Vehicle Description
The Oldsmobile 88 was the division's most profitable model line for
decades, essentially saving the company from ruin many times over,
and today these cool vehicles make for rare yet incredibly handsome
hotrods. This killer 1951 Oldsmobile 88 2-Door Sedan, for example,
emphasizes all the clean lines that made the "shoebox" sedan from
that era so famous, but it packs a thundering 350 LT1 V8 under the
hood, a quick-shifting 6-speed manual gearbox, and a sporty air-bag
assisted suspension that's transformed it into an incredibly
exciting restomod. Impressive as all that upgraded hardware is,
this classic's good looks take the cake, with a show-stopping
custom paint job and bespoke leather interior combining to make
this Oldsmobile a dynamic touring cruiser that's ready for the big
time.
Burgundy Metallic-over-Champagne is a wonderful color combination,
professionally applied to a high standard and cleverly separated by
custom airbrush work at the profile and precisely-applied
pinstripes. The custom two-tone paintwork is certainly
attention-grabbing, but the good news is that it even with all of
its glitz it still stands up to scrutiny rather well. The finish is
very bright and shiny, and it's obvious that when the work was done
there was no expense spared. Since the car was completed, it has
been used and enjoyed as intended, so it's not a trailer queen and
it's no longer perfect, but it's still incredibly nice and I'd bet
you can't remember the last time you saw one of these 88's finished
to this level. Custom touches range from the nosed and decked hood
and decklid, shaved door trim and handles, the frenched-in license
plate holder and flush fuel door out back, and the smooth one-piece
bumpers fore and aft. It also has quite a bit of artistic pinstripe
work too, from the aforementioned bright colors that separate the
two-tone theme, to the airbrushed emblems on the hood, fenders, and
below the decklid. It's a great mix of old-school and new-school,
and really gives this low-slung hotrod a unique curb appeal that
draws lots of stares. Chrome pieces like the front grille,
headlight rings, and ornate taillight housings are in excellent
condition and it appears that most of the glass and
weather-stripping is newer, so it seals up well.
The custom Shawn Cook leather interior has been thoroughly updated,
featuring light tan power bucket seats and a custom center console.
The seats appear to be from a late-model but the vertical pleats
are straight out of the 1950s, so they look right, and the rear
bench, plush door panels, thick carpets, and taut headliner were
all custom-stitched to match. A tilt column is fitted with a
leather-rimmed, dual-ring steering wheel that anchors the cockpit,
matching the high-end style of the custom center console that
houses switches for the power windows/locks, controls for the
upgraded Vintage Air A/C system, a digital gauge that monitors the
air-bag settings, and an incredibly cool 6-speed manual shifter
topped with an 8-ball knob. The entire dash was reworked and
painted tan to match the soft stuff inside, and it offers bright
billet switches, polished accents, and a digital gauge pod that
monitors the engine's vitals. An auxiliary tachometer was mounted
at the center of the dash, reminding everyone that this isn't just
some pedestrian grocery getter (in case the 6-speed shifter wasn't
sporty enough), and the headliner includes an incorporated Alpine
AM/FM/CD player that powers the upgraded speakers stashed
throughout the cabin. A full-sized back seat makes this a very
practical hot rod and the massive trunk has been custom upholstered
with hidden storage compartments, more reminders that nothing was
overlooked in this build.
That powerful 350 LT1 V8 is a perfect fit in the Oldsmobile's
engine bay, where the builder's finished it for show with custom
fenders, a smoothed firewall, and a gorgeous engine cover that was
painted to match the exterior. There's power at just about any
speed thanks to modern fuel injection, a serpentine belt system,
and long-tube headers, and the polished valve covers and bright
details add to the custom feel. It's quite tidy and
well-engineered, and much of the wiring and plumbing has been
hidden out of sight to help with that show-worthy look. A big
radiator helps keep the powerful small block from getting too warm,
and power steering and power 4-wheel disc brakes allow for regular,
easy-going driving at just about anyone's experience level. For a
car full of incredibly cool upgrades, the 6-speed manual gearbox
might just be the most exciting, turning this Oldsmobile into a
Pro-Tour ready machine that's a blast to drive, and it and the
heavy-duty 10-bolt rear end are capable dance partner for the
feisty LT1. The suspension has been completely upgraded as well,
featuring tubular A-Arms up front, a panhard bar with 4-link setup
in the rear, and a full airbag suspension with actuators fore and
aft that help set the stance and improve the car's ride quality.
Twin pipes with throaty Flowmaster mufflers give it just the right
hotrod soundtrack that doesn't get annoying on long hauls and the
flashy 18-inch polished wheels are punctuated with custom '88'
center caps that finish the killer look perfectly, all wrapped in
245/40/18 radials with plenty of grip.
A cool and unique hotrod that's packing big power, plenty of
comfort and convenience features, and that icy cool '50s look. Call
today!