1958 Oldsmobile Super Eighty-Eight Holiday Hardtop

Oldsmobile had an overhead-valve high-compression V8 engine which was intended for use in its large and luxurious 98 series. They installed the V8 into an Oldsmobile 76 lightweight and compact body one of the most memorable muscle-cars of all time was created, the Super 88. Oldsmobile produced the 88 from 1949 through 1999 and from 1950 through 1974 it was the division's top-selling line, mostly the entry-level vehicles such as the 88 and Dynamic 88. During its long production lifespan there were multiple titles that accompanied the 88 name such as Celebrity, Jetstar, Starfire, Dynamic, Delta, Delmont, Holiday, Fiesta, Super, and Royale.

As was the Oldsmobile tradition during the 1950's, the entire model line-up was updated every year and given a complete restyling. For 1957 the only engine offered was the 371 cubic-inch V8 which produced an astonishing 400 foot-pounds of torque. For 1958 a triple-carbureted J2 engine option raised the horsepower to over 300. The two-tone vehicles took just under nine-seconds to race to sixty mph.

This 1958 Oldsmobile Super 88 two-door finished in red paint was offered for sale at the 2006 Worldwide Group Auction held on Hilton Head Island where it was expected to bring in between $30,000-$40,000. It was one of the few vehicles of the day to be offered without reserve. It failed to bring in the expected amount but only slightly, selling at $29,700.

By Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2006