Vehicle Description
1956 Oldsmobile 88 Rocket
The engine design for the Rocket 88 came from GM's chief
researcher, Charles Kettering. He saw the potential in an engine
design offering increased compression. For the Rocket 88,
Oldsmobile came up with a 303 cubic inch V8 capable of a maximum
135 hp and 283 lb-ft of torque. The overhead valve engine concept
offered both power and efficiency, with an improvement in fuel
economy (estimated at about 10 percent better than prior engine
designs).
For consignment a Rocket design Oldsmobile 88. Split bass mouth
front grille, two tone paint, swoop spear and futuristic
taillights, these are just a few of the forward-looking features
seen on this car. The interior is also beautifully designed
utilizing the oval and of course plenty of chrome and painted
steel...all the modern conveniences at the touch of a button...It's
definitely 1956 rocketing towards the future...hang on!
Exterior
Nordic Blue and Cirrus Blue fight for your attention on the
straight steel panels of this car. With the Cirrus Blue covering
the front two thirds of this car, for the hood, roof, and front
quarter panel and half of the door. A shiny trim spear breaks the
line between the Cirrus Blue and the darker Nordic Blue which
covers the beginnings of the rear quarter, below the belt line on
the doors, and the entire trunk and back of the car. Up front the
bass mouth grille with its central post new for 1956 is in
presentable condition with an easily spotable rust hole on the
bottom driver's side. The grille is in the same condition sans the
rust hole. The glass trimmings are all shiny and nice, and the
massive rear bumper shows some dulling. Trunk badging is near
perfect. Rocket nose red taillights are at either end of the rear
fins and have a shiny bezel in front of them next to the metal. The
rear backup lights are formed in the fender metal and are also
round. For all 4 corners we note machined shiny disc wheel covers
wrapped in wide whites.
Interior
Not unlike the exterior, the door panels and seats are making use
of the two-tone tuck and roll white vinyl above a smooth stitched
blue vinyl lower panel. Sills are the Nordic Blue, as is the dash,
which swoops between these snazzy door panels in front of the
passenger area. The original dash is beautiful in its oval design
splendor, dripping with chrome bezels and a central connecting
horizontal shaped bar with vertical strips housing the radio and
dual flip out ashtrays. Below is a white painted vertical "tuck and
roll" metal style glovebox centrally located and bottoming off this
gorgeous space age with star constellations dash. Seating is dual
benches, the front being split with blue inserts and into the back
with a V format design, and white bolsters surrounding. This is the
same for the rear bench, and all this blue lines up with the blue
on the door panels...snazzy baby. A dark blue, clean carpet floods
the front and rear floors, and a pristine clean whitey tightey
headliner floats above all this 50's styling.
Drivetrain
The original but very clean and nicely patinaed engine which is in
324ci V8 form. Green Rocket 88 valve covers and an oil bath air
cleaner protecting a 4-barrel carburetor below. On back is a
Jet-A-Way Hydramatic 4-speed automatic transmission, and this
pushes power rearward to a 3.41 gear ratio rear axle. All original
drivetrain here boys and girls.
Undercarriage
The big X frame and suspension parts and driveshaft with the
pumpkin are all solid and rust free. Some heavy surface rust is
noted on the floor pans and rockers and even invasive rust somewhat
fixed with fiberglass is noted on the spare tire well underneath
next to the gas tank. Independent front suspension is seen and rear
leaf spring suspension as well as all wheel drum brakes are on this
car.
Drive-Ability
She drives like a dream with a quick start, a cloud like
suspension, decent handling for a large steel slabbed car, and good
acceleration for entering the superhighway. Brakes were good and
noted the heater blower and the radio were in-operable. All else
was clean and working, or otherwise covered with stars.
Some patina on this car, but an overall beautiful example with
great color, shiny trimmings, a rocket futuristic interior, and a
healthy Rocket 88 V8, all original to this car. Blast off into your
future with this beautiful collectible Oldsmobile which easily
could have been your father's or Grandfather's Oldsmobile...the ads
said so!
VIN DECODE
567K15107
56-1956
7-88 Series
K-Kansas City, MO Assy Plant
15107-Sequential Unit Number
TRIM TAG
STYLE 56 3637-1956 Holiday Coupe
BODY BK4157-Kansas City Body #
TRIM 368-Medium Blue
PAINT S42 40-Nordic Blue & Cirrus Blue
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.