How would you like to have had the stainless trim concession for Oldsmobile back in the fifties? Judging by the flash of this 1958 Oldsmobile Dynamic 88, and considering the number that were built, you would have been in tall cotton! Regardless of which Olds model you picked in ’58, they were all festooned with what Hemmings referred to as “Chrome Camouflage”. This beautiful Whammer-jammer is located in Brooksville, Florida and is available here on eBay for a current bid of $520, with the reserve not yet met. Larry D gets credit for this find!
Oldsmobile offered multiple models in ’58 including the Ninety-Eight, the Super 88, and the Dynamic 88. Body styles ran the gambit of four-door sedans and hardtops, two-door hardtops and convertible, and four-door “Fiesta” station wagons. In the case of the Dynamic 88, such as our subject car, there was even a two-door sedan. Total Oldsmobile production in ’58 equaled 296K units. Of that total, about half, or 146K were Dynamic 88 models, and just 11K or so were two-door sedan body styles.
Besides the less than common body style, and this car’s outstanding condition is the fact that it’s equipped with a 300 gross HP, 371 CI V8 engine, known as the J-2 “Golden Rocket” and featuring triple two-barrel carburetors. Designed with NASCAR in mind, this special motor never made it that far thanks to the governing body’s prohibition of multiple carburetion. Total J-2 production for ’57 and ’58 is believed to be about 2,500 copies. Rounding out the powertrain is a Hydramatic automatic transmission and a 3.64:1 geared rear drive.
The exterior has been refinished in its original shade of Tropical Mist Metallic and it looks smashing! The seller adds, “Nineteen fifty-eight is best known in Oldsmobile lore as the year of the ‘Chrome Mobile’ thanks to tremendous splattering of chrome trim on the body…” I could fine-tooth comb this car’s exterior but I won’t because I can’t – there’s nothing wrong with it that I can find. The mileage is listed as only 26K miles but there’s no claim to that recording. It would be nice to know this Dynamic 88’s back story i.e. where it has been, who owned it, when was it repainted, what’s been changed out, etc. Regardless, the pictures tell a fine story.
Inside is like the outside, it’s perfect. The seller claims that it’s original which seems hard to fathom but if the mileage is true then it’s age, 64 years of it, and not wear from use, that would determine the interior’s condition. The listing mentions that the upholstery could use some TLC but that’s open to determination. The images aren’t too revealing of what TLC would be needed. The seller states that this Olds was ordered without a clock, radio, or A/C but a factory clock is included. Typical for the era, as opposed to carpeting, is the rubber floor mat, and in this case, it looks brand new.
I’m perplexed by the bidding, it started at only $500 and obviously hasn’t moved much but there are another eight days to go and I expect significant bid escalation. This car has a lot going for it, the J-2 engine, the less commonly found two-door sedan body style, and its magnificent condition. Roll all of that into the quintessential ’50s cruiser and you have one spectacular package, right?
“I’m perplexed by the bidding, it started at only $500 and obviously hasn’t moved much” who wants to polish that much chrome
I do! I would love to have this `58! rare, unusual bodystyle not seen very often, and in beautiful shape! The wheel covers are from a `63 Starfire, but seem to work well on this `58. It doesn’t mention if this Olds had the J-2 set-up from new, as these were dealer installed back then, but no matter; it adds to the uniqueness.
Just gotta get some stick-on musical notes for the rear fenders.
This beautiful Olds looks familiar. Has it been featured before? Wonder what the reserve is?.
Yes it has (back in May):
https://barnfinds.com/original-tri-power-1958-oldsmobile-dynamic-88/
At the time of posting it says that bidding had reached $25K which was short of the reserve.
Good catch! I looked but not carefully enough. I don’t like to rerun what’s been covered already.
JO
Thanks Jim.
I searched under Dynamic 88 knowing that would eliminate many non-Dynamic 88 Oldsmobiles from the results.
This one is worth looking at again,Jim!
$10,300.00 with 8 days remaining and the reserve not met.
j2 Oldsmobile a forgotten muscle car of the 50s I remember them when they where new friend in high school had a 1957 j2 gave my 1958 Impala 348 3 speed stick a good run but I usually won by less then a fender length Brooksville about 15 miles a way may look at this one
I know the car will sell for far more than my budget, but I’d sure like to find that barn and look around.
I’ve read, maybe an apocryphal rumor/joke, that the ’58 Olds wound up with so much chrome trim because they were reviewing trim proposals with transparent overlays on an illustration of the base body, and when two of those trim transparencies inadvertently got stuck together, the brass in the room was instantly delighted and approved it before anyone could explain the mishap.
you think this car has lots of trim look at a 1958 Buick lot more chrome than the Oldsmobile had
The extra roof molding (with the hash marks) was used on Super 88 hts, but I don’t think it was a separate option. Since this car doesn’t even have the stainless window frame option, I cannot believe the roof molding was there new.
Funny post about starting bid at $500. Sounds like someone who never went to an auction would say. The ending bid tends to be the one to pay attention to. Love the car. I do not have a clue what the value is.
What’s so funny about it? I’ve been to more auctions that I can count. I’m surprised the owner didn’t put a minimum on it.
JO
Looks like two design teams were locked in separate rooms, and neither one discussed what they were doing with the other.