In the 1950s, the face and voice of Oldsmobile on television was the incomparable Patti Page. Here she uses her golden pipes to sing the praises of the 1958 Oldsmobile line.
The 1958 model year is considered by many to be the absolute peak of the Motor City’s fabulous Chrome Epoch. As exhibit A we present the ’58 Oldsmobile, which boasts massive chrome bumpers that could crush a Hyundai, an instrument panel that puts Wurlitzer to shame, and multiple side-trim themes that run in both directions from front to rear.
It was a winning look for Oldsmobile, too: The GM brand was the fourth-biggest seller in America that year, topped only by the low-priced three of Chevrolet, Ford, and Plymouth. Along with the hundreds of linear feet of chrome, popular features included the Jetaway Hydra-Matic transmission and a muscular 371 CID Rocket V8 with up to 312 horsepower.
In these years, the face and voice of the Olds division on television was the great Patti Page (1927-2013), the one-time Mercury Records “girl singer” who achieved national fame with million-selling records like “The Tennessee Waltz” and “How Much is That Doggie in the Window.” On her CBS television variety programs, including “The Patti Page Oldsmobile Show” and “The Big Record,” Oldsmobile served as title or presenting sponsor. As host, Ms. Page often sang the live commercial segments, and in this 1958 spot, she performs a jazzed-up version of the 1905 chestnut, “My Merry Oldsmobile.” It’s pretty catchy, and nobody could deliver a tune like Patti Page. Enjoy the video.
Well, she’s no Dinah Shore, but celebrities sell cars, no doubt about that. The ’58 Olds, the epitome of chrome and glitz, the likes we’d never see again.
I’m in the minority who think that the 1958 models were the best looking GM cars of the decade.
This stirred a memory. Now I remember watching this show with my parents as a 6 year old.