1955 Oldsmobile 88 2 Door Sedan

“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, a 1955 Oldsmobile 88 2-door sedan. Classically two toned and containing a rebuilt engine and transmission, this car is ready to enjoy for show and go. The 88's were produced from 1949 to 1999 but it's these earliest versions with the legendary Rocket V8 that remain the most collectible and sought after.

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 “lip” 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 aqua. The aqua completes 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 tail lights 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. Our taillights here are clear rather than red, almost a classic take on Altezza lights and the Rocket 88 emblem on the trunk lid is worth the price of admission! The steel wheels are painted aqua and have a beauty ring along with a conical chrome hub cover with rocket shaped chrome lug covers. Some of the metal work, including at least one bumper, will need some attention if they are to be restored. Other imperfections include some bubbling and a few chips in the paint.

Interior
Opening the big door, we are greeted with trim that is stylistically consistent and running through beige vinyl. This panel houses an armrest, and a door handle as well as 2 window cranks. The stitched upper meets a smooth lower with an 88 badge on it. The panels could use a good detail but are fully intact. We slip inside beige vinyl benches with cloth inserts for the front and rear with the front having a split back to give easy access to the beautiful and clean back seat. In front is an aqua 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 a wonderful chrome ribbed clock. In the center below this trimming is a textured beige glove box. All in beautiful condition. Aqua carpeting floods all the floors cleanly and above is a beige perforated vinyl headliner in good condition. The trunk is barren and unlined but is all aqua and contains an aqua painted spare wheel and tire.

Drivetrain
Heaving the massive hood and you'll find the rebuilt 324ci engine, looking original and in general driver quality. But the green valve coverings and Oldsmobile ROCKET badging on top are present and accounted for! Topping the engine is a 2-barrel carburetor and it's all tied to a rebuilt 4-speed Hydramatic transmission that sends the spin to the rear axle where it finds 3.07 gearing. Drum brakes are all around.

Undercarriage
All solid with the typical surface rust around. There's some residual oil on the oil pan, but not an excessive amount. The dual exhaust flows into FlowMaster mufflers then vacates out the back through tailpipes. There is just a touch of oil on the rear differential but not an active drip. For the suspension we have the typical set up of coil spring on independent front suspension and leaf springs in the back.

Drive-Ability
Off to the test loop where the 185 horsepower engine performed well. Not blistering fast by today's standard and still sporting a 2-barrel, but it was impressive for the day and living up to its name. Brakes are all good and it cruises like a dream. It lumbers through the corners, and we do notice it pulls left when driving and braking. All interior buttons and levers made everything they are intended to control work properly. For the demerits, we cite the odometer, wipers, and clock as non functional.

These 50's Oldsmobiles never get old! Well, in attraction that is. It has lots of charm and the two tone paint with the body trim, chrome, and space age additions are a real plus. Who cares about its minor faults, the whole package all comes together as a really cool ride. Gotta love the 50's.

557L20419

55-1955
7-Eighty Eight
L-Lansing, MI Assy Plant
20419-Sequential Unit Number

TRIM TAG

STYLE NO 55 3616-1955 Eighty Eight 2 Door Sedan
BODY NO BL2499-Lansing Body #
TRIM NO 362-Medium Green Morroceen Green Vinyl & Green & White Pattern Cloth
PAINT NO S32 60-Grove Green & Polar White
ACC K3-Padded Dash

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