1951 Oldsmobile Super 88 Convertible Description

1951 Oldsmobile Super 88 Convertible

Professional frame-on restoration Chariot Red exterior with white power top and red leather interior 303 CID Rocket V-8 engine with two-barrel carburetor (135 hp) with dual exhaust Turbo Hydramatic three-speed automatic transmission Converted to a 12-volt electrical system Clock in steering wheel and dash-mounted compass with light Documentation includes owner’s manual, an October 1987 “Cars & Parts” article on a similar example, original compass instructions and part of its box

Meet a survivor from those heady post-World War II days of prosperity and plenty. MotoeXotica Classic Cars is proud to present this 1951 Oldsmobile Super 88 Convertible. A professional frame-on restoration project, the main selling point in 1951 was the new Rocket V-8 engine, which replaced the long-running inline six of previous years.

Presented in Chariot Red with a white power convertible top, the car’s paint is excellent with a brilliant luster. Likewise, the glass panes are in great condition. The vehicle’s lights are haze-free and intact and it rolls on Coker Classic whitewall tires, sized 215/75R15 with Olds hubcaps, which are as shiny as the car’s bumpers. The body panels are all straight and the white top is brilliant.

Inside are red stretch leather seats over tan carpeting. The seats look fantastic and contrast nicely with the carpeting. The red metal dashboard looks great and features a couple of surprises, a clock in the steering wheel and a dash-mounted compass with a light. There is also an AM radio in the dash. Unfortunately, after the car’s electrical system was converted to 12-volts, the radio became inoperable. The big, three-spoke steering wheel with its silver trim ring looks great and the door panels blend with the rest of the interior’s theme.

In 2015, the car received new brake shoes and two new hydraulic pumps were installed for the convertible top.

Oldsmobile introduced the 88 badge in 1949. It was named to complement the already-existing 76 and98, and took the place of the straight-8 engined 78 in the model lineup. The new car used the same new Futuramic B-body platform as the straight-6 engined 76 but paired it with the powerful new Rocket V8 engine. This combination of a relatively small light body and large, powerful engine made it widely considered to be the first muscle car. The Rocket 88 vaulted Oldsmobile from a somewhat staid, conservative car to a performer that became the one to beat on the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) circuits. It won six of the nine NASCAR late-model division races in 1949, 10 of 19 in 1950, 20 of 41 in 1952 and was eventually eclipsed by the low-slung, powerful Hudson Hornet, but it was still the first real “King of NASCAR.” This led to increased sales to the public. There was a pent-up demand for new cars in the fast-expanding post-World War II economy and the 88 appealed to many ex-military personnel who were young and had operated powerful military equipment.

Also new for 1951 was the more upscale Super 88 line on the new GM B-body, which included restyled rear body panels, a more luxurious interior and a slightly longer 120-inch wheelbase as opposed to the 119.5-inch wheelbase which had been standard since the 88’s introduction. New was an I-beam frame. Standard features included a cigarette lighter, bumper guards, stainless steel moldings, a dome light and lined trunk and rubber floor mats. Options included stainless steel gravel shields, rear ash tray and foam seat cushions, power windows and power seats.

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. Starting with the trunk-lid emblem of the 1950 model, Oldsmobile would adopt the rocket as its logo, and the 88 name would remain in the Olds lineup until the late 1990s, almost until the end of Oldsmobile itself.

Documentation includes owner’s manual, an October 1987 “Cars & Parts” article on a similar example, original compass instructions and part of its box. GET OUT AND DRIVE!!!

Competition to this Oldsmobile in 1951 include Buick’s Series 50 Super Dynaflow Convertible, Mercury’s Merc-O-Matic Convertible and DeSoto’s Custom Convertible Coupe.

This car is currently located at our facility in St. Louis, Missouri. Current mileage on the odometer shows 48,312 miles. It is sold as is, where is, on a clean and clear title.

VIN: 518K17746

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