The Forgotten Oldsmobile Aurora was GM's Last Gasp to Save the Brand, and it Almost Worked.

The Aurora was meant to bring new life to a fading car company - Oldsmobile had reached its zenith in 1985, with more than a million units sold - by 1993, they moved barely over 400K. Competition from Japan and Europa was proving tough to overcome, and GM badge engineering had taken a toll. The once proud company was selling cars considered stodgy, outdated, and weaker than the competition.

Enter the Aurora. It was designed from the ground up to prove that GM could take it to the competition and win on a level playing field, and the effort paid off. The first generation Aurora was widely admired by the automotive press, and loved by the people who bought them. It had an advanced V8 engine, tuned suspension, and a quality made interior that compared nicely even with higher end European cars. For a while, it seemed like Oldsmobile was back.

For a while. The goodness of the Aurora was not enough to lure new buyers to Olds, and it was too far removed from the stodgy cars of the past to retain the old ones. GM made the decision to close the company in 2003, and the Aurora, then in its diminished 2nd generation, died an ignoble death along with it. Sad stuff.

Full review and test drive of a triple green 1996 Oldsmobile Aurora by Bill. Car for sale at Autohaus of Naples, http://www.autohausfl.com, or at (239) 263-8500.

Link to video of a 1976 Oldsmobile 98 Coupe that explores the history of Oldsmobile:
   • This 32K Mile 1976 Oldsmobile 98 Rege...