1958 Oldsmobile Super Eighty-Eight Holiday Hardtop

This particular 1958 Olds is a mid-level Super 88 two-door hardtop, resplendent in its original colors of Victorian White and Mountain Haze. It features a 300 horsepower 371 cubic-inch V8 engine with a four-barrel carburetor and the 4-speed 'Jetaway' Hydra-Matic Drive transmission.

While the chassis and running gear were unchanged from 1957, the exterior styling of the new 1958 Oldsmobile was certainly flamboyant. Back in the day, it was sometimes referred to as the 'Chromesmobile.'

Its quad headlamps, outlined in bright metal, appeared even larger than they were. The oval grille of previous years was replaced with a square design that was framed by a massive front bumper and large parking lights. OLDSMOBILE was spelled out on the hood in 2.5' high block letters, lest there be any doubt as to the brand.

Rocket tube side styling culminated in a round taillight designed to look like an active jet exhaust. Outrageous, yes, but the '58 Olds was in tune with the times: It was a relatively good seller, moving up to fourth place on the sales charts.

In a public-relations coup, Oldsmobile helped celebrate the dedication of the new Mackinac Bridge with a parade of 113 identical white 1958 Ninety-Eight convertibles, each one transporting a Michigan county queen