The B-body cars featured more rounded styling than previous years with Coke-bottle profiles and semi-fastback rooflines on Holiday (two-door hardtop) coupes - Jetstar I and Starfire coupes got a more rounded variation of the squared-off 1963–64 roofline with concave rear window shared by Pontiac's Grand Prix. Coupled with a two-barrel carburetor, the rocket 88 delivers 135 of horsepower and 253 pounds of torque per foot. ClassicCars.com has been recognized as one of the fastest-growing private companies in the United States, successfully making the Inc. 5000 list in both 2015, The 88 enjoyed a great success, inspiring a popular 1950s slogan, "Make a Date with a Rocket 88", and also a song, "Rocket 88", often considered the first rock and roll record. The new car used the same new Futuramic B-body platform as the straight-6 engined 76 but paired it with the new 303 cu in (5.0 L) Rocket V8 engine producing 135 horsepower (101 kW). Tom earned a bachelor's degree in jazz guitar performance from the Wisconsin Conservatory of music and was a prominent member of the Bobby Way band, Rocket 88 and The Doo-Wop Daddies and many other bands. For 1957 only, the basic 88 was officially named golden rocket 88, taken from oldsmobile's 1956 motorama two-passenger show car. The gasoline 350 Rocket V8 was dropped from the option list, leaving only the diesel version available. The rocket 88 small-block engine of the 1950 oldsmobile coupe features hydraulic lifters, a counter-weighted forged crankshaft, aluminum pistons, floating wrist pins and a dual-plane intake manifold. The 1965–1970 GM B platform is the fourth best selling automobile platform in history after the Volkswagen Beetle, Ford Model T and the Lada Riva. Basic instruments were included, but options such as a radio were not cheap for the day and could run nearly $100. Taillights for 88's featured a waterfall design. An all-new body and chassis with perimeter "Guard Beam" frame and all-coil suspension replacing the previous leaf springs highlighted the 1961 full-sized Oldsmobiles, which were joined by the new compact F-85. The Skyrocket engine was available as an extra-cost option on the Dynamic 88. The first-generation 88 is reputed to have inspired the song "Rocket 88" – … Also new was a steering column-mounted ignition switch that also locked the steering wheel when not in use – a feature found on all 1969-model General Motors passenger cars, a year before locking steering columns were required by federal mandate starting in 1970. The Classic White exterior and black leather interior areoriginal to the car. With the large, high performance v8, the oldsmobile 88 is widely considered to be the first muscle car, although this title is disputed. After the demise of the Ninety-Eight in 1996, Oldsmobile added the Regency to the 1997 and 1998 lineups, which used the same front fenders and chrome grille as the Ninety-Eight sedan but kept the standard Eighty-Eight body. This 1963 Chevrolet Nova has a refurbished exterior and interior and is powered by a rebuilt 327ci V8 mated to a 3-speed automatic. The Oldsmobile 88 was a hit because it used the relatively small pre-existing Olds 76 frame with the powerful Rocket V8 engine. Heaters became standard equipment on all models, and the push-button controls were located to the right of the steering wheel column. The 1969 88 series dropped the Delmont name, leaving the Delta 88 as the base model of the series. This combination of a relatively small light body and large, powerful engine made it widely considered to be the first muscle car. The system read various parameters, such as vehicle speed, throttle position, engine speed, coolant temperature, and the oxygen content of the exhaust to provide the correct air/fuel mixture for any given driving condition. Due to the federal mandate to add passive restraints, door mounted seat belts were added for 1987. New that year was the introduction of price leader for the full-sized Oldsmobile series, the Jetstar 88, which used the same full-size body as other 88 models but also shared key components with that year's redesigned F-85 intermediate. Starting with that 1949 "Rocket 88" model, Oldsmobile highlighted the image of performance at a time when their body designs were very similar to low-priced Chevrolets and other GM models. This prestigious accolade represents the continued growth of the company, and ClassicCars.com's dominance as the world's largest online marketplace for Set an alert to be notified of new listings. For the first time since 1959, the dual headlights were split apart by parking lights. As Oldsmobile set its sights on more luxury and performance, full-sized wagons weren't in the mix. Horsepower for the 324-cubic-inch Rocket V8 increased to 185 for 88s and 202 for Super 88s. The ventilation system was extensively revised for 1972. All full-sized Oldsmobiles were completely restyled for 1969 with more squared off bodylines and rooflines for the Holiday coupes and sedans replacing the semi-fastback look of 1967–68, and ventless front windows on all models. Part of the door panel was revised and the 1990 model also offered new cloth for the seats while the pillow cushion seats on the Brougham were discontinued. 