Original Tri-Power: 1958 Oldsmobile Dynamic 88
It is often erroneously stated that the only man-made object visible from space is the Great Wall of China. There are times when I wonder whether the chrome on some 1950s classic cars could fall into that category since manufacturers weren’t shy about hanging sparkling trim off almost every surface. I don’t say that to denigrate those cars in any way, because I think that it is one of the defining features of cars from that era. This 1958 Oldsmobile Dynamic Eighty-Eight is a case in point. While it doesn’t carry as much chrome as its more upmarket siblings, its enormous bumpers and other plated components make a bold visual statement. However, this car is about more than mere looks because its engine bay packs the muscle to back the beauty. Located in Brooksville, Florida, you will find the Olds listed for sale here on eBay. Reasonable bidding has pushed the price to $25,000, although this figure remains short of the reserve. A huge thank you goes out to Barn Finder Larry D for spotting this gem.
The seller lists this Dynamic Eighty-Eight as a Holiday Coupe, but I was sure this was incorrect when I initially looked at the auction details. I did some digging around amongst my resources and located a genuine Oldsmobile Sales Brochure from that year, which seems to confirm this as a 2-Door Sedan. Looking beyond that possible mistake, there’s little to criticize with this classic. The seller indicates that the car received a repaint in its original Tropical Mist Metallic paint at some point, but it isn’t clear when this occurred. The paint holds a beautiful shine, with no significant flaws or defects. It coats panels that are equally spotless. There are no notable marks or bruises and no signs of rust. That is an issue that can plague many models from this era, so if this Olds is rust-free, that stands as a major victory. The glass looks flawless, although I’m slightly surprised that it isn’t tinted. That brings us to the final piece of the exterior puzzle, which is the chrome and trim. There is so much of it, and its condition is so good that you nearly need sunglasses to view this car in any situation brighter than deep shadows. The chrome trim also hides one of my favorite features. Manufacturers during the 1950s were particularly fond of quirky ideas, and Oldsmobile chose to conceal the fuel filler inside the driver’s side taillight housing. If some undesirable individual considered siphoning the fuel from this classic, they’d need to be “in the know” or walk away empty-handed.
The interior of this Olds makes a positive impression, which is reinforced by the seller’s claim of originality. If the interior is unrestored, its overall condition is impressive. There is no significant visible wear on any upholstered surfaces or the wheel and no signs of physical damage. The seller indicates that the seats would benefit from a clean and some TLC, giving the next owner something to occupy their time until summer arrives. The dash and pad are spotless, while the same is true of the headliner. If there is anything worthy of mention, it is the ill-fitting carpet. It is particularly bad around the transmission tunnel and detracts from an otherwise impressive aspect of this classic. The buyer may need to juggle and stretch this for a better fit, and I feel it would be worth the effort. With the Dynamic representing the entry-level model for the 1958 Eighty-Eight range, it’s no surprise that it isn’t loaded with creature comforts. The original owner passed up the thought of a clock and radio for something they felt was more important. Let’s lift the hood and see what that could be.
When buyers ordered their new 1958 Dynamic Eighty-Eight, it hit the showroom with a 371ci V8 breathing through a 2-barrel carburetor to pump out 265hp. Of course, ticking the correct box on the Order Form could bring a different result, and it seems that the original owner of this car chose to forego a few creature comforts by ticking the “J-2” box. This option still brought the owner a 371 under the hood, but it now featured higher compression a better exhaust, and it gulped vast amounts of air via a Tri-Power carburetor configuration. Forget 265hp because this baby churned out 312hp. The original owner also equipped this classic with a four-speed Hydramatic transmission, power steering, and power brakes. While the term “muscle car” had not been coined when this Eighty-Eight rolled off the line, it still possessed those credentials because it could demolish the ¼ mile in 16.9 seconds. Considering that V8 was tasked with lugging 4,290lbs, that figure ain’t half bad! Frustratingly, the seller provides no specific information on how this classic runs or drives. However, he does appear approachable, so he may be willing to field inquiries on that subject.
The 1958 model year marked the second and last for production of the Third Generation Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight. While total Dynamic Eighty-Eight production amounted to 146,567 cars across all body styles, only 11,833 were the 2-Door Sedan. That makes them a relatively rare beast, but the desirability increases enormously thanks to the original owner’s decision to order this car with the optional J-2 engine upgrade. Given its overall condition, I expect the bidding to nudge past $32,000 before it tops the reserve. The action has been pretty sedate to this point, so it will be interesting to see whether this changes as the clock winds down.
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Comments
At last Oldsmobile got it right in the ’60 model as they transcended from chrome to pure good looks. This is certainly a great example of what was going on in those days.
Agreed, for what’s worth.
