Oldsmobile Fiesta
Fiesta is the model name of a limited edition luxury convertible produced in 1953 by the former US automobile manufacturer Oldsmobile (1897-2004), which had belonged to the General Motors Group (GM) since 1908 , and the station wagon models of this brand between 1957 and 1960.
The "Dream Car"
In 1953, the independent US car manufacturer Packard and the US car brands Cadillac , Buick and Oldsmobile, which belong to the GM group , each presented a small-edition luxury convertible with 5 to 6 seats: the Packard Caribbean , the Cadillac Eldorado , the Buick Skylark and the Oldsmobile Fiesta . All of them had the respective standard convertible of their brand as a basis. Other similarities were a modified body, particularly luxurious equipment - and a price tag that they assigned to the most expensive US automobiles of the time.
The three GM models, built on the Group's own C platform ("full size"), had a further special feature for the first time, a panorama windshield used in - albeit a smaller - series . This sparked a design trend that eventually embraced all major US manufacturers and lasted until the late 1950s.
The 'Fiesta' did not go on sale until the middle of the 1953 model year. From a technical point of view, it belonged to the larger of the two Oldsmobile series, the Ninety-Eight, which is located in the American upper middle class, on its chassis and engine (a version of the legendary 'Rocket' V8 with OHV valve control ). The body was derived from the convertible of this series. The standard equipment of the 'Fiesta' included a special leather interior, hydramatic automatic transmission, power steering, power brakes, hydraulic operation of the convertible top and the front seat bench, and hubcaps with a design that was often copied later.
1953 "Dream Cars" and Oldsmobile Ninety-Eight Convertible in comparison
| brand | model | engine | Power HP / kW | Wheelbase in / mm | Weight lb / kg | List price | Prod. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Packard | Caribbean | R8; 327.0 ci (5359 cm 3 ) | 180 / 134.2 | 122.0 / 3099 | 4265/1935 | $ 5,210 | 750 |
| Cadillac | Eldorado | V8; 331.0 ci (5424 cm 3 ) | 210 / 156.6 | 126.0 / 3200 | 4800/2177 | $ 7,750 | 532 |
| Buick | Skylark | V8; 322.0 ci (5277 cm 3 ) | 188 / 140.2 | 121.5 / 3086 | 4315/1927 | $ 5,000 | 1,690 |
| Oldsmobile | Fiesta | V8; 303.7 ci (4978 cm 3 ) | 170 / 126.8 | 124.0 / 3129.6 | 4453/2020 | $ 5,717 | 458 |
| Oldsmobile | Ninety-Eight | V8; 303.7 ci (4978 cm 3 ) | 170 / 126.8 | 124.0 / 3129.6 | 4119/1868 | $ 3,229 | 7521 |
The price difference between Oldsmobile Ninety-Eight and 'Fiesta' is striking.
Oldsmobile only produced the 'Fiesta' for one year. The Buick Wildcat was discontinued after 1954, the Packard Caribbean in 1956. Last year there was also a hardtop coupé. The Cadillac Eldorado also received such a coupé in 1956. The model series was built in eight model generations until 2002 and has become an American icon.
Station Wagon (1957–1960)
For the first time since 1951, Oldsmobile was again offering station wagons for the 1957 model year. These 5-door, 6-seat station wagons were reserved for the smaller series 88 and Super 88 and carried the additional designation 'Fiesta' until 1960. There was never a station wagon version for the top model 'Ninety-Eight'.
The 'Fiesta' was a well-built middle-class model that especially with the station wagons of Mercury , Edsel (from 1958), Dodge , DeSoto , Packard ( 1957 - 1958 ) or the Studebaker President competed (until 1958).
A third bench seat for two passengers with their backs facing the direction of travel was optionally available for the 'Fiesta'.
1957
In the year of its launch, Oldsmobile's new station wagons appeared as 'Fiesta Station Wagon' and 'Fiesta Hardtop Wagon', the latter fashionably without a B-pillar analogous to the 2 or 4-door 'Holiday Sedan'. This body shape was offered by various manufacturers, but did not last long. Oldsmobile gave them up again after the 1958 model year.