1953 Oldsmobile 88 4dr sedan, solid previous texas car, shows 46,xxx miles believed to be original, nice body and paint, rocket v8, auto, 12... More Add to Favorites More For the Rocket 88, Oldsmobile came up with a 303 cubic inch V8 capable of a maximum 135 hp and 283 lb-ft of torque. All 88 models received new grilles and revised taillights with drivetrains the same as 1977 except for the addition of the 350 Diesel V8 to the option list. "Aftermarket" is a term used to describe parts that are not made by the factory. The Delta 88 Royale trim, only available on a Holiday Coupe, was added as line-topper above the Delta 88 Custom. Air conditioning became an option. Other highlights for 1971 included a wrap-around instrument panel shared with Ninety-Eight and Toronado models (Toronados had a slightly smoother upper leading edge design) that was highlighted by a large square speedometer and all controls within easy reach of the driver, and a one-year only Flo-Through ventilation system that utilized vents in the trunklid. More rounded styling cues marked all 1967 Olds 88 models which received longer hoods and shorter decks and more sweeping fastback rooflines on 88 Holiday coupes to emulate the styling of Olds' front-wheel-drive flagship, the Toronado. Like for the previous model year, there were six body styles: a 2-door sedan, the Celebrity Sedan 4-door sedan, the Holiday Sedan 4-door hardtop, the Holiday Coupe 2-door hardtop, the Convertible Coupe drop-top and the Fiesta station wagon, available in both 2- and 3-seat models. It was also the final year for the Holiday hardtop coupes and sedans, along with the 455 Rocket V8 and the optional airbag system that would generally become universal on production cars and trucks some 15 years later. A fuel economy gauge was optional.[19]. Though the 88 sedans and coupes were downsized and switched to front-drive for 1986, the Custom Cruiser station wagons would continue virtually unchanged through the 1990 model year, and eventually become the only Oldsmobile model powered by an Oldsmobile Rocket V8 engine, for which production ended in 1990 after 42 years. The featured car in the ad was a red Delta 88 Royale rag top. Starting with that 1949 "Rocket 88" model, Oldsmobile highlighted the image of performance at a time when their body designs were very similar to low-priced Chevrolets and other GM models. [18] The Olds engine returned later in the model year. The interior day/night auto-dimming mirror was linked to the outside mirror and dimmed both with the same intensity at the same time. $4.00 shipping. All other engines except the now-discontinued 403 were carried over from 1979. The engine design for the Rocket 88 came from GM’s chief researcher, Charles Kettering. This system was the forerunner of today's OBD-II which is standard on all cars sold in the United States. Mostly original. A new option for all senior Oldsmobiles (88, Ninety-Eight and the new front-drive Toronado) was GM's automatic Comfortron Air Conditioning system first introduced by Cadillac in 1964. These cars also sported round dash vents for the delivery of A/C airflow. The name was more commonly shown as numerals in the earlier years ("Delta 88", for example) and was changed to spell out "Eighty Eight" starting in 1989. Styling highlights included new grille inserts and red and amber taillights replacing the red lenses. Both the 350 and 455 two-barrel Rocket V8 engines were designed to use regular gasoline while the optional 350 and 455 four-barrel carburated "Ultra High Compression" Super Rocket V8s required premium fuel. With the large, high performance V8, the Oldsmobile 88 is considered by some to be the first muscle car, although this title is disputed. New option this year was a wiper/washer switch mounted in the shift lever knob. When it came out in 1949, it introduced one of the first postwar overhead valve V-8 designs, the famous “Rocket” V-8. The 1949 model was equipped with an ignition key and a starter push-button to engage the starter. The 88 now outsold the six-cylinder 76 lineup, which was dropped entirely after the 1950 model year. GM settled with some Oldsmobile owners by offering them warranty extensions for the Chevrolet-engined