1957 Oldsmobile Super 88 Convertible

If you think a fuel injected Chevy Bel Air was the top of the General Motors luxury/performance food chain in 1957, allow me to introduce you to this 1957 Oldsmobile Golden Rocket 88 with the 371 cubic inch engine. For 1957, the basic 88 was officially named Golden Rocket 88, taken from Olds' 1956 Motorama two-passenger show car. However, the only badge identifying it as such was a simple super ”88" in back of each headlight on the front quarter side.

For consignment, a super Super 88 convertible from 1957 and Oldsmobile. This one now has a 371ci V8, a 4-barrel carburetor and a Hydramatic transmission. Our consignor has owned the car since 1961 and drove it regularly until 1968. The restoration began in earnest in the late 90's. All bathed in black and white for the interior and exterior not unlike a newspaper, except the newspaper can be read all over!

Exterior
Cosmetically, Super 88s have Super 88 nameplates on the front fenders. And this one does and chrome that would say…and then some. All bathed in deep Onyx Black paint, panels are very straight and true to their gaps. Within the bumper upfront O L D S M O B I L E badging fills the egg crate smile in the center of the bumper along with round turn signal lights. More chrome for the single round headlight that has chrome for the bezels and visors. In the center of the hood is an oval with 50's style gold stars in a white cloisonné background and chromed crossbars stretching through it. This leads your eye up to the hood ornament which could be a futuristic freight train engine. The ornament carries your eye to a trimming that runs through the center of the hood to the windshield. On the tops of either front quarter are more trimmings in the form of chromed jets. Starting just under the curved front glass surround trimming is a stainless-steel swoop spear which serves as a background for the door handle and moves downward to make a mad dash to the middle of the rear quarter. Here it runs into the large taillight which has tri bar ornaments within them a ribbed stainless plate below and bumper ends with fake exhaust ports in them. The canvas convertible top is white and has a clear plastic window in the back. Another oval star-studded emblem is on the middle of the trunk. On all 4 corners are wide white wall tires with dog dish ribbed hub caps that also use a gold oval with crossbars in the center. Fabulously adorned in black and chrome and not a hint of rust.

Interior
The entire leather interior was restored to original save for the black rounded metal dash top which remains original. More ovals for the dash front with the speedo being a large chrome bezel oval and in the dash top a molded into the metal oval clock. In the dash center more chrome gleams in a strip which resides between the black dash top and a white painted lower, and this just gleams and includes a restored working radio. A white rimmed steering wheel fronts the dash and the shift lever and horn ring, (yes with an oval center have been re-plated). Fancy schmancy tri tone leather covers the front spit back and rear solid benches. Black inserts and white bolsters have a gray leather Snidely Whiplash mustache shaped delineator on the backs and are all excellent. These float in a sea of perfect black carpeting. Door panels are also wonderfully represented with the use of black white and the gray but just for the airplane wing profile insert. Shiny handles and cranks abound as also worth noting the seats are in chromed tubs. Keep up the excellence look at the trunk where it is perfect with neatly installed gray carpeting and not a mark on it. I'm moving in, TV near the spare tire and couch on the other side!!

Drivetrain
Lifting the massive hood now showing a gold painted block and valve covered 371ci V8. It is topped with a 4-barrel carburetor. This block in addition to being painted gold also takes the medal for being re-bored, sleeved, heads machined, new pistons, camshaft, new valves, new timing chain and gears, new lifters, and the carburetor was rebuilt. Also, the generator, starter, fuel pump, water pump, and rear springs were redone as well. A 4-speed Hydramatic tranny is on back and it throws power from the Rocket engine to a 3.41 gear final drive. Like new kids!

Undercarriage
The frame was stripped and painted, front independent coil spring suspension rebuilt, and rear leaf springs resprayed. Power drum brakes were refurbished, and a dual exhaust does in fact exit prior to the bumper on either side so these ribs are fake! All solid steel here folks.

Drive-Ability
She fired right up and I rocketed (88) to the test track. Here it cruises like a dream, rides like it's on a cloud, and accelerates to beat the band. All that chrome and steel floats around while I sit in leather comfort staring at all the ovals and the speedo needle ever rising. What a great experience. I only had 1 frown in that the heater blower was non functional, could be a fuse?

I just love these chromed large and in charge cruisers from the late 50's. Nearly bordering on wretched excess, but you still cannot get enough of it and desire more. And with this car you get it and it's all like new and working perfectly. Every aspect has been painstakingly attended to, and this consignor may shed a tear when his car he had as a 16 year old goes out the door. The sorrow will be short lived though as it's not going to take too long, so get your butt over to our hallowed halls and snap it up! Ohh can you also say convertible?!!

VIN DECODE
578M37099
57-1957
8-Super Eighty Eight
M-Lansing, MI Assy Plant
37099-Sequential Unit Number

TRIM TAG
STYLE NO. 57 3667DTX-1957 Super 88 Convertible
BODY NO L4823-Lansing Body #
TRIM NO 320-Black, White & Silver Imitation Leather
PAINT NO 10 10 60-Onyx Black, Alcan White

Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 650 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.