This 1957 Oldsmobile Super 88 J-2 Convertible is a beautifully restored, 50s convertible with fantastic luxury and performance-oriented options! Regardless of the manufacturer, it seems like every automaker had an absolutely gorgeous, and in many cases their most iconic, design for the 1957 model year. In 1957, Oldsmobile produced one of its most elegant designs in the GM marque's history. In the immediate few years following the end of World War II, America's automobile manufacturers were essentially releasing recycled pre-war designs and it wasn't until the late 40s that American manufacturers truly released their new post-war designs. For Oldsmobile, the GM marque kicked off its "Futuramic" style era in 1948 with this design motif, ultimately culminating in 1957. Up front, the chrome grille sported large recessed oval layout that was similar to the previous two years' designs and is seemingly a combination of the 1955 and 1956 grilles. New trim runs down the sides of the 1957 Olds, featuring a new painted accent stripe, straddled by chrome strips, and runs from the vent window down and out through the rear quarter panel. In the rear, a new larger taillight design caps off the truly iconic automobile design. In 1957, Oldsmobile offered three distinct series, the entry-level "Golden Rocket" 88, the sporty Super 88, and the premium "Starfire" 98. Both the sporty Super 88 and entry-level 88 series shared the same body shell and their 122" wheelbase, but the Super 88 came with a more highly-appointed interior and exterior, and it came with more standard features such as special trim and interior lights, among other items. Perhaps the most notable addition to Oldsmobile's lineup in 1957 was the introduction of the "J-2" induction system option comprised of a trifecta of dual-barrel carburetors (i.e. Tri-Power) that pushed the standard horsepower output from 277 to 300 on the J-2 equipped Oldsmobiles. The goal of the J-2 Tri-Power system was to improve Oldsmobile's performance on the NASCAR circuit however, NASCAR would ultimately ban multi-carburetor setups leaving the GM marque with only 5 Grand National wins before it pulled out of the racing circuit. Oldsmobile was America's 5th largest automaker in 1957 and it produced a total of 7,128 Super 88 Convertibles which makes this particular Super 88 quite a rare 50s cruiser. This particular example comes to us from from a southern museum where it spent its most recent years as a part of the esteemed collection. Powering this '57 Olds Super 88 is a recently rebuilt 371 Cubic Inch V8 engine fed by a "J-2 Rocket" induction Tri-Power system comprised of three dual-barrel carburetors and that was rated at 300 horsepower when new. The J-2 371 V8 is mated to a Hydra-Matic Automatic transmission that makes this '57 Oldsmobile an easy car for just about anybody to drive. Exhaust leaves this Rocket J-2 powerplant via a dual exhaust setup that exits through the bumper and creates a wonderful throaty sound in the rear. This 1957 Super 88 Convertible comes loaded with numerous desirable options! "Pedal-Ease" Power Brakes make bringing this 50s cruiser to a complete stop much easier, especially with all of that extra horsepower under the hood. With power steering, wrangling this '57 Olds Super 88 in and out of a tight space at the local car show or drive-in is an absolute breeze and the overall driving experience is greatly improved as well. The white vinyl power convertible top is in wonderful condition and it goes up and down with the simple flick of a switch. The driver's side spotlight is another tasteful addition, giving additional 50s flair to this classic Oldsmobile. Riding on a set of wide whitewall radial tires, each paired with a full wheelcover, this 1957 Olds Super 88 has a fantastic look and even better ride. The exterior of this '57 Oldsmobile Convertible has been correctly refinished in a tri-tone color scheme consisting of Festival Red and Alcan White with Black accents, completing the exterior look of the car. The interior of this 1957 Oldsmobile Super 88 Convertible is absolutely gorgeous! The front and rear bench seats have been reupholstered in White and Black two-tone leather. The white and black upholstered door panels, black carpeting, black padded dash, and steering wheel all appear to be in wonderful condition as well and all appear to retain a nice stock appearance. The interior of this Super 88 is also appointed with several terrific options! All four windows are power windows that go up and down with the simple flick of a switch. Sitting atop the dash is an Autronic Eye, which is another delightful option seen on the most luxurious GM cars of the day. The front bench seat is power adjustable as well so that you can be sure that you'll reach the pedals while cruising down the road. The instrument cluster comes equipped with a 120 MPH speedometer and fuel gauge, along with indicator lights for engine temperature and generator function. The dash is finished off with a Wonderbar AM radio, clock, and locking glovebox, along with several other controls for the vehicle's functions. A temperature gauge and oil pressure gauge have also been mounted neatly under the dash for improved insight into the engine's performance. Whether you're buying your very first classic car or you're adding to your existing collection with the finest 50s GM cruisers, this 1957 Oldsmobile Super 88 Convertible would make an excellent choice. Give Ellingson's a call today at 763-428-7337!
*371 Cu. In. V8 *J-2 3-Dual Barrel Carburetors *Hydra-Matic Automatic *Power Brakes *Power Steering *1 of 7,128 Produced *Correct Festival Red/Alcan White/Black Exterior *Black and White Leather Interior *White Vinyl Power Convertible Top *Power Windows & Seat *Stock Instrumentation *Odometer Reads: 10,687 Miles
