1955 Oldsmobile 88

Description

Tired of looking at sky-high Tri-Five Chevy prices? What if I could offer you a car that is just as handsome, offers more space, a better ride, a bigger engine, and better performance, all for a fraction of the price? Take a good, long look at this awesome 1955 Oldsmobile 88 Holiday Coupe and decide if a Bel Air is really worth twice as much. I think you'll find that there's a lot to love here.

If you wanted horsepower with your luxury, Oldsmobile delivered. With a lovely hardtop body that was cutting edge in 1955, the Olds definitely looks the part of a heavy cruiser from the '50s. The two-tone combination of Polar White over Burlingame Red is definitely 1950s cool, and the dazzling trim that separates the two colors was an Oldsmobile exclusive that made these cars easy to identify from a hundred feet away. Paint and chrome probably cost as much as we're asking for the entire car, and although it's an older restoration that's been driven, it still looks great even close up. Of course, chrome is a big issue on any car of this period, but someone invested a lot of money making the shiny, from the massive grille up front to the delicate taillight surrounds with bullet-shaped lenses. And those Oldsmobile "globe" emblems on the nose and tail are just too cool.

The 88 was Oldsmobile's bread-and-butter, but that didn't mean skimping on luxury. The handsome two-tone interior complements the paint job, and shows a restraint that was uncharacteristic of the era. It's mostly new, with recent seat covers and door panels, plus fresh dark red carpets that add a bit of sophistication. Take a careful look at things like the steering wheel, the interior plastics which are in great shape, and the gauges that are still bright and fully functional, all of which suggest a car that's been properly maintained and cherished all its life. There's another globe in the center of the steering wheel, and GM's symmetrical dashboard design works particularly well here, with lots of chrome to really dress things up. Seat belts were added for safety and the back seat is big enough for adults, making this an excellent cruiser for a family. In back, there's a fully finished trunk with familiar gray mouse fur mats, as well as a full-sized spare tire with jack assembly.

Oldsmobile practically invented performance with their high-compression, short-stroke overhead valve V8 in 1949, and by 1955, it had grown to 324 cubic inches and was famous for its torque production. In the lighter, smaller 88, performance is impressive, and it looks awesome with its Oldsmobile Green paint and bright yellow valve cover callouts. Completely stock and linked to a 4-speed Hydra-Matic automatic, this combination was potent on the street, and will easily show a stock '55 Chevrolet its taillights. It was freshly tuned so it runs extremely well, with the kind of smoothness that makes it feel expensive. The transmission shifts well and feeds the original rear end, which was just rebuilt. A single exhaust system gives it a pleasing V8 burble without sounding like a hot rod and 15-inch steel wheels with original hubcaps wear 205/75/15 wide whitewall radials, so it looks quite authentic.

This Olds comes with its original owner's manual and some maintenance receipts, so you can buy with confidence. Oldsmobiles represent a heck of a lot of car for the money, and if you're shopping for a '50s cruiser, this is a fantastic choice. Call today!