1955 Oldsmobile 88 Rocket 324 from North America

Summary:

Bad ass

General Comments:

My father had this car when I was a small kid in the late 50s and early 60s. I spent many times in the back seat with my nose pressed against the glass, with my head out the window or playing with pinwheels in the wind. Even then I knew the car was cool looking with classic masculine styling. My father smoked cigars and this car looked like it was smoking 2 cigars when looking at the grille. The car met its demise in 64' when my mother was driving and she made a right turn and the axle spline stripped and slipped. That was the end. Then we got our first A/C car which was a low mileage like new 62' Olds 98. My father never ever purchased a brand new car. He always got a low mileage 2 year old Oldsmobiles. He bought the 55' in 57'. The car before that was a 52' Old 88. I came home from the hospital in 57' in that 52' Olds. My fathers first car was a Chevy after WW2. All the other cars in his life were strictly Oldsmobiles.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 19th April, 2021

1955 Oldsmobile 88 Super 88 Holiday Sport Coupe from North America

Summary:

I have forgotten girlfriends, but not this car

Faults:

Woman did not stop for stop sign. Hit us on right side, door area. Bent frame.

General Comments:

Paid $750.00 for this magnificent automobile. My first child was delivered from hospital to her home in this car. My wife learned to drive in this car.

The performance of this car was off the charts. The engine and transmission have not been matched in all the future cars I have owned.

It was always ready when you "punched it"!

From 65 mph to 90 and 100, just like that!

If I could afford it, I would find one and buy it.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 14th November, 2010

12th Feb 2011, 16:52

In my younger years, I had 3 1955 Oldsmobiles at different times. I owned a 55 Starfire convertible; amazing vehicle. Also a 4 door sedan, and finally a 2 door hardtop. I would love to have any one of them today.

1955 Oldsmobile 88 Super 324 Rocket from North America

Summary:

The previous owner said "that Oldsmobile was the best damn car I ever owned!" and I agree!

Faults:

For a 53 year old car, this thing is still amazing.

According to the previous owner it burned a valve at 112,000 miles. Except for general service, that is all that ever went wrong with it while he had it.

These cars are good for about 125,000 miles, then they need some overhauling.

In 1976, after driving the car 112,000 miles, the previous owner did a complete rebuild on the car. The car was well worn due to use and enjoyment, not from any type of defective workmanship. If they are garage kept, well maintained and driven carefully, these cars will last a lifetime.

General Comments:

This car is very quick by 1950s standards, and will easily cruise at 80 miles per hour.

The aerodynamics are good enough so that driver and passengers in the front seat are not windblown when the top is down.

Seats are very comfortable for long distances, and visibility is good.

The driver has to lean forward to reach some of the minor controls.

Steering and braking are easy thanks to power assist.

The four speed "Hydromatic" transmission shifts smoothly, quickly and at the right time.

These cars were over engineered for reliability.

Except for the braking system and front suspension, these cars are fairly simple and straightforward to maintain and repair.

The interior is bright and cheerful. Puts you in a good mood.

The only drawbacks are:

1) The engine is so heavy it makes the car a little nose heavy.

2) The bendix treadle vac power brakes are reliable and work well, but are a BEAR to fix at overhaul time.

3) You will find out VERY quickly that this is NOT a sports car, and you have to drive it around a corner. However, once you get past the squealing tires and leaning, the car is stable and predictable.

4) The top leaks in the rain. Solution: don't drive in the rain.

5) The taillight lenses haze over and crack over time.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 8th August, 2008

8th Aug 2008, 18:15

We still have my late father's 1955 Pontiac, and a lot of what you said about your Olds is true of it as well. The original 287 C.I. engine was rebuilt at 150,000 miles due to smoking and oil consumption.

We DON'T have any problems with the power steering and power brakes because it doesn't have those options (and YES, it is a bear to steer at low speeds!!)

It, too, was pretty fast by 1955 standards (though not as fast as the Olds), and it did lean and wallow in corners. As a kid, I used to love to make the speedometer, which is a red line that moves around the face of the dial, go past 120 so that the entire dial was all red. It did that VERY easily.

The really amazing thing about the 4-speed Hydramatic is that in 250,000+ miles it has never been touched and shifts as smoothly now as it did new!!

We have had the car repainted and cosmetically restored now, and it is used only for shows or parades. It was in regular use as a primary means of transportation from 1955 to 1988. I can't fathom how anyone could call these cars "unreliable"!!