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 47,780 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 15" Chevrolet Rally wheels with trim rings and
225/60/15's 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 an
original AM radio that doesn't work but a modern radio in the glove
box that does. 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 so remain unseen
from the outside.
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 with all
functions operational save for the clock and reverse lights. We
also noted a few pesky exhaust leaks. While Classic Auto Mall
represents that these functions were working at the time of our
test drive, we cannot guarantee these functions will be working at
the time of your purchase.
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 home to more than 1,000 classic and
collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate
controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8
acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic
and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the
I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit
www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us
anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.
There is no guarantee of mileage. A $299 Dealer Administrative fee
is not included in the advertised price.
With so many great cars, you know we have a lot to talk about, and
we do that each week on the Classic Auto Mall Podcast with host
Stewart Howden. Stewart discusses new inventory as well as trends
in consignments and car prices, while interviewing celebrities and
automotive professionals about amazing cars and their history. Tune
in each week to the Classic Auto Mall Podcast wherever you enjoy
listening. You can also watch on YouTube!
