Vehicle Description
1951 Oldsmobile Super 88 Convertible� Professional frame-on
restoration Chariot Red exterior with white power top and red
leather interior 303 CID Rocket V-8 engine with two-barrel
carburetor (135 hp) with dual exhaust Turbo Hydramatic three-speed
automatic transmission Converted to a 12-volt electrical system
Clock in steering wheel and dash-mounted compass with light
Documentation includes owner's manual, an October 1987 "Cars &
Parts" article on a similar example, original compass instructions
and part of its box �Meet a survivor from those heady post-World
War II days of prosperity and plenty. MotoeXotica Classic Cars is
proud to present this 1951 Oldsmobile Super 88 Convertible. A
professional frame-on restoration project, the main selling point
in 1951 was the new Rocket V-8 engine, which replaced the
long-running inline six of previous years. Presented in Chariot Red
with a white power convertible top, the car's paint is excellent
with a brilliant luster. Likewise, the glass panes are in great
condition. The vehicle's lights are haze-free and intact and it
rolls on Coker Classic whitewall tires, sized 215/75R15 with Olds
hubcaps, which are as shiny as the car's bumpers. The body panels
are all straight and the white top is brilliant. Inside are red
stretch leather seats over tan carpeting. The seats look fantastic
and contrast nicely with the carpeting. The red metal dashboard
looks great and features a couple of surprises, a clock in the
steering wheel and a dash-mounted compass with a light. There is
also an AM radio in the dash. Unfortunately, after the car's
electrical system was converted to 12-volts, the radio became
inoperable. The big, three-spoke steering wheel with its silver
trim ring looks great and the door panels blend with the rest of
the interior's theme. In 2015, the car received new brake shoes and
two new hydraulic pumps were installed for the convertible top.
Oldsmobile�introduced the 88 badge in 1949. It was named to
complement the already-existing�76�and98, and took the place of
the�straight-8 engined�78 in the model lineup. The new car used the
same new Futuramic�B-body�platform as the�straight-6 engined�76 but
paired it with the powerful new Rocket V8 engine. This combination
of a relatively small light body and large, powerful engine made it
widely considered to be the first�muscle car. The Rocket 88 vaulted
Oldsmobile from a somewhat staid, conservative car to a performer
that became the one to beat on the National Association for Stock
Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) circuits. It won six of the nine NASCAR
late-model division races in 1949, 10 of 19 in 1950, 20 of 41 in
1952 and was eventually eclipsed by the low-slung, powerful�Hudson
Hornet, but it was still the first real "King of NASCAR."�This led
to increased sales to the public. There was a pent-up demand for
new cars in the fast-expanding post-World War II economy and the 88
appealed to many ex-military personnel who were young and had
operated powerful military equipment. Also new for 1951 was the
more upscale Super 88�line on the new GM B-body,�which included
restyled rear body panels, a more luxurious interior and a slightly
longer 120-inch wheelbase as opposed to the 119.5-inch wheelbase
which had been standard since the 88's introduction. New was an
I-beam frame. Standard features included a cigarette lighter,
bumper guards, stainless steel moldings, a dome light and lined
trunk and rubber floor mats. Options included stainless steel
gravel shields, rear ash tray and foam seat cushions, power windows
and power seats. The 88 enjoyed a great success, inspiring a
popular 1950s slogan, "Make a Date with a Rocket 88," and also a
song, "Rocket 88," often considered the�first rock-and-roll record.
Starting with the trunk-lid emblem of the 1950 model, Oldsmobile
would adopt the rocket as its logo, and the 88 name would remain in
the Olds lineup until the late 1990s, almost until the end of
Oldsmobile itself. Documentation includes owner's manual, an
October 1987 "Cars & Parts" article on a similar example, original
compass instructions and part of its box. GET OUT AND DRIVE!!!
Competition to this Oldsmobile in 1951 include Buick's Series 50
Super Dynaflow Convertible, Mercury's Merc-O-Matic Convertible and
DeSoto's Custom Convertible Coupe. This car is currently located at
our facility in St. Louis, Missouri. Current mileage on the
odometer shows 48,312 miles. It is sold as is, where is, on a clean
and clear title. VIN: 518K17746 Note: Please see full terms and
conditions listed below that pertain to the purchase of any said
vehicle, thank you.
