For Sale: 1956 Oldsmobile 88 in Morgantown, Pennsylvania

1956 Oldsmobile 88 Holiday 4 Door Hardtop

The mid fifties were an amazing time for General Motors. Each of their brands had a distinctive identity and business was booming. While almost everyone recognizes Chevrolet's Tri-Five collection, Oldsmobile's offerings of the day were equally impressive. In 1955 sales were way up for Oldsmobile, and it was due in part to this division of GM offerings to compliment, not rival the Tri-Fives. From upmarket to experimental to performance leader, Oldsmobile played a number of roles over the years.

For consignment, a 1956 Oldsmobile Holiday 4 door hardtop showing 92,251 miles, but the true miles are unknown. The Holiday designation indicates a pillarless hardtop of which 61,192 four doors were produced in 1956. The base price that year? The Rocket 88 would set you back about $2,900!

Exterior
It's pure 50's in dramatic two tone fashion with Alcon White flowing downward to meet Tropical Green Poly and shooting rearward in with a pointed design delineated by polished trim that flows across the midline and becomes a spear. On par with grilles of the era, this one is wide and oval framed with a robust chrome bumper and topped by the Oldsmobile globe emblem and a jet age hood ornament jutting forward as if in motion. The globe repeats on the decklid and houses the keyhole, and a Rocket 88 emblem also aims skyward on the smooth, green paint. The windshield and rear window are curved for better visibility and 15-inch wheels have full covers, body matched rims, and wide white wall tires to complete the classic profile. Imperfections are few and include some minor chips, scratches, and inclusions along with some bubbles on a door.

Interior
The green theme continues on the inside with two tone door panels consisting of Sputnik inspired green print under stitched white vinyl, silver hardware that's picked up by a trim line on the armrests and all four doors present nicely. That mid century cloth makes its way to the front and rear bench, once again layering under a stitched white panel of vinyl and other than some compression where the driver plants it, the seats are in very fine condition. White makes up the plastic rim of the steering wheel, suffering from many cracks but leading to a spectacular green over white dash with a chrome central band that houses an oval speedometer. Not round.Not rectangle. It's beautifully sculpted and the mirror finish houses an AM radio in the center, (although there is a modern radio in the car as well), and an oval clock to the right. Bright green low pile carpet covers the floor and the perforated white headliner not only keeps with the palette, but presents high and tight. The trunk is neatly lined with tan vinyl mats and houses a white wall spare.

Drivetrain
An original looking 324ci Rocket V8 is under the hood with a 2-barrel carburetor and 230 horsepower, tied to a Hydramatic 4-speed automatic transmission that routes power to 3.42 gears in back. Power brakes and power steering are on board.

Undercarriage
Clean conditions and simple construction is found underneath where the dual exhaust runs through glasspack style mufflers and exits through chrome tips out back. Power drum brakes are at all four wheels and suspension consists of coil springs front, and leaf springs rear.

Drive-Ability
This big car provides a lofty ride, plenty of power, and a comfortable and clean interior from which to pilot it. We note it pulls hard to the right when braking but tracking and turning work well. Other than the clock, all functional items work as they should and just like that, our holiday is over! 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.

Everyday was a holiday for the family that owned this beautiful commuter. What was once a daily driver is now an artistic representation of an era in time and an attention to detail in the burgeoning automobile manufacturing world. This one is ready to continue its show circuit appearances...it just needs a new stage manager!

567L9027

56-1956
7-88 Series
L-Lansing, MI Assy Plant
9027-Sequential Unit Number

FENDER TAG

STYLE NO 563639-1956 88 Holiday 4 Door Hardtop
BODY NO BL2645-Lansing Body #
TRIM NO 367-Ivory Vinyl & Green Cloth
PAINT NO S32 60-Tropical Green Poly & Alcan White
ACC K1-Foam Rubber Cushions
K3-Unknown

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. All prices are before state, city and county tax, tag, title and license fees. Out of state buyers are responsible for all state, county, city taxes and fees, as well as title/registration fees in the state that the vehicle will be registered. Classic Auto Mall is not responsible for errors and omissions. Please verify listings with dealer. Vehicles may require VIN verification and/or safety and emissions inspections to transfer ownership and register the vehicle in the declared state of residence. Please check with your local DMV office to ensure compliance with your states titling and registration process.

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