The Series 60 "Special" is a full-size car made by Oldsmobile from the 1939 through the 1948 model years. It was their entry-level model using the GM "A" body platform, giving Oldsmobile an entry level product with more standard features that would be optional on Chevrolet and Pontiac vehicles using the same platform. Initially, the engine size used was the company's flat head 6 cylinder, while senior models would use the flat head 8 cylinder. For marketing purposes, the Oldsmobile Series 60, or the Oldsmobile 66, took advantage of the national highway U.S. Route 66 established in 1926.It was with this generation that all GM vehicles experienced increased width dimensions to accommodate three passengers on the front bench seat and an additional three passengers on rear bench seat installed vehicles. This was accomplished with the deletion of running board thereby adding additional room inside the passenger compartment and upgrading the floor mounted gearshift to a steering column installed transmission gear selector for the Hydramatic automatic transmission. 1939–1940 Naming standards were in flux at Oldsmobile during the late 1930s and 1940s. From 1932 through 1938 Oldsmobile had two series: "F" and "L". The Series F came with a straight-six engine and the Series L came with a longer body and a straight-eight engine. The Series F was replaced by the Series 60 in 1939 and the Series L was replaced with the Series 70, with the Series 70 being powered by the straight-six and the straight-eight respectively. The Series 60 used the GM A-body and the Series 70 used the B-body. The Series 60 also shared a naming convention with the more upscale Buick Series 40, also called the Buick Special as the entry-level product for Buick. The Series 60 occupied the entry-level position for Oldsmobiles sold in the United States from 1939 through the 1948 model years. They were trimmed in an entry level fashion and, in parts and components, the Series 60 models were closely related to Chevrolets and Pontiacs. Naming conventions used by GM since the 1910's for all divisions used alphanumeric designations that changed every year. Oldsmobile starting after the war changed their designations and standardized them so that the first number signified the chassis platform, while the second number signified how many cylinders. The 1939 Oldsmobiles were available with the "automatic safety transmission", and was a semi-automatic, in that it still used a clutch to engage