The Oldsmobile 88 series was among the longest lasting models in American automotive history, with the name first appearing in the 1949 model year and continuing through the 1999 model year which was almost as long as the marque produced vehicles.
The first generation of the Olds 88 was built on a relatively lightweight chassis and utilized a 303 cubic inch overhead valve V8 engine which allowed the company to shed its stodgy, convervative image. The Olds 88 became a stalwart for several years in NASCAR competition.
Over the course of the half-century production run there were many designations on the 88 series, often indicating the car’s trim level within the series. In the early years of production, the Super 88 was the upper trim level within the 88 series.
The second generation of the Oldsmobile 88 was introduced for the 1954 model year and was a completely new design. Wheelbase was increased to 122 inches and displacement from the Rocket V8 under the hood was increased to 324 cubic inches. The 88 came standard with a two-barrel carb and displaced 170 horsepower while the Super 88 came with a four-barrel carb adding 15 horsepower to the engine.
For the 1955 model year, the Olds line-up got a facelift with the 88 series having a new grill, new tail lights and body side chrome. Horsepower increased to 185 for the two-barrel model and 202 for the four-barrel powerplant. A three-speed manual transmission was available for the Oldsmobile but only by special order as the standard transmission was GM’s Hydra-Matic unit that was first used in the 1940’s.
This 1955 Super 88 has been a fixture in the present owner’s portfolio since November 1986 and during that time has seen occasional driving. Built in the Kansas City, Missouri assembly plant, the vehicle is finished in Burlingham Red and Oldsmobile White with a white top. One of 9,007 convertibles produced, the engine appears to be the proper 324 cubic inch four-barrel powerplant. The car has a four-way power seat as indicated by the cowl tag as an original option. The odometer reads just under 31,000 miles but we cannot verify the accuracy and in compliance with Missouri statutes the car will be sold "mileage exempt" due to age. The car has been housed in a humidity-controlled environment.
Evergreen Digital Showroom offers this 1955 Oldsmobile convertible coupe for sale at a price of $94,900 USD. Pre-purchase inspections are welcomed and encouraged. We will be glad to assist with transportation at the buyer’s expense. Financing may be available to qualified buyers. Additional information can be found under the :Financing” tab on our website, www.evergreendigitalshowroom.com. For additional information on this car, call sales manager Steve Russell at 417-532-8000.
NOTICE
Because of the number of vehicles we represent we cannot drive every vehicle for long distances. These vehicles have been part of static displays for long periods of time, in some cases for decades, and are subject to the flaws and imperfections consistent with that. While we do our best to disclose all issues we known about a vehicle in our advertising, these are old cars and something that has always worked in the past might not function properly today. Please check the requirements of your state regarding the licensing and registration of classic vehicles and make sure the vehicle you are looking at meets those if applicable. Unless otherwise noted, all vehicles represented by Evergreen Digital Showroom possess a clean (non-branded) title which will be provided the new buyer when purchase funds clear our financial institution. Virtually all our vehicles are sold as mileage exempt due to their age. We do not warranty any vehicle, nor any part of the vehicle including air conditioning systems, brake systems, electrical systems and gauges, fuel systems, accessories or powertrain components.
These are old vehicles and it is very common for them to require certain maintenance and upkeep for them to be operational. In many cases issues with leaks may develop when being driven after a long period of not being used. This is common, as classic cars at some point will leak fluids. For this reason, we do not encourage buyers to attempt driving their purchase home as we cannot guarantee functional reliability of these vehicles. We strongly encourage prospective buyers to be sure they are comfortable with these issues before purchasing a classic car.
Descriptions of vehicles represented by Evergreen Digital Showroom are intended to be informational in nature and do not in any way constitute any sort of warranty, expressed or implied. Again, these vehicles are presented “as-is, where-is” without guarantee or warranty. Vehicles manufactured prior to 1981 will likely not be included in the databases of companies such as CarFax and AutoCheck that provide vehicle history information to consumers. If you have specific questions regarding a vehicle we urge you to contact us at 417-532-8000.
