Simon Cars - Oldsmobile 88

Oldsmobile 88 and Super 88 1949 - 1960

The '88' was a new model for 1949, and was essentially a V8-engined version of the six cylinder 76. The Super 88 was launched in 1951 but based on the GM B-body, and in 1952 some of the design features of the Super 88 were given to the A-body 88. An all new body was introduced in 1954. From then on, the Super 88 was an 88 with the tuned engine of the 98. In 1957 the 88 went onto a new GM B-body and was marketed as the 'Golden Rocket 88' but was never badged as such. In 1958 the 88 was launched as the 'Dynamic 88' and was given radically reworked front and rear sections and appeared to be an all new car. The 88 was given a new body after 1959.

Oldsmobile 88 1955 2-door Sedan - badge on front wing

Oldsmobile Super 88 1957 2-door sedan - badge on front wing

Oldsmobile 88 Club Coupe 1949. The '88' was a new model for 1949, utilising the platform of the cheaper '76' and the brand new 303 cu.in 'Rocket' V8 engine. This A-body 2-door Club Coupe is the equivalent of Chevrolet and Pontiac Coupes.

Oldsmobile Golden Rocket 88 1957 Convertible - badge on rear wing

Oldsmobile Super 88 1957 Holiday Coupe - badge on front wing. The Super 88 had the body of the 88 but with the engine tuned to that of the 98.

Oldsmobile 88 1948 Club Sedan. The 1949 Oldsmobile 76 and 88 shared the4 same bodies, but the lower-priced 76 was only given a 6-cylinder engine.

Oldsmobile 88 1955 2-door Sedan. On the 1955 model had this 'tongue-shaped' contrast panel, 1954 and 1956 models had a different contast diagonal. The 1955 model had the O L D S M O B I L E lettering set into the grille.

Oldsmobile 88 1955 Holiday Coupe. The Holiday Coupe was a 2-door hardtop style, newly offered across GM models

Oldsmobile Golden Rocket 88 1957 Convertible front

Oldsmobile Golden Rocket 88 1957 Convertible, powered by 6,075cc (371) 277 bhp V8 engine, The convertible was one of the many bodies offered for the 1957 88, including 2-door and 4-door hardtops, 2-door and 4-door sedans, and a station wagon.

Oldsmobile Super 88 1957 2-door sedan front

Oldsmobile Super 88 1957 2-door sedan. This is not the Holiday Hardtop - as that was a pillarless coupe. The 1957 Super 88 shared the bodies of the 88 ('Golden Rocket 88' for 1957 only) on a 123-inch chassis. The 'Rocket' V8 engine was enlarged to 6,080cc (371) for 1957

Oldsmobile Dynamic 88 1958 4-door sedan - badge on front wing

Oldsmobile Super 88 Holiday Hardtop1958 front

Oldsmobile Super 88 Hardtop1958. The Super 88 used the same Dynamic 88 body with the larger engine of the upmarket Oldsmobile 98, which was a 6,080cc V8 with 4 or 6 barrel carburettor. A complete restyle was given to the GM B-body for 1959.

American Cars Oldsmobile Cars Simon Cars

All images and content of this site is the copyright of Simon GP Geoghegan