If you wanted to ride in style in the 1950s, the Oldsmobile Super 88 was a great way to do it. Not as big as the 98, it was well-equipped and had plenty of go for that era. It got even better as a convertible and made a cool hand-me-down for the teens to go watch the “submarine races.” We’re told this 1952 Super 88 ragtop is a garage find, but it’s going to need a heap of work to get going again. It’s located in Latrobe, Pennsylvania and available here on eBay where the bidding is up to $5,100 with no reserve. But be aware, there is no title. Tip of the fedora to Ikey Heyman for sending this tip our way!
The Oldsmobile 88 had a 50-year run during the second half of the 20th Century. As a full-size model, it was Olds’ best-selling car for half that period. In the early years, it shared the same powerplant as the heavier 98 model, so that gave the 88 a performance edge. The first generation of the 88, which includes the seller’s convertible, ran from 1949-53. The 88 came with a 303 cubic-inch “Rocket V-8” which produced 135 horsepower. All versions of the 88 sold well in the early 1950’s as there was pent-up demand for new cars in the post-World War II years. This success inspired a popular slogan, “Make a Date with a Rocket 88”, and also a song, “Rocket 88”, which many consider the first rock and roll record. (source: Wikipedia)
We believe the seller’s car is a Super 88, rather than just an 88, because only the Super 88 could be purchased as a convertible. The Super shared the 88’s rear body panels and wheelbase and came with the Rocket V-8, but had a four-barrel instead of a two-barrel carburetor that added 25 more horses. The car was found in a garage, but we don’t know how long it languished there. The sheet metal doesn’t appear to have been ravaged badly by time, but the seller tells us the floors and trunk are “weak”, yet the frame is good (no photos).
The convertible top covering is a mess and we don’t know the condition of the hardware. We’re told it came with a power top mechanism. The rear bumper is pitted, and the front bumper is missing. The interior doesn’t look bad and it appears the seat covers were replaced not that long ago. Everything is pretty dirty but may clean up reasonably well. This was a well-optioned car, coming with extras like back-up lights, an exterior spotlight, a compass and – get this – a clock in the steering wheel! Suddenly, it’s 1960! (wait, that was Plymouth’s slogan).
The 88 is clearly a roller. It does not run and some of the parts that would make it run seem to be missing. The 303 V-8 is likely paired with Oldsmobile’s 4-speed automatic transmission, condition unknown. Oldsmobile built about 220,000 cars in total for 1952 and 125,000 were Super 88’s. The Super 88 convertible was popular at 16-17,000 builds.
If this car was in fantastic condition, it could be worth more than $25,000 as that’s the top end for a coupe, according to Hagerty. This one is closer to fair condition, which is about $6,000. It doesn’t have a clean title to conclude the transaction. So, with a suspect undercarriage, how far should the bidding go before a restoration will exceed market value?
Titles are no problem. Several states will issuee them . Look in Hemmings or other car magazines prices vary but figure about 150.00 to 300.00.
Here we go again with the title debate. I’m looking at an old Saab here in Ohio, and I know damn good and well it would take a miracle to obtain a title for the car in Ohio if I bought it.
And I live in Florida, so I really know damn good and well if I towed an Ohio car down there and tried to get a Florida title for it, I’d sooner climb Mt. Everest. So Mac, please illuminate on the specific mechanisms whereby states will issue a new title, I’d love to hear about it. This topic has come up before, but nobody ever really knows how it can be done. And what about these companies who advertise that they can secure a title for 150-300 bucks? Well, I’d pay that price, but not until I had the title in hand.
And now ten guys are gonna tell me I’m wrong….
“Bonded titles”.. sorry, but if I have to do the homework for you—you won’t learn.. many states do them..
I’m in England and a few years ago bought a 1951 Nash from an Ohio dealer with no Title.He got a salvage Title for it from the Highway Patrol.Difficult to export stuff without a Title but it can be done.
In Texas, they would require a bonded title. After three years, a blue title would be issued.
So, a bit of a pain but not impossible.
Depends on the state. Fairly easy in South Dakota, just have to jump through the hoops.
I’ve done it. I had a car given to me. It had been imported, never registered and the owner had died years ago, so I had nothing. I contacted one of the advertisers in Old Cars Weekly. They were in NY and cars before ’73 somehow didn’t have titles. Actually, this was in about ’98 so it may have been the 25 year rule. I sent them all relevant info and they sent me a bill of sale. I think it was notarized. I held my breath as I took it to the Texas DMV, but it sailed through with no questions asked. I’ve also registered a Georgia car with a bill of sale. That one was legit though.
