1937 Olds 8 Cyl Question

[Hudsy Wudsy]

Gentlemen, I've admired mid to late thirties Olds 8 cyl cars for a long time. I've recently been eyeballing a nice, but overpriced '37 sedan. Could one of you tell me what the rear end ratio is in a '37 Olds 8 cyl sedan is? Or, could one of you speculate on what the comfortable hiway speed would be. For example, I've looked for Buicks for a while now and have learned that the consensus is that a Buick Special really isn't up to hiway speeds because of it's smaller engine, and, in particular, rear end gears. A Buick Century or Roadmaster will, however, cruise along just fine at modern freeway speeds. How do you feel about the Olds 8 sedan in that regard? Also does this vintage of Olds have an open driveshaft or a closed one?

[Steve Moskowitz]

4.375 rear axle ratio.  Open driveshaft.  I have a '37 Olds 8 Cyl.  Not sure how fast you want to go but mine is comfortable at 55-60  I have never tried to drive it faster.

[GARY F]

Steve, any pictures of your car.

[Steve Moskowitz]

Only this one on my computer...in the back.

[John_S_in_Penna]

I see considerably more 6-cylinder 1937 Oldsmobiles

than 8-cylinders of that year.  Are the 8's especially scarce these days?

Admittedly, my exposure to them isn't nearly as much as other people's,

so I'm working from a small sample.

 

And I think the grille of the 8-cylinder model looks better.

[GARY F]

I have a thing for L-36  to L-38 olds. I guess that is because my grandfather bought a new L-36 and then gave or sold to my father during WW-ll  .  

[1939_Buick]

On 04/12/2016 at 3:52 PM, Hudsy Wudsy said:

Gentlemen, I've admired mid to late thirties Olds 8 cyl cars for a long time. I've recently been eyeballing a nice, but overpriced '37 sedan. Could one of you tell me what the rear end ratio is in a '37 Olds 8 cyl sedan is? Or, could one of you speculate on what the comfortable hiway speed would be. For example, I've looked for Buicks for a while now and have learned that the consensus is that a Buick Special really isn't up to hiway speeds because of it's smaller engine, and, in particular, rear end gears. A Buick Century or Roadmaster will, however, cruise along just fine at modern freeway speeds. How do you feel about the Olds 8 sedan in that regard? Also does this vintage of Olds have an open driveshaft or a closed one?

The same body shell was used for some Olds & Buick series 40 & 60  (GM B body) [40 = 248ci & 60 = 320ci overhead valve]

The Buick Century (series 60) 320 ci was considered a high performance car in its day.

Buick Roadmaster & Limited (320ci) used a bigger body (GM C body) and longer heavier chassis. And they have slower diff's.

 

Would expect all mid to late 1930's cars, from all brands, to have about the same cruising speed (~diff ratio). When they new, many drove at 45 mph. The roads were not like today. And being able to accelerate in top/3rd gear from a low speed was considered desirable.

Edited December 18, 2016 by 1939_Buick (see edit history)