The Oldsmobile 88 was introduced in 1949, an appropriate name since there was already an Olds 78 and Olds 98. This one is from 1955, part of the second generation of these cars, and appears to be in original condition. It’s up for sale here on eBay in Show Low, Alabama. The BIN price is $14,500, but there is also the option to make an offer.
Oldsmobile has been gone for almost 20 years now, and towards the end of its life the cars it produced weren’t very exciting. But in its heyday, Oldsmobile pumped out some fantastic cars. According to Hagerty, “the Olds 88 was one of the fastest automobiles in America at the dawn of the 1950s, and it was the car to beat in NASCAR racing, winning 10 out of 19 races in the 1950 season. The same year, an Olds 88 won the grueling 2000-mile-plus Carrera Panamericana road race in Mexico. An 88 convertible served as the pace car for the Indy 500 in 1949, and the Ike Turner/Jackie Brenston hit “Rocket 88” is one of the very earliest rock and roll songs.”
The exterior of this car has held up pretty well, with only some surface rust showing on the roof. In the photos, no major rust is noticeable around the wheel wells, rockers, or fenders. The seller also states that it is rust-free. I did spot a piece of trim that’s loose behind the rear window, so that is a place that should be investigated. However, all the trim including the large chrome bumpers appear to be in great shape, the panels look straight and dent-free, and the glass looks undamaged. The white walls are now yellow walls, so they may be old enough that replacement is wise.
This is the only photo of the interior, and it seems like it has also survived the last 6 decades. I’ve always loved interiors from the 1950s, and GM cars are some of my favorites. The carpet looks stained but otherwise undamaged, and the door panels and seat cover don’t look bad either. The dash pad looks a bit lumpy, but I can’t really tell what’s going on. It might be a recovered or repaired item – does anyone have any ideas?
Unfortunately, no photos of the engine. The seller doesn’t mention any mileage, but says it runs and drives well. It has the 324 Rocket V8 and the 4-speed Hydramatic transmission. We are told that the brakes need to be worked on – the car stops but not well. Hopefully it’s as simple as bleeding the brakes and adding fresh fluid. Otherwise, this will be a pretty cool car to keep as-is, although the seller suggests an LS swap. What would you do?
Looks like something Chief Dan Mathews would drive if it was black and white.
Is that a moth ball on the floor? Several years ago, I went to the local True Value to buy a box of moth balls. The owner was teaching a new employee and directed me to the shelf. When I asked if they’d ever smelled moth balls, the answers were, yes. Then I asked, isn’t it hard to open their legs without breaking them off? The owner was nearly rolling on the floor with laughter while the new guy had a nasty look on his face. That look had me laughing even more! Disclaimer: My area of Iowa is VERY Reformed religious. The new guy didn’t last long.
That sort of species denigrating humor is prohibited!
You may have heard of jalopys, you’ve heard the noise they make. But, let me introduce you to my Rocket 88.
Props to Nick for the reference to Jackie Brenston and His Delta Cats. Brenston played sax on it even though it was really Ikes band, the Kings of Rhythm. In any event many think of the song as the the first rock n roll song which in fact was really an evolution of rhythm and blues. Saw Ike Turner many times in SoCal in the five years before his death. He lived in northern San Diego County and played a couple of local joints over and over. Always a treat to see him. I named my late and much beloved Siberian boy, Rocket 88. Always makes me smile when I hear the song. And I love the car though give me a hardtop like the ones in WW and the Dixie DanceKings,which featured another fantastic Blues artist Furry Lewis :)
Gonna need an LS swap if you have any chance of keeping up with today’s traffic. Idiot after idiot tailgated me every day and then pass me at 98 mph. A useless car in today’s crazed world of how fast can I get to Dunkin Donuts for an over priced cup of slop.
this will keep up with today’s traffic with no problems.
This car will run down any highway with traffic with a bit of T.L.C… and do it with style and class! That Olds Rocket has all the power you need to cruise and there are plenty of parts available to “soup it up” if you wanted to. I’m so d*@&n sick of people who think every car should run & drive like a Lexus… LS swap: GGRRrrrr!!! Buy a Lexus then and leave these cool cars to folks who know the fun of driving a piece of U.S. history! A complete brake job done by a qualified vintage mechanic, will make this beauty on a dime. I drive a ’56 Studebaker truck and a ’52 Packard sedan on a regular basis. They both have 4 wheel drum brakes and have no issues with stopping power because I keep the brakes adjusted properly. I hope this car goes to someone who knows what they’re talking about and doing!
This car is not just a Rocket 88. It is a SUPER 88, w/4bbl Carb. A ’55 Olds (2 dr. hdtp Super 88) was my 3rd & Favorite car of all the cars of my youth & I had MANY. I assume George has never owned a ’55 Olds. It does NOT need an LS engine to keep up with traffic. My ’55 would squeal rubber from a dead stop if you stepped on it hard. I did a lot of drag racing with it & Never lost a race!!! On Hwy 395 in Eastern part of Calif., I pegged the speedometer at 120 MPH. Took awhile from 110-120, but I did get it there for just a few seconds. Was a little scary at that time, but I had to see if it would do it !!!!!!!
The 324 cubic inch V-8, and four speed, in the Olds will keep up with,”Today’s traffic”, no problem.
I have owned two of these that I bought for less than $100 each and drove them for many miles. Of course that was decades ago when they were,”Rescued” from the bone yard.
Let’s see how long it takes before someone posts how they’d drop a V8 and 4 speed into it.
