Vehicle Description
This 1957 Oldsmobile Super 88 J-2 Convertible is a beautifully
restored, 50s convertible with fantastic luxury and
performance-oriented options! Regardless of the manufacturer, it
seems like every automaker had an absolutely gorgeous, and in many
cases their most iconic, design for the 1957 model year. In 1957,
Oldsmobile produced one of its most elegant designs in the GM
marque's history. In the immediate few years following the end of
World War II, America's automobile manufacturers were essentially
releasing recycled pre-war designs and it wasn't until the late 40s
that American manufacturers truly released their new post-war
designs. For Oldsmobile, the GM marque kicked off its "Futuramic"
style era in 1948 with this design motif, ultimately culminating in
1957. Up front, the chrome grille sported large recessed oval
layout that was similar to the previous two years' designs and is
seemingly a combination of the 1955 and 1956 grilles. New trim runs
down the sides of the 1957 Olds, featuring a new painted accent
stripe, straddled by chrome strips, and runs from the vent window
down and out through the rear quarter panel. In the rear, a new
larger taillight design caps off the truly iconic automobile
design. In 1957, Oldsmobile offered three distinct series, the
entry-level "Golden Rocket" 88, the sporty Super 88, and the
premium "Starfire" 98. Both the sporty Super 88 and entry-level 88
series shared the same body shell and their 122" wheelbase, but the
Super 88 came with a more highly-appointed interior and exterior,
and it came with more standard features such as special trim and
interior lights, among other items. Perhaps the most notable
addition to Oldsmobile's lineup in 1957 was the introduction of the
"J-2" induction system option comprised of a trifecta of
dual-barrel carburetors (i.e. Tri-Power) that pushed the standard
horsepower output from 277 to 300 on the J-2 equipped Oldsmobiles.
The goal of the J-2 Tri-Power system was to improve Oldsmobile's
performance on the NASCAR circuit however, NASCAR would ultimately
ban multi-carburetor setups leaving the GM marque with only 5 Grand
National wins before it pulled out of the racing circuit.
Oldsmobile was America's 5th largest automaker in 1957 and it
produced a total of 7,128 Super 88 Convertibles which makes this
particular Super 88 quite a rare 50s cruiser. This particular
example comes to us from from a southern museum where it spent its
most recent years as a part of the esteemed collection. Powering
this '57 Olds Super 88 is a recently rebuilt 371 Cubic Inch V8
engine fed by a "J-2 Rocket" induction Tri-Power system comprised
of three dual-barrel carburetors and that was rated at 300
horsepower when new. The J-2 371 V8 is mated to a Hydra-Matic
Automatic transmission that makes this '57 Oldsmobile an easy car
for just about anybody to drive. Exhaust leaves this Rocket J-2
powerplant via a dual exhaust setup that exits through the bumper
and creates a wonderful throaty sound in the rear. This 1957 Super
88 Convertible comes loaded with numerous desirable options!
"Pedal-Ease" Power Brakes make bringing this 50s cruiser to a
complete stop much easier, especially with all of that extra
horsepower under the hood. With power steering, wrangling this '57
Olds Super 88 in and out of a tight space at the local car show or
drive-in is an absolute breeze and the overall driving experience
is greatly improved as well. The white vinyl power convertible top
is in wonderful condition and it goes up and down with the simple
flick of a switch. The driver's side spotlight is another tasteful
addition, giving additional 50s flair to this classic Oldsmobile.
Riding on a set of wide whitewall radial tires, each paired with a
full wheelcover, this 1957 Olds Super 88 has a fantastic look and
even better ride. The exterior of this '57 Oldsmobile Convertible
has been correctly refinished in a tri-tone color scheme consisting
of Festival Red and Alcan White with Black accents, completing the
exterior look of the car. The interior of this 1957 Oldsmobile
Super 88 Convertible is absolutely gorgeous! The front and rear
bench seats have been reupholstered in White and Black two-tone
leather. The white and black upholstered door panels, black
carpeting, black padded dash, and steering wheel all appear to be
in wonderful condition as well and all appear to retain a nice
stock appearance. The interior of this Super 88 is also appointed
with several terrific options! All four windows are power windows
that go up and down with the simple flick of a switch. Sitting atop
the dash is an Autronic Eye, which is another delightful option
seen on the most luxurious GM cars of the day. The front bench seat
is power adjustable as well so that you can be sure that you'll
reach the pedals while cruising down the road. The instrument
cluster comes equipped with a 120 MPH speedometer and fuel gauge,
along with indicator lights for engine temperature and generator
function. The dash is finished off with a Wonderbar AM radio,
clock, and locking glovebox, along with several other controls for
the vehicle's functions. A temperature gauge and oil pressure gauge
have also been mounted neatly under the dash for improved insight
into the engine's performance. Whether you're buying your very
first classic car or you're adding to your existing collection with
the finest 50s GM cruisers, this 1957 Oldsmobile Super 88
Convertible would make an excellent choice. Give Ellingson's a call
today at 763-428-7337!
*371 Cu. In. V8
*J-2 3-Dual Barrel Carburetors
*Hydra-Matic Automatic
*Power Brakes
*Power Steering
*1 of 7,128 Produced
*Correct Festival Red/Alcan White/Black Exterior
*Black and White Leather Interior
*White Vinyl Power Convertible Top
*Power Windows & Seat
*Stock Instrumentation
*Odometer Reads: 10,687 Miles
