Established in 1949 and manufactured until 1999, the Oldsmobile 88 boasts one of the brand’s most enduring and recognizable names. From 1950 until 1974, it was the most lucrative line for the firm and was well-known for its luxurious features and smooth ride. However, the 88 was also a very good performer in its day.
The nameplate has a very strong racing connection. The 88, which had the then-new Rocket V8 engine and was lighter and smaller than the 98, won the NASCAR title in 1949 and 1950. Prior to Hudson introducing the Hornet, it also enjoyed a successful run in 1951.
Later in the 1950s, Oldsmobile created the J-2, a 371-cubic-inch (6.1-liter) V8 with a trio of Rochester carburetors. Rated at 300 horsepower, the lump was designed specifically for NASCAR duty but saw little action at the oval track due to the series’ ban on multiple carburation in mid-1957. Not surprisingly, the 88 was also the car of choice for many drag racers in the 1950s and 1960s.
This abandoned 1955 Super 88 is one of those unique Oldsmobiles. It is a four-door sedan, which is a body type we hardly ever see at the drag strip. Regarding its career, the 88’s history is a little hazy, but according to the vendor, it was campaigned in the Northeast during the 1960s and 1970s, primarily at Connecticut Dragway.
It competed in the K/Stock Automatic class, and judging by the labels on the back side windows, it won at least thirty-one NHRA class championships. And even when it comes to local competitions, that’s nothing to laugh at for a four-door Olds.
Unfortunately, the end of its racing career also marked the end of its life as a road-going vehicle. The car was parked in 1983 and hasn’t been revived since. It spent about 30 years inside and another ten years out in the open, and it shows. While it’s still in one piece, which is downright amazing, the 88 is rusty, and the interior is rough. Moreover, the engine and the transmission are out of the vehicle and need a complete overhaul.
The V8 engine still turns freely, though. Moreover, it comes with a few period upgrades, including a Mallory distributor and custom-made headers by Tubular Automotive. Most likely a 324-cubic-inch (5.3-liter) “Rocket” V8, the powerplant was bored .060 over. Other than that, the mill is stock as per NHRA rules at the time.
Purchased by the current owner for restoration, the 88 has to go due to lack of time. The Super 88 dragster is part of a bundle that includes another 1955 Olds 88. It’s also a four-door sedan, in better condition, and still runs and drives. It’s a solid donor for the Super 88, but, as the seller points out, it could also be finished in a similar color and used as a tow car.