Vehicle Description
Handsome full-sized sedan in great colors. Strong-running 303 cubic
inch Rocket V8 with freshly rebuilt Hydra-Matic transmission. Newer
interior, nice paint, restored trunk. A great all-around cruiser
that does everything well!The 1950 Oldsmobile 88 wasn't called the
'Rocket 88' for nothing. The all-new short-stroke OHV V8 under the
hood was the envy of the entire industry and created the template
for most of the GM V8s that would follow, including the small block
Chevy. Forget about frumpy Oldsmobiles, these were some of the
fastest cars on the road in 1950 and offered big car luxury with
the kind of performance most folks had never experienced before.
Add in the convenience of the indestructible Hydra-Matic automatic
transmission, and suddenly this 1950 Oldsmobile 88 looks, acts, and
feels like a much more modern car. This attractive 4-door sedan was
Oldsmobile's bread-and-butter model but that doesn't mean boring.
The stylish good looks were largely carryover from 1949, but that's
OK because everything was finally revised following WWII so it's
thoroughly modern. Basic black is the right color on a car like
this, conservative, yes, but never going out of style. And when the
bodywork is straight, nothing looks better. All four doors close
with that well-damped THUMP that characterizes cars of the era and
you'll note that even though it's been repainted, it has a soft
shine that's entirely appropriate for 1950. There's also plenty of
chrome and stainless trim, including those cool little vents under
the headlights that were the beginning of Oldsmobile's fascination
with 'jet age' styling. The simple grille, big bumpers, and side
trim all shine nicely and nothing looks too deteriorated or too
fresh, it all looks just right. Add in the accessory visor over the
windshield and you get an attractive early '50s car with a very
correct look.The two-tone gray and burgundy cloth interior was
restored a few years ago, and while it's not 100% correct, it's
certainly comfortable and nicely finished. All the soft parts are
new, including the carpets, door panels, and headliner, so you know
it wasn't a cut-rate job. The seats are comfortable enough for long
drives, something the big Olds does exceedingly well. All the
gauges are fully operational, arrayed around the crescent-shaped
speedometer, with secondary control knobs to either side. The clock
and AM radio are sadly not operational, but everything else does
work like it should. The big plastic steering wheel is so nice we
have to believe it has been re-cast at some point and the beautiful
globe emblem on the horn button mirrors those on the nose and tail
of the car. Back seat accommodations are spacious, making the Olds
great for road trips with the family, and there's a freshly
finished trunk with a full-sized spare.The real news at Oldsmobile
(and GM) in 1950 was the all-new OHV V8, which debuted in 1949.
Cadillac's was bigger, but the 303 cubic inch Olds was still faster
thanks to lighter bodies and only giving up a handful of
horsepower. In operation, it's smooth and torquey, and it makes
such sophisticated mechanical sounds. There's torque available at
any speed and it's easy to understand why this powerplant was a
favorite of early hot rodders. It's also quite correct, from that
unique air cleaner and carburetor to the factory green engine
enamel and unique valve covers with built-in spark plug wire looms.
It isn't detailed or restored, but it's quite clean and there's
plenty of evidence of proper service. The carburetor has been
recently rebuilt, the valve cover gaskets were replaced, and a full
tune-up ensures that it runs like it should. It starts easily,
idles nicely, and pulls the sleek sedan around at modern highway
speeds without any effort at all. Part of that is due to the
freshly rebuilt 4-speed HydraMatic automatic transmission, which
really works well thanks to wartime duty in tanks on the
battlefield. It also features new front and rear bushings and shock
links for that incomparable Oldsmobile ride, new brakes with fresh
wheel cylinders and hoses for safety, and a muted dual exhaust
system that sounds just right. It isn't restored underneath and we
don't believe the body has ever been off the frame, but it's in
good order with nothing that should stop you from enjoying the car
as it was intended, with only a little perforation in the spare
tire well being a demerit. 3.64 gears in the rear end mean it's a
comfortable highway cruiser and it sits on fresh 215/75/15
Diamondback wide whitewall radials all around.Documentation
includes the factory owner's manual in the original envelope, a
shop manual, and a Master Chassis Parts Book. There's also a spare
heater motor with squirrel cage blower.It's easy to overlook cars
like this, but from a performance and comfort standpoint, they're
pretty hard to beat. The early '50s were a great time in automotive
history and this car shows you why General Motors was on top of the
world with cutting-edge technology. Oldsmobile was the performance
division in 1950, make no mistake, and this handsome 88 sedan works
so well as a car, you may even think about driving it every day.
It's just that good. Call now!Harwood Motors always recommends and
welcomes personal or professional inspections on any vehicle in our
inventory prior to purchase.