Garage find
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Garage find
In 1972 my father purchased a 1956 Oldsmobile Super 88 holiday Coupe. It is now time to sell the car our family has owned all these years. I need help putting a value on the car. The car has slightly over 19,000 miles and has spent its entire life parked covered in a garage. When the car was originally purchased my father took the original tires off the car, kept them, and replaced them with radial tires. September 2010 was the last time the vehicle was driven before it was parked. To my knowledge the car has never been driven in the rain. I plan to have a mechanic go through the car and get it running again. I think that's a wise move however I would be open to other suggestions prior to putting the car on the market. I would also be interested in feedback on reputable places to list the car.
Last edited by bwb1985; Apr 10, 2018 at 04:21 PM. Reason: Pictures
Proud Viet Nam Veteran
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From: Rowlett, TX
It sounds like a very unusual car. The fact it is a coupe is a plus. We really need to see pictures to be able to make any suggestions. Posting on this site will get you lots of free exposure. ebay is another place to list it but cost you. There are also reputable dealers that will take it on consignment but check them out carefully. You did not say where you are located and that would help. The car was on the road for 38 years so 19,000 miles seems awfully low considering the car was 16 years old when you dad bought it in 1972. It might be but you don't want to represent a car with 19,000 miles when it is in fact 119,000. We will be looking for pictures.
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From: southeastern Michigan
As one point of reference, the Old Cars Price Guide lists the value of a '56 Super 88 2-door hardtop in showroom condition at about $30,000. In "car show" (20-footer) condition, the value is around $20,000. As mentioned, we would need to see good quality photos showing all aspects of the car to get a better idea.
Certainly having the car running makes it more valuable than not running.
As far as where to list it, heck, the whole world lists on craigslist. It's free, and anyone looking for a car checks it. Certainly list it on this site as well.
Certainly having the car running makes it more valuable than not running.
As far as where to list it, heck, the whole world lists on craigslist. It's free, and anyone looking for a car checks it. Certainly list it on this site as well.
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56 Olds pictures
You guys are great ! The car is in storage in central Illinois and I live in Minnesota so current pictures will follow before the end of the month. I can attest to the actual milage being slightly over 19,000 not 119,000. I will do my best to take quality photos and upload them to showcase how incredibly clean this car really is. I appreciate your comments. Stay tuned.
Brad
Brad
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From: Forest Ranch Ca.
Depending on what you want to do with it even though the car only has 19,000 miles(which is exceptional) it will probably need a complete redo on most everything with rubber in it or around it, seals, shocks transmission seals, tires, valve cover gaskets, weather striping ect. Lots of stuff will be degraded. How good is the chrome? The good thing is all of it is there and who ever gets this jewel will have all the hard parts already found. I would love to see a few pictures when you get a chance...... Lost in the fifties ...Tedd
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From: Spencer Mtn, NC
You guys are great ! The car is in storage in central Illinois and I live in Minnesota so current pictures will follow before the end of the month. I can attest to the actual milage being slightly over 19,000 not 119,000. I will do my best to take quality photos and upload them to showcase how incredibly clean this car really is. I appreciate your comments. Stay tuned.
Brad
Brad
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Pictures of garage find have been posted
The interior chrome is great. There are minor rust spots on the exterior chrome that don’t appear to be very severe.
I will know more about the rubber components once the mechanic gets a look at it.
Thanks for your help Tedd.
Brad
I will know more about the rubber components once the mechanic gets a look at it.
Thanks for your help Tedd.
Brad
Depending on what you want to do with it even though the car only has 19,000 miles(which is exceptional) it will probably need a complete redo on most everything with rubber in it or around it, seals, shocks transmission seals, tires, valve cover gaskets, weather striping ect. Lots of stuff will be degraded. How good is the chrome? The good thing is all of it is there and who ever gets this jewel will have all the hard parts already found. I would love to see a few pictures when you get a chance...... Lost in the fifties ...Tedd
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Wow, the only thing that could make it better is if it was a convertible. It is a 2 door hardtop and the best color combination you could get. Original cars are in high demand so you want to be very careful to keep it that way. If it need a generator, starter or any of those components get the one on the car rebuild. DO NOT exchange them for a rebuilt unit. You want to keep the ones that came on the car. I would get it running, make sure the brakes are working and give it a good cleaning. Being that it is such a low mileage car it is hard to make a guess (that is all it is going to be) as to the value but I am going to say it should bring somewhere around $30,000. This is a car that should do very well at a good auction.
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Thanks
Thanks for your feedback. That’s great advice, rebuild vs replace. I have several engine components,starter, generator and power steering unit from a parts car Dad bought at the same time and harvested parts. The car goes to the mechanic on Monday so I will know more about what it is going to take to get running. Thanks again for the advice. As far as values, it is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it.
Thanks again.
Brad
Thanks again.
Brad
Wow, the only thing that could make it better is if it was a convertible. It is a 2 door hardtop and the best color combination you could get. Original cars are in high demand so you want to be very careful to keep it that way. If it need a generator, starter or any of those components get the one on the car rebuild. DO NOT exchange them for a rebuilt unit. You want to keep the ones that came on the car. I would get it running, make sure the brakes are working and give it a good cleaning. Being that it is such a low mileage car it is hard to make a guess (that is all it is going to be) as to the value but I am going to say it should bring somewhere around $30,000. This is a car that should do very well at a good auction.
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From: Tennessee
I would recommend Old Car Online. I sold my '55 4 door hardtop Super 88 over 1&1/2 years ago for $20,500. It was a 51,000 mile car that had all original interior and 60 % of the original lacquer. It had been garaged since new , and I added Aftermarket Air. It sold the second week after listed,and their price was very reasonable They list on several sites. I was very impressed at their results, and they handled everything professionally.
Welcome to C. O. And best of luck on your sale. I have pictures on my C.O. Page,if you care to compare. Best of luck, Larry
Welcome to C. O. And best of luck on your sale. I have pictures on my C.O. Page,if you care to compare. Best of luck, Larry
Thread Starter
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Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 8
Old Car Online
I would recommend Old Car Online. I sold my '55 4 door hardtop Super 88 over 1&1/2 years ago for $20,500. It was a 51,000 mile car that had all original interior and 60 % of the original lacquer. It had been garaged since new , and I added Aftermarket Air. It sold the second week after listed,and their price was very reasonable They list on several sites. I was very impressed at their results, and they handled everything professionally.
Welcome to C. O. And best of luck on your sale. I have pictures on my C.O. Page,if you care to compare. Best of luck, Larry
Welcome to C. O. And best of luck on your sale. I have pictures on my C.O. Page,if you care to compare. Best of luck, Larry
Brad
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