Decisions, decisions. What would you do if you found this 1953 Oldsmobile 88 Sedan parked in your garage? Would you restore it to its former glory, or would preservation be more attractive? Regardless of which path you choose, you could be the new owner of this solid 1950s gem. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Bruce M for spotting this Olds listed here on Facebook Marketplace in Wareham, Massachusetts. You could take it home once you hand the seller $6,000.
Oldsmobile introduced the 88 badge to its model lineup in 1949, with the First Generation remaining in production until 1953. That makes our feature car a final-year example that appears to have undergone a color change from Royal Marine to Etna Maroon with an Alpine White roof. It is unclear when this occurred, but reversal would be straightforward if the buyer wished to return this classic to its factory form. Its appearance isn’t showroom fresh, but it is very tidy if the new owner decides to enjoy the car as-is. The paint shines quite nicely, featuring a selection of minor imperfections that demonstrate that it isn’t a trailer queen. The panels are as straight as an arrow, and the seller’s description of it as solid suggests there are no significant rust problems. Some trim pieces exhibit minor deterioration and bubbling, but the glass is clear and crack-free.
This classic’s interior is a mixed bag. The door trims and dash are in good order, but the seatcovers are quite shredded and it is missing its carpet. Replacing the latter will lighten the new owner’s wallet by around $300, but the setcovers might prove more problematic. The market isn’t awash with companies producing reproductions, meaning that the buyer may need to call upon a reputable upholsterer to stitch new covers using the existing ones as templates. The seller supplies no engine photos, but Oldsmobile slotted the 303ci “Rocket” V8 under the hood producing 155hp and 275 ft/lbs of torque. Shifting duties fall to a four-speed Hydramatic transmission, allowing for an effortless driving experience. The seller states that this classic starts and yard drives, and that they recently installed new whitewall tires, a starter, and a battery. It requires a new fuel tank, fuel lines, and brake lines. However, it appears that returning the Olds to a roadworthy state is a realistic short-term goal.
It will be fascinating to gauge your feedback on this 1953 Oldsmobile 88 Sedan to determine what percentage of our readers would choose restoration over preservation. Either approach is valid, and your decision would hinge on whether you would prefer to slip behind the wheel of a pristine classic or one with a “survivor” look. I admit that I would probably return the car to a showroom fresh state, although enjoying it as-is would be a viable choice. It will also be interesting to learn whether we have any Barn Finders who might consider transforming that dream into reality.
Restoration is probably out of the question – except if there’s somebody who has an emotional attachment to this somewhat stodgy model (“Grandpa had one just like this!”). It would be a nice car to get roadworthy and enjoy for what it is.
Back in the day, an Olds 88 was considered a factory hot rod.
I often hear, and usually agree, that modern cars all look the same. We old school guys seem to think that the cars of the past were easy to tell apart because, well, they didn’t look like the other company’s cars.
So, here’s a 53 Chrysler New Yorker, which bears quite the resemblance to this 53 Olds.
The bumpers aren’t as shiny as the remaining chrome. IIRC during the Korean War there was a chromium shortage and car manufacturers used silver paint. Am I correct here?
What I’d heard of is a lot thinner and lower-quality chrome plating which, on a survivor car like this, if it wasn’t redone in the ’70s/80s/90s when there were a lot more plating shops (and chrome-plating was the norm on things like shopping carts) would be an expense well in excess of the car’s value leading to silver paint in the refurbishment.
Looks like a Super 88.
HOLY COW, is it really on the market for $6000.00 How can I get hold of the owner , I’m selling my 1954 Buick Century, ….
Although this Olds is a family sedan, it’s still a cool car. Recently saw a Cold War Motors YouTube of a ’53 98 Holiday hardtop. They started by restoring the hydraulic power windows. What a task! At least this one has only crank windows to contend with. Also another ’53 Super 88 Convertible, customized by George Barris in 1958 recently saw the light of day after the original owner’s sons brought it out. Dirty, but with the original Barris old-school mods (including Packard tail lights) it was turned over to Chip Foose for refurbishing to make it presentable and roadworthy again. Very little was done other than a good careful cleaning and rework of some of the mechanicals. The paint appears to be the same color as the example presented here.