Oliver Old Style - Streamline 88 Registry

Oliver Old Style Streamline 88 Registry
Oliver Farm Equipment decided to update the Oliver 80 and include the styling that was on the model 70 and 60. The first batch of test tractors were hand built in late 1945 and 1946. I have read different numbers but somewhere between 100 and 300 tractors were built for further testing. This was also a way for Oliver to get started on the testing for the future Fleetline tractor series. I know where one of the 1946 tractors and possibly a second. We want to start collecting information from current owners to find out how many of the possible 2500 built are still around.
Information I would like to collect is Serial Number, Configuration, current condition.
Example: 920008, Industrial, Restored.

From the serial number lists I have found these numbers
Row Crop
1947 120001 120352 = 352 built
1948 120353 121300 947 built
Standard
1947 820001 820135 = 135 built
1948 820136 820485 = 349 built
Industrial
1947 920001 920015 = 15 built
1948 920016 920265 = 249 built
Total according to the serial numbers is about 2047 I have read that there were 2500 built.

If you want to add a tractor contact me here or there is a Facebook page with the same name as the post title that you can check out.

Thanks for your help.
John Schoenauer

There is a new Facebook group for the Oliver Streamline - Old Style 88 Registry at https://www.facebook.com/groups/3539642292992239

Thanks
John

This post was edited by John Schoenauer on 03/27/2023 at 09:32 am.
 


I think your math is one off for the 1948 models. There's one more in each of those, bringing the total to 2050, not 2047. Subtraction works but you still have to count the first tractor. Add the original 1945-46 300 pilot tractors, we're right at 2350, not including the 6 experimentals, and I'm assuming Sherry's numbers from her article are correct.

Do you agree? What other sources are out there? Thanks.
 
You are correct on my math. I think the serial number on the pilot run row crop tractors started at 120001. I have heard some question that number but I know where one of those early number tractors is. There is no confirming paperwork but the original owner bought a Streamline 88 in 1946 after returning from WW 2 service. I also know of an Industrial 920008 that has an X (experimental) in the rear end housing casting number. I will do some more checking.
Thanks for looking.
 

I don't have anything to contribute for serial numbers but I am curious about this topic.

Were these experimental 88s in 45-46 made with the improvements i.e. live PTO, six speed transmission that eventually were in the 47-48 Streamline 88s?

Also curious why with the 80, being made 1937-48, they never made or changed the styling to look like the 60s and 70s.
 

I think I read somewhere the 80 was never updated because its sales lagged so far behind the other two.

I wonder how much of this topic can be answered in T. Herbert Morrell's book.
 
Updating might be using the term liberally. I think the starting point was to build a tractor with slightly more HP than the 80
which would have a few common design concepts such as 16 inch front wheels, 38 inch rear wheels, and common dimensions in terms of
mounted tools. Then expand upon that with the Waukesha 6 cylinder engine. Then the final objective of market it at a price where
it would be competitive with similar HP tractors and make a profit. I remember an ag equipment professor at Cornell saying the
last line about price competition and profit was the hardest thing to accomplish. That designing things such as transmissions and
hydraulics were easy but then you had to figure out how much the farmer would pay for then diminish the design down to fit the
budget. This is why so many early tractors did not have generous hydraulics.
 

According to Sherry's material, Continental was Oliver's first choice for the engine but they passed due to another large order that had to be filled. Waukesha was a back up.
 
I have checked several of my books for more information. Sherry's magazine article, Culbertson's book and Morrel's book.

JohnRowehl yes they had the independent PTO on the early tractors from Morrel's book. I think the transmission was the same.

scootergmc sales is usually the reason for lack of investment.

I made some notes from the four books I checked for Old Style 88 information today I can post these if anyone is interested.

One thing I found interesting there appears to have been experimental 77' and 66's made also.
 
I talked to Herb once and we talked about the development of the 88 diesel. Yes I would like to see your notes. I had some pictures of early 66 diesels with a Bosch PSA
injection pump. The volume customer for Continental was Kaiser- Frazer automobiles
 
centralilbaler thanks for your addition. I have a column for the state you live in if you want to share.

J. Schwiebert the note I have are on the Old Style 88's now but I plan to read the Morrell book again because I found some things I had forgot or they did not catch my interest last time. I will post my notes in a separate post.
 
