Viking (automobile)

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Logo for Oldsmobile's Companion make of automobile, Viking

Viking was an automobile manufactured by General Motors' Oldsmobile division, in Lansing, Michigan, for model years 1929 to 1931 and used the GM B platform. It was shared with the Oakland Model 301 for 1930 and 1931.[1]

Viking was part of Alfred Sloan's companion make program introduced to help span gaps in General Motors’ pricing structure, and was marketed through GM's Oldsmobile division. Viking was one of four makes introduced by General Motors, the other lines (and their GM divisions) being Pontiac (Oakland), Marquette (Buick) and LaSalle (Cadillac). Of the four makes, Viking was the only one priced higher than its "parent" make, and took the role of senior luxury sedan for Oldsmobile until replaced by the Oldsmobile L-Series. It took over the senior luxury position from the Oldsmobile Light Eight.[1]

1930 Viking Sedan

Riding on a 125 in (3,175 mm) wheelbase with steel semi-elliptic springs and a 44 1/2 foot turning circle,[2] Vikings were powered by a monobloc V8 engine, the first automobile using this type of engine construction.[1] Vikings were available as 4-door sedan, deluxe 4-door sedan, convertible coupé with rear deck seat, deluxe convertible coupé with rear deck seat, close-coupled 4-door sedan and deluxe close-coupled 4-door sedan.[1] The front seat and the steering wheel were adjustable.[3]

Viking production for 1929 was 4,058 units and 1930 2,813, and retail prices were listed at US$1,595 ($24,039 in 2020 dollars [4]) for a choice of three body styles.[1] GM discontinued the Viking and the Marquette at the end of the 1930 model year, preferring to bet on Oldsmobile and Buick, which had better consumer awareness. However, an additional 353 units were assembled using existing parts and marketed as 1931 models.[1]

References[]

  1. ^ a b c d e f Kimes, Beverly Rae (1996). The Standard Catalog of American Cars: 1805-1942. Iola, IA: Krause Publications. p. 1502. ISBN 0873414780.
  2. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2017-02-26. Retrieved 2017-02-25.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  3. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2017-02-26. Retrieved 2017-02-25.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  4. ^ 1634–1699: McCusker, J. J. (1997). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1700–1799: McCusker, J. J. (1992). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1800–present: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved January 1, 2020.

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