Oldsmobile’s reputation for “Rocket V8” engines is legendary, as they were among the first to build a modern overhead valve unit back in 1949. By the time this 1955 Oldsmobile Super arrived, the V8 revolution was in full swing, with most manufacturers competing in the horsepower wars and trying to “Out V8” one another. But you know that old saying, “when enough is just right, too much is perfect,” and that’s what we’re looking at here. Follow along, and I’ll provide the details of this cool-looking two-door sedan. Long Beach, California, is where you’ll find it, and it’s available here on craigslist for $23,000.
Oldsmobile’s line-up for ’55 consisted of the Ninety-Eight, Super Eighty-Eight, and standard Eighty-Eight. Super 88s were available as two and four-door sedans, a two-door “Holiday” hardtop, and a convertible. Our subject car is one of almost 12K assembled in ’55, which BTW, was a good year for Oldsmobile. They placed number five in the domestic production race with 580K copies. The seller describes the exterior of this Olds by stating, “All sheet metal is original, and the body was never involved in a collision. The Paint is in good shape as well; doors, frame, floors, and trunk are rust-free. All glass windows are in good shape. Both bumpers have been re-chromed as well.” It’s not stated whether the finish is original, but that doesn’t matter. Judging from its quality appearance, I’d suggest it’s a redo. The hubcaps are throwing me off; I’m not certain of their origin.
Rocket power in ’55 meant a 185 gross HP, 324 CI V8 engine tethered to either a three-speed manual or a Hydramatic automatic transmission. Well, you can forget about all of that because this 88 is living up to its “Super” designation courtesy of a 455 CI V8 bruiser spinning a Turbo-Hydramatic 400, three-speed automatic gearbox. The 455 is of unknown provenance, but the seller adds, “C-Heads, Edelbrock 455 Intake, Edelbrock 1411 Carburetor 750cfm with electric choke, Chrome Valve Covers, electric fuel pump, rebuilt TH-400 automatic transmission,
dual exhaust system with Headers.” There’s no word provided as to how this baby motivates, but I doubt it disappoints.
The seller mentions that the interior is “not ripped“, but there’s a bit more to it than that. The seats have been reupholstered in what appears to be a velour-style fabric, and it shows to be in exceptionally clean condition, right along with the carpet and door panels. The compact instrument panel has all those fabulous chrome touches that helped make a fifties Oldsmobile, an Oldsmobile. There are a couple of auxiliary engine gauges that have been added, as well as seatbelts.
You can call this one a sleeper; it gives no indication of what lurks within. This car has been excellently packaged and appears to have been professionally enhanced. It’s nice to see an Oldsmobile, that’s not a 442, be given a serious get-up-and-go remake, wouldn’t you agree?
Burnouts. LOTS of burnouts
Total respect for keeping this one in the Oldsmobile family. And what a way to do it, 455 and a THM 400. ’55 is a great year as well. I think the hub caps look like base model ones from the 70’s like you’d find on an Olds Omega. If I were building one, this is what I’d do too.
ABSOLUTELY agree, Jim. Wow! What a classy combo. Bound to be an eye opener on the street, all things considered, and you can bet there’s gonna be some raised eyebrows with a few “hey come check THIS out!” at any street rod get-together when the hood’s up!
Gotta be tough parting with this sweetie but the price of gas is STUPID $$ and going up again in CA. especially around some of the big cities ($7 @ gallon) so maybe that’s why. Myself, if that’s the case I’d be thinking seriously about moving before letting this one go.
I live in the Bay Area, it’s not hard to find gas that is under $4.20 a gallon on both sides of the bay, close to $5.00 is more common. The $6 to $7 a gallon are isolated to small neighborhood gas stations in wealthy areas away from busy thoroughfares.
Steve R
Good to know, Steve R. When we travel to visit family over there most of what we’ve seen along the way on the 5 and 99 were closer to $7. It’s a relief to know that not everyone there is having to suffer those prices.
