Dragged out into the harsh winter sun, this 1959 Oldsmobile Super 88 SceniCoupe in Edgecomb, Maine represents a pinnacle or “finnacle” for fans of fin-happy late ’50s turnpike cruisers. Low and wide styling said goodbye to pre-war designs that carried through the middle of the decade. Leave those high-riding antiques behind and say hello to the age of Interstate trawlers. Seeing America was never easier thanks to the Eisenhower Interstate system, and up-and-comers demanded as much chrome and rocket-inspired flash as possible. Three times too much was just right! This specimen from that age of optimism comes to market in a spartan listing on Facebook Marketplace. Pilot this Lumber State classic on the highways of your choice for $45,000. Thanks to reader Bruce M. for the tip on this wide-mouthed chrome-mobile.
The 11 word description includes “no issues” and “no rust,” so we’ll do our best to imagine the details. The wide brake pedal suggests an automatic transmission. The under-dash air conditioning unit mimics dealer-installed units of the day. That upholstery looks too good to be original, though stranger things have happened. A power bench seat puts comfort at your fingertips.
Is this the same car? A change of sun angle shows off the shine on this ’59. The rear-quarter view also highlights the 1959 Oldsmobile’s glorious fins, a one-year design before GM dialed back Fin Fever across its lineup for 1960. Tiny roof pillars vanished soon thereafter due to safety concerns. If you want the big fins and the wraparound greenhouse, it’s 1959 for you, Goldilocks. Longer rear bumper extensions and front fender callouts mark this as a Super 88, one step above the Dynamic 88. Oldsmobile called no-pillar ’59 two-doors SceniCoupe.
Sadly, the seller ran out of film before snapping a shot of the engine, but a stock Super 88 came with the 315 HP 394 cid (6.5L) V8 delivering a velvety 435 lb-ft of torque through the Jetaway Hydramatic transmission (Olds lingo for the three-speed Hydra-Matic 315). Thanks to the Canadian ’59 Olds brochures at lov2xlr8 for some details. What road trip would you plan for this well-kept dinosaur?
lots of 59’s and 60’s on bf lately; really nice stuff these one year only designs, and the open-air rooflines are beautiful. that 60 ford station wagon is something u don’t see too
I learned to drive and took drivers test in a 60 Ford wagon…it was shared by 4 teenage boys and surprisingly lasted until about 1967
The 59 Olds was a good looking car (coming from a blue oval guy). One of my ideas back the was how cool it would be to have a 49-50 Ford Club Coupe customized with replacing the 49-50 tail lights with the wider but horizontal 49 Olds tail light assembly. Have never given up on the idea and maybe one of these day I will find a solid 50 Ford Club Coupe and marry it with those Olds tail lights. Please don’t hold your breath waiting to see it though, I’m not as fast at completing projects as I was back in 59!
Seller ran out of film!!
Yes, I like that, and this group knows what it means. Maybe the rest of the pics are on a roll still inside the camera, waiting to take more pics to finish the roll before dropping it off at the Photo mat kiosk in the grocery store parking lot.
What kind of car does this carry in the trunk in case you get a flat tire?
It probably carries that little green opel.
I remember my grandfather and I always driving old Cadillacs and we never worried about them breaking down but every time he drove his Chevy van he always made sure he had his moped in the back just in case.
I remember one time late at night towing his Chevy van back from Raytown Lake. He had a 19 foot cabin cruiser on the back and I had my 65 Cadillac towing both of them with a chain. It was over 100 miles, that was fun.
@TCK
Hi big guy! That was back when you could do stupid 💩 and not get stopped by the cops and told you can’t do that
This is the kind of car that makes me proud to be from Lansing. The dashboard is amazing, but the steering wheel and the incredibly elegant shift lever are off the charts.
Beautiful condition overall. One nit to pick though: The Super 88s shared the more detailed taillamps of the 98 series. This one has the standard lenses found on Dynamic 88s. A change along the way, or….? Just an FYI.
I am sorry to say: „No“.
Only the 98 model carries the special 98 taillamps. Dynamic 88 und Super 88 share the same taillamps! And only the 98 model has the special longer chromed potmetal headlamp pods in a deeper recessed grill to further distinguish and setting apart from the two cheaper 88 models with their shorter anodized aluminum headlight pods.
And by the way, the upholstery fabric is original.
Yeah, but does it have an engine?
I like it, mostly because it is a bubble top. At first glance it didn’t appear that nice. but looking closer it is in very good condition. The price seems a little high, but maybe a in person inspection would change that opinion.
I’ll keep my Pontiacs.
P-oor
O-ld
N-inny
T-hinks
I-t’s
A
C-adillac
LOL😀😀😀
I have Camaros and one Firebird too. The old adage works there also.
Get it? Thought it was a Camaro
Nice looking car and I really like the bubble top styling, which on other brands makes the car appear lighter and sportier but on the Oldsmobile doesn’t seem to have the same effect. The price is out there…
I’d rather see the 71 Cadillac sitting next to it
That’s what I’ve always loved about the late 50s & 60s Pontiacs & Oldsmobiles. Olds always had the best looking deep dish steering wheels. Pontiac had the best dashboards with Olds coming in a very close second. They were elegant, sporty, hi-tech & CHROMED! Lots & lots of chrome. I really miss that. And I guess ya’ll know I just hate plastic.
The 59s were designed by Bill Mitchell & his team, although everyone credits Harley Earl with his swan song, especially the ’59 Cadillac. These GM cars were huge but comfortable and just so much more sophisticated before mid size and compacts came into play.
Surprisingly, Hagerty has an “excellent” example of this car at $40,000, but I would doubt there would be many buyers willing to pay that much, even for a concours example.
Angel; nothing stupid about that. My grandfather and I towed over 30 big Cadillacs with my 65 or his 72. Never had any problems. We always knew what the other one was doing.
Beautiful car — and either all-original or redone as original. I never felt attached to ’59 Oldsmobiles, though I could make an exception for THIS example, especially if the radio and clock are original and not re-done with newer technology — IF the PRICE were more “sown-to-earth”.
Nice looking ride, but….not $45k nice.
The 59 Olds Jetaway Transmission was a 4 speed not a 3 speed, which came in 61.