Vehicle Description
1953 Oldsmobile Super 88 Convertible
In automotive usage, a lead sled is a standard production
automobile with a body heavily modified in particular ways
especially, though not exclusively, a 1949, 1950 or 1951 model year
Ford 'Shoebox' or Mercury Eight car. In the name, "lead", (as in
the heavy metal), refers to the use of lead as a body filler in
early days, and "sled" refers to the lowering of the vehicle,
giving these vehicles the appearance that they were "slip sliding"
down the highway. Period auto body repair, by an auto body mechanic
used to be achieved through a combination of re-shaping sheet metal
using specialist hand tools and the application of molten lead to
damaged body panels, fulfilling the role of more modern polyester
fillers. The same techniques were also used in high end low volume
car production, (coachbuilding), and adopted for aftermarket hot
rodding body panel modifications. Given that lead is toxic, the
effective management of health hazards arising from auto body work
with this material must include the exposure realms of fumes and
dust.
For consignment, a mild lead sled Kustom job with some light
frenching,custom tail lights, and an interior that is over the top
and out of this world. Retaining all its original lines and charm
then adding in the modern drivetrain in the form of a General
Motors 5.3 liter LS V8 with an overdrive transmission. We present
to you the 1953 Oldsmobile Super 88 convertible, all the looks of
the low and slow crowd, but with the chutzpah to spin the tires and
go like hell if need be.
Exterior
Among many highlights, the first noticeable feature to catch your
eye will be the unique convertible top roof line, in particular the
rear B pillar and the way it plays with the pontoon style rearof
the car and the rear passenger window line. Definitely unique and
gives the appearance of being motion. Stainless steel trimmings
encircle this black canvas roof, as well as provide framing for all
the glass, and it is not used sparingly even on the twin A-pillar
mounted spot lights. Large steel slab side panels painted in pearl
white with well minded gaps all work together to create the look of
this car. Amazingly even more stainless has been utilized for the
side trim spears and the rear fender skirts that sport large
protective panels wrapping the entire rear wheel well. Oh, what the
heck, let's mold some chrome Lake pipes into the rockers with a bit
of custom flair as that appears from the custom rocker work. All
this and more with the front and rear bumpers, front grille,
frenched headlights, side view mirrors with signals, frenched
custom tail lights as well as even an extra adornment rear bumper.
15" aluminum turbine style wheels complete the look and stand out
from the crowd with their polished "Fubar" center caps. Wide whites
are on all 4 corners and a nicepolished trim rings highlighting the
caps. Oh and I need to mention all this chrome is just
excellent!
Interior
For the interior...simple but impressive with tan leather modern
high back buckets with integral seat belts. For the seating
cushions, tuck and roll inserts dance with smooth bolsters over the
lightly age worn leather. The door panels emulate this with black
sills and a mix of tan vertical stitched centers that have a
peppering of chrome trimmings along with a tan swoosh armrest. A
later model thick rimmed steering wheel is proudly perched atop the
newer column and looks good with only minor wear. The dash,in
moreblack steel, issandwiching custom machine turned inserts with a
speedometer directly in front of the driver along with a few
aftermarket gauges all mounted in a nice machined aluminum panel in
the center. Strewn throughout this panel are a litany of knobs and
pulls as well as a few indicatorlights, a tachometer in front of
the passenger and an aftermarket AM/FM/CD stereo resides in the
bottom center of the custom dash. This custom dash sweeps down to
meet the full length console, topped with more machine turned
aluminum and holds the toggles for the power windows. A speedster
style tonneau covers the rear seats and has added sweeping
headrests for the sleek look. Clean black medium pile carpet floods
the floors and is looking just dandy as it supports this fully
custom interior.
Drivetrain
I'm unfolding my napkin and getting ready to eat off this engine
bay, it's that clean and yummy. An EFI fed 5.3 liter LS series V8
courtesy of a General Motors is now residing in a matte black
finished engine bay. Polished valve coverings are on for some dress
up and a reverse mounted air induction races overtop of the intake
manifold. An 4L60E 4-speed automatic transmission is seen on the
back. And way back is a 3.23geared rear axle.
Undercarriage
As expected, plenty of new parts, and some rebuilds, and the only
rust seen is of the surface variety. A solid X frame with strong
body hangers which are supported by the frame, rockers look just
fab, and so do the floorpans. A GM subframe was added up front to
allow for the independent coil spring suspension with drop spindles
and lowering leaf springs and air shocks with an onboard compressor
holding are up the rear. Power disc brakes are on the front and for
the rear stopping power we note power drums. Headers feed down to a
dual exhaust system snakes its way rearward and uses Flowmaster
mufflers to quiet the roar of the LS. We note a new stainless steel
fuel tank installed along with an in-tank pump.
Drive-Ability
My partner in crime was off the day of the drive so I took this one
solo. It started right up and idled smoothly. A very comfortable
interior, super smooth shifting, and an overall great driver. Solid
steering and no creaks or complaining as I put it through its
paces. I love the custom dash and for once I finally found a car
that makes me look KEWL.
An excellent mild lead sled example of an everyday man's car. Just
a beautiful job, a mechanical marvel to watch, run, to hear and
look at. All the while retaining the lines from the designs pen but
with a modern Kustom twist...waiting for you in our sprawling
Hallowed Halls.
538K7272
53-1953
8-Super Eighty Eight
K-Kansas City, KS Assy Plant
7272-Sequential Unit Number
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 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.