Oldsmobiles, or the option of returning those cars in exchange for an Oldsmobile with a genuine Rocket V8. Oldsmobile was also way ahead of other middle-priced competitors such as sister division Pontiac, Mercury, Dodge and Chrysler, along with Ford Motor Company's all-new and ill-fated Edsel, and Chrysler Corporation's DeSoto - the latter two nameplates of which would fade into oblivion within the next three years. Inside, headrests were now standard equipment and a new instrument panel included square instruments replacing the round instruments of previous years along with a push-button operated ashtray and rotary glove compartment knob, as well as heating/air conditioning controls relocated from the center of the dash to the left of the steering wheel near the lights and wiper switches. The new three-speed Turbo Hydramatic transmission with torque converter replaced the Roto Hydramatic used since 1961. A larger, 394 cubic-inch Rocket V8 with four-barrel carburation rated at 315 hp (235 kW) was standard on the Super 88. New to the engine lineup was the 307 cu in (5.0 L) Rocket V8 with four-barrel carburetor and 150 horsepower (112 kW). For 1972, the Delta Custom series was dropped and the Royale series was expanded to include four-door Town and Holiday sedans. 1999: Last year for both Eighty Eight and LSS models. The Eight Eight LSS returned with better factory promotion of its sporty option package that included: Bucket seats (a pair of right-hand halves of the standard 60/40 split bench seat), steering wheel audio and HVAC controls, floor shifter and center console (borrowed from the previous generation Pontiac Bonneville SSE) in the interior, and full instrumentation for the dash. This page was last edited on 11 January 2021, at 05:15. This model featured a more economical Rocket V8 than its more expensive linemates – a de-tuned 265 hp (198 kW) version of the 371 cubic-inch Rocket V8 with two-barrel carburation. "[3] This led to increased sales to the public. It was available as a pillared four-door Town Sedan, two-door and four-door Holiday hardtops and a convertible. The 1982 model year saw only minor trim changes for Delta 88, Royale and Royale Brougham models. This happens twice in case the driver misses the warning the first time; every alert also has a corresponding light on the instrument cluster. Power comes froma 401ci NailheadV8 paired with a 2-speed automatic transmission. This 1964 Buick Wildcat convertible has spent the majority of its life in Florida and is finished in white over a red vinyl interior. Only minor changes marked the 1985 model, which was in its last year before a major downsizing and conversion to front-wheel-drive. From 1960 to 1963, production per model (Super or Dynamic) and seating capacity (six or nine passenger) never broke 15,000 units. Oldsmobile's new 403 was the top engine option and came with a THM350 transmission. It was based on the Super 88 ragtop and featured leather bucket seats, center console with floor shifter for the Hydra-matic transmission (incidentally the first U.S. full-sized production car to feature an automatic transmission with a console-mounted floor shifter) and many other standard items such as power steering, brakes, windows and driver's seat. $99.99. All 88s featured an all-new instrument panel with a horizontal sweep speedometer and heater/air conditioning controls moved to the center of the dash above the radio from the left side of the dash, and continued with the "Message Center" bank of warning lights. 1955 Oldsmobile Chrome Hood Emblem Auto Car Decor . The Powerful Olds 88 did well in races and became an instant hit with the public, even prompting a song called "Rocket 88." 1955 Oldsmobile Rocket 88. The Delmont featured the 330 V8 as standard and the 425 V8 as an option in 1967 and the new stroked "Rocket 455" version of the same engine in 1968. 1998: Last year for the Regency which kept the old "Rocket" logo. Dynamic 88s received aqua dashboard panel inserts with "OLDSMOBILE" lettering, while Super 88s received panels with that model's nomenclature on the insert. Please stop the engine and consult the owner's manual! A driver's side electrochromic outside mirror was also standard on the Regency, a feature that even Cadillac didn't offer as standard equipment. At mid-year, a sporty and luxurious convertible called the Oldsmobile Starfire was introduced. This is a ground up build. It has the original black paint. Add to Favorites More. Additional equipment consists ofpower steering,four-wheeldisc brakes, and new Michelin tires over Cragar SS wheels. Shop millions of cars from over 21,000 dealers and find the perfect car. The song was a hymn of praise to the joys of the Oldsmobile "Rocket 88" automobile which had recently been introduced, and was based on the 1947 song "Cadillac Boogie" by Jimmy Liggins. The golden Oldsmobile F-88 was a show stopper at the General Motors Motorama in 1954. Taking a look on top of the steering wheel one will notice the transmissio… It was the last year for the 403 V8 as federal fuel-economy mandates spelled the end of larger engines in order to meet those requirements. 