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All Super 88 were 4-bbl carb. I think the 88 could have Jetaway (PNDSLR) but the old slant-pan hydro (N Dr S Lo R) was the default automatic in them. Most old-timers think the slant-pan is the better of the two.

Best way is by the VIN or data plate. 88 VIN starts with 567 and Super 88 is 568. Supers had fancier trim and a little extra brightwork.

 

Thanks.I remember when my father bought a showroom condition 1956 s88 in 1966,came with a plain 88 owners manual and a showroom book ( I still have it) showing all the cars int and ext photos,pretty cool,always been an olds guy.

 

As far as I know all 54 55 56 olds came with auto transmissions that read N D S 1 R . reverse is park (locks up the transmission when the key is off).All supers also had 4bbl carbs, but I think you could special order a regular 88 with a 4bbl. On all 55s, Don't remember on 56s, there is special badging on boath front quarters with 88 on them that denotes super...... Tedd

 

According to "Setting the Pace," the standard engine on a 1956 88 was a 324 cubic-inch, 230 hp overhead valve V8. Optional was a 240 hp version. For the Super 88 and 98, the standard engine was the 240 hp version. The book doesn't say which came with which carb or what was done to give it that extra 10 hp.

 

This is true my 56 was originally an 88 and came with a 4 barrel, now if someone changed it along the way is a different story. As for the transmission there's three types stick, hydramatic, and jetaway hydramatic, this could be ordered on any model. See the hydramatic and Jetway hydramatic clusters I have

As for the original question I think(don't quote me on this) S88 was just a way to get the people who couldn't afford a 98 the power and luxury in an 88 chassis. Same horsepower as 98 and chrome that went up the doors and more standard options like power brakes and steering

BTW 56 owners check out my new thread (trying to get us organized)
https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...owners-ck.html

 

Well, I must say I learned something here. 1956 is when the 4-speed Jetaway Hydra-Matic was introduced. I thought this was the only Hydra-Matic used in 1956, but the pics of the instrument clusters and discusion around NDSLR vs PNDSLR caused me to do some research in the 1956 Service Manual.

It states in Section 1 - General Information: "The 1956 "88" series will continue to use the 1955 Hydra-Matic transmission." The '55 Hydra-Matic was 4-speed, the "original" Hydra-Matic introduced in 1939, but with many improvements and refinements. I don't ever remember this (which probably only means I'm getting old ;-) ... but I suspect they only used the '55 Hydra-Matic until they could get production up on the new 4-speed Jetaway. So I'm guessing the '55 Hydra-Matic was probably phased out and used only in early production 88's, but I have no confirmation of this.

The new Jetaway was much improved in the sense of having much much smoother shifts, primarily due to the use of small, controllable (e.g. could be filled and emptied) fluid coupling in place of a multiple disk friction clutch to engage direct drive on the front plantary gearset. Filling a fluid coupling, in 2nd and 4th is a much much smoother shift than engaging a friction clutch.

The '56 Jetaway was a bit "buggy" and had a few problems, that eventually got resolved. The '57, '58 and later applications were good from what I recall.

In terms of durability, the old "slant pan" '55 Hydra-Matic was more rugged and durable. Best shift quality went to the Jetaway.

As far as differences between 88 and Super 88, as written above: same body & chassis, shorter wheelbase and overall length than the 98 ... but the Super 88 usually had the "98 engine": higher compression, premium fuel, 4bbl carburetor. And Super 88's are a little "dressier" ... more chrome and usually a nicer interior than the base 88, but not as nice as the 98. My grandfather started buying Super 88's in 1958 (every 5 years), because he "... got the same motor, saved money, only the trunk was a little shorter".

Clever way for Oldsmobile to hit three popular price/equipment points with minimal chassis/powertrain/trim combinations.

Jim

 

I have an original 56 Super 88, and it has a 2bbl. All numbers match, and it has 34,000 original miles. It has Power steering and power brakes which with the super were standard. I am the third owner of this car.

The only options it has is outside rear view mirror, Day/Night Rear view mirror, Backup Lights, radio, and a rear speaker with Reverb switch on the dash. It was built in November of 1955. It does not have the Jet-a-way, it has the Hydromatic that has no park. You can however put it in park by turning off the motor in neutral, and then putting it in reverse. This will lock the transmission, i.e. park. It is number 117 off the line for the 56 Model. The way to tell the difference right off is the trim. The most obvious is the trunk lid, (see attachment). The green Olds to the left is mine, and is a Super. The Blue Olds on the right belongs to someone else, and is a standard. Another trim difference is the fender badges (excluding Holiday) They will be an 88 symbol with a circle (super) and just an 88 Symbol (standard).

Rocketraider makes an excellent point by saying the best way is the VIN.

Jim.

 

Hi guys, i can add some more info if you want
Pardon my English, hope you understand what I mean J

Difference between S88 and 88

Exterior:

The s88 have the rocket emblem on the left side of the trunk lid, the 88 don’t have it at all. The trunk emblem on s88 is longer and with two extra “strips” vertically, the 88 is shorter and don’t have the extra “strips”

The 88 had dog dishes, the s88 had the full ones with the circles inside (hope you know what I mean)

Regarding the trim see the pic i found on the internet sometime ago

Interior: The interior in the s88 where of to my knowledge at least two, maybe three different types, one had aluminium panels on the door panels, the other one had turning thin moulding dividing a area that sometimes had a different color of the vinyl.

The 88 had vinyl instead of the aluminium panels.

The cloth in the seat where offwhite with color matching dots in it, the s88 had fancier looking brocade type.

The inner door handles also differed, the 88 had ordinary vinyl handles, but the S88 had a integrated- wit-h the-door side-type.

The 88 had plastic color matched plastic ***** on the window handles, the s88 had chromed

The 88 had painted interior window mouldings, the s88 where stainless steel ones.
The ashtray in the back of the front seat was painted in the 88, the s88 was chromed

The headlining in the s88 had chromed bars, the 88 had not.

The 88 had a black background in the clock (id it had a clock) the others had chromed background.

The S88 should all have the 4bbl, only the 88 had the 2bbl carb.

The hydramatic was only used on the 88, the S88 had the Jetaway

Surely I forgot something, if you know something more please post it!

 

The only things I disagree with are the carburator and the transmission. The Jetaway hydramatic was used on later model 56s and has nothing to do with trim level. Also the carburator, I think you could special order the 4bbl or 2bbl on 88s and S88s

 

Yes, this is certainly true about the trans and carbs, the things i wrote normally apply as standard equippment, my 88 is equipped with the 4 bbl carb and was probably built this way.

 

Mine was too a 4 bbl, btw just noticed the clock difference, thanks. The one I had in my car was a blacked out one. Also had an extra one with the stainless face, never noticed they were different. So the stainless is definatly going in the car