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Lost Dream: 1955 Oldsmobile 88

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We as car enthusiasts see this all too often where a car is found and plans are made, but life and time got in the way. That is the story of this 1955 Oldsmobile 88. Found in 1986 by a couple of brothers, this 88 looks to be in fairly solid condition. 30 years later, and this 88 is up for sale for $3,000. Find it here on craigslist out of Grand Island, Nebraska. Special thanks to Olaf E for this tip!

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In 1989 the seller did a tune up on the engine, and poured some gas in the carb to see if this 88 could run. It did indeed run that day back in 1989, but it appears that was the last time this 88 was touched. A lot can happen in 27 years, but we hope that the engine is still free. The engine and bay look a little dusty and dirty, as does the rest of the car. The exterior looks fairly straight, with obvious signs of surface rust, but no visible rot. The seller mentions there is a small amount of rust in the lower part of the front fenders. Claimed to have been stored indoors since 1986 perhaps there is still some hope for this old 88.

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The interior looks pretty decent from what we can see from the photos, though the seats need a little TLC. Perhaps we are jumping the gun a bit, but perhaps this could be a slow project that could become a runner, and restored to driver status. It is difficult to tell exactly what kind of condition this 88 is in, but we are optimistic and think that it would make a great project. Would you take on this Oldsmobile 88 and return it to the road after its long hibernation?

Comments

  1. Avatar Mike

    Love the grill and bumper – will look nice with a little clean up

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  2. Avatar RoughDiamond

    What a neat ’55 Olds with a cool story and lots of potential. It seems 1955 was just a magical year in exterior and interior design cues for GM as a whole.

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  3. Avatar Rando

    Looks good to me! And if it will still turn, surely wouldn’t be that hard to get running. As an aside, my new wife & I went to the local cruise in last weekend. There was one “runner” that was in similar “as found” condition, complete with OLD CAR SMELL… she didn’t care for that… She is all for us having an old project car, but can’t have that OLD CAR SMELL… As for the rest of the cruise in, there were a LOT of cars there that were pretty lumpy under their gallons of shiny paint. Made me shake my head a lot. Why go to all that expense to paint and still leave the panels looking like a sack of taters were used for filler?

    I did tell the wife she could be in charge of restoring the interior smell plus whatever else she could help with…

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    • Avatar karld

      Rando, The smell of expensive new cowhides should help the wife love a restored car, and lighten your leather wallet at the same time…

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      • Avatar Rando

        I’m thinking Febreze!!!!! lol

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    • Avatar AMX Brian

      I love the musty smell of my AMX. I got lucky though. Only a few mice in it over the years. So it’s more like an old book smell than death and mold.

      Like 0
  4. Avatar Jon

    must be sold…

    Like 0

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