Highlights

• A fine looking and rare in the UK example of the big 1950’s Oldsmobile 88
• In the most powerful Rocket guise and having been lovingly restored
• In a fully operational condition with just some minor finishing to undertake

The Appeal

The History and Paperwork

• This example was built in 1955 and hails from GM’s Lansing, Michigan plant
• The car spent the next 30+ years in the USA
• The car was believed to have been imported to the UK in the late 1980’s
• The Oldsmobile was first registered here in April 1989
• Since in the UK the car has been cherished by seven former owners
• It is understood that the car underwent a full restoration in around 2002
• This is thought to have included the exterior, interior and mechanicals
• Since then, the car appears to have covered less than 3,000 miles
• The current owner acquired the Oldsmobile in 2022
• It is only coming to market now due to a lack of use, currently
• The Oldsmobile comes with a varied and interesting paperwork archive
• This includes the current V5 in the name of the owner
• The car is registered as a Historic Vehicle so is VED and MoT exempt
• The car is currently registered as SORN
• Many previous MoT’s are included to help verify mileage
• Reams of invoices are present from the later parts of the car’s history
• A full photograph album documents the earlier restoration
• An 88 Rocket owner’s manual is also included
  
  

The Interior

• Our example features a charming, restored interior
• It is awash with period details and has remained faithful to the original specification
• Full-width bench seats are fitted both front and rear
• These have been retrimmed in period correct materials imported from the USA
• This comprises Copper “hair cell” vinyl to the extremities of the seats
• The centres are finished in a complimentary weaved fabric with flecks of black and gold
• Both benches present in an excellent condition
• The dashboard is topped with grey vinyl
• The bottom portion of the dash is painted metal finished in white
• The central portion of the dashboard is finished in chrome
• In this chromed panel sits the instruments and a clock on the passenger side
• The instruments comprise a large speedometer and four supplemental gauges
• A number of chromed knobs take care of additional functions
• A delicate, white twin-spoked steering wheel is fitted
• This features a chromed horn-ring and embossed, chrome centre boss
• Carpets are ribbed grey items and present in a good condition
• This carpet extends onto the bottom of the door cards
• The remainder of the door cards are trimmed in Copper and White vinyl
• A machined chrome strip horizontally separates the two hues of vinyl
• The perforated vinyl headlining is affixed via a series of chromed trim pieces
• The huge boot is carpeted in grey and houses a vertically mounted spare wheel 
  
  

The Exterior

• The exterior of this Oldsmobile just screams 1950’s charm and sophistication
• This pillarless sedan design was introduced for the first time for the ’55 model year
• It was known as the “Holiday Sedan” hence the Holiday badges on the wings
• The car is finished in two tone coral and white paintwork
• The white sections extend along the car’s flanks
• The two tones of paintwork are differentiated via shaped, chromed trim pieces
• The overall condition of the paintwork is very good indeed
• Both hues seem to be deeply applied and exuding a deep shine
• Likewise, the bodywork which generally appears solid and straight
• There are a few areas on the exterior that ideally require finishing off, however
• At the front the chromed, side trim pieces are present but not fitted
• Ideally these would require re-chroming and re-fitting
• At the rear the painted sections of the rear bumper have been ground back
• These would either need chroming or repainting ideally
• Otherwise, the paint and bodywork appear to be in an enviable condition
• There was a crack noted and reported to the passenger side front window
• As this is not laminated it is understood that a replacement can easily be cut to size
• The all-important shaped screen and rear window are in great shape, however
• This big car rolls on black painted steel wheels
• These are fitted with the correct, shield-centred chromed hub caps
• The wheels are fitted with the correct specification of radial type white-walled tyres
  
  

The Mechanics

• In this “Rocket” designated model the engine is a 324 cubic inch (5.3L) V8
• This higher compression unit was originally rated at 185 bhp
• The all-important torque, however, was a mighty 320 Ib ft
• Power is fed to the rear wheels via a four speed Hydra-Matic automatic gearbox
• This is operated via a column mounted shift
• We know that the mechanical systems were fully rebuilt during its earlier restoration
• During its current ownership the drum brakes have been recommissioned
• Since then, the car’s records suggest it has done less than 2,000 miles
• During our visit the car started easily and idled evenly for an extended period
• Both the under bonnet and underside areas present very well
• The car is understood to run and drive well with no known issues
  
  

Summary