I recently acquired a 1955 Olds 98 hardtop. I'm new to the Olds marque and was wondering if somebody could "edu-ma-kate" me on the differnces between the 88 and 98. The car I bought has an Oldsmobile Rocket motor (???ci.). I think it's a 324ci Rocket, 4-wheel disks, power windows, seats, and antenna. Also, what's a Super and Rocket 88/98?? Any help would be greatly appreciated. I've been involved in the car hobby for about 17 years, but I've never owned an Olds. My father had a Toronado when I was a kid and I fondly remember what a sweet smooth driver it was. I can't wait to get my hands dirty on my 98!!

 

Sounds like a pretty awsome car. Welcome to Oldsmobile. I have found that there isn't much difference between the 88 and 98. The 98 was a bit bigger in some model years, generally had a larger engine in the base line model, and was loaded with more options.

I personally like the 98

 

read what I wrote in the post linked below. It will help out.

https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...need-help.html

 

All '55 Olds used 324 inch V8s, with two power levels. Someone else can post the HP ratings.

Lower one (2 barrel carb) was used in the 88, and the higher (4 barrel) in the Super 88 and 98.

"Rocket" was nothing but a a marketing term for the engines, and had nothing to do with the cars.

Norm

 

Thanks for the link Oldsguy! The information is priceless. I'm really getting into the 98 and greatly appreciate any assisstance!!

 

By 1957 the super 88 was much lighter than the 98 and they both shared the same engine although the j 2 option was a multiple carb. option with more horse power.

 

Welcome. You do realize that this thread is from 2007 and the person who asked the question hasn't logged back into this site in 13 years, right?

 

How do you define "much?" According to the data in Setting the Pace, the lightest '57 Super 88, the 2-door sedan, had a curb weight of 4,164 lbs, and the heaviest non-station wagon Super 88, the convertible, weighed 4,445 lbs. The lightest '57 98 was the 4-door sedan, weighing 4,450 lbs, was only 5 lbs heavier than the Super 88 convertible. The heaviest 98 was the convertible, weighing 4,747 lbs.

So, yes, 98s were heavier, in general, than 88s, but not by very much in most cases. Overall, Super 88s averaged about 4,200 lbs and 98s averaged about 4,500 lbs, a difference of less than 10%.

 

Closer to 400 lbs difference, 1957 98 hardtop coup curb wt. was 4710 lbs while the 88 super hardtop coup curb wt. was 4340 lbs. and performance and economy made a big difference . And yes I did own one !

 

Seems to me you would need to own two (one each) in order to make a personal comparison between them. Owning "one" gives you one data point.

 

Heavy car =better ride, lighter car = better performance & mpg. If one lived in Kansas or like state ,not much difference in driving comfort and performance , but in the hills & mountains of the Northeast , the lighter car was more fun to drive and drag race .

 

On the pock-marked pavement of the Northeast, the heavier car with the longer wheelbase will be more fun to ride in.

 

Our roads were still very good back in the 60's , now they are horrible , PennDOT loves to tar & chip the local roads and we have one of the highest gas tax of them all.