Vehicle Description
1957 Oldsmobile Super 88 Hardtop
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 hardtop from 1957 and Oldsmobile
sporting a mere 46,990 title verified miles. This one has a 371ci
V8, a 4-barrel carburetor and a Hydramatic transmission,
althoughour consignor states this is a factory J2 car and the J2
intake manifold and carburetors are included with the purchase, but
thatstatement is nearly impossible to prove. Restored and
hot-rodded in the early 2000's and the winner of aGoodguys 2022
show, this steel missile, all bathed in black for the exterior and
a mix of black and red for the interior nearlyguarantees you will
have a sure-fire winner no matter where you go.
Exterior
Cosmetically, Super 88s have Super 88 nameplates on the front
fenders although this one has had those emblems shaved, as we're in
custom territory now ladies and gents. All bathed in deep Onyx
Black paint, panels are very straight and true to their gaps.
Within the bumper upfront O L D S badging fills the horizontally
ribbed 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
yellow and red flourish pinstriping thatleads 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. 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 tail light which has tri bar ornaments
within them a ribbed stainless plate below and bumper ends with
fake exhaust ports in them. Spider web pinstriping graces the tops
of the rear quarters and more flourish pinstriping is on the middle
of the trunk along with "Elvira" at the lower right. On all 4
corners are wide white wall tires that wrap gray slotted steel
wheels to fill up the sweeping wheel wells. Lightly smoked glass
and clean brightwork frame the passenger compartment, and I can't
get enough of the 3-piece rear windshield. Fabulously adorned in
black and chrome and not a hint of rust.
Interior
The entire interior was restored to original, including the red
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 AM radio. A red rimmed steering wheel fronts the dash and
the shift lever and horn ring, (yes with an oval center appear
tobeen re-plated). Fancy schmancy two-tone vinyl covers the front
spit back and rear solid benches. Black tuck and roll inserts and
smooth red bolsters have a red and black piping and these float in
a sea of perfect black carpeting. The door panels are also
wonderfully represented with the use of red and black for the multi
pattern embossed covers. Shiny handles and cranks abound as also
worth noting the seats are in chromed tubs. Keep up the excellence
look at the trunk where we note the included J2 intake manifold
atop the neatly installed black 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 an Edelbrock 4-barrel
carburetor. 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
Unrestored and not undercoated, we see the factory flooring and
frame with a healthy patina finish along with surface rust, but all
remaining structurally solid, just the way it was intended. Up
front we note an independent coil spring suspension arrangement and
an upgrade to power disc brakes. Meanwhile, in the rear are leaf
springs and power drums. A dual exhaust with glasspack style
mufflers does in fact exit prior to the bumper, (in front of either
rear tire as a matter of fact), on either side so the ribs in the
rear bumper are fake! All solid steel here folks.
Drive-Ability
She fired right up and I rocketed, (88), to the test track. Here it
cruised like a dream, rode like it was on a cloud, and accelerated
to beat the band. All that chrome and steel floats around while I
sat in vinyl and chrome comfort staring at all the ovals and the
speedo needle ever rising. What a great experience!
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 some liberties taken to give
that just right Kustom vibe. The sorrow for our consignor selling
this rarely seen piece of iron 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!
577M01120
57-1957
7-Eighty Eight
M-Lansing, MI Assy Plant
01120-Sequential Unit Number
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.