895 likes. A few NASCAR teams built racecars with 1986 Delta 88 Royale sheetmetal and ran them on the circuit in the 86–88 seasons, but only one victory (with Terry Labonte) was scored. Equipment includes a replacementconvertible top, power steering andbrakes, and air conditioning. Other full-sized Oldsmobile model lines included the low-priced Jetstar 88, the volume-selling Dynamic 88, sporty Jetstar I and the sporty and luxurious Starfire, all riding on a 123-inch (3,124 mm) wheelbase. (upon turning off the car with the headlights on) A light would also appear on the dash. DID YOU KNOW? Free shipping. All models were renamed from, 1997: An upscale, "fully loaded" version of the Eighty-Eight was introduced as the. For 1968, the overall design was a carryover. Oddly, Oldsmobile teamed the 345 hp (257 kW) Rocket engine with a very unsuitable transmission in the Jetstar I, the Jetaway (Super Turbine 300) two-speed unit with "switch pitch" converter. The basic Frigidaire air conditioning unit offered in previous years continued as before and becoming an increasingly popular option on full-sized Oldsmobiles. However, the only badging was an "88" underneath each taillight. Naming conventions used by GM since the 1910s for all divisions used alphanumeric designations that changed every year. It reached its maximum size in 1974 at an astounding 226.9-inch (5,763 mm) in length. [2], The 1955 models were heavily facelifted with new grillework, taillights and body-side chrome. OLDS VS. CADILLAC. The temporary loss of Hydra-Matic production led Oldsmobile to build thousands of its 1953 models with Buick's two-speed Dynaflow automatic transmissions until GM pressed its Willow Run Transmission plant into service to resume Hydra-Matic production. Inside, an oval speedometer replaced the round unit and a new foot-operated parking brake replaced the previous T-handle unit. For 1956, styling highlights included a new split grille in front and revised taillights and deck along with revised side chroming. Set an alert to be notified of new listings. The Delta 88 Royale ragtop was again the only convertible offered by Olds. The model range during this time was the Eighty Eight Royale and more upscale Eighty Eight Royale Brougham. It is important to note, however, early LSS models (1995) were rarely equipped with the 3800 Supercharged engine. The 88 enjoyed great success, inspiring a popular 1950s slogan, "Make a Date with a Rocket 88", and also a song, "Rocket 88", often considered the first rock and roll record. All other engines including the Buick 231 V6 and Oldsmobile 260 and 307 Rocket V8s were continued. Downsized in 1977, became front-wheel-drive in 1986. This 1956 Mercury Montclair hardtop coupe is an older restoration finished in two-tone Classic White over Persimmon. Free shipping. [28], The Guidestar system was based upon the preceding TravTek GPS that Oldsmobile developed in conjunction with Avis Rent a Car and AAA, which was tested in the 1990 through 1992 Toronado Trofeo. ROCKET RACING BLOCK $1,895.00 1955 Oldsmobile Chrome Hood Emblem Auto Car Decor . The Super 88 continued as the upscale mid-line series. Oldsmobile marketing continued to use the trade names of "Roto-matic Power Steering" and "Pedal-eeze Power Brakes". Pushing the starter button would engage the starter, but if the ignition key was not inserted, unlocking the ignition, the car would not start. The Oldsmobile 88 (marketed from 1989 on as the Eighty Eight) is a full-size car that was sold and produced by Oldsmobile from 1949 until 1999. 1974 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Owners Manual Eighty Eight Ninety. Top option was the 390 hp (291 kW) version of the four-barrel 455 V8 designed to run on 98 RON octane fuel available in all Delta 88 models as the W-33 option. The division introduced a new Vista Cruiser wagon in mid-1964 that featured a raised roofline and skylights over the rear seat and cargo area. [4] Hershel McGriff and Ray Elliot won with the 1950 model won the 1950 Carrera Panamericana. It came standard with a more luxurious interior featuring a notchback vinyl upholstered bench seat with armrest or Strato bucket seats with optional center console. The four-door Oldsmobile 88 Holiday, along with the four-door 98 Holiday, Buick Century Riviera, and Special Riviera, were the first four-door hardtops ever produced. 