It was a sad day in automotive history when General Motors completely phased out the Oldsmobile marque. Oldsmobile’s history dates back to the 1897 foundation of the Olds Motor Vehicle Company by Ransom E. Olds. It was the oldest surviving American car marque (and the third oldest in the world) until that fateful day (April 29) in 2004 when its cars were produced for the last time. Holding a reputation for American quality and style, the name Oldsmobile is the colloquial contraction of the phrase “Olds automobile”. Due to the popularity and catchiness of the term, the company decided to officially adopt it for a name. A consistent drop in sales in the late ‘90s had prompted GM to stop producing Oldsmobiles, which ironically achieved a critical resurgence in its final years. Many enthusiasts believe that Oldsmobile is an important part of national culture, and owning and caring for one is preserving a piece of American heritage.