So you found the charm of today’s Plymouth appealing, but can’t let go of the sub-100 horsepower figure? Well, there’s an answer for you – the Olds 88, with its 303ci V8 engine producing 50 more horsepower, for a total of 145hp. The V8 engine was a contributor to Oldsmobile’s image as a manufacturer of performance cars, and the 88 was a NASCAR winner, in addition to winning the 1950 Carrera Panamericana. 1950 was also the first year for a full (not split) windshield, and the whole car was new the previous year. Check out this 1950 Oldsmobile 88 for sale for $4000 in Grande Ronde, OR.
While the seller suggests restoration, this car looks to be in pretty decent shape. This car predates the truly excessive chroming of cars, and though it has fairly bulky trim, the lines are simple and not fussy. The air intakes, real or not, add visual interest to the front end, and no doubt GM’s marketing department had some clever name for them like air-o-matic or jet-flow intakes.
The car is said to run and drive, and to be all original, and the color certainly suits it well. However, the seller does not give many more details. On the plus side, this pale blue-green color should reveal any significant rust, even in these photos, and all the trim looks to be present. The rear is a little fussier than the front, but you do get that fantastic 88 badge with the rocket shooting through it. As with the Plymouth, this car appears to have the classic blue-on-yellow Oregon plates.
The interior looks well-kept, although those might be seat covers hiding damaged original upholstery. The feeling behind the wheel must be like driving a bus – upright windshield, large steering wheel, and only a couple of gauges. What would you do with it? Some Carrera-style upgrades could make this into a fun vintage rally car.
Tags: 88, american, Feature, oldsmobile, sedan
Rusty But Trusty 
August 16, 2014 at 7:53 am |
This car’s got a V8 and a Hydra-matic so it should be considerably snappier then the Plymouth. The color is pretty great too. This one is also a good deal for a Sunday driver if it’s not rusty and rat chewed. Neither this or the Plymouth has enough upside value to pour real money into.