1954 Oldsmobile Super Eighty-Eight

Within Oldsmobile's three-model-lineup for 1954, the Super Eighty-Eight was positioned above the base Eighty-Eight series and the top-of-the-line Ninety-Eight. With over 187,800 sales for the model year, the Super 88 accounted for over 50-percent of 1954 Oldsmobile sales.

The Super 88 shares its wheelbase and footprint with the Eighty-Eight series and had the same engine specification as the Ninety-Eight Series. The entire Oldsmobile line was completely restyled, becoming lower and wider, and losing a little in height, but growing in length which translated to more interior and storage room. The confusing Deluxe name on the entry-level 88 was gone, and a single 324 CID V8 engine was offered, although the 88 had a slightly de-tuned version.

The new wraparound windows in the front and rear were also used on the upscale Buick and Cadillac models for 1954. The Chevrolet and Pontiac models continued to use the more antiquated flatter glass. The Oldsmobile styling had European design influences with its gentle use of chrome, a grille that tapered at the edges into the bumpers, and a simple and elegant interior. The overall design scheme was modern, balanced, and attractive, and complimented the vehicle's performance, engineering, and craftsmanship.

Body styles on the Super Eighty-Eight included a Holiday Hardtop, convertible, and 2- and 4-door sedan. Once again, the sedan proved the most popular with 111,326 examples sold. The Holiday Hardtop found 42,155 willing buyers and 27,882 examples of the 2-door sedan found homes.

Standard equipment included a deck lid ornament, foam rubber seat cushions, bumper guards, rubber simulated carpets, cigarette lighter, aluminum door sill plates, linked trunk, dual horns, 7.60 x 15-inch tires, turn signals, and chrome rocker panel moldings. The interior upholstery was either nylon and Orlon cloth, or various colored leathers.

by Daniel Vaughan | Aug 2020