1955 Oldsmobile Super 88 Holiday Coupe 324 Cubic Inch Rocket V8 from North America

Summary:

It was a fabulous dreamboat, my Oldsmobile Super 88

Faults:

The starter locked up and needed a new bendix at about 52,000.

The leather seat tops cracked near the windows.

General Comments:

This was my favorite car of all time. It had a lot of power, thanks to the 324 V-8 and the hydramatic transmission. It downshifted when you needed extra power, and took off like a rocket.

It was fairly economical for those days of the early mainstream V-8's, getting 19 mpg.

The instrument layout was simply gorgeous. I recall the steering wheel center ornament, a silver world, split in half and mounted on a mirror, which looked like it was suspended in space.

The car was red and white with wide whitewalls and fender skirts.

The design of the side windows provided a pleasant view for back seat riders. The window sills of the front doors sloped down quite low past the door jamb. There was no "post" to obstruct the view, so when all the windows were rolled down, it was great!

This was probably the most trouble-free car I ever owned.

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

Review Date: 9th May, 2005

9th Jun 2005, 08:43

Yea, those old Oldsmobiles were great. Was really sorry when GM cancelled the brand after it had been around for over a hundred years. Now there is talk they will do the same thing to Buick.

Somehow I doubt that anyone will have such fond memories of their Honda or Scion, fifty years from now...