This car is not just a Rocket 88. It is a SUPER 88, w/4bbl Carb. A ’55 Olds (2 dr. hdtp Super 88) was my 3rd & Favorite car of all the cars of my youth & I had MANY. I assume George has never owned a ’55 Olds. It does NOT need an LS engine to keep up with traffic. My ’55 would squeal rubber from a dead stop if you stepped on it hard. I did a lot of drag racing with it & Never lost a race!!! On Hwy 395 in Eastern part of Calif., I pegged the speedometer at 120 MPH. Took awhile from 110-120, but I did get it there for just a few seconds. Was a little scary at that time, but I had to see if it would do it !!!!!!!
Absolutely correct. The only exterior difference between an 88 and a Super 88 is the emblem on the front fender. If it’s only the numbers “88”, it’s an 88. IF the numbers are on a round emblem, as this car’s, that indicates a Super 88. The interiors are different as well, as is the 4bbl engine on the Supers.
Steve, do you think this car is a 6 Banger? It already HAS a V-8 And a 4 speed. That’s a 4 speed Hydro-matic transmission which is a Very Strong & efficient Trans. As much as I peeled rubber & raced the H out of it, this Trans. Never gave me a problem. If it was a 2 Dr. Hdtp, I would be very interested! Hopefully the new owner keeps it All stock!!!!!!
Such a nice car to own. As for LS or trick out the rocket, hum ? But you could have one of each and be very very happy.
It’s not a holiday coupe, but these cars are so nice I’d have two, a 2 door sedan and a holiday coupe; one would be era tricked out V8/auto trans, and the other for sure an LS.
What would I do with it? Wash,vacuum, drive.
Doesn’t take much to significantly increase the horsepower on the original engines. My last Olds engine was a 311 cubic inch (.040 over bore) 10.1 cr with cam and upgraded carb and exhaust and we dynoed 275 hp with it. Ran out of money or it would have been more as more head and valve work would get it well over 300. Bullet proof engines.
Want more power? Just add a J-2 triple
carb intake, slip in a hi lift cam, and Presto!
modern performance without the mess! Do
that, and you’ll have a great vintage moonshine hauler. Oops, forgot the dual
pipes and Cherry bombs.
That’s Show Low ARIZONA, not Alabama.
It looks very nice. I’d perk up the horse power as indicated above and go cruising with my grandson. Is that a factory color?
I have a 52 Olds Super 88 which has the 303 engine as compared to the 324 of this listed Olds. It will spin the tires on takeoff and I run it 80 on the freeway with more pedal to go. This is not a stodgy chevy six or a flathead ford. It will easily keep up with modern traffic and look damned good doing it. Anyone that thinks they’re gonna have to do an LS swap doesn’t know what they’re looking at.
George Mattar: Uhhhhh…. I disagree, having been there. Horn player in a Mobile, Ala. band had one exactly like this. We played some distant “up the country” gigs – like UA/Auburn, etc. Refresh the brakes and add modern hi-quality shoes, drop the suspension 2″, add 2 glasspaks, roll all windows down, drive middle of the night 2 lane country roads. You will have BIG smile on your face. They pull like a freight train and the sound is glorious, AND they are built like tanks.
George may hate Oldsmobiles as much as he does Mopars, but I doubt it ! Never hear him complain about any Chevy though….
Why do people put something out there for sale with little info. Very few pictures, made up milage 12345? It’s on a site that most can’t drive over in a few minutes to look for themselves. I learned along time ago don’t buy without looking. Sad because it may be a good car….or not!
Chuck D. You are right also, as the round emblem on the front fender was the 1st thing that caught my eye as being a Super 88. The other thing was the 88 with a Rocket on the trunk. Only the Super 88 had that, not the plain 88!
i ve been an olds fan since early 50 s i like to punch the ceo of gm for dumping olds and pontiac……. the dirty RAT.
I learned to drive on Dads 56 Super 88 4dr Holiday convertible. They will keep up with todays turnpike traffic without any problems. It was a great cruiser and I am still looking for one today at a reasonable price. Great mix of style and performance from GM before it fell.
Excuse me Henry, but I have never seen a 4 Dr. Convertible in 1956. Who made this car? Not GM!
I should have stated it was a 1956 Super 88 Hardtop Holiday convertible. It was 4doors and did not have any side posts. The front side and rear windows closed upon one another and the roof. Hope this clears up any confusion caused by my previous comment.
Yes it did Henry. We simply call these 4 door hardtops!!!! Chevrolet also called them a Sport Sedan. My ’56 & ’57 Bel-Airs are both 2 dr. hardtops!
My buddy owned a 56 Chevy v8 with 3 on the tree. It was a 2tone blue and white. Very pretty and dependable car. He ran it as an everyday driver until 2009 in New Jersey. The salt on the roads finally did in the undercarriage and floor pans. I’d like to see todays cars last that long.
Henry, my ’56 is two-tone Blue….Dark blue & light blue (Harbor & Nassau blue) Owned for 47 years. Due to my recent prostate cancer, I can’t get under the dash to finish putting the steering column back in. Front clip has been off for nearly 10 years. Trying to get everything back together.
Watch your health, get that chevy together, and enjoy cruising with a classic. They don’t make them like the 50’s anymore.
Thanks Henry. I’m tryin’ to get it back together, but I need some help & no one in my area knows enough about them to help me. And you’re Right….. They sure Don’t make them like the 50’s anymore & they most likely never will. Back then, Craftsmanship was Top Priority. Today $$$$$$$$$$ is top priority!
There are two ’55’s in the Minneapolis area, about 250 miles away from me.
https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/ank/cto/d/ogilvie-1955-oldsmobile-super-88-door/7422770682.html
And:
https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/ank/cto/d/greene-1955-oldsmobile-holiday-2dr/7426488812.html
I’ll take the farmer’s blue and white one with the original seats…….sweet.both of them.
Both cars are sweet but I am still looking for a 1956 Olds Super 88.
Does anyone know if this ’55 Sold? Or is it still on the market?