1956 Oldsmobile 88 Rocket

1956 Oldsmobile 88 Rocket

The engine design for the Rocket 88 came from GM's chief researcher, Charles Kettering. He saw the potential in an engine design offering increased compression. 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. The overhead valve engine concept offered both power and efficiency, with an improvement in fuel economy (estimated at about 10 percent better than prior engine designs).

For consignment a Rocket design Oldsmobile 88. Split bass mouth front grille, two tone paint, swoop spear and futuristic taillights, these are just a few of the forward-looking features seen on this car. The interior is also beautifully designed utilizing the oval and of course plenty of chrome and painted steel...all the modern conveniences at the touch of a button...It's definitely 1956 rocketing towards the future...hang on!

ExteriorNordic Blue and Cirrus Blue fight for your attention on the straight steel panels of this car. With the Cirrus Blue covering the front two thirds of this car, for the hood, roof, and front quarter panel and half of the door. A shiny trim spear breaks the line between the Cirrus Blue and the darker Nordic Blue which covers the beginnings of the rear quarter, below the belt line on the doors, and the entire trunk and back of the car. Up front the bass mouth grille with its central post new for 1956 is in presentable condition with an easily spotable rust hole on the bottom driver's side. The grille is in the same condition sans the rust hole. The glass trimmings are all shiny and nice, and the massive rear bumper shows some dulling. Trunk badging is near perfect. Rocket nose red taillights are at either end of the rear fins and have a shiny bezel in front of them next to the metal. The rear backup lights are formed in the fender metal and are also round. For all 4 corners we note machined shiny disc wheel covers wrapped in wide whites.

InteriorNot unlike the exterior, the door panels and seats are making use of the two-tone tuck and roll white vinyl above a smooth stitched blue vinyl lower panel. Sills are the Nordic Blue, as is the dash, which swoops between these snazzy door panels in front of the passenger area. The original dash is beautiful in its oval design splendor, dripping with chrome bezels and a central connecting horizontal shaped bar with vertical strips housing the radio and dual flip out ashtrays. Below is a white painted vertical "tuck and roll" metal style glovebox centrally located and bottoming off this gorgeous space age with star constellations dash. Seating is dual benches, the front being split with blue inserts and into the back with a V format design, and white bolsters surrounding. This is the same for the rear bench, and all this blue lines up with the blue on the door panels...snazzy baby. A dark blue, clean carpet floods the front and rear floors, and a pristine clean whitey tightey headliner floats above all this 50's styling.

DrivetrainThe original but very clean and nicely patinaed engine which is in 324ci V8 form. Green Rocket 88 valve covers and an oil bath air cleaner protecting a 4-barrel carburetor below. On back is a Jet-A-Way Hydramatic 4-speed automatic transmission, and this pushes power rearward to a 3.41 gear ratio rear axle. All original drivetrain here boys and girls.

UndercarriageThe big X frame and suspension parts and driveshaft with the pumpkin are all solid and rust free. Some heavy surface rust is noted on the floor pans and rockers and even invasive rust somewhat fixed with fiberglass is noted on the spare tire well underneath next to the gas tank. Independent front suspension is seen and rear leaf spring suspension as well as all wheel drum brakes are on this car.

Drive-AbilityShe drives like a dream with a quick start, a cloud like suspension, decent handling for a large steel slabbed car, and good acceleration for entering the superhighway. Brakes were good and noted the heater blower and the radio were in-operable. All else was clean and working, or otherwise covered with stars.

Some patina on this car, but an overall beautiful example with great color, shiny trimmings, a rocket futuristic interior, and a healthy Rocket 88 V8, all original to this car. Blast off into your future with this beautiful collectible Oldsmobile which easily could have been your father's or Grandfather's Oldsmobile...the ads said so!

VIN DECODE567K1510756-19567-88 SeriesK-Kansas City, MO Assy Plant15107-Sequential Unit Number

TRIM TAGSTYLE 56 3637-1956 Holiday CoupeBODY BK4157-Kansas City Body #TRIM 368-Medium BluePAINT S42 40-Nordic Blue & Cirrus Blue

Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 600 vehicles for sale with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle barn find collection is on display.This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.