I know that 1950s cars aren’t really that popular with the masses anymore; it’s mostly about 1970s muscle cars and restomods now. As time keeps moving on, the folks who grew up in the 1950s or rode around in the backseat of a 1950s car as a kid are going away, sadly. I’ve mentioned our family’s 1956 Pontiac too many times, but what a kick it would have been to have this gorgeous 1955 Oldsmobile Super 88 Holiday Coupe! It’s listed here on eBay in Raritan, New Jersey, and the seller is asking $30,000, or you can make an offer. Thanks to Curvette for the tip!
$30,000 seems like a lot for a 71-year-old car until you start digging into this one. It’s a two-door hardtop, it’s said to be all original, and it had one owner until 2010. The story goes that the original owner used the car to tow his midget race cars until 1973, and it was then put into storage until 2010. Another gent bought it at that point and got it back on the road again, and here we are today. The Black and Polar White color combo reminds me of the white and black ’56 Pontiac we had in the 1960s. The second-generation Oldsmobile 88 series was made for 1954, 1955, and 1956, and Hagerty lists a #2 excellent value of $24,200, so hopefully there’s some decent wiggle room on the seller’s $30,000 or offer asking price.
I know 1950s cars are all about chrome and bright colors, but I’d lose the chrome exhaust extension asap. Otherwise, I would not change one thing about this car. For a kick in the gut for all of you who have purchased a new vehicle recently, this car was $3,280.85 brand new in 1955, which equates to just $40,004.95 today. You can definitely buy a brand new vehicle for that price today, and it will have AC, power everything, and all sorts of electronic stuff beeping and grabbing the steering wheel out of your hands and braking for you, and all of that fun stuff. Plus, it’ll be safer, get better MPG, and… er.. wait, where was I going with this again?
Anywho, this is a beautiful car, and the seller says it is all original: paint, interior, engine, and everything. The photos are on the smaller side, there are a few verticals, and not many detailed photos, but this sure looks like a nice example of a desirable body style and model. The Super 88 was above the 88 and below the Ninety-Eight. The 88 designation was written in numerals, and the 98 was written in letters, oddly enough. This interior does look perfect in the photos, and this car is almost loaded, with power steering, power (drum) brakes, and a power front seat. There is no air-conditioning, even though the selling dealer refers to something the owner said, which is that they aren’t “sure if there is factory AC or not.” Clearly, there is no AC on this car, so I’m not sure why that statement was included.
The seats look perfect, both front and rear, as you can see, and it sure looks like the next owner will be getting a nice car. The fabric pattern appears to be exactly like what you’d see in a 1955 Olds brochure, and I do see one small separation in the red vinyl (?) material in one of the seller’s interior photos. Otherwise, what a gorgeous time capsule. The trunk also looks outstanding. We don’t get to see any underside photos, but the seller has included a piece of gold: the original sales slip showing all of the features and options, along with colors and other great info!
The standard engine in the Super 88 series is Oldsmobile’s 324-cu.in. OHV V8. It had a higher compression ratio for 1955 (8.5:1), a higher lift cam, and better combustion chambers, along with a standard four-barrel carburetor, which gave it an improved rating of 202 gross horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque when new. This one is backed by a four-speed Hydra-Matic transmission that sends power to the rear wheels. There’s no word at all as to how it runs or operates, but I have to believe it works as great as it looks. Any thoughts on this Super 88 Holiday Coupe?
I like the mid 50’s Olds line a lot. This one is outstanding. I like the original dealer paperwork. I think thats the first time I ever saw the same place selling Internationals, Cadillacs and Oldsmobiles under one roof. Curvette you found a beauty with this one. Thanks for writing it up Scotty I enjoyed it.
55 Olds 88, absoluty the best looking ever. Always wanted one since Mr. Wilson, the janitor at my school bought one (new). His was an exact copy, black and white, red interior. The 54s never reached it and the 56 and 57s never matched. The side trim and grill definetly made it! Let me check my bank account (won’t ask the wife).
I agree. I like the ’55 side trim especially in a two tone the best.
As big and heavy as these cars were they would really go. My college roommate had one and I got a lot of right seat time in it. Nice one here.
Here’s a nice 2 door post for sale.
https://sullivanautohouse.com/inventory-list/1955-olds-88
We just had a reader get scammed by a fake dealer website so be sure to have an inspection done before wiring money to anyone.
That’s good advice on EVERY transaction!
Thanks, that’s very good advice. This business does appear to be legit, I checked the domain name and they were registered four years ago and their sold inventory page is full of everything from classics to Ferraris, but nevertheless getting an inspection done is definitely a good idea these days.
The photography is definitely better.
nice 88 and if it is original as stated then it’s a great survivor. good colors too. bad side dealer listing so it would be hard to get a good deal. i prefer the 55-57 olds over the more common chevies. just a bit better looking
I really like Oldsmobiles and this one is very nice, although its front does look like a kid with a mouth full of braces. The 55 Chevy on this body had a cleaner front clip.
My Dad found one of these for my grandmother. Hers was all white. Dad said that it ran great, but it must need a tune-up because it idle “a little lumpy”. Well,the spark plugs were worn, but after replacement, it still idle a little lumpy. So he pulled the valve covers and found that it did not have the original cylinder heads. He found out that it had ’57 heads that had adjustable valves. And the reason it idled lumpy is because it had a very hot cam installed. So he put it back together and then realized it had an aftermarket dual exhaust system. We went for a test drive. It shoved me back in the seat and I watched the speedometer roll right past 100mph. Both Dad and I enjoyed that drive. And Granny, was no slouch behind the wheel also. So she really loved that old barge until the trunk floor and gas tank straps rusted out so bad that she ended up dragging the fuel tank by the hose. Dad did a temporary strap set up from the frame. But the frame was like Swiss cheese also. So shortly after that he got her a 1959 Biscayne with the 235 6 cyl and Powerglyde. She wasn’t happy with that car at all.
We had a non super88. The only trim difference I see is the circle around the 88 on the fender and I don’t think it had a rocket on the trunk.
Interior on the super is much nicer.
I would be a little leery of the “All Original” statement, especially if it towed a race car much.. The second owner and the selling dealership must have done an excessive amount of detailing.. As usual a seller always asks high and hopefully can be dickered down to at least or below the Haggerty pricing. If a thorough inspection reveals what the seller claims this beautiful car will make someone a great / reasonable entry into the classic car hobby to have fun with.
Had a set of ‘56 Olds “ flipper” hubcaps. Looked great on my ‘53 BelAir.
Great years for the Olds family from 1951-1957, all outstanding cars, especially the 2 door & 4 door hardtops. This particular Olds is a beauty, nice color combo with the red interior! GLWTA!!!