Vehicle Description
PART OF THE GM HERITAGE COLLECTIONOWNED BY GENERAL MOTORS FROM
1949-2009STUNNING ORIGINAL CONDITION VIRTUAL TIME WARP
ORIGINALITYFORMERLY OWNED BY GEORGE SHINN AND BLACKHAWK
COLLECTIONSUNDER 19,000 MILES FROM NEW; INCLUDES GM CERTIFICATE OF
ORIGINEXCELLENT, AS-NEW IVY GREEN PAINT, DARK GRAY INTERIOR AND
BRIGHTWORK105 HP 257 CI BIG SIX ENGINE/HYDRA-MATIC 4-SPEED
AUTOMATICEQUIPPED WITH DASH CLOCK, HEATER, RADIO AND TURN
SIGNALSAMAZING EXAMPLE OF OLDSMOBILES POPULAR NEW POSTWAR MODELS
Following up on its all-new 98 line for 1948, Oldsmobile released
its new Series 76 and 88 models for 1949, based on the B-Body
platform shared with GM siblings Chevrolet and Pontiac. In
particular, the new Oldsmobiles were fresh and modern looking with
design cues inspired by sleek fighter planes studied by GM
designers before Americas full-scale entry into WW II. While
Oldsmobiles entry-level line, Series 76 was offered in 7 body
styles and equipped with many standard features. In essence, the 76
was the 88 with power delivered by Olds 257 CI Big Six engine
delivering 105 horsepower 5 more than Fords Flathead V-8. Unlike
contemporary Fords, Olds 76 models were also available with an
automatic transmission - the four-speed GM Hydra-Matic in concert
with the Oldsmobile Big Six.This 1949 Oldsmobile 76 Sedan is quite
likely the finest, lowest-mileage car of its kind in existence
anywhere today. Owned by General Motors from new, it was sold from
the renowned GM Heritage Collection in 2009 and collector-owned
ever since, including the famed Blackhawk Collection in California
and most recently, the noted automobile collection of former New
Orleans Hornets NBA team owner George Shinn. Offered in
outstanding, original and as-new condition, this 1949 Oldsmobile 76
Sedan has accumulated under 19,000 miles from new and comes with
the 2009-dated GM Certificate of Origin attesting to its amazing
provenance.Finished in virtually impeccable Ivy Green paint,
accented by outstandingly preserved chrome bumpers and stainless
trim, the Oldsmobile retains original-appearing glass with no sign
of delamination, chips, or cracks. The Dark Gray interior and
carpeting remain in great condition, as do the door panels,
headliner, dash and functional gauges. The steering wheel is
uncommonly nice and devoid of the usual cracking seen in vehicles
of similar vintage. Desirable features include a Hydra-Matic
four-speed automatic transmission, dash clock, heater, pushbutton
radio and turn signals.While certainly amazing in visual terms,
this 1949 Oldsmobile 76 Sedan operates as well as it looks. The Big
Six starts with the push of a button and runs great; the
Hydra-Matic automatic transmission shifts as it should. The engine
and engine compartment are clean and extremely well detailed,
providing an irreplaceable glimpse into how the car appeared when
it left the factory in Lansing. The trunk retains the original jack
and mounted spare. A car can only be original once. This amazingly
preserved 1949 Oldsmobile 76 Sedan is just that and with provenance
including its first 60 years of existence at General Motors,
followed by two famous collections, it is an amazing touchstone to
the excitement and energy of the late 1940s when postwar America
led the world with exciting new auto designs and increasing luxury.