The Oldsmobile 98 (spelled Ninety-Eight from 1952 to 1991, and Ninety Eight from 1992 to 1996) is the full-size flagship model of Oldsmobile that was produced from 1940 until 1996. The name — reflecting a "Series 90" fitted with an 8-cylinder engine — first appeared in 1941 and was used again after American consumer automobile production resumed post-World War II. It was, as it would remain, the division's top-of-the-line model, with lesser Oldsmobiles having lower numbers. The Oldsmobile 98 was built in twelve generations: 1st Gen (1941), 2nd Gen (1942-1947), 3rd Gen (1948-1953), 4th Gen (1954-1956), 5th Gen (1957-1958), 6th Gen (1959-1960), 7th Gen (1961-1964), 8th Gen (1965-1970), 9th Gen (1971-1976), 10th Gen (1977-1984), 11th Gen (1985-1990), and 12th Gen (1991-1996).