I have previously posed the question of whether there is any such thing as automotive perfection, and the subject generally sparks a spirited debate. I may have to repeat the performance with this 1957 Oldsmobile Super 88 Holiday Hardtop because spotting any faults or flaws will take a microscope. As if the stunning presentation weren’t enough, its engine bay houses the optional and potent J2 version of the 371ci V8. That seems to allow it to tick the right boxes, but will it be enough to tempt you to pursue it further? Located in Miami, Florida, you will find the Olds listed for sale here on eBay. The owner has set their BIN at $53,000, although there is the option to make an offer. Barn Finder Larry D has utilized a well-developed classic radar to spot this beauty for us, so thank you for that, Larry.
This Oldsmobile is one of those classics where I examined the supplied photos and struggled to determine where to start. It wears a combination of Cutlass Bronze and Alcan White paint, which makes a stunning visual statement. The paint shines intensely, and the enormous selection of high-definition photos supplied by the seller fails to reveal any flaws or blemishes. The panels are laser straight, with gaps that are tight and consistent. There is no visible rust, and the seller doesn’t mention any in their listing. However, I believe that the car may have some prior rust repairs. One of the underside shots seems to reveal a patch welded into the floor. It has been covered with undercoat, and while the weld quality isn’t the best I’ve seen, it is far from the worst! If the vehicle is now rust-free, does the quality of that weld count as a genuine flaw? Otherwise, the panels, underside, and frame look rock-solid. It may seem an exaggeration, but this Olds features acres of chrome trim. As with the panels and paint, it looks perfect. It shines richly, with no evidence of corrosion, rub marks, scratches, or other physical damage. The same is true of the tinted glass, which is crystal clear. The wire wheels are not original, but the owner’s decision to wrap them in wide whitewall tires adds the perfect finishing touch to the exterior.
If this Super 88’s exterior presentation seems impressive, its drivetrain combination is unlikely to let down the side. The engine bay houses the 371ci “Rocket” V8, but the original owner ticked the box beside the J2 option on the Order Form. That brought a new intake and three 2-barrel carburetors to the table. The upgrade wasn’t merely about making a bold visual statement because it boosted engine power from 277 to 300hp. That power needs to find its way to the road, and it does so via a four-speed Jetaway automatic transmission. The Super 88 may not be a genuine muscle car, but its ability to storm the ¼ mile in 17 seconds is impressive by 1957 standards. This Olds runs and drives well, and this YouTube video stands as proof. Its motor sounds smooth, and there are no signs of smoke or odd noises.
The spotless theme continues when we examine this Super 88’s interior. Its trim materials match the exterior paint combination, and they appear perfect. There’s no evidence of wear, abuse, or physical damage. The dash is spotless, and with more vast expanses of gleaming chrome, any journey in this Olds should feel like a special occasion. Luxury appointments include ice-cold air conditioning, a Wonder Bar AM radio, and a factory clock.
I guess it is time to return to my earlier question; Is there any such thing as automotive perfection? Often, that will depend upon our point of view. If you look at a freshly restored classic where the owner has had an eye for detail and performed every aspect of the build to the highest standard, you may view it as perfect. However, ask the builder, and it would be safe money they would identify at least one aspect of the vehicle where they feel they could have done a better job. Leaving the identified floor patch out of the equation, I’m sure that if you went over this 1957 Super 88 Holiday Hardtop with a fine-toothed comb, you would probably spot some flaws. However, it is still a safe bet that the car would receive admiring glances and comments wherever it goes. It is far from a cheap car, but the BIN remains competitive when you consider what it offers. If you have been squirreling a few dollars away with dreams of parking a classic car in your garage, could you be tempted by this Olds?
Nice one,too bad the price is in the new car category:-)
It’s hard to believe, the ’57 Chevy, which I never cared for, got all the thunder, when the ’57 Olds was, to me, the nicest Olds ever. While a somewhat dated design, considering what happened in ’58. I save words like “gorgeous”, and “beautiful” for ladies, but the ’57 Olds was the best. The “J-2” gets all the attention, and in ’57, it was actually needed, today, it’s just for oohs and ahhs at the car show, and running on the center 2 barrel would be fine, IF, you could keep your foot out of it. THAT would be awful tempting. Same old story, I suppose if you have $50g’s to spend, who cares what the gas price is. Very nice car.
Biggest problem here? I’d be afraid to drive it with todays distracted drivers. I have a friend whose wife was sitting at a stop light and a distracted driver, I presume, ran the red light and T-boned another car, sending that car into her. Luckily she was okay, the Subaru, not so much, and no disrespect, but you can always get another Subaru. A crash in this would be devastating.
That’s a great looking car, always thought the rear window was so tasteful and added to the styling of these cars. Set of trips and those big whites with wires what’s not to love? Next caretaker should be proud.