From Oliver Heritage Magazine issue 53 February / Mach 2013
In 1944 6 Experimental prototypes were built and identified as model XK.
Late 1945 early 1946 a pilot run of 300 88 s were built for testing the market in the field before introduction to the public.
The engine used in the 88 was a 190 series Waukesha 230.9 CID. There should be freeze plugs in the block.
Nebraska test October 1947, row crop 120003. Standard 820045.

From the Nebraska Tractor Test Since 192 0by CH Wendal.
Test No. 388 Oliver Row Crop 88 HC tested October 20 to October 31, 1947, The picture shows an Old Style 88 Row Crop Dual Front. Test No. 391 Oliver Standard 88 HC tested November 14 to November 30, 1947 and April 19 to April 30, 1948 The picture shows an Old Style 88 Standard. Test could not be completed in 1947 so the tractor was stored to begin testing in April 1948. The serial numbers for the tractors were not included in this book.

From The Tractor Builders by John D. Culbertson
April 10, 1947, The Oliver Model 88 tractor with the oval and streamline styling was introduced and a pilot run of 150 tractors was produced over the next three months.
June 18, 1948, the long awaited new family of tractors, first conceived by Oliver engineers in the early 1940 s became reality as the first of a pilot run of 145 Model 77 tractors came off of the assembly line.
October 13, 1948, Production of the Fleetline Model 88 began.
January 12, 1949, The first Fleetline Model 66 came off of the assembly line.


From Oliver Farm Tractors by T. Herbert Morrel & Jeff Hackett
The design of the new styling for the Oliver Fleetline tractors was started in 1942. In 1944 six experimental prototypes of each of the Model 66, 77, and 88 were built for test and development purposes. The tractors were known as XL, XM, and XK respectively. The tractors resembled the Model 60, so it was not obvious that the tractors were new design.
During late 1945 early 1946 a pilot run of 300 Model 88 (XK) tractors were manufactured to test the market. The sheet metal was similar to the Model 60 so the new styling could be kept secret until introduction of the complete Fleetline. Meanwhile we used interchangeable parts and low cost tooling until the final design was agreed upon by Oliver management, sales, engineering, manufacturing engineering and all others concerned. The pilot lot of Model 88 tractors was quickly accepted.
Finally, during 1946 the new styling was approved and 300 Model 77 s and 66 s were manufactured to test the market.
 
John,

I have serial number 121239 B
It is unrestored. It runs and I use it occasionally on my acreage with a # 22 sickle mower.

I posted a picture of it on this forum a few / several years ago . At that time I had a pipe cultivator
with spring tooth weeder attachment mounted on the tractor.

I may have an incomplete rear end / transmission for an old style 88 out in my parts shed.
I seem to remember it having the serial tag. Will check on that.
 
excello, can you provide me more information?

These are the things I plan to share.
Serial number
Configuration with the B in the serial number I assume it is a wide front.
Condition
Location or State.
Any other notes about the tractor

Please share the same information about the other tractor if you can.

Thanks
 
I used to have a picture of one of those early 88's that had a block similar to a 60 because the block had a flange cast on the block where the started mounted. It also
had a K-D engine and a hydraulic unit. I also had a picture of the diesel engine Waukesha sent to Charles City in 1945 I think. I also had a picture of a 66 diesel with
a different head and a PSA pump. I also have the grill off of tractor #120029 I bought out of Junk Yard in West Virginia. Send me an e-mail and phone number. Thanks J.
 
John.

The tractor does have the original cast iron wide front.

I found your email address in the HPOCA magazine.

If you don't mind, I will gather some more info and email it
to you with some pictures.
 
(quoted from post at 23:00:58 03/21/23) John.

The tractor does have the original cast iron wide front.

I found your email address in the HPOCA magazine.

If you don't mind, I will gather some more info and email it
to you with some pictures.


Can you also post some pictures of them on here? I'd be interested to see them too.
 
Here are some pictures of Old Style -Streamline 88's. Oliver built five different versions of the tractor.

Dual Front Row Crop
mvphoto103644.jpg


Industrial
mvphoto103645.jpg


Row Crop Adjustable Front Note the Cast Iron center section
mvphoto103646.jpg


Row Crop Single Front
mvphoto103647.jpg


Standard
mvphoto103648.jpg
 

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