Talking with my neighbor, he saw me waxing my 57 olds and talking about how much he likes the 58 olds better..he likes mine but prefers the body style of the 58. I told him I use to have one and when I sold it everyone wanted to buy my 57 over the 58, the 58 was a tough looking and fast car. But in my opinion 57 has the edge

 

It is a matter of personal preference but I think many more people will prefer the 57 over the 58 unless they have a fetish for chrome. The 58 is my least favorite of all the Oldsmobiles of the 50's.

 

Too much gingerbread on the '58. Plus they took away that beautiful three piece backlite.

 

Boy there are both super cool cars. Forgive me if I wrong but was 58 the last year for a J-2? 58 may have been the last year. Ostentatious for sure. Gotta love them still.

 

My Dad owned a 57 and a 58. My my mother owned a 58 that I started to learning to drive with. I like them both, but parts to restore a 58 are few and hard to find. J-2 was only available in 1957 and 1958.

 

I used to check in on this old as the hills lady here in Denver. Like 1990-91.. I would sit with her. Talk about whatever's. There was 50 Oldsmobile coupe in front of a factory J-2 58. Super crazy old sitting cars. The 50 had a 73 plate. The 58 had a 74. She was left for the flies. I have pictures somewhere.
Crazy thing is my life 30+ years later I drive by the house daily.


She had a wooden wheel Olds in the garage that still had air in all four tires. Her husband was an old State Trooper. So were here son's. Didn't give an F about their Mom though. Sold her stuff off and walked away

 

So was 58 the last year for a J-2?

 

Yes it was. But they brought it back one more year in 1966

 

I will never forget that factory J-2 58. It sat for so many years. The fifty was cool too. Had the visor. Two door. Silver car. I am pretty sure the wooden wheel car in the garage was the last year Oldsmobile for wooden wheels. 38? Her husband was killed in the line of duty.

Like I said I have pictures somewhere. I drive by everyday taking my son to school. She has been long passed. Probably early nineties.

 

58 was an oddball year for all the manufacturers. It's like they all shot their wads in 57, and were trying to figure out what to do next.

 

For 66 the L69 Tri-Carb was a mid-year offering. December of 65 is the earliest car that I have seen with that option.

 

I prefer the 58 over the 57. As others have said, it's a personal preference. I'd love to do a frame-off restoration on an Oldsmobile someday. A 58 Super 88 Fiesta wagon would be a top contender if I could find one.

https://www.hemmings.com/stories/201...-station-wagon

 

Mecum has a beautiful 57 red and white 88 convertible with J2 coming up in their Houston auction next month. It is part of the Horton Collection from Justin, Texas. I have seen the car and it is stunning. Will bring big $$$$.They also have a red and white 56 98 convertible. Here is a link.

1957 Oldsmobile 88 Convertible | S127 | Houston 2023 (mecum.com)

 

My uncle had a green and white 58 olds super 88 with skirts and continental kit

 

I agree with you that the 57 has the edge. However, I would take the 58 because my Dad had a 1958-Ninety-Eight 2Dr Hardtop-Tropical Mist.
Other Olds’ that my father had would also be on my list such as his 55 Super 88 2Dr Hdtp-the 1st car that I remember; his 64 Dynamic 88 4dr Hdtp-the 1st car that I drove: his 68 Delta Custom 4dr Hdtp (Sapphire Blue)-Found one like it in 2009 and still own it!
My Dad did not own a 57 but whether it’s the Golden Rocket 88, the Super 88 or the Ninety-Eight, They are beautiful!

 

I had a 58 that was a daily driver for 4 years and very reliable. But when it was time to sell it I didn't l miss it because I had the 57

 

That is one great looking 58. I bet in color it would look awesome.

What an awesome era picture.

 

The car was obviously new then it was July 1958

 

No disrespect to the 58’s but I personally like the more simple approach of the 57, 56,55,54,53,52’s. I have a 1940 Series 90 because I think that the ‘41’s are slightly busy. It’s really just a matter of personal preference. I will say that when I see a very clean, well represented ‘58 on a show field, I’ll certainly always take the time to appreciate and ask questions/visit if an owner takes the pride and time to share their passion. Auto restoration/ownership is not a cheap venture, and I can appreciate anyone’s dedication to preservation without regards to my personal taste.

 

Everything flows on the 57 front to back

 

True statement.

 

I’m partial to the 58’s because my Dad bought a new Super 88 4 dr. Hardtop, Festival red over Alaskan white. The family’s first trip to Mackinac Bridge when it opened. That was the trip my father slapped me upside my head because I was jumping around in the back seat blocking his vision to the tree he backed into. I can’t remember if that was the last time I was abused or not?

 

I went and grabbed some pictures for this thread.

1957









How many 57's came with this option I wonder.


1958

 

Fantastic pictures!!

 

Yes, thanks for those photos.
I'm torn because I love them both. Dad had a lavender 1958 Ninety Eight with white top, 4 door hard top. It was our family car with the J-2 engine. This was in 1960. He later traded for a 1958 Cadillac.
In about 1965, he bought a black 1958 super 88 hardtop coupe to drive to work. It had 2bbl. carb as I recall. He bought a 1958 Studebaker to teach my sisters to drive a stick shift. We had all three '58's at the same time.
He bought a new 1955 Pontiac, didn't like it and traded for a new 1955 Ninety Eight, yellow/white. This was his favorite Olds. Later traded for a '56 Ninety Eight, was disappointed in the transmission in that car and sold it. Went to a new 1960 Impala coupe, was too much glass (lol) for him, so that's when he got his Lavender J-2 Ninety eight.
Had at least one other Olds later, but never had a '57. They are indeed sleek.