1953 Oldsmobile Super 88 4 Door on 2040-cars

This is a great example of a 1953 Oldsmobile Super 88 four-door sedan with power steering, Hydra-Matic drive and the fabled Olds “Rocket” V-8. This car is no show car, but it is a terrific “10-footer.” There are a few paint chips and a few small pitted pieces of trim, shown in the photos, but by and large, this is an outstanding looking vehicle. The car has been repainted at some point in its original color combination. It’s a fine paint job, but not flawless. 

The Olds has been serviced professionally by Bladboyz Muscle Cars in Dayton, Ohio, who performed the following work in 2012 and '13:

Complete rebuild of original 4-barrel carburetor,

Rebuilt starter motor,

Complete rebuild of Hydra-Matic transmission,

New neutral safety switch,

Gas tank removed, flushed and lined,

New electric in-line fuel pump and new fuel filter and fuel line installed,

Full tune-up of original 303 CID V-8 engine including new spark plugs, spark plug wires, distributor with electronic points, all fluids changed,

New engine and transmission mounts,

New rear shocks,

New windshield installed,

New rear passenger vent glass installed.

Additionally, Bladboyz installed a refurbished gauge cluster, and, as such, we are selling this car as “mileage unknown.” We believe that, if the original odometer was in the car when we purchased it, the car had just turned over 100,000 miles. If this is correct, our best guess is that the car has about 104,000 miles on it. Currently, there is less than 1,000 miles on the rebuilt transmission, which functions flawlessly. That said, if you’ve never owned a vehicle with Hydra-Matic before, don’t expect it to perform exactly as a modern automatic. Still, for gear heads, it’s a fascinating piece of machinery, and kept tuned, is likely to run forever.

 Due to a long-distance move, we’re selling off several classic cars. If we weren’t moving, we probably wouldn’t be entertaining the idea of getting rid of this particular Olds. WE MUST SELL THIS NOW!!

 One thing we haven’t gotten to yet is the interior. We have contacted a local upholsterer who has told us that the original fabric to reupholster the seats is available. The seats are fine as they are, but a car that runs like this one deserves an interior facelift. The seats should be reupholstered and the original floor covering — especially in the front  — is definitely in need of replacement. The original headliner is not sagging and is in very good condition.

 All of the interior window cranks and door locks work. The original tube radio works and plays without static and the clock works perfectly. All the lights work on the car, as does the heater fan, horn, windshield wipers and turn signals (though occasionally, the self-cancel does not catch — a common issue that’s so minor we’ve never bothered with it).

 When the engine and drivetrain were being worked on, the restorers tested the car and could find no evidence of filler. The only area of rust they could find was in the spare tire well in the trunk.

 The tires on the car are like new. We believe that restoration was begun on the car and then it was stored for a number of years before we purchased it and did significant work to the engine and drivetrain. We’ve discussed replacing the tires even though there’s no evidence of wear or dry rot because we believe the tires are 15-20 years old. (Also, we wanted an excuse to purchase wide whitewalls for the Olds rather than the thin ones it currently sports!) The flanges on one of the wheel covers are no longer tight and it tends to loosen easily. It should probably be replaced.

 This is a fun car to drive. It sits straight and runs true down the road, as you can see in the video. The Rocket V-8 has a satisfying rumble to it but we find that it’s really surprisingly quiet when running for a 60 year old vehicle. As is, it’s an excellent Sunday driver or boulevard cruiser. It absolutely turns heads now, but with a few dollars spent on the interior and some minor exterior cosmetics, it will be a stunning piece of machinery.

 If you have any questions, please send us an e-mail. We do welcome in-person inspections from serious bidders. The car is located in Richmond, Indiana.

 A $500 deposit via PayPal is required within 24 hours of the end of the auction. The balance is to be paid in cash or certified funds within 7 days of auction end. Indiana residents, please note that you may be required to pay sales and/or excise tax on the vehicle. Please contact the BMV. A clean Indiana title and bill of sale will be provided. In accordance with Indiana regulations, current plates will be removed from the vehicle at time of sale. Provision of plates for transport, if necessary, is the purchaser’s responsibility. No zero feedback inquiries, please.

 Vehicle is sold as-is, where-is. We believe we have represented the vehicle as accurately as possible in this ad. No warranty is expressed or implied. The seller shall not be responsible for the correct description, authenticity, genuineness, or defects herein, and makes no warranty in connection therewith. No allowance or set aside will be made on account of any incorrectness, imperfection, defect or damage. Any descriptions or representations are for identification purposes only and are not to be construed as a warranty of any type. It is the responsibility of the buyer to have thoroughly inspected the vehicle, and to have satisfied himself or herself as to the condition and value and to bid based upon that judgement solely. The seller shall and will make every reasonable effort to disclose any known defects associated with this vehicle at the buyer's request prior to the close of sale. Seller assumes no responsibility for any repairs regardless of any oral statements about the vehicle.

 Unless other arrangements are made prior to the end of the sale, the purchaser will remove the vehicle within 7 days of auction end. It is the seller’s responsibility to provide transport. We will appreciate good communication after auction end to facilitate a smooth transfer.

 Please see video of the car: 

http://youtu.be/NCt1fhKJurk