While the 'Fiesta Station Wagon' was reserved for the simpler Golden Rocket 88 series, the hardtop variant was available in both this and the more upscale super version. The equipment and motorization corresponded to the other variants of the corresponding series throughout the production period. Accordingly, the current version of the in-house V8 'Rocket' engine with hanging valves was installed as standard in all models. It made from 371.1 ci displacement (6082 cm 3 ) 277 HP (207 kW). As an option there was a higher compression version with 300 HP (223.7 kW).
| Construction year | Model name | Model no. | List price | production |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1957 | Golden Rocket 88 Fiesta Station Wagon | 3693 | $ 3,202 | 5,032 |
| 1957 | Golden Rocket 88 Fiesta Hardtop Wagon | 3695 | $ 3,313 | 5,767 |
| 1957 | Golden Rocket Super 88 Fiesta Hardtop Wagon | 3695SD | $ 3,541 | 8,981 |
1958
The Fiesta models also followed the facelift of the other series. Bulky shapes, double headlights and a more than generous chrome trim were the features of a design that many customers found overloaded. Unfortunately, this was even more true of Oldsmobile than of its sister brands. Today this vintage Oldsmobile is sought-after collector's item precisely because of this opulence.
The 'Fiesta' remained in the three variants of the previous year in the program, but the hardtop variant was offered for the last time.
| Construction year | Model name | Model no. | List price | production |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1958 | Dynamic 88 Fiesta Station Wagon | 3693 | $ 3,284 | 3,249 |
| 1958 | Super 88 Fiesta Hardtop Wagon | 3695 | $ 3,395 | 3,323 |
| 1958 | Super 88 Fiesta Hardtop Wagon | 3695SD | $ 3,623 | 5'175 |
There were some changes on the engine side. The version reserved for the basic model has been reduced in output to 265 HP (197.6 kW). A stronger version was also not available for an extra charge. The standard version for all Super 88 and Ninety-Eight weights 305 HP (227.4 kW) on the rear axle. If you wanted even more power, you could use an even larger V8 for these model series at an additional cost. It had 394 ci (6458 cm 3 ) and made 312 HP (233 kW).
1959
This year the final design appeared in the responsibility of the longtime GM vice president and head of the Art and Color design department, Harley Earl . With its slim lines and the more economical use of chrome, it already clearly bore the signature of its successor, Bill Mitchell . But the new floor pan was even more important for all group brands.
The enormous effort to get back on the road to success led to some completely new models such as the Chevrolet El Camino , on the other hand, body variants were also abandoned. One of them was the hardtop wagon, which Oldsmobile also had in its range.
While other corporate brands such as Buick or Pontiac even changed their model names, Oldsmobile (still) stuck to the naming scheme that had just been introduced. The smaller model series should see frequent name changes in the coming years.
| Construction year | Model name | Model no. | List price | production |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1959 | Dynamic 88 Fiesta Station Wagon | 3235 | $ 3,365 | 11,298 |
| 1959 | Super 88 Fiesta Station Wagon | 3535 | $ 3,669 | 7,015 |
The only available engine for the Dynamic 88 was slightly modified compared to the previous year. The power was now given as 270 HP (201.3 kW). The standard motor of the Super 88 remained at 300 HP, the optional larger motor with 315 HP (234.9 kW) had slightly more power than the previous year.
1960
After the unscheduled model change in the previous year, GM got back on track. Stylistically - of course - a facelift had to be sufficient. For the Oldsmobile station wagons, there was an expansion of the range that could be implemented with little effort: the previous 6-seater was supplemented by an 8-seater version with a rear-facing third bench.
| Construction year | Model name | Model no. | List price | production |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | Dynamic 88 Fiesta Station Wagon, 6 pass. | 3235 | $ 3,363 | 8,834 |
| 1960 | Dynamic 88 Fiesta Station Wagon, 8 pass. | 3245 | $ 3,471 | 5,708 |
| 1960 | Dynamic 88 Fiesta Station Wagon, 6 pass. | 3235 | $ 3,665 | 3,765 |
| 1960 | Dynamic 88 Fiesta Station Wagon, 8 pass. | 3245 | $ 3,773 | 3475 |
Of course, Oldsmobile also offered station wagons after 1960 - even more than before because new series were added. The name 'Fiesta' was not used again, however, until Ford picked it up again for its successful European small car.
swell
- Encyclopedia of American Cars from 1930, Ed. Consumer's Guide, Publications International (1993), ISBN 0-7853-0175-5
- The Specification Book For US Cars 1930-1969, Editor G. Marshall Naul, R. Perry Zavitz, Motorbooks International (1980), ISBN 0-87938-068-3
- The Production Figure Book For US Cars, Jerry Heasley, Motorbooks International (1977), ISBN 0-87938-042-X
- American Car Spotter's Guide 1940-1965, Tad Burness, Motorbooks International (1978), ISBN 0-87938-057-8
