In 1956, Oldsmobile offered at least a dozen iterations of two basic cars: the 98 and the 88. Wheelbase differentiated the 98 from the 88 – the 98 was four inches longer. Once you decided between those two – and many didn’t have much of a choice since the 98 was more expensive – trim levels and body styles were your next decision. The Holiday body style was a hardtop available with two or four doors, and there were sedans, and convertibles of each flavor too (Oldsmobile wagon fans had to wait until 1957). The “Super” series cost a couple of hundred dollars over base models but offered more chrome, better interior appointments, and more horsepower thanks to a four-barrel Rochester carburetor. Here on eBay is a 1956 Oldsmobile Super 88 Holiday for sale, with bidding at $20,300, reserve not met. The car is located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Interestingly, the seller’s ad does not highlight that this is a Super – which is a selling point – but the VIN and the trim tell the tale. Thanks to Larry D. for this classy tip!

The heart of this Holiday is its Rocket motor, a 324 cu. in. V8, which is basically a bored-out 303. The 324 was produced from 1954 through 1956 and it was revered by hot rodders, who often yanked them out of original cars like this Holiday to reuse elsewhere. In 1954, this engine would generate about 185 bhp, but Oldsmobile improved the 324 over its short production time frame by raising compression and using better camshafts. In 1956, the motor’s horsepower had increased to 240 when paired with a four-barrel carburetor. That was respectable horsepower considering the competition. This Super 88 comes with a four-speed Hydra-Matic transmission, an extra-cost option in the day. The seller indicates the car runs and drives well with no mechanical issues.

The interior is as beautiful as the exterior; the only faults I could find were fabric wrinkling and slight cushion collapse in the driver’s side seat, and slightly cloudy chrome bezels – though that may be the photo quality. The headliner is immaculate, and the back bench seat looks like no one ever used it. (And just a quick time out to wish that today’s automakers would bring back stylish upholstery!) The radio is original but does not work; installed in the glove box is a modern radio with its speaker discretely installed in the parcel shelf.

The underside offers minor room for improvement if you’re a dedicated show-goer – maybe a couple of weekends’ worth of work as an excuse to bond with the car. You won’t even need to replace the tires – they’re brand new. This Holiday is a treat, and I’m thinking the price will go higher before the bidding is over.