After a long hiatus in barn-bound purgatory, this “find” enjoys a second life and comes to market as a functional daily driver. The 1958 Oldsmobile Super 88 outside Denver, Colorado features its original 371 Rocket V8, and the seller reports the Olds “runs great and everything works”. The listing here on Craigslist asks an even $10,000 for the resurrected classic. Thanks to reader Gunter K. for the tip on this rolling showcase of ’50s style.
Just before GM blurred the concept of progressing buyers from Chevy and Pontiac up to Oldsmobile and Buick and then finally Cadillac, this Oldsmobile represented a rolling success statement parked in your driveway for everyone to see. While the Ninety-Eight represented Oldsmobile in its “most regal form,” the Super 88 was next in line and shared the Ninety-Eight’s more powerful engine. While this specimen sports what looks like a modern stereo, one interesting 1958 option was the “Trans-Portable” radio that could be removed from the dashboard and enjoyed at your picnic or ball game thanks to an integral speaker and battery. Return to the Olds, shove it back in the dashboard, and it would recharge and reconnect to the in-car speakers. Brilliant! Thanks to lov2xlr8 for some details.
This 371 cid (6.1L) Rocket V8 made 305 HP in the Ninety-Eight and Super 88, a step above the Dynamic 88’s 265 HP version. The triple two-barrel J2 engine topped the charts for ’58 with 312 HP. The Jetaway four-speed automatic handles gear changes. Interestingly four-speed automatics vanished for the most part from American cars until returning as overdrive units in the 1980s.
Rear-end styling certainly didn’t take a back seat on this Oldsmobile! It’s got more ornamentation, medallions, and letters adorning its backside than a ’90s Death Metal Princess. I especially like how the dual reverse lights make a little chrome face under each tail light tower. Don’t miss the concealed fuel door in the left Twin Blade tail light! Another interesting option (not mentioned on this Super 88) is the available air bladder suspension, the New-Matic Ride, which sounds fascinating and somewhat frightening to maintain. Unless you’re not a fan of clear-coated “patina,” this Olds represents high style in a solid (and I do mean solid) daily driver. Can you see yourself cruising the open roads in this refurbished Super 88?
If I had the money or the credit nobody else would ever have the chance of getting that car it would be mine anybody’s ever read my comments know I’m partial towards Oldsmobile and Pontiac that I am Chevys they are so much better built. 58 my birth year. It would be perfect sitting in my driveway
While the body appears solid, one would have to lift it on a rack to know for sure. Couldn’t see much of the interior, but caught the edge of what appeared to be a reupholstered front seat in some brown non-factory fabric. If the powertrain is as strong as mentioned, and any rust issues are nill, a good expense in restoring this will be in the interior. Fairly sure NOS materials can be had from SMS Interiors for this. We also don’t know of any options this car has—pwr windows or front seat? Original AM radio? Factory rims/wheel covers? Alot to check out on this before committing.
Was clear coated to preserve its perfect patina look.”
Just when did ‘patina’ become a good thing?
I agree. Patina is just glorifying rust. Who needs it. Like Jim above, I am partial to Olds and Pontiac. Especially the 57 Olds. I was 13 that year.
Yes…. my 86 Calais had that “patina”. It had to go. It just looked trashy and unkempt when I drove it to Salt Lake in 2018.
Even though it wasn’t [and isn’t], it was shabby and abused looking.
The design of this Olds is busy enough with out failed paint patterns cluttering it up even more.
I mean “patina” cluttering it up even more.
My mother drove a 58 Olds 4 door like this from brand new and for about 5 years. I thought she’d enjoy seeing this car, so I showed her this ad… I did not expect this response!
“They have to be kidding! It doesn’t look cared for at all. Crazy price for that mess. We saw a much nicer one recently.”
Guess the patina look doesn’t cut it!
I like the car, but agree this car needs to at least be repainted! And $10K seems a bit high.
Sounds like an amazing project but innovations like the air cushion suspension sound almost unrestorable.
Boy does this bring back memories, my 58 Olds was ten years old when I got it, but it was a Fieste wagon. Paid $50 bucks for it. Air suspension had been replaced with coil springs and transmission had just been rebuilt. It was a great car, only thing it was pink, the lady that bought it new wanted it that color. She bought a new car while the transmission was being rebuilt in the Olds so it was parked beside their house until I bought it.
God bless America
My Dad had a ‘58 Olds 88. Silver grey with a white top and red interior.
A substantial vehicle.
He went from that to a ‘62 F85. Cool car but not substantial. He could not get used to the lightness and went back to a ‘63 Chev Impala the next year.
Such great cars, so many choices.
Isn’t “perfect patina” and oxymoron? Why redo the interior and upgrade the engine components but leave the lack of paint?
This IS your father’s Oldsmobile
I got my driver’s license using my mother’s ’58 Olds. Had to parallel park that and yacht but did it. Have a collection of many old cars but can’t find one of these that I can afford or close to where I live. I would be happy with a Dynamic 88 in decent condition close to NC.
Paint it. Then fix the small things as time goes. The patina look–it looks like someone to tight to get it painted.
It’s a 4 door and a beautiful one at that. It may be the first ‘58 anything I cared about. In today’s market it’s probably fairly priced. Not sure I buy it sight unseen but it’s tempting.
Sellers need to learn the meaning of “all original” This car is not “all original”.
Jay, comments like that make my skin crawl. As they say it’s only original once. Well it’s been over 60 years that car was built, so naturally it’s not perfectly “original”. Give the guy a break for crying out loud, he’s proud of his car and to him it’s close enough to call it original, he’s not saying it’s concours.
God bless America
John,
As the owner of a 1955 Super 88 Holiday Hardtop Sedan that IS all original, I have to disagree with you.
My ’55 is just like it left the factory 66 years ago.
The only things that are not “Original” are the brake cylinders, shock absorbers and tires. I suffered a respray of the front/bottom color sometime in the 70’s but it has no “perfect patina” and no missing paint.
People claiming that their modified vehicle is all original dilutes the value of the cars like mine that ARE original.
Mine has 69,000 documented miles and needs very little. I would rather pay 10K for one like mine than one like this ’58.