Power and style, from the world of 1954: An ad for the venerable Oldsmobile 88.
Most notable is the ad’s emphasis on the Rocket 202 engine, rather than the car itself, a depiction of which only occupies a small part of the “landscape”. In a way that cleverly fits the 1950s cultural prominence of space exploration and atomic energy, the photo of the engine is surrounded by four ovals – or, orbitals? – which together – with a rocket superimposed on each orbital – symbolize an atom. Or, “the” atom.
I’ve transcribed the ad verbatim, right down to the addresses of the fifteen southeastern Pennsylvania (and one New Joisey) dealerships listed at the bottom. Remarkably, even with the passage of 66 years, two of these locations still serve as auto dealerships: Sloane Toyota of Philadelphia, and Piazza Nisan of Ardmore. Oogle street views reveal that any buildings at the other fifteen locations have either been converted into offices or warehouses or have been demolished, in the latter cases most often ironically leaving – what else? – parking lots.
OLDSMOBILE
CONTINUES TO MAKE
HIGH-COMPRESSION
HISTORY!
ALL-AROUND NEW!
“ROCKET” 202
The engine that started an era is newer-than-ever for 1955!
Still in the lead…because it’s still making history! It’s Oldsmobile’s new “Rocket” 202, backed by more miles – more owners – more experience – than any other high-compression engine! Now it’s the “Rocket” to top all “Rockets”! Horsepower is up to 202! Compression climbs to an 8.5 1 ratio! Torque reaches new highs – even for Oldsmobile! And with power-contoured combustion chambers and a high-life camshaft, your toe-touch is translated instantly into the most thrilling action you’ve ever known! It’s flashing new “Go-Ahead” power to match Oldsmobile’s dashing new “Go-Ahead” look! Massive new front-end design, bold new fender lines, daring new “flying color” styling! Come in soon. Find out why this year, more than ever, it’s smart to make a date with an exciting, all-new “Rocket-8”!
OLDSMOBILE
“Make COURTESY Your Code of the Road”
DON’T MISS IT! ANOTHER GALA OLDSMOBILE 90-MINUTE MUSICAL NBC-TV * DEC. 18
HENRY FAULKNER
1546 Cottman St.
Fl 2-4900
(Now Sloane Toyota of Philadelphia)
PHILADELPHIA MOTOR CAR CO.
1155 S. Broad St.
FU 9-4400
SELMI MOTORS, INC.
3222 N. Broad St.
BA 3-4600
FALL OLDSMOBILE, INC.
8416 Germantown Ave.
CH 7-4966
HARRY KROUSE OLDSMOBILE INC.
667 No. Broad St.
PO 5-6950
PLACHTER CADILLAC & OLDSMOBILE CO.
Frankford & Torresdale Aves.
DE 6-2311
WAYNE JUNCTION MOTORS, INC.
5521 Wayne Ave.
YI 8-1000
_________________________________________________________________
Ardmore … RAYMOND P. SCOTT, INC.
265 E. Lancaster Ave.
MI 2-2600
(Now Piazza Nisan of Ardmore)
Camden, N.J. … INGRAM MOTOR SALES CO.
2008 Federal St.
WO 4-0687
Drexel Hill … DAVE REESE OLDS., INC.
Township Line & Burmont Road
SH 8-0910
Upper Darby … SPECK CADILLAC-OLDSMOBILE, INC.
Garrett Rd. & Sansom St.
GR 6-1522
Bryn Mawr … DEL-MONT MOTORS INC.
635 Lancaster Ave.
LA 5-1600
Conshohocken … E.F. MOORE
12th Ave. & Fayette St.
4-0621
Hatboro … DELVAL MOTORS, INC.
York Rad
Osborne 5-9000
W. Collingswood Heights, N.J. … SELBROS MOTORS
117 Black Horse Pike
GL 6-0236
Jenkintown … H.L. PETERSON, INC.
707 Greenwood Ave.
MA 5-3210
Media … WHITAKER-BARRETT, INC.
340 W. Baltimore Ave.
Media 6-0100
______________________________
Go for a spin…
… Oldsmobile (Division of General Motors)