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41K-Mile 1955 Oldsmobile 88 Holiday Coupe

Oldsmobile restyled the second-generation 88 with a wraparound rear window and windshield, and lower, longer bodies. They were still on the B-body chassis, but they looked thoroughly modern and the design has held up well over the decades. The seller has this 1955 Oldsmobile 88 Holiday Coupe posted here on craigslist in Farmville, Virginia and they’re asking $19,000 or best offer. Here is the original listing, and thanks to T.J. for sending in this tip!

There it is in all its glory, it’s a shame that the seller didn’t include a photo of this car with the windows rolled down to see that beautiful hardtop Holiday Coupe design. Oldsmobile sold over 580,000 cars in 1955, its best year ever, and it’s hard to go wrong with a solid example from this era.

This car appears to have newer Hankook thin whitewall tires but it really needs some nice wide whitewall tires. I hope the next owner bites the bullet and does that. Before then, though, it could use some sprucing up as you can see. The seller doesn’t show the grille of this beauty, and that’s a shame, although the bill from the chrome shop would probably make most of us gasp. There is some pitting on a lot of the trim as seen in the close-up photos.

The interior is perfect for the 1950s in bright, soft colors, and other than the dash face not having the same luster that it was born with, it looks pretty nice inside. The seats appear to be in nice condition both front and back with most likely newer fabric inserts, but the seller doesn’t give really any information about the car other than having 41,729 miles, it has a clean title, and it runs and drives great.

Here’s the engine, looking partially refurbished with a new alternator, refinished air cleaner, some new hoses, etc. It’s Oldsmobile’s Rocket 324-cu.in. OHV V8, which would have been factory-rated at 185 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque from the factory. We know it runs great, according to the seller, and Hagerty is at $14,400 for a #4 fair-condition car and $20,300 for a #3 good car. What’s your offer on this 88?

Comments

  1. Avatar nlpnt

    I disagree on the tires, narrow whitewalls work on a ’56 with this level of wear. Suddenly it’s 1962!

    Like 9
    • Avatar Scotty Gilbertson Staff

      I see your point, nlpnt, and Maggy’s on blackwall tires and caps, that look always works for me. I was going by what all of the brochures showed and it screams the 1950s to have wide whitewall tires.

      Like 7
  2. Avatar Maggy

    Blackwalls and poverty caps for me. Or just leave it be with thin whites, wide whites not for me.Nice car fairly priced.This one I’d paint.Cool it has a 12v upgrade.Nice colors too.Gotta love that rocket 8.Glwts.

    Like 6
    • Avatar 57Chevy

      I had a Car Just Like THIS one, except mine was a Super 88. The 88 came with just a 2 barrel carb. First of all, they came with Wide Whites & I love them. Also, it is Not a 12v upgrade. ln ’55, 12v system was standard on Oldsmobiles.!!! Alternators were NOT. They had Generators! If it were mine, I would Paint it same orig. colors, Add wide white, an orig. Rochester 4 barrel carb. dual exhaust, etc. Nice Car!

      Like 3
  3. bobhess bobhess Member

    Back from the days when everyone was putting Olds engines in their cars and kids were stealing the spinner hub caps to put on theirs. Nice car. Glad to see one in this condition. Narrow whites look just fine to me.

    Like 6
  4. Avatar TheOldRanger

    From the days when I was a kid, I love this one. As kids, we used to argue which we wanted… the 88 or the 98?? Too bad they don’t make these any more.

    Like 5
    • Avatar Gordon Dempster

      Ya left out the Super 88 which I have one of. Truly a fine example of Classic Styling from the big three. Getting ready to take ours out for a spin on this beautiful sunday afternoon. Happy Motoring Folks!!!

      Like 3
      • Avatar 57Chevy

        This car is an 88, NOT a Super 88. The Super 88 had a 88 with a Rocket emblem on the Trunk left side of the trunk handle. Also the Super 88 had a small 88 emblem on the front of each fender as Opposed to the individual 88 numbers.

        Like 1
  5. Avatar Paul R.

    It’s orange , inside and out.
    It’s orange!

    Like 3
  6. Avatar Jack Quantrill

    Twin sister of ‘55 Bel-Air!

    Like 2
    • Avatar Gil Davis Tercenio

      Except this car has a much larger Olds engine.

      Like 0

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