1962 Starfires received two oval lights per side, much like the concurrent Oldsmobile Ninety-Eight models. The LSS was originally a trim level package on the 88 starting in 1992. For 1986, the Delta 88 Royale switched platforms from the GM B platform to the smaller front-wheel drive H platform, with a wheelbase of 110.8 inches (2,814 mm). At the bottom of the rear quarters, a "skeg"—a downward fin—jutted outboard to counterbalance the rearward point of the quarter panel. The Jetstar 88 didn't offer a station wagon. Series models for 1971 included the base Delta 88, Delta 88 Custom and Delta 88 Royale, the latter inheriting the convertible body style previously offered on the base Delta 88. GET IT SHIPPED Free Auto Shipping Quote: 1949 Oldsmobile 88 rocket coupe the first real muscle car. The suspension tuning, interior appointments, and certain exterior trim was used to differentiate the three models. It was named to complement the already-existing 76 and 98. 1964 was the last for the Super 88 series, which was limited to the two four-door body styles—the Celebrity Sedan and Holiday Sedan. Vintage Oldsmobile Rocket 88 Emblem Photo Keychain Olds Rocket BullRunVintage. The new dash was highlighted with woodgrain trim. Mar 14, 2015 - Explore Marcus Havins's board "Oldsmobile rocket 88" on Pinterest. New options for 1967 included front disc brakes, stereo 8-track tape player and a Climate Combustion Control system for Rocket V8s designed to regulate carburetor air temperature, boost fuel economy, speed choke warm up and eliminate winter icing to permit easier starting and more efficient operation in cold weather. This engine, originally designed for the larger C-bodied and more luxurious 98 series, also replaced the straight-8 on the smaller B-bodied 78. buying and selling classic and collector vehicles. $4.50 shipping. Two-door hardtops were called "Holiday Scenicoupes," whereas four-door hardtops were called "Holiday Sport Sedans." Base models reverted to being simply called 88s after being designated as DeLuxe 88s for only one year and the Super 88 was once again the top series (beneath the larger 98). Oldsmobile’s first postwar engine was born during the UAW strike that shut down GM production from November 1945 through March 1946. Wheelbases were increased by one-inch to 124 inches (3.1 m). Only minor trim changes were made this year that included revised "waterfall" grilles in front and four-segment taillights in the rear. Though the 1969 models were extensively restyled, the basic 1965 chassis design and inner-body structure was retained along with the roofline on the pillared four-door Town sedans. Comfortron permitted the driver to automatically set a year-round temperature at a constant level. A 455 two-barrel rated at 310 hp (231 kW) was standard on the Delta 88/Custom and optional on the Delmont 88. However, the only badging was an "88" underneath each taillight. Inside the Oldsmobile was a typical 1950’s American sedan. $4.00 shipping. Classic 1950 Oldsmobile Rocket 88. Oldsmobile had some marketing successes naming the Starfire after a United States Air Force fighter Lockheed F-94 Starfire and tried the approach again, naming the Delta 88 after the Convair F-102 Delta Dagger. Changes to the greenhouse included new roof lines for the four-door Celebrity Sedan—which relinquished the panoramic rear window—and for the Holiday Coupe two-door hardtop, which received a new fashionable convertible-inspired roofline abandoning the "bubble-top" appearance. The Dynamic 88 debuted in 1958 and lasted through 1966 positioned as the entry level model below the Super 88. The 1954 Oldsmobile F-88 had a long, strange trip filled with mystery, myth, and motoramas. Morgantown, PA . In practice, however, it didn't work. [20] An Oldsmobile 260 was the base V8, followed by either a Chevrolet 350 (option code LM1) or Oldsmobile 350 (option code L34). With the large, high performance v8, the oldsmobile 88 is widely considered to be the first muscle car, although this title is disputed. Other changes included a revised instrument panel and a slimmer transmission tunnel for improved interior space. The styling was advertised by Olds as the "Mobile Look." The use of a Chevrolet engine caused a situation known as the "Chevy-mobile" affair. As mundane as it sounds now, overhead engine valves were advanced in their day the same way active fuel management may be … All Oldsmobiles featured the "speed bar" speedometer. Referred to as "The Classic" by the filmmaker, the car originally belonged to his parents and has made an appearance in the Evil Dead trilogy, his Spider-Man films with Tobey Maguire, and Drag Me To Hell.[16].