1956 Oldsmobile Super 88 Holiday

Description

The Oldsmobile 88 has always been a trendsetter. Of course, the OHV Rocket V8 engine was just the beginning, but it launched a performance revolution that we're still enjoying today. Even by the mid-50s, Oldsmobile was delivering big performance with a healthy dose of luxury to match, creating a unique niche in the GM hierarchy. If you wanted a car that could run with the big Pontiacs, yet offered the luxury of a Buick or Cadillac, the 88 was the smart choice.

This 1956 Oldsmobile Super 88 Holiday is an extremely solid North Carolina car with a restoration that is a few years old. Finished in subtle Alcan White over Cirrus Blue, this was unquestionably a solid & clean car all its life. The doors open and close effortlessly, the trunk fits well, and the massive hood snaps closed with only light pressure. The finish is urethane, but it does not have the bright, almost sterile shine of modern finishes, and the Alcan White in particular has a warm glow that looks entirely appropriate. Things like the bumpers and grille have been expertly refinished with show chrome, and all the stainless has been straightened and polished to match.

This car's quality is especially apparent inside, where it has been restored in the original blue and white upholstery. Fresh carpets, accurate fabrics, and door panels that only show a bit of age make it a wonderful place to be. All the gauges and the dazzling instrument panel have been restored. Note the details such as the center-mounted glove box, the warning light for the emergency brake, and beautifully clear Lucite center of the horn ring. An AM/FM/CD stereo has been mounted harmlessly under the dash, with the original AM radio still in its slot. The highly original trunk carries a matching spare tire and a complete jack assembly.

Oldsmobile's famous Rocket V8 lives under the hood, ready to drive and enjoy immediately. Thanks to a big horsepower injection in 1956, it makes 240 horsepower from its 324 cubic inches, it is a spirited performer on the road thanks to a broad torque curve and a quick-shifting HydraMatic automatic transmission. It starts easily thanks to a 12-volt electrical system, and idles with a healthy rumble from the exhaust. That actually looks like original Oldsmobile Green with bright yellow Oldsmobile Rocket markings on the valve covers, but it's remarkably clean, and an Edelbrock carburetor is the only deviation from stock. Underneath, the chassis is highly original and shows its southern roots with no problem areas. Wide whitewall radials are the right choice for a car that's going to be driven, and they've been mounted on the original wheels with spinner wheelcovers.

If you've been watching auctions lately, you know that the 'shoebox' Chevys have cooled off while their big brothers at Oldsmobile and Buick have heated up. This is a wonderful car with no needs, and chances are slim that you'll see another anywhere but the Oldsmobile national meet. Call today!