Vintage Missile: 1956 Oldsmobile Rocket 88
I’m a fan of car designs that have “hips”. I especially like the two-tone and trim that emphasizes the break in the lines on this design. This barn find 88 is located in Grants Pass, Oregon and is offered here on eBay opening at $5,500 with reserve not met yet. Sporting a transmission that added “Park” for 1956 and a 230 horsepower V-8, both of which were rebuilt in 1988 4,000 miles ago, it isn’t slow either. This one has a few rust locations, but supposedly is still wearing its original paint and has all its stainless steel trim, although some is not installed at the moment.
All four original wheel covers are present and I like the solid appearance of the car in general. You would have to source a $380 windshield and a side window, but the side window is flat glass and shouldn’t be difficult. Drive it now and improve it as you go along! Oh, and if you don’t like this 1956, there’s a 1957 on eBay right here.
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Comments
Love this car. Have always loved the style of 50’s Olds and Buicks. I would get her mechanically sound, replace the missing hardware, clean up the interior and drive it as-is.
I like the 53-55 Olds better than this. 57 Olds was my favourite 50s Olds. I had a 57 Super 88 Holiday coupe with a J 2. I should have kept it.
Great car to restore as you go along but I am not sure I would touch the paint. The car earned that patina. I love it!
Very nice car! For me I’d get it mechanically sound and drive it for a spell. I’d eventually fix the rust and give it a re-spray. The patina that so many love these days is going underground and will eventually burrow through, especially if someone covers it. Sand it out and fix it…
Agree completely, geomechs! It’s a nice old car in good enough shape to enjoy without doing a complete resto, but the value of this “Patina” thing is waning. Thankfully. Yes, I get it that they are only original once. I just think that it’s running its course. Clear coating a car with almost no paint left really doesn’t create much of a masterpiece. That said, I also agree that some are worthy of that treatment. Not all IMO. This one looks like it deserves to be enjoyed, then brought back with a shiny new paint job.
Great to see this car. I have a connection to the make/vintage via a church affiliated group I belong to, called the “Full Throttle Ministry”.
We are nearing completion of a long-term restoration/mild mod on a ’56 Olds Holiday. It will be done before mid-year, and raffled off, with the beneficiary being The Grace Centers of Hope in Pontiac, MI Look them up, this is a very highly rated organization!
Anyway, if the site administrators have no objection, I’d be happy to post a link to the raffle information when it becomes available. In the meantime, take a look at this, and understand that my camera really needs a filter to compensate for the light in the workshop. The actual colors are a beautiful turquoise and an off-white. Oh man, this is going to finish up as a beautiful, driveable car. Details available….
Would love to buy a raffle ticket. Please email when they go on sale.
My first car at 16 years old in 1962 was a 1956 Oldsmobile Holiday 88 Coupe almost exactly like this!! I would love to see more photos and get the auction information.
Thank you!!
Should have posted this earlier, thank you for the reminder, Don!
The drawing for the 1956 Oldsmobile Holiday four-door hardtop will be Sept. 25 at Grace Centers of Hope’s Night of Hope fundraiser at the Reserve, 325 S. Eaton, Birmingham. The fundraiser, from 6:30-10 p.m., will feature a strolling dinner, live music, dancing and a silent auction. Tickets for Night of Hope are $85, and proceeds will benefit the Children’s Program at Grace Centers of Hope. Charity car raffle ticket holders do not need to be present to win.
The Oldsmobile also will be on display and tickets will be sold at a number of events throughout the summer.
For more information on the car, or to purchase a ticket for the charity car raffle or Night of Hope fundraiser, visit http://www.gracecentersofhope.org or call (855-HELP-GCH)
https://gracecentersofhope.givezooks.com/events/charity-car-raffle-2015
I hope everyone wants the link. Looks like a car I would want.
A bit more information from June…
http://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/oakland-county/2015/06/12/oldsmobile-raffle-grace-centers/71161158/