but a short one. Production began as scheduled on August 29, 1941, only to be cut short by the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7. As the U.S. government ordered the auto industry converted entirely to military production, the last Oldsmobile rolled off the Lansing production line on February 5, 1942. Even before Pearl Harbor, the strategic rationing of key materials, including aluminum and chromium, was already under way, and the final run of Oldsmobiles employed improvised workarounds like steel pistons and painted exterior trim.
In a nod to the car maker’s contributions to the defense effort, the ’42 Oldsmobiles were given the bomber-esque designation B-44. And despite the darkening war clouds and material shortages, the ’42 lineup was a rather ambitious one for Olds, with five distinct models in three series (119-in, 125-in, and 127-in wheelbase) and two engines, a 100-hp L-head six and a 110-hp L-head straight eight. Body style choices were generous as well, from the plain Business Coupe and Sedan to the 98 Club Sedan, a swoopy fastback (above).
In this series of vintage movie theater commercials for the 1942 Olds models, take note of two new features in the spotlight that year: “Fuselage Fenders,” the Olds designation for fender lines that swept through the doors, and “Double-Duty Bumper.” In this setup, the sturdy upper grille bar was stamped from heavy, bumper-gauge steel and then rigidly mounted to the frame, just like a bumper. (The purpose is not entirely clear; ramming enemy submarines, perhaps.) All these wonders are explored in the video below.
My best buddy in high school had one of these, A red convertible, no less.
I have a friend who has a B44 that is very low mileage all original paint , Hydra-Matic, Eight . While the sides and rear views are pleasant typical mid 40’s GM styling I really have to sneak up to get around the front end of that car it is so ugly. I was glad Olds changed it’s look in 1946.
I think the 1941 is worse. The grille looks like a Crosley floor radio. I have mixed feelings about the ’46-’56 models. The signature ‘weeping eyes’ combined with the downturned grille opening reminds me of Emmett Kelly Jr. They’d be perfect for today’s mopey youth.
Yes, you are correct. When you look at the front end of a 41 Olds the chrome dripping off the front headlamps and the parking lamps it reminded me of some of the first scene’s of Titanic that Robert Ballard shot where the rust was dripping off parts of the ship!
GM was quite advanced for 1942 with flow through fenders. The Buick version was called Airfoil fenders and the front and rear fenders actually touched. I agree the Olds front end is awful.
Incorrect. What we see here is G.M.’s ( 1942-1948) Pontoon styling which faded out at the end of 1948 with a mid year finale on only 49 Buick Special.
Then also in 1942 on some Road Master and Century models we have AIR FOIL styling which last from 1942-1948. This styling brings the pontoon all the way through the front doors on two doors and into the quarter panel where a crease, this crease continues into the rear fender and handed off to the render skirt and terminated off the back of the skirt.
No other G.M. product will have this styling feature.
FLOW THROUGH FENDER STYLING starts with all 1948 Cadillac and Oldsmobile 98 only. Unlike Air Foil Styling the high line of the front fender is raised so that this body line or crease now flows over the rear pontoon fender hence the name FLOW THROUGH fender styling. ALL GM products will have this styling feature in 1949. In 1950 only Chevrolet, Pontiac, and the “A” body Olds 88 will continue. Olds will phase this out in 1952, but Chevrolet and Pontiac will use this styling through the 1954 models.
I have no idea what you are trying to argue about. Those are not factory designations.
Read GM’s Art and Color book and it will explain the GM designations or terms I used.
Lovely car side on, at least the coupe. But what were they thinking for the front?
And steel pistons? A lot heavier and a real fit problem as the expansion would be greater than alloy.