Connecticut doesn’t require a title for a car 20 years and older. All that’s needed to register it is a bill of sale.
I hired a company once to get me a title for a 56 Cadillac. I lived in Colorado at the time. I paid $150 and received an Alabama title and Alabama tags good for a few days. I got the out of State ID done in Colorado and then transferred the Alabama title over to Colorado. It was easy and legal.
“…Well you hear those Jalopies, the noises they make me I’m lookin’ fine in
my rocket 88.” Great tune. Came out in
1951. Recorded by the same group that
did “60 Minute Man.” As for the car, I’d
do a very nice ameteur restoration on
it and then drive the wheels off it. That’s
what we did before the aftermarket and
the internet. Need new floors? Take it
to the welding shop and have some put
in. New top? Any good upholstery shop
can whip up a new top for between $350
and $500 all day long. Bundle an interior
job with the new top, and the guy might
give you a sizable discount. Body work?
Grab a sanding block and some 400 grit
sandpaper and get ‘er ready yourself and save yourself a bundle! On the
mechanical front, that 303 can he made to run again with a little time and effort.
Brakes and fuel systems? Unless you’ve
done ’em before, farm ’em out along with the electrical system. And then,
there’s this new chrome spray paint for
all those plated parts. I saw Ryan use it
on some parts on Counting Cars a few
years back with outstanding results.
Except for the spray on chrome, that’s how we did things 50 years ago.
No in’ and groovin’ along :)
Billy Ward’s Dominoes did 60 Minute Man. Jackie Brenston with Ike Turner did Rocket 88.
I think your price for a new convertible top and installation must be from about 50 years ago, as well. It’s 3-4 times that now.
sold!!!!!!!!!!
Someone is going to have to have deep pockets to have a lot of that chrome redone. It is a very striking car and would be a blast to drive on a warm summer evening. Great lines and would be a beautiful ride if somebody falls in love with it. I have neither the time or money but wish I had both.
In 1952 ala cars sold with a bill of sale ,get any one to make you one ,have it notarized good to go .
Well, a bill of sale won’t mean jack squat in any title office in Ohio or Florida. Hell, 2 years ago I sold a car to guy in Missouri, gave him a valid notarized Ohio title, and Missouri would not issue the guy a Missouri title.
There needs to be a national, standardized process for obtaining titles in cases where the titles get lost or destroyed, or the owner dies, or whatever circumstance. These states that don’t require titles if the car is over 25 years old are a joke….try buying a car from Connecticut and then walk in to a FL or OH or MO title office and tell them that the car doesn’t need a title. Go ahead, try it.
As long as it comes from a state that doesn’t need a title to sell it Idaho will do it on a bill of sale. I already checked into it. If it comes from a state that requires one it won’t happen
I sold a car from RI, a title-less state to a couple in Mo. All I had to do was get a certificate of registration from RI and it was good to go. They had no problem.
Ikey H must be the only person that wastes more time than I do on the internet searching for random rusty junk. Don’t get me wrong, I admire that kind of dedication almost as much as I love mechanical money pits.
I’ve had a few “discussions” with the wife about how I allocate my time. She gave up trying to make me see the folly of my ways after I threatened to shut down the computer and start taking accordion lessons.
how the accordion lessons going?
What is the definition of a gentleman?
Someone who can play the accordion…but doesn’t.
Not playing the bagpipes is also acceptable. Many won’t play either one, such is the nature of their talent.
IkeyHeyan, how are you enjoying being single?
Could be a real nice ride with a bit of elbow grease!! It might be best to horse shoe a crate 350 and keep it a little closer to period correct!!
In New York there were no titles at all until 1972 or so.
Regarding titles: I recently purchased a 1974 motorcycle out of Georgia with no title, no titles in Georgia for a bike that old. Brought the Ga. state notarized bill of sale to my N.C. DMV. I was told by one clerk that it was all I needed, but got turned down by the supervisor. I was then told to obtain the bill of sale from the previous owner when he purchased it! Amazingly he had that bill of sale and sent it to me. Back to DMV. Was then told , not good enough. I then was told to obtain his registration for the bike. Sent the bill of sale to Vermont DMV with 150.00 and received a current Vermont plate which I am supposed to turn in to N.C. after awhile to obtain N.C. plates and a title. We will see. As an aside, in N.C. the individual DMV branches are independent contractors, so you can get a different answer depending on what location you use. The brits use a system where the original plate stays with the vehicle for ever, this seems like a better solution.