This car seems a fine offering. Certainly, I’ve nothing against it or against Oldsmobiles in general. But I must say that GM in ’58 produced mostly garish and graceless lumps of steel
“Oh no, Uncle Bill” ( a takeoff on SNL’s Mister Bill) Uncle Bill was the guy that lived on the farm in N.Wis. I stayed at, his ENTIRE life,,,never married, never moved out lived to be in his 90’s, but in a nursing home when I moved there. Anyway, Uncle Bill had a purple ’58 Olds, 4 door, I remember it being in nice condition. It sat outside a barn and deteriorated, but was still very presentable. When I moved there several years ago, I asked, what happened to Uncle Bills car? The nephew said, he had a farm “scrap drive”, and the Olds and a Model AA Ford dump truck, that I had my eyes on for years, were hauled away,,,
The ’58 Olds was such a dramatic departure from the ’57, my favorite, and at the worst time, GM decides to bring this monstrosity out. I think only stout Olds fans bought them, specifically, your old man. Olds then became “the car your dad drove”’until the 80’s, and by then, it was too late. It was a turning point that, I feel, Olds never recovered from. Only the real desirable ones, like these, were saved. It’s a great find, for sure.
I found it interesting that 1958 models were made so much larger and heavier than their 1957 counterparts. If they came up behind you on the road, you would move over. Add tank treads and a turret and you’d have a sport model armored personnel carrier.
This particular car is a no frills basic transportation car for the person who wanted to drive something a little more classy than your Chevrolet. My best friend’ mom always drove a car similar to this. These car were built for style and comfort and not so much speed. I bought a 58 Olds Fieste wagon in 68 for $50 bucks. It was a good car.
God bless America
Hi John,,,ahh, $50 bucks, now that takes me back. In the late 50’s, highway travel was being promoted at an alarming rate, everybody wanted to “hit the road”. Trouble was, these cars weighed a bunch, at over 4200 pounds, it was clear, more oomph was needed for passing on the 2 lanes, the solution, was more fuel. It wasn’t thought of as a performance add-on, just what it took to move this sled. In our “more is better” society today, the “tri-power” is impressive,( whispering: even though it usually just runs on the center carb) and the only reason this car was saved, but back in the day, with these cars, it was no big deal. I’d wager a bet, there were lots of “tri-powered” cars that were scrapped right next to their 2 or 4 barrel cousins.
I remember reading about a Ford executive jokingly drawing a G clef and musical notes on the quarter panel of a picture of a 58 Olds.
I am not bashing this beautiful car. However, it is an entry level Olds without lots of options. Bidding reached $25K, but not the reserve. I wonder what the owner thinks this car is worth.
All that chrome and tri power…hard to say that is entry level.
Can’t be the same designers of the classic tri-fives! Look at those hideous lines, and excess chrome. What happened?
This Olds epitomizes everything that was wrong with late ’50s style. (IMHO)
I love Olds 88’s- but the 58 (to me) was the least attractive …the front side and rear side chrome really conflict with each other- almost looks like one guy designed the front and another guy the rear.. I agree with Bob Hess- it cleaned up pretty nicely by 1960!
My Dad had a 1958 Olds 88 but with the two barrel carb. Same colour.
He kept it 4 years then traded it in for a ‘62 Olds F85.
Both great cars, but what a contrast!
He couldn’t get used to the lightness of the F85 so the following year it turned into a ‘63 Chev Impala , more in line with what he was used to.
Boy, we should have held onto all of them.
The amount of chrome that GM used during the fifties may have chromed a significant part of the great wall.
I’ve been a car-watcher for 70+ years, and I have NEVER seen a ’58 Olds or Buick 2-door sedan (or coupe) while growing up in SoCal. This is one very rare example (much like the ’60 Edsel also featured with this group of cars).
Add to that the original air cleaner which might fetch several G’s on the restoration market all by itself. I can remember several buddies of mine who instantly trashed that bulky tri-carb air cleaner from their 409s, GTOs, and ’57 Olds’ for those quirky small after-market chrome carb bonnets…
The “ill-fitting carpet” from the description isn’t–carpet! It’s a rubber mat. That’s what an 88 came with unless it was ordered with an upgrade interior.
I believe the clock is in the center up by the windshield. Like the ’57.
Whew! Not much love here for this car. I wish more people agreed with this crowd, however, because I like it. $25k tells me someone else likes it more than I can afford to.
My mother traded a ’53 98 in for a “58 Dynamic 88. The ’53 Hydramatic gave problems in 1955 and it was hard to find someone to repair them in a rural area. he ’59 had a 2 bbl carb but I could make it go faster than I should. Mother drove that cat car for over 12 years and it never gave her a minutes trouble. If I could find it today I would buy it. I think she paid around 3 grand for it in 1958.