Whats the difference between the 88 and Super 88 Series?

Thanks!

 

Super 88 - 88 = Super

 

I'm not shure about 1957, but on 1955 the difference is a 4bbl and trim badging. I have never seen a non super that had a 4bb carb but most any rule could be broken when you could special order any thing you wanted on your car.

 

First off, calling it simply "88" is not correct. According to "Setting the Pace," there were two 88 series in 1957, the lower-end "Golden Rocket 88" and the higher-end "Super 88." The book doesn't get specific on the differences, so I would assume that it was basically trim and standard equipment. Both could have been had in the same seven body styles (2-door sedan, 4-door sedan, 2-door coupe, 4-door coupe, 2- and 4-door station wagons-the Fiesta, and convertible).

The price differences between the two series was about $250 across body styles. For example, the lowest-cost Golden Rocket 88, the 2-door sedan, cost $2,713. The lowest-cost Super 88, also the 2-door sedan, cost $2,948, a difference of $235. The highest cost in each series, the convertible, differed in price by $265 ($3,162 vs. $3,427).

As far as engines, it didn't matter at all. Any Golden Rocket 88, Super 88, or 98 could have been had with one of two versions of the 371 cubic-inch V-8, which was new for that year. The "standard" version was 277 HP, and the "J-2" version (three 2-bbl carburetors), introduced mid-way through the '57 model year, was 300 HP (and it was, apparently, a near constant effort to keep the tri-carb system functioning properly).

 

This is probably not complete but here are the differences I'm aware of between the Super 88 and Golden Rocket 88:
-Chrome drip rails vs. painted
-"Flippers" above the doors on 2 door hardtops
-Chrome panels between the taillights and bumper vs. painted with 88 emblems
-Different taillight lenses including fancier chrome with bullet
-Super 88 emblem on the front fenders
-Color accent is different, extending further forward along the base of the window to the back edge of the windshield
-More padding and fancier seat upholstery (leather in the convertible)
-Exposed headliner chrome bows on hardtops
-Fancier door panels with integral armrests
-Additional standard equipment, including: padded dash, emergency brake warning light, and dual exhaust

 

That's a pretty good list. As I said, though, most of these are just chrome and trim upgrades. They're the same basic car underneath.

I am a bit confused about the last thing on your list. In 1957, an oil filter did not come standard on all engines?

 

Sorry, brain fart, too many cars in my mental database - all 57 Oldsmobiles had an oil filter. I fixed the list.

Cheers

 

Perhaps NMCarNut meant "oil bath air filter". I was just looking at my manual today and it references 2 types of air filters available for '57.