Interesting about the white walls. The pictures we had of my Dad’s ’55 Buick showed the wide whites but the ’57 Olds had the narrower ones from the factory. The ’57 and ’60 Olds he had were great looking cars. Certainly agree that the ’57 Olds stood up well against the tri five Chevys. Nice car here.
the narrower white walls did not come out till 1961 all car tru 1960 came with wide white walls I was 16 yes old in 1961 just got my license remember it well parents had 1960 Impala bought it new and everyone was talking about the new whitewalls when 1961s came out most including my self did not like them
Simply stunning. It’s hard to pick a favorite here, the rear tail-lights or windows, the interior, the paint, the motor… what a joy it must be to drive.
This car is so nice I would be tempted to make it a trailer queen. That would be a terrible thing to do to such a visible piece of automotive beauty from the past. As a young lad my friends mom drove a car like this but I don’t think it was a j-2. It seems like hers was blue and white two tone.
God Bless America
This beauty looks showroom perfect. Talk about a dream car! Plus, it’s a well-known and documented fact that the ’57 Olds have the absolute all-time greatest, most awesome-looking dashboard/instrument panel of any car to ever exist, ever in the entire history of the universe.
The car is absolutely stunning and represents the best of American car art, no doubt, As far as the dash goes, it´s fabulous, but there have been many others equally impressive and in fact more sensible as well as functional, such as the dashboard in the various Studebaker Hawks, or the Glas 1700 GT or how about the one in the huge Facel Vega? Anyhow, it´s really not important in the scheme of things – the car all by itself is beyond reproach and I wish I could afford it.
The Facels, Hawks, Glas 1700 GTs, do have impressive, beautifully designed and tastefully laid-out instrument panels/dashboards for sure. I love them! But no dash ever created is as amazingly and uniquely dazzling as the ’57 Olds dash.
Gerard,
I agree, I’ve owned The Olds 88, several Studebaker Hawks [1956 to 1963], a Glas coupe, and a Facel-Vega Excellence. It’s my opinion that the dash in the Facel is incredibly elegant and stately. Most people don’t realize that the walnut wood panels on the Facel are actually an aluminum panel, the wood grain carefully painted by hand, by very gifted French artists! But my absolute favorite American car dashboard is the 1956 senior Packard cars.
My friend was a budding hot rodder in the 60’s. Having just sold his screaming 56 Chevy his grandfather asked what’s next? He didn’t know it had to be faster than the 56? Grandad said check out this Olds. Naw, that’s a grandpa car. Grandpa said drive it! It was a J2! Enough said!!
This car represents automotive “Bling”! No vehicle is completely equipped as the Five-Seven Buick.
It my have came with factory A/C, but the compressor looks way to modern to me.
Yep, factory A/C but a modern compressor plus an alternator it did not have when new, either. Nothing wrong with a little modernizing, though.
The J-2 brochure says the engine requires premium fuel with an octane rating of at least 97, but you won’t be finding that at the gas pumps these days.
It is possible that today’s 93 octane will be OK to use. The 97 octane they require was either the RON or MON number only and today’s octane at the pump is (RON + MON)/2.
@Don Page Jr.
You wrote: “It my have came with factory A/C, but the compressor looks way to modern to me.”
You are exactly right. That is a new, modern, reliable compressor made to last for years and years with easily serviceable and replaceable parts. It is more than likely a Sanden brand unit which is supplied with Vintage Heat/Air systems. This compressor can be integrated into the original system so that most other original parts can remain.
The one question I’ve always had about these modern compressors which no one has ever answered for me is WHY can’t they be painted or power coated in black so they would resemble the originals? That silver compressor sticks out like an UGLY sore thumb!
The Sanden compressors are indeed available in black!
You can get them in black, polished aluminum or chrome.
Everything about this car is perfect. I love the rear windows, the crease in the roof, the side trim, interior, paint, all of it. Can’t understand why this hasn’t sold. Such a beautiful car.
The thing that would set this one off is to add all new updated suspension, an LS7, updated transmission and rear end.
Not sure if carpet & dash pad should be brown.
I would put traditional headlites back on – halogens tho, if driven at night.
Otherwise beeeeUtiful!
Re visible welds: My uncle had his own body shop and did welding that you couldn’t find. It is an art.
All the attention to detail and the drivers wiper blade rests on windshield trim?
Hah! Good catch! That’s pretty rough on the wiper blade, but on the other hand, this isn’t the sort of car that will see much rain!
Where do all there 1/4 mile stats come from ? To state this car could do the 1/4 mile in 17 seconds while the massive 60 Imperial could do it in 16.5 seems ludicrous ; That Imperial must weigh over 1000 pounds more than this Olds. Not only that, but gear ratios make all the difference in the world , and I’m sure this Oldsmobile’s gears are not set up for smooth cruising like the Imperials
Absolutely gorgeous. For me, this car represents the height of Oldsmobile’s halcyon years.
the narrower white walls did not come out till 1961 all car tru 1960 came with wide white walls I was 16 yes old in 1961 just got my license remember it well parents had 1960 Impala bought it new and everyone was talking about the new whitewalls when 1961s came out most including my self did not like them
Narrow whitewalls came out on the 1962 models industry-wide for the first time with the exception of a couple of models, such as the 1961 Chevrolet Impala SS and the 1957 and ’58 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham models.
