In 1959, Americans were looking to the heavens. Check out the delightful space-age theme used to sell the far-out ’59 Oldsmobiles in this original General Motors commercial spot.
As soon as we saw the kids in the 1950s-style space helmets, we knew we had to share this original 1959 Oldsmobile spot. The space-age theme is a perfect match for the far-out styling Olds employed that year along with all the other GM car divisions. Many observers regard GM’s ’59 sheet metal for all five brands to be the wildest ever produced by the automaker.
Although Oldsmobile slipped from fourth to fifth place in sales for ’59, edged out by the ascending Pontiac division, it was still a decent year for the Lansing car maker with nearly 383,000 units produced—a market share of nearly 7 percent. Three model lines, Dynamic 88, Super 88, and 98, provided a bountiful variety of trim choices and body styles, including GM’s new-for-’59 flat-top four-door hardtop, which Olds called the Holiday Sport Sedan. And although it’s not mentioned here, Lee Petty won the inaugural 1959 Daytona 500 driving a new Olds. Check out the ’59 Olds lineup below.
No seat belts back then!
I wonder how many people looked for those space outfits to contain their unruly brats as they travelled the roads?
Interesting how kids just move around in that car, although yesterday some guy that was in front of me in a new Chevy pick up had four kids in the bed of the truck. The difference between the two is after all these years and laws some people just don’t get it. The first guy was ignorant and the second guy was stupid.
I’m amazed that the four door hardtop was called a sedan ( wonder what they called a sedan?) Holiday always meant a hardtop, two or four door.
All the GM family (except Pontiac with wide track) look funny with those massive wide bodies on the old narrow track!
There were Holiday convertables also.
Actually the Olds had a slightly wider track than Pontiac.
New Yorkers like my self ,we had enjoyed n raced 55-60 olds ,I still think the 57 was the most gorgeous , was looking for one last year, but most were original owners n didn`t want to let them go , I have a 72 olds 442 .