I'm looking at buying a 55 Olds Super 88 conv. Condition is very good and I can buy it for $45K.

I'm not an Olds guy but like this car.

How can I tell that it was a factory conv. and not modified to become one? Also, what else should I look for and does the price seem fair?

 

For $45,000 it should be a very nice car. It seems the market has softened on these cars. I just sold a very nice 50 88 convertible for $40,000. I think $45,000 is a little high. Pictures would help. Off the cuff I would say it should be closer to $35,000. Be sure and drive the car. The old hydramics can be cantankerous. Tedd will probably speak up since he has a 55 88 convertible.

 

The body data plate/cowl tag should have Style Number that ends in "67."

Example: ST 55-3nn67

Here is a web site that may help - http://www.oldsmobility.com/oldsmo/v....php?f=12&t=18

 

$45,000 could bee in the ball park or could be low as for for pricing but what has been done to it? Is this a complete restoration or just a a good looking driver, big difference in the cost of restorations of those two types. Does the owner have documentation for what has been done?

Hard to hide a hardtop that has been cut to look like a convertible to the experienced eye, there are to many dimensions that that can't be altered on a hard top to make a convertible , to me It's doubtful it's been altered, but the vin / or body trim number would tell for sure.

A short time ago a 54 Olds convertible (a comparable rare car ) sold at auction for I believe $45,000 and that was the lowest I've seen in a long time, It's hard to get a comparison because you are talking about a model that there are probably less than a hundred cars left to compare it with few reach the auction or are sold on the open market to get an average. An inspection, history and proof of what is done is paramount when buying a rare car. If you can please post a few good pictures I and others would love to see it ..Just my thoughts....Tedd