California does that. Idaho you own your plates. Take them for the next vehicle. But they are only good for 7 years. Then you buy more plates
Oh the money I would pour into this beauty…if I was a trust fund baby.
yes indeed
Had a ’51 and it was a power house. Best thing was the heater….if you sat in front of it with that little door open it would scorch your legs, a welcome when it was -40* out there. Worst was that starter, it dragged when hot and not start. Being in school I could not afford a new starter, so left the distributor loose so you could retard the timing and start it.
The heater story reminds me of early Corvairs with gasoline heaters. Some older cars had them. Hard to control the heat. Either way to hot or hot.
1952 Olds 88 was the car I learned to drive over 60 years ago. See in the fender skirts reminded me what a pain they were when you had to change a flat tire. A very fast ride in its day. The highlight was the self winding clock in the steering wheel. Fond memories.
I purchased a 1955 DeSoto in New York state in 2007. The only New York state issued document the seller had for the car was a 1966 registration in the name of a former owner. I found New York state motor vehicle department forms on their website that I had the seller execute. I took those forms and the 1966 registration to a tag agency in Florida and had no trouble obtaining a Florida title for my DeSoto. Unfortunately, obtaining the title has been the only aspect of ownership that has gone smoothly. The car is in its third restoration shop!
Yes, it’s a Super88, the hood ornament and the tail lights give it away. I found out the hard way that 88, Super88 and 98 each have their own distinctive hood bird. I have a Super88 more door that also has the Maar self winding steering wheel watch that I’m trying to find someone that can repair/restore it. The 303 is a gutsy old motor, I take mine out on the eway and run her 85 with plenty of pedal to go. Mine has all new brakes, drums, shoes, lines, master cylinder but ya gotta keep them well adjusted and allow plenty of room ahead to stop her lol
I’m sorry for everybody’s title troubles. Mostly a product of no knowledge on the part of states, not known for their competency when it comes to old cars.
Ikey comes up with great stuff and his post is very funny. Well done. I have no room or I would be serious about this old jewel.
This Super88 will be restored for love and memories not for it’s end value. A complete chassis, with suspension, brakes drivetrain, then add chrome you’ll in the $25k neighborhood.
Old school twist for current days on no title – avoid it like a jerk not wearing a mask. First off, you’re dealing with MVD, DMV, whatever. Sketchy at best. Every time you talk to someone you get a different answer. Second – resale suffers. First question from a savvy buyer, does it have a title. Most wince when you say “Yeah, salvage, bonded, whatever. Third, a lot of insurance companies won’t insure with a bonded title. Just my $20 bucks worth.
Haggerty will insure anything, they base their rates on what you think the replacement value would be. They never once asked me about the type of title I had or whether or not I even had a title. All they want is the VIN #
Anyone besides me question that tacked-on chrome strip below the trunk lid opening? That can’t be factory-installed. Is it covering up rust holes? If so, it’s still a very solid-looking car, coming from western Pennsylvania.
Abstract painter Jackson Pollock died when he crashed his very similar Olds convert. That’s what I heard anyway, I wasn’t hanging with “Jacko” by that time.
I would love to own this, but it would take way more thousands of dollars to restore the car than it would ever be worth. But hopefully someone with more heart than brains will restore it. She will be magnificent!
I see why they called it a rag top.
So many possibilities. All it takes is $$$$$$…
Good for you Sean, for pointing out the best – very best – reason for owning and restoring many of the cars we see here. And Bob Mack, your second and third sentences are also to be praised. It doesn’t always have to be of utmost importance to be able to flip. For those that enjoy that gamble, have at it. But don’t disparage those of us who are happy to get a vehicle road-worthy and enjoy the “coffee and cars” outings as well as the drive to get there and return.
easy a pie in kansas.just use their bill of sale paperwork and follow instructions and go to highway patrol for them to run the vin and do not forget to give them the blood money for there work. then take to dmv for title.
I have a 1951 Pontiac convertible in similar condition, but with surprisingly good floors. I can’t wait until my impending doom & gloom for the next 12-15 months is over, so I can spend some time (& lots of money) getting her back on the road.
I was able to acquire mine for free as part of a package deal with another vintage car. The other car needed a starter so I put one in. Then I was able to sell that car for more than what I had in both. I lucked out there!
I am generally all about originality, but my car has been tampered with enough I have no idea what the original color scheme was, so I am thinking black body with red guts. I am also debating between going stock looking or maybe lowering it on airbags & chrome wheels. Good thing I have some time to debate this lol.