Oldsmobile is a sorely missed marque! They were innovators and brought us the Hydramatic automatic transmission in ’40, and then the overhead valve V8 engine in 1949. They straddled both the near-luxury echelon while incorporating style and performance. Today’s find, a 1957 Oldsmobile Super 88 convertible incorporates all three of those facets. While a project, this car seems to be pretty sound so let’s investigate further. Located in Lillian, Alabama, this rare rag top is available, here on eBay for a current bid of $10,000 with the reserve not yet met.
Specifically, this Oldsmobile is a Super 88 but convertible body styles were also available with the Golden Rocket 88 as well as the Starfire 98. Production statistics for the Super 88 convertible come in at 7,100 units while Oldsmobile’s total 1957 production volume put it, domestically, in fifth place with 384K copies. GM owned three of the top five production positions in ’57 with Chevrolet at number two, Buick in position four, followed closely by Olds. Pontiac just missed the top five cut and came in sixth place – it was good to be GM in ’57.
The big news for ’57 was the January introduction of the J-2 Rocket engine, a 300-gross HP, 371 CI V8 fed by three Rochester two-barrel carburetors. This one’s a non-runner and the seller states, “1957 Oldsmobile Super 88 Convertible ready to be restored J3 (sic) carburation…“. So whether the J-2 (not J3) setup is original to this car, or is an add-on, is not disclosed. Hemmings estimates that between 2,000 and 2,500 Oldmosbiles, of all stripes, were so equipped in ’57 and ’58. Another source suggests that the J-2 convertible count was about 750 examples. The transmission type is not disclosed but based on what can be spied, I’d suggest that it’s a Hydramatic automatic gearbox.
The interior is gutted and there’s no mention of included parts so a scavenger hunt may be necessary. It’s mentioned that this is an A/C equipped car though I don’t see evidence of that (condenser, compressor, etc.). The laconic listing could indicate that A/C parts (factory A/C with dash side framing for side windows?) are included in the sale. Regardless of the missing interior bits, the floors appear to be solid.
The exterior of this Super 88 isn’t exactly super but it’s not bad either. The trim is mostly intact and the only noted rust is the surface variety type. The convertible top frame is attached but the fabric is gone and the header bow is extremely rusted. There is one image of the underside included and the heavy X-frame appears to be sound.
So, ready to be restored? Sure, that’s usually the case with most old cars unless they are completely dilapidated and missing way too many parts, something that is not the case here. On the surface, this Oldsmobile Super 88 convertible, with J-2 power looks like a good one to take on; it’s rare and certainly worthy but I’d like to know a bit more about the engine authenticity. What’s your thought, a worthwhile project?
That is to much.It will take truck load of money and time to make it right
I suggest checking it out in person before paying anything. It certainly looks like a nice car, but that ad description is pitiful.
I’m just suspicious of ads that don’t provide an easy way to phone the owner and view the car. That’s especially so when an eBay seller has no previous car sales history and a very low amount of feedback.
But.. if you really want me to inspect it, I can be persuaded. Lillian is about a 3 hour round trip from my home.
My girl friend’s father had one like this, white with black and white interior and a black top. body was in great condition. I went with him to buy it in 1971. It sat for a while and needed a tune up, oil chg. etc. to get going. I had a 64 Olds Jetstar 1 and would leave that to him so my girl & I could take the 57′ out. Remember the big steering wheel. Ran darn well. The kicker was he paid $50 for it. The guy’s wife wanted it out of the garage. Oh, to bring those days back when we could all afford to have them again.
A nice rare, solid unit that few are seen today. The problem and there are some big ones are, the lack of any interior items. The rear seat area is unique to the convertible and I don’t believe the Chevy or Pontiac seats and panels fit. Finding the interior items may be a stretch since if there are any still languishing in old junkyards they are likely stripped of these items or they are weathered beyond use. Anyway you slice it, this car is a long, long way from being done either original or resto. There have been some rather nice copies of these roll through various auctions and these aren’t insane money done. The 98 is steep as is the Bonneville of this run so unless you have the parts in your hoard or the guy has them and did not mention it, this car is not an easy bring back and would no doubt take years to accomplish.
You’re right about the interior trim being hard to find. I can see the remains of some seats in the photos, but no side panels or small fittings.
I googled the VIN and found ads claiming this car was from Colorado but is now in Alabama. That could explain why the seller says it has a “clear title” when Alabama doesn’t issue titles for pre-’74 vehicles.
I do like it, but I’m not a buyer.
Yes got some good cars in the 70s for 10 to100 dollars 1960s cars
Great project for someone who has an extra truckload of money sitting around$$$$
My dad had a 2 door J2 coupe. The car was silver grey with a red interior. What a heavy car. The front bumper was a battering ram. The paint faded to the point no automotive compound could bring it back. He traded it in for a 63 Chev SS with a 327 Power glide transmission. Smart move!
I had a J2 at the time they called it a experimental model try power with solid lifters if my memory serves me right. Mine was jet black, split rear window two door coupe. I could never get the carbs to run right, if you kicked them all in it would bog–so I set it up on the middle carb and ran a piece of rawhide thru the firewall would get it cranking with the middle carb and once it got some revs up I would pull in the other two–man oh man what a great sound , it sounded like those carbs were going to suck the hood right in to the sngine. For a big car it was quick.
i had a 56 ,when i showed an example of the dash to my daughter she thought it resembled a juke-box….lol