1956 Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight

The 1954 Oldsmobiles rested on an all-new X-member frame with longer wheelbase sizes, larger-bore 'Rocket' V-8 engines with more powerful, and colorful new square-shouldered styling complete with 'Panoramic' wraparound windshield. Oldsmobile consistently listed in the top ten list for overall industry sales, including fifth in 1954 and fourth for 1955. All models were completely restyled for 1954 and continually received facelifts and updates in the years that follow, including two-tone paint schemes. The 1956 models received a boost in power and a gaping 'mouth' grille.

1956 Oldsmobile Lineup
The 1956 Oldsmobile lineup included the entry-level Eighty-Eight, the Super Eighty-Eight, and the top-of-the-line Ninety-Eight. The Eighty-Eight and Super Eighty-Eight rested on a 122-inch wheelbase and measured 203.3 inches in length. The Ninety-Eight on a 126-inch platform and had a length of 212.3 inches. The Eighty-Eight had a 324 cubic-inch V8 engine rated at 230 hp. The Super Eighty-Eight and Ninety-Eight had a 240 hp engine.

- 176,000 examples of the Super Eighty-Eight were built
- 90,439 examples of the Ninetyy-Eight were built

Super Eighty-Eight Body Styles
- 2- and 4-door sedan, 2- and 4-door holiday hardtop, convertible

Ninety-Eight Body Styles
- 2- and 4-door holiday hardtop, 4-door sedan, 2-door Starfire Convertible

The 1956 Oldsmobile Eight-Eight
Body styles on the Eighty-Eight included a 2- and 4-door sedan, and 2- and 4-door Holiday Hardtop. Prices ranged from $2,165 to $2,400. The 4-door sedan ($2230) and 4-door Holiday Hardtop ($2,400) accounted for over 100,000 combined sales (57092 sedans and 74739 holiday hardtops), while the 2-door Holiday Hardtop ($2330) proved very popular with 74,739 units built. The two-door sedan was priced at $2,230 and 57,092 examples were built. The total production of 1956 Olds 88 was 216,019.

Standard equipment on the Eighty-Eight included turn signals, lined trunk, rotary door latches, cigarette lighter, dual horns, 7.10 x 15-inch tires, rubber floor mats, sun visors, and aluminum door sill plates. Oldsmobile offered an enviable list of color choices with twenty-one factory colors and 26 two-tone color combinations. Upholstery choices included pattern cloth in various trim materials and colors.

In 1956, Lee Petty established a Flying-Mile record of 144 mph with an Oldsmobile at Daytona Beach, Florida.

Mechanical Specification
The Eighty-Eight had a 122-inch wheelbase and a length of 203.3 inches. The standard tire size was 7.10 x 15 inches. The front suspension used an independent coil spring setup with the liver rear axle suspended by semi-elliptic leaf springs. Hydraulic drum brakes on all four wheels provided the stopping power.

The 324 cubic-inch V8 engine had overhead valves, a cast-iron block, 9.25:1 compression, hydraulic valve lifters, and a Rochester dual-downdraft carburetor. It produced 230 horsepower at 4,400 RPM and 340 lb-ft of torque at 2,400 PRM.

by Daniel Vaughan | Aug 2020