Oldsmobile introduced the 88 badge in 1949. It was named to complement the already-existing Oldsmobile 98, but the 88 was priced and sold as a more mass-market model. The combination of a powerful V8 engine with a relatively small body made it a precursor to the muscle car. The 88 enjoyed a great success, inspiring a popular 50's slogan, "Make a Date with a Rocket 88", and also a song, "Rocket 88". In the 60's, Oldsmobile would adopt the rocket as its logo. The 88 name would remain in the Olds lineup until the late 90's, virtually until the end of Oldsmobile itself; a fiftieth anniversary edition was issued in 1999.

A large number of variations in nomenclature were seen over this long model run - Delta, Dynamic, Delmont, Holiday, L/S, LSS, Celebrity, Super, Jetstar and Royale were used at various times with the 88 badge, and Fiesta appeared on some station wagons in the 50's and 60's. The name was more commonly shown as numbers in the earlier years and was usually spelled out in the later.

The Oldsmobile Eighty Eight was produced in Wentzville, Missouri, Flint, Michigan and Orion, Michigan. The Oldsmobile Eighty Eight was restyled for 1996 and the Royale prefix was dropped and the LSS had no ties to the Eighty Eight. From 1996-1999, the Eighty Eights were produced in Orion, Michigan. The first 1996 Eighty Eight rolled off the assembly line on August 22, 1995. The last Oldsmobile LSS was produced on September 23, 1998. The last Oldsmobile Eighty Eight 50th Anniversary Edition was manufactured on January 6, 1999.