Vehicle Description
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.
