Vehicle Description
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
cloisonne 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.