I’m not sure if you mean the narrow whitewalls came out during the calendar year 1961 but if so, it should be in later ’61 on the ’62 models.
yes you are rt they came out in Sept of 61 on the new 1962 models I believe if my memory is rt most new models came out in Sept so 62s came out in Sept of 61 and at first didn’t like them I had just got my license in oct of 1961 lots of cars and great memories
I can’t get anywhere near the knowledge of those on this site but I would like to nominate the 47 Packard Custom Clipper dash (sorry don’t know how to upload pictures:
https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=https%3A%2F%2Flive.staticflickr.com%2F7504%2F26407561483_a08d638c2f_b.jpg&imgrefurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.flickr.com%2Fphotos%2Fsjb4photos%2F26407561483&tbnid=nUYwtwQhYkHKkM&vet=12ahUKEwjNurKJq_b3AhUEz1MKHcuuB7AQMygBegUIARDcAg..i&docid=7VjgDiSDR6lvfM&w=1024&h=736&q=packard%20clipper%20dashboards&ved=2ahUKEwjNurKJq_b3AhUEz1MKHcuuB7AQMygBegUIARDcAg\\
And the 55 Custom Clipper wasn’t so bad also that sold on BarnFinds
https://barnfinds.com/exclusive-1955-packard-clipper-custom/frm-img_20190604_090026647/
Gosh every few months I remember why I want a Clipper so badly.
Just how much does that front bumper weigh?
The back window was a bit of a discussion, back them some considered the split window to be old school thinking. Some didn’t like it at all. The buick got the wrap around window mid year 57. Where the olds waited until the 58 model year. I prefer the split window concept, it just looks awsome comparitvly speaking
I love that back window friend in high school had a all black 57 with a j2 we raced daily almost always a dead heat I had all black 1958 Impala 348 factory 3 speed
Only the 57 Buick Roadmaster and Super had a choice of rear window style. The 3-pc. window on those was not like these. Their dividers were chrome bars, not part of the body sheet metal, so the change was simple. The Special and Century were like this Olds with ONLY a 3 pc.
I’m surprised no one has commented on the completely incorrect interior materials. The S-88 hts had ONLY a cloth interior with vinyl and leather trim on bolsters. There was no interior option which offered an interior in this style OR in this color. The interior is all “owner’s choice”, so don’t expect a high score on the interior if it was taken to an Olds convention. The correct color would be a light/med gold, not copper.
Are complete repro interiors even available in the exact correct colors for this very old not-that-popular-today car?
Even GM could not restore the interior of the Firebird III to its correct orange! It is now black! – disgraceful!
https://mechanixillustrated.technicacuriosa.com/2017/03/04/firebirds-turbine-power-research/
& look at all the wonderful colors available inside most modern “cars”!
A pretty car the minute it was built !! And still is.
Just for you that were around back in the days this car was in the show room. I remember completely falling in love with them. My dad bought a used 57, 98 series 4 door H. T. but 2 years later in 1959. I was 14 years old at the time and it had the J-2 option on it and when he and I were alone in it I would beg him to floor it. He would tell me no at the time but before we returned home, he would open it up for me. Well needless to say why I have one of these to this day. The only difference is that the one that I have is a StarFire 98 convertible with all the options including THE J-2! When I take this car out to a show or a cruise-in the people just rave over it including lots of younger people. This really pleases me to see the younger people at the shows and cruise-ins and hear their comments about these old cars. Now seeing this car here and all the great comments about it and it is truly beautiful, and a work of art makes me see just how lucky I was to live through these years and be so lucky as to own one still to this day! They will never make anything like this again and if they did, could you imagine the price? This is truly gorgeous all American car from the great past !
just me you just had my hart skip a beat when you said Starfire remember and love Starfire’s I also was 14 in 1959 but my farviate Starfire is the 1962 Starfire with the wide chrome strip going down the side good memories
I forwarded this link to my buddy. He said if he could have one of the cars again of all the cars he ever had, it would be the ‘57 with J2. I was born in ‘57 and always liked the tri5’s but not the ‘57 Chevy. 57 Ford always tugged on me and eventually got one. The Old J2 was always out of reach but I’m building a J2 engine that will eventually end up in my ‘34 Ford.
Most of my car buddies are in their 70’s, some in their 80’s. I try to hang on every word they have to say.
Occasionally a friend of one my grandchildren will show up and marvel at one of my old cars and it brightens my day!
Did anyone notice the heavy damage to the X frame near the X? Looks like a boulder went under the car.
Something damaged the frame for sure and are there any more patch panels, i also noticed the trunk had a lot of rust damage in the floor, i don`t want nothing to do with rust it never ends.