When you compare it to how muscle cars were evolving during the following decade, this 1953 Oldsmobile Super 88 doesn’t really look all that muscular on the outside, but when Olds introduced the 88 in 1949 a nice surprise could be found under the hood, a new 303 CI Rocket V8 engine making 135 horsepower in pure stock form. With their not overly heavy bodies and powerful engines, these were also high achievers in NASCAR for the period, earning the 88 a reputation as one of the first muscle cars. This 1953 Oldsmobile Super 88 in Redding, California, is said to be bone stock and factory correct, and after a close inspection I have to agree with the seller that this one is about as good as they come. The Olds can be viewed here on Craigslist and comes with an asking price of $34,900.
T.J., thanks for spotting this beauty and sharing your tip with us! Things seemed to only get better for the first-generation 88 as the years moved by, and though the base 88 was a very capable performer for its time, stepping up to the more upscale Super 88 beginning in 1952 also got you a 4-barrel carburetor plus an additional 30 horsepower. The seller boasts that his car is correctly detailed all the way down to the proper hose clamps, and with a new set of modern radial tires says it drives and rides better than when new.
While the exterior presents beautifully, we don’t get many details such as how old the paint is, whether or not any bodywork has ever been performed, or if the Olds has remained this straight throughout its entire life. The finish consists of a Lotus Cream color on the bottom sections and a Baltic Blue roof, with the bumpers and trim stated as perfect. The hub caps are also the proper factory Super 88 Oldsmobile components, leaving little to find fault with regarding the correct stock-status outside.
Nothing disappoints when crawling inside either, with numerous items such as the kick panels, dash knobs, and door panels described as flawless. The dash appears pristine, and I’m totally feeling that Autonic Eye on top which was designed to dim the headlights at night when another car approaches, not all that unusual today but a pretty cool feature for the mid-fifties. All of the gauge lights are said be working along with the bulb over the emergency brake, which is shown illuminated in the photos. I’m sure not seeing much here that’s not making me want my garage to be the future home for this 1953 Oldsmobile Super 88, how about you?
This is one of my favorite body styles and years from GM. For Olds Pontiac and Buick and even Cadillac. Beautiful roof line on the two door hard tops. Great write up too. Im impressed thar even the courtesy light by the parking brake lights up. If anyone is in the market for a Super 88…. This really looks like this would be the ticket.
The only thing wrong with this Olds is it’s not in my garage. Nice car.
This was my father’s very first car that he bought when he mustered out of the army after serving 2 years in the war in Korea. Dad bought his ‘53 Olds 88 with the monthly GI stipend that he had saved during his time in the military.
Dad absolutely Loved that car
Nice car, and love the engines. We pulled almost 300 hp out of a ’49 engine with ’56 heads, lots of compression increase, and some pretty crazy street cams. When Oldsmobile went to bigger engines in ’55 it really changed the cars from cruisers to muscle cars.
The 55 2 dr HT 88 was the ultimate in 50’s Olds designs. The grill and side trim did it for them. At the time I thought they were better than the Chevys, more class, more style and hot. If I get my time machine perfected before my last breath I’m take’n one right off the show room floor. You want to jump in for a ride?
I had a 55 super 88 , I pulled out of a junk yard in 1983 it was showing 44414 miles , I got it running drove it 3 years before trading it for another car and truck , I used to enjoy late night rides with my wife,we would hit the highway and just ride for hours, great automobile.
Dad had one in probably 1958. 1953 olds 88 convertible. Yellow with red leather. He didn’t own it long. One summer however we all got in and rode to Wisconsin dells. I remember the leather smell. Black canvas top down. Awesome car
Dad ordered one in 53. His first new car. Super 88 convertible with factory continental kit.That was before my time but I have a picture somewhere.
Splendid and well preserved specimen. Coincidentally, there’s a ‘53 Holiday 98 Coupe that’s undergoing a restoration on YouTube’s ‘Cold War Motors’ channel.
https://youtu.be/0lmRhCJKYxI?si=ZHkZ4O19c0J2g35H
Did you notice that this one has power steering? That was a fairly rare option in 1953.
Better jump on this one. Looks rust free. What a beauty. I sold a pretty rusty rough, but very complete and ran nice after my amateur over haul, ’54 Super 88 back around 2000 for 2000$. 2dr hardtop with skirts (sp) all original. Last word I heard they had 30,000$ in the restoration. This one would be much better than a total rebuild IMHO!
Is the transmission automatic or manual and if manual, the shifting is on the steering column?
It’s AutRONic Eye.
Love these curvy early 50’s cars.
Full float suspension and couches to boot! What a wonderful time it was.
I was just a youngster but I remember riding in my parent’s and grandparent’s 6 Volt hope it starts cars.
Olds and Cadillac fixed the hard start problem in 53 the 12 volt system.
I think a car like this divides our hobby. Those of older status,( see avatar) the early 50s Oldsmobiles were the epitome of horsepower and style. To younger folks, just another reminder how archaic the auto scene was then. While Oldsmobiles may have catered to a wide variety of folks over the years, they almost always specified horsepower, and these cars started it all. I read, this car with 4 barrel had 165hp, and sold for $2450 new, over $1,000 more than a Ford, but that didn’t deter folks, as over 330,000 Oldsmobiles were sold in 1953, almost 34,000 like this. These are the cars that homesick GIs dreamed about when, and if they got home from that quagmire in Korea. Not much else defined America like an Oldsmobile, and I was darn sorry to see them go.
We aren’t divided we just see different perspectives. When is the last time you needed jumper cables or even changed a flat on the side of the road?
How about 5 or 6 kids in the back seat of the 88 with the windows down?
Uncle Paul had one drove it for years , great car , had the automatic head light dimmer !
Lovely Olds, there’s no way you could restore one for this price, and you wouldn’t have a car as nice as this one.
This was my first car , but the 98 Holiday coupe. Same color and all.
Dang wish I had never let it go
Oldsmobile always had a smoothness in their steering that was unique to other vehicles especially 60’s and 70’s. I wonder if these years Olds was the same. Anyone have any knowledge to share on this