Several weeks ago, I posted asking for some help decoding a cowl tag on a 56 Super Holiday 88 Coupe. Thanks to those that gave me the answers I was looking for. I wasn't able to discuss the car in detail, becasue I was negotiating with the second owner, who at 77 is starting to reduce his 20 car fleet. I finally got the car home last night and wanted to post the story of this car and some photos. So let's start with the 1st owner.

The 1st owner buys the car from Woke Oldsmobile near Philadelphia and drives the car about 10,000 miles between 1956 and 1967. He let his girlfriend drive the car and she gets caught in the rain. Must have made him mad, so he put the car up on blocks and there it sat until he passes in the late 1980's.

The 2nd owner buys the car from his estate and puts it in storage for about 15 years then decides to strip the car to metal and repaint in using base/clear coat becasue the 50 year old lacquer paint was crazing. He installed a new set of BFG Silverstone wide whites and drove it about 300 miles. Back in storage it goes until December of 21. The car is listed on FB Market Place, I spot it and eventually struck a deal and here it sits in West Texas.

Now my back story. My dad owned one new car, a 56 Super Holiday 88 coupe. White over black with a red/black vinyl/cloth. He passes when I was 10 years old in 1965. His car was our only car for several years and I bonded hard with this car. So, I retire a year ago and make the decision it's time to track down a similar car.

Back to this car. The car really is a step back in time. The paint is great, all the stainless and chrome look new. The interior is pristine. The trunk and engine compartment are also. No cracks in the dash or steering wheel. Everything seems to work with the exception of the clock, dome lights, and Wonderbar radio, although it does light up. The car is equpped with power windows, 4 way power seats, back up lights, padded dash, windshield washer and fiesta spinner hubcaps. The underside from what I can tell so far looks as good as the top. There is lifter noise on the passanger side of the engine and it's dripping a bit of oil from somewhere.

I'm very happy with this car and will continue to fix the few things that require attention and I'm sure I will be reaching out to this group for advise and reccomendations. Looking forward to imprinting this car on my five small grandsons.

 

 

Congrats, what a great find. The car is beautiful.

 

Very nice car, great story.

 

That is an awesome story, real nice you pursued the memory to keep it going, and making the new ones. Many more to your family and have a blast in that beauty.

Keith

 

Amazing car, hope you enjoy it for a long time.
Thanks for sharing your story.

 

Wow! That engine bay is amazing!
Beautiful car. Congrats!
-peter

 

Very nice! Almost a twin to mine, with a lot less miles. Enjoy!
Rick

 

That is a great car and great story. It is good that you were able to fulfill your dream. Considering some of the other options on the car I am surprised it doesn't have power steering. Love the colors. Enjoy your car.

 

Thanks

 

Amazing!!
Congratulations, you've avoided many thousands of dollars in restoration cost.....

 

One fine looking ride, love the color.
All the problems you listed are common and usually quick and repairable. Welcome to the life ad times of a fifties' car owner, you got a butte.... Tedd

 

Wow what a beauty !!!! congrats, great find great story !!!!!!

 

I don't know if others have noticed, but this 56 super has a Slant Pan, not many supers in 56 got the older transmission, most were post cars....Tedd

 

Tedd, it has Park on the shift indicator. Slantpan would not have that would it?

 

Glenn you are correct, my brain fart, I was looking at far right R and remembered incorrectly that a Jet-a way had the standard gear selector, not till later transmissions did that happen. Where is my coffee....Tedd

 

You better give up the decaf Tedd. Have a good day.

 

Wow, what a nice car! Congratulations. Sorry for the late reply, but I kept getting drool on the computer screen! As Tedd mentioned above, the repairs you mentioned are not difficult to fix. You probably already know this, but get yourself a good, used Shop Manual. If you get a reprint, make sure it has color diagrams. I did get a nice reprint with color diagrams and a spiral binding a couple of years ago. I like it because it lays flat. Also, there are several good clock repair shops- I've used The Clock Works in Eagle River Wisc. for years.