Vehicle Description
The Oldsmobile 88 has always been a trendsetter. Of course, the OHV
Rocket V8 engine was just the beginning, but it launched a
performance revolution that we're still enjoying today. Even by the
mid-50s, Oldsmobile was delivering big performance with a healthy
dose of luxury to match, creating a unique niche in the GM
hierarchy. If you wanted a car that could run with the big
Pontiacs, yet offered the luxury of a Buick or Cadillac, the 88 was
the smart choice.
This 1956 Oldsmobile Deluxe 88 is very solid, and despite the fact
that it was restored several years back, it's still looking great
today. Finished in subtle Alcan White over Nordic Blue, this was
unquestionably a solid & clean car all its life, and although the
finish is showing signs of use and age these days, it's still a
great driver with great curb appeal. Upon closer examination, you
may find a little cracking, maybe even some flat spots here and
there, but the look is still very uniform and you won't find many
better looking cars cruising down Main Street on a Saturday night.
The doors open and close effortlessly, the trunk fits pretty darn
well, and the massive hood snaps closed with only light pressure,
and although the rubber around the gaps is certainly older, the car
still seals up pretty darn well. The finish is urethane, but it
does not have the bright, almost sterile shine of modern finishes,
and the Alcan White in particular has a warm glow that looks
entirely appropriate. Things like the bumpers and grille show some
patina as well, and all the stainless is straight and polished to
match, providing the perfect contrast to both colors. Add in the
faux side pipes, the fender skirts, and that awesome continental
kit out back, and you've got one of the coolest American Tri-5 cars
not called a Bel Air.
This car's solid quality is especially apparent inside, where it
too was faithfully restored years back in the original-style
white-and-blue upholstery. Ok, so maybe the car was born with cloth
seats, but the upgrade to high-quality vinyl gets no complaints
from me, and the patterns mostly stick to the original script as
well. Plush dark carpets insulate the cabin and mask most stains,
the kick panels and door panels match the seat upholstery, and
there's a perforated headliner up top that might even be the
original piece that was born with the car. All the details are
correct too, including the strip of matching carpeting on the
bottom of the door panels, the upholstered package tray that
continues the tuck-and-roll pleated patterns, and even the chrome
accents and bright hardware on the doors. There are signs of use
and age of course, but it's all commensurate with the age of the
restoration and a deep detail could easily kick things back up a
notch or two. The expansive dash was beautifully finished as well,
with matching Nordic Blue paint and Alcan White custom pinstripe
work adding a touch of character, and all the brightwork and chrome
that runs from end-to-end sparkles inside the cabin. Note the
details such as the center-mounted glove box, the beautiful clock
all the way to the right, and that gorgeous gauge bezel set up just
ahead of the beautiful, dual-ring steering wheel that anchors the
cockpit. Factory options include a power-actuated front bench seat,
remote side-mirror controls, a column shifter for the automatic
transmission, and the original Deluxe AM radio still in the factory
slot, while the aftermarket additions of the column-mounted
tachometer and under-dash Sony AM/FM/CD/AUX stereo that powers cool
Art Deco speakers in the rear all bring a little of the modern
world inside. Out back, the highly original trunk carries a
matching spare tire and a complete jack assembly, and it's
outfitted with plaid mats on the floors and a custom tire cover
that matches the car's color theme.
Oldsmobile's famous Rocket V8 lives under the hood, ready to drive
and enjoy immediately. Thanks to a big horsepower injection in
1956, it makes 240 horsepower from its 324 cubic inches. It's a
spirited performer on the road thanks to a broad torque curve and a
quick-shifting HydraMatic automatic transmission, and with power
steering helping move the big body around with ease, this Olds is a
pleasure to drive every time out. It starts easily thanks to a
12-volt electrical system, and idles with a healthy rumble from the
dual exhaust below. That actually looks like Oldsmobile Green on
the engine with bright yellow 'Oldsmobile Rocket' markings on the
valve covers, and a Cadillac air cleaner was swapped-in and painted
to match, resulting in a very handsome engine bay to show off.
Underneath, the chassis is highly original and shows its southern
roots with no problem areas thanks to thick undercoating that was
likely applied at the original dealership. Thin whitewall radials
are the right choice for a car that's going to be driven, and
they've been mounted on the original wheels with chrome spinner
wheelcovers.
If you've been watching auctions lately, you know that the
'shoebox' Chevys have cooled off while their big brothers at
Oldsmobile and Buick have heated up. This is a wonderful vintage
car with no needs, and chances are slim that you'll see another
anywhere but the Oldsmobile national meet. Call today!