Ouch, the small town I live close (in Ohio) to had gas for $2.499 and they are generally one of the highest priced gas stations in the area. The Explorer I drive was below a quarter and I filled it up for $34.00.
Just a stunning beast.
That’s a cool Olds. C heads are from the late sixties, 67-69, so while not certain, there is a decent chance the 455 came out of large late sixties Olds,..which would mean this ’55 should move pretty well. As Mitchell stated, lots of burnouts!
Stunning vehicle! Too pretty for our Alaskan roads for sure.
Wow.. what a ride!! I wonder if the 455 is from 1970. If so that’s kicking some mighty horse power and torque!! I would put 3.73 gears and posi. Also seat belts is a must!! Imagine some kids pulling in some foreign ride and you can hear that fart can going off! 😂 Light turns green
and the Olds is gone!! 😂😂 Oh what fun it would be. Well good luck to the next owner. 🐻🇺🇸
There will be howls of protest among purists because this car was outfitted with a 455 and Turbo-Hydro, but let me tell you, the stock engine produced about half the power and used more gas, so the swap here is definitely worthwhile! And you also have a stronger transmission. I am glad they didn’t monkey with the car’s appearance though, because as a 2-door post it’s quite attractive.
No howl of protest here. And, to boot, you won’t have to endure the excessive tappet noise that Oldsmobile engines of the era tended to produce.
WOW. That is a lot of car for the money. Someone is going to get a stunning car for not a lot of money. Third car today for my bucket list along with my bucket list 12 car garage. On second thought i would be happy with just this Oldsmobile.
Dr Olds approved. 👍 🏁
I would check and probably upgrade the brakes there’s a lot of weight to stop And probably a 4 or 5 speed I wouldn’t touch anything else
Stunning, very cool, and tastefully done for not much money in the grand scheme of things.
Remember my childhood friend named George, the older guy who was a bad influence, he had that ’54 Chrysler? Well, after the Chrysler puked, he got another $100 car, a ’55 Olds, only a 4 door. It burned oil,,, A LOT OF OIL, and by the end was running on almost straight STP. Burnouts indeed, only the old mans Ambassador was better. We rearranged the letters in the grill to read “LEBOOMSLED”. It didn’t last long either. Junkyards were inundated with these cars, cars were changing fast and a ’55 Olds had no interest whatsoever. It’s a bit of a shame, as this car was an amazing find to begin with, and surely ran well and should have been left alone.
LEBOOMSLED-good stuff, Howard.
Blew coffee out of my nose with “Running on almost straight STP” A friends older brother had a 54 Caddy that ran on it and had rust holes repaired with stickers. He could lay rubber for half a block tho…..
Nicely done! I would much rather drop an extra $10K on this over the ratty 61 Chevy wagon just listed. Nothing to do here but apply a footprint gas pedal, point it straight and drop the hammer. This is a real Rocket!
The 240hp 324 that came in these stock was a handful, I can’t imagine what this beast is like!
First “powerful” car I ever drove, back in ’57. Uncle had a ’56, two door post, clear plastic seat covers, same colors, stopped at a reasonably rural light, told me to “almost floor it”. Wow . Then since I handled that OK, next opportunity, “floor it”. Double Wow. Probably used up 100 miles of tire in two seconds.
All I have to say is NICE!!!
I dig the 455, it’s nice they didn’t go the facile route and put a Chevy engine in it. Dad had a 56. His brother was an Olds mechanic and put a 4bbl on it. Dad said it ran a lot better. The 455 must roast the tires on that, though.
One of my all time favorite cars was a 55 Olds convertible painted turquoise and white with matching leather seats. Very sweet ride indeed. Think my dad paid less than $500 for it in mid 60’s. Of all of the approximately 100+ cars I have owned or driven in my 78 years would rather see that one in my garage than any other.
I’d like to talk with you about your car.
Please get in touch.
Jim Mulhauser
[email protected]
5756352072
Thanks
You gotta contact the seller via the craigslist listing.
JO
that’s 1 hell of a rocket in its pocket. get you some of that!