Hi everyone, name is Matt, I've been into hot rods and customs, old german cars and bikes, etc since I was a kid and recently I started shopping for a late 50's-early 60's GM to tinker with and starting setting my scope on an "affordable" 58 Olds 88 driver type project for a little while now. After passing on some really rotten cars, an acquaintance tells me he just pulled his Aunts 58 Super 88 out of her barn after 10-15 years of sitting. The price he told me went up and I really want the car, but want to make sure I'm in the ballpark for value. If the weather clears up I'm planning to look at it Friday night and give a deposit if it's as good as it sounds! Any input on a guesstimated value of the car in the current condition and in a daily-driver type condition would be much appreciated!

Details he's given me so far as well as pictures are below.

58 Olds Super 88
5X,XXX Miles
2nd owner since the 80's
very nice blue on white interior 8.5 out of 10 he says
all original paperwork
engine isn't stuck and turns over, but needs some maintenance to get running. He is 100% sure with some minor work it will run. I may stipulate I need to hear it run to purchase..
all chrome/stainless intact with only minor dings in some chrome
no major body damage or rot, small bit of rust in one floor pan (I can weld and fabricate so this doesn't bother me)


Any ballparks would be helpful. Below are all of the pics he sent me.

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Sorry, I've no idea on price. But buff out the paint and polish up the chrome, that would be one sharp car to go cruising in


John

 

Exactly my thoughts! I'd like to do some minor modifications to make it "my own", do all the mechanical maintenance, and take my gal out cruising this summer in it!

I have enough major project vehicles it would be nice to have something like this I can just cruise in and enjoy.

 

Nice car, thats all I know

 

I'm not going to even guess on a price, but that's a nice find, a "survivor" in pretty original condition; looks like the paint may buff out pretty good, but it will probably cost a small fortune to remove and polish and/or rechrome all that trim.....!!

 

That car looks pretty good in those photos. As others have a said, a good clean-up will do wonders, and if it runs and drives, even better. It does look like those bumpers will need to be re-chromed, and that will probably cost $1000 to do both.

One thing working against value is that it's a 4-door sedan, and those just don't command the attention and interest that the two-door coupes and convertibles, or even a four-door hardtop, do.


The Old Cars Price Guide lists the value of a '58 Olds Super 88 four-door sedan in #4 condition (runs and drives but needs complete restoration) at $4,000. In #3 condition ("car show" but not showroom), the value jumps to $9,000. I would say that this car falls between those extremes as, while it needs some work, it doesn't need everything. But like I said above about the bumpers, some of things it does need could run into some money.

Assuming it runs, and based on the above values, I would say somewhere in the $5,000 to $6,000 range.

 

Looks to be in good shape. I'd say in the 4 to 6k range if it runs. 2-3k if engine work is required.