American cars of the late 1950s were known for the styling excess – and they don’t come much bolder than the 1958 Model Year Oldsmobile Super 88s.
Introduced as the “Anniversary Series” to mark General Motors’ Golden Jubilee, the 1958 88s took chrome adornment to dizzy new heights, with a bulky grille, substantial fins and brightwork for brightwork’s sake.
Sold mostly as two or four-door sedans, the unlikely jewel in the crown was the Oldsmobile Fiesta – a six-seater station wagon with a three-window rear and an integrated roof rack. It was a mightily impressive vehicle, but also a very expensive one, which led to just 5,175 being built for the ’58 Model Year.
This is one of the first, manufactured in late 1958 and imported into France from the Netherlands by the vendor, an American car collector who is currently thinning his fleet of over 50 cars. The owner before him had it for 27 years. Available for export anywhere in the world, the 88 is a terrific car believed to be in largely original condition.
The Fiesta is a huge vehicle both inside and out and its twin sky bench seats allow plenty of room for up to six people to travel in comfort, surrounded by features that you wouldn’t expect to find on a 65-year-old car – electric windows, for example, or how about the beautiful chrome-faced integrated radio? It has air conditioning, too, though this is currently non-operational and will require some attention from the new owner.
Indeed, the chrome detailing inside is something else – the instrument binnacle is a work of art, as are the rocker switches and minor controls. This is a car from an era where glitz and excess were at the absolute fore, and ornate design features heavily in all of its details.
Condition-wise, it’s excellent, with no rips or tears in the sky and excellent door cards. There’s some light staining to the headlining and a very gentle patina to it, but the overall state of repair is wonderful.
Original condition with some paint repairs over the years
Fantastic chrome and trim
Said to be excellent underneath
The first thing that grabd you about this car is its size – it’s truly vast, yet at the same time it’s well-proportioned, the rear “glass house” styling really suiting its substantial bulk. The bodywork is very good overall with no obvious signs of damage or visible corrosion, while the plethora of chrome is all in very good order, with only very minor pitting in places. The car was in the care of its previous owner for 27 years as part of a private collection kept in secure, dry storage – and it shows. The current keeper has kept on top of its condition, which is still extremely good all over.
Powered by the Oldsmobile ‘Rocket’ engine – itself a derivative of the stalwart GM ‘Small Block’ V8, the Fiesta is lively and powerful for its era, with a four-speed GM ‘Jetaway’ Hydramatic transmission that was new for the 1958 Model Year.
It has recently been equipped with new brakes all-round along with a conversion from dynamo to alternator charging. According to the vendor it is in great mechanical health and drives without fault.
What we have here, then, is one of the rarest but also most impressive American cars of the late 1950s – bold and purposeful to look at, incredibly well-presented and with an absolutely stunning interior. It’s a rare car in the USA, let alone in Europe, and is a fantastic thing to travel in, admire and appreciate, as well as being undoubtedly a sound long-term investment.
Notice to bidders
This item is sold on an ‘As is Where is’ basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and listing descriptions are for guidance purposes only*.** Car & Classic do not warrant listing accuracy. Full inspection is recommended. Viewings are at the seller’s discretion. Buyer is responsible for delivery and collection of any item purchased.*
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Car & Classic's secure payment system protects buyers and sellers. At the end of the auction, the winning bidder transfers payment into a third-party escrow account. Once the transfer of the vehicle is complete, both parties confirm they are happy with the sale and the money is released to the seller.
1958 Oldsmobile Fiesta 88 Station Wagon
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