I was recently reflecting on the fact that some automakers have whittled down their lineups to just a few models. For example, with the recently announced discontinuation of the RDX (slated to return as a hybrid model within a couple of years), Acura is down to selling just three vehicles: ADX, MDX, and Integra. Ten years ago, the brand offered twice that many different models.
What are examples of other car brands that once offered a large variety of different vehicles but have since slimmed down their offerings considerably (or have been discontinued entirely)?
Oldsmobile comes to mind.
I recently came across a 1966 F-85 Deluxe four-door sedan at Desert Valley Auto Parts (pictured herein) that appeared to be in great overall condition for being 60 years old. It prompted me to see where the F-85 slotted in the model lineup, as well as how many different Oldsmobile models existed when the car was sold new.
While the F-85 served as the entry-level model for the Olds brand, this F-85 Deluxe would have been a step above it.
Oldsmobile published a 15-page brochure to showcase its full-line selection for 1966. “Step Out Front in a Rocket Action Olds!” it said. There were 10 nameplates presented:
- Toronado
- Ninety-Eight
- Delta 88
- Dynamic 88
- Jetstar 88
- Cutlass
- F-85
- Vista Cruiser
- Starfire
- 4-4-2
The section for the mid-sized F-85 said, “Here comes the F-85 again — three smart new sedans and two sharp new coupes — delivering nice things in a big way! Big-car look. Big-car ride. Big-car interior comfort. Big-car action from a 330-cu.-in. Jetfire Rocket V-8… or new economical Action-Line 6! Big money? Nope. F-85 is smack-dab in the low-price field . . . but still an all-out Olds!”
There were a staggering 40 vehicles displayed on the final pages of the brochure:
The included chart on technical specifications helped shed a little more light on what was what. There were cars in five different wheelbase lengths ranging from 115 inches (F-85) to 126 inches (Ninety-Eight). Coupes, sedans, stations wagons, and convertibles all made the list.
The list of available engines was equally mind-boggling. The smallest offering was a 155-horsepower inline-six, and the largest was a 385-horsepower Rocket V-8 in the Toronado. John Stephenson from Curbside Classic discussed this same topic in his story from 2018.
What are your thoughts on Oldsmobile’s lineup for 1966? Did some models cannibalize sales of others? And from a shopper’s perspective, do you think it was overwhelming to look at not only all the available vehicles/body styles, but also the options within them?
