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| Product type | Automobile |
|---|---|
| Produced by | Oldsmobile (General Motors)[1] Lansing Car Assembly;Lansing, Michigan[1] |
| Country | U.S. |
| Introduced | 1929 |
| Discontinued | 1931; 94 years ago (1931) |
| Markets | U.S. |
Viking was abrand ofautomobiles manufactured byGeneral Motors as a supplement toOldsmobile division for model years 1929 to 1931 and used theGM B platform. It was shared with theOakland Model 301 for 1930 and 1931.[1]
Viking was part ofAlfred Sloan'scompanion make program introduced to help span gaps in General Motors’ pricing structure, and was manufactured by GM'sOldsmobile division. Viking was one of four makes introduced by General Motors, the other lines (and their GM divisions) beingPontiac (Oakland),Marquette (Buick) andLaSalle (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 theOldsmobile L-Series. It took over the senior luxury position from theOldsmobile Light Eight.[1]
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Riding on a 125 in (3,175 mm) wheelbase with steel semi-elliptic springs and a 44.5 ft (14 m) turning circle,[2] Vikings were powered by a 90° bank angle 260 cu in (4.3 L)[3]flatheadmonobloc V8 engine that produced 81 hp (60 kW),[1] the first automobile using this type of engine construction, and was shared with theOakland V8. The monobloc architecture was later adapted for use inCadillac andLaSalle.[1] Vikings were available as aconvertiblecoupé withrear deck seat, a 4-doorsedan, and aclose-coupled 4-door sedan in both standard and deluxe trim packages.[1] The front seat and the steering wheel were adjustable.[4]
Viking production for 1929 was 4,058 units and 1930 2,813, and retail prices were listed at US$1,595 ($29,208 in 2024 dollars[5]) for any of the 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] Oldsmobile would not use a V8 engine until theOldsmobile Rocket V8 in 1949.
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