1955 Oldsmobile Super 88 Coupe

“Excitement rides with you, when you ride a Rocket Oldsmobile. For here is a car more active than your imagination. Free and felt and vibrantly alive in every wonderful way! For taking off or taking a curve, for smooth stopping and easy steering, for easing through traffic or breezing along, you'll find that Oldsmobile is different…dramatically different, with its flying color flair, go ahead look, and brilliant beauty.” All stated in the print advertising from 1955, so it HAS to be true!

For consignment, an interesting combination of two-tone panels, space age styling wire wheels to show its a classy classic and some chrome thrown in for bling. This car was previously restored but recently a freshening up list of various new parts replacing some older ones is available and too numerous to mention in this description.

Exterior
Looking much like your father's Oldsmobile, 1955 used a toothed oval grille with the OLDSMOBILE badging letters as its teeth. Looking like an open mouth with the corresponding curves of the bumper, central big center bar with the turn signals and running lights and the upper hood curved trimming which completes the top “lips” it makes a loud statement. Single chrome bezel headlights rest stop either front fender and in the center is the ringed globe badge emphasizing the power of the Rocket 88 under the hood. Just above on top, front and center of the hood, is a large jet hood ornament further emphasizing the speed that has come with the rocket age. This hood and upper front quarters, as well as the doors to the midpoint are bathed in white paint which is accented by the chrome in the grille, window surrounds and various trim spears. The roof of the car is also white and provides a big spacious canopy for the passengers to go inside and enjoy the ride. The lowers of this car complete the two-tone gloss paint finish in green. The green will complete the trunk lid and rear of the car, and again utilizes plenty of trim spears, a large rear bumper, another ringed globe and pointy tipped taillights much like a rocket nose top each rear quarter. Note to the beautifully curved front windshield and rear glass, which gives the car a sleeker look overall. Also, the wire wheels with wide whites don't hurt the look either.

Interior
Opening the big door we are greeted with an S curve center panel in white vinyl. This curve houses an armrest, and a door handle as well as 2 window cranks. Upper and lower are triangular stitched black vinyl and the lower has an 88 badge on the inside panel. As we slip inside white vinyl benches for the front and rear with the front having a split back to give easy access to the back seat. These are very clean and look like new. In front is a green painted dash which has a central horizontal chrome band stretching across the front of the dash. Two circular designs in chrome drop down from the center rib, the drivers housing the speedometer, and transmission indicator, and in front of the passenger w wonderful chrome ribbed clock. In the center below this trimming is a ribbed green glove box. All in beautiful condition. Black like new carpeting flooding all the floors, and above is a green vinyl headliner with spiffy chromed trim bars between the panels of vinyl.

Drivetrain
Heaving the massive hood and to your surprise you'll see the original 324ci engine, now tricked out with green valve coverings and Oldsmobile ROCKET badging on top. Topping the engine is a 4-barrel carburetor and the back is strapped a 4-speed Hydramatic transmission.

Undercarriage
All solid rust free, and restored floor pans, body hangers and framing. A new fuel tank is on, and new Bendix power brakes are now installed. Engine is drip free due to recent replacement of an oil pan gasket and rear main oil seal. Also due to transmission overhaul which has a new valve body, and governor rebuild, and new clutches, seals and bands, it shows no dripping either. So, your garage floor will be happy!!

Drive-Ability
Off to the test track where I did several laps, some slow, some fast, and it was performing beautifully in both. The 4-barrel on top definitely gives it some life you may not be expecting! Brakes are all good, and it cruises like a dream, and lumbers through the corners, although there are new radial tires on it all around. All interior buttons and levers made everything they were intended to start, run or wipe, all were working great.

It could look like your grandfather's Oldsmobile, but outperforms like a champ of modern day. It has lots of charm, and the two-tone paint with the trim spears and chrome are a real plus. Who cares about its minor faults, the whole package all comes together as a really cool ride, which you can truly sink your foot into and get a response! Gotta love the 50's.

Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 600 vehicles for sale with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.