1955 Oldsmobile Super 88

Description

Seen how expensive 1955 Chevys are these days? How about something a little bigger, with just as much style, and a bunch more horsepower? This 1955 Oldsmobile Super 88 sedan is a handsome and somewhat unusual alternative for the guy who wants a little rocket power in his life.

There's no denying the familial resemblance, but park this Olds next to any comparable Chevy and you'll quickly discover that the rocket division was making some substantial cars. It's also quite handsome with its period-perfect combination of Polar White over Birmingham Red, although the trim tag says it was originally Bimini Blue over Twilight Blue. Regardless, it looks correct and quite sporty, with the sleek and dramatic side trim hiding the fact that this is a family-friendly 4-door sedan. The paint job has some years on it, but there's an honest quality to a car that's been driven and enjoyed and has seen adventures, but even with a bit of age it has a great look. All four doors fit well and it does not appear that this car ever required major cosmetic surgery and you have to admit those are some pretty cool fender skirts with a truly minimalist design. All the chrome and stainless, and there is a lot of it, is in good condition with the Oldsmobile "globe" emblems looking particularly nice.

When they talk about "full-sized comfort" this car is what they meant. With a bright red and white interior that looks quite fresh, there's plenty of room for the whole family. The seats use suitably intricate patterns with pleats to replicate the 1950s vibe, and the matching door panels are all about style. The dash includes a padded top cover and lots of chrome, with a full array of instruments ahead of the driver neatly tucked into an aircraft-inspired housing. There's a newer AM/FM/cassette stereo head unit in the dash, right above the centrally-located glove box, but that seems to be the only modern upgrade inside. That periscope-like device you see on the left of the dash is called an "Autronic Eye" which detected oncoming traffic and automatically dimmed the headlights. Of course, given the limitations of 1950s technology, they rarely work, but it's a neat piece of hardware nonetheless. The floors have neutral-colored carpets that fit well and are protected by some heavy-duty mats. There's also a giant trunk that's fully upholstered and includes a full-sized spare with jack assembly.

Oldsmobile's 323 cubic inch V8 was considerably bigger and more powerful than the Chevy small block, and with only a little more weight to move around, this Super 88 is a great performer. Wearing corporate turquoise paint and Rocket valve cover decals, it looks right and that big air cleaner is worth a small fortune all by itself due to its popularity with the hot rod guys. A modern 12-volt alternator replaces the factory generator, but otherwise it's quite stock. A Hydra-Matic automatic transmission lives behind the stout V8 and was one of GM's better designs: bulletproof and with firm, positive shifts. The suspension just floats along over almost any pavement and the dual exhaust system has a nice mellow tone that suggests plenty of horsepower under the hood. The chassis is probably original and as a result has some dirt and grease splattered on it as you'd expect, and with 235/75/15 whitewall radials on the original wheels, it handles quite well.

A little out of the ordinary, this big Olds is a great mixture of comfort and performance and a wonderful icon of the 1950s. Call today!