Looking at a 1956 Super 88
#1
Looking at a 1956 Super 88
Hi everyone.
Wondered if anyone could give me a few pointers on what to look for when viewing a '56 Super 88.
Is there a decoder that will tell me what the data plate info is saying? Are there particular areas that are prone to rust?
I've been trying to study up on the differences of the Super and the regular 88. This car I've only seen in pictures, and it looks like it has Super trim on the outside, but a standard interior. Any sure-fire ways to tell one way or another?
Thanks everyone.
Wondered if anyone could give me a few pointers on what to look for when viewing a '56 Super 88.
Is there a decoder that will tell me what the data plate info is saying? Are there particular areas that are prone to rust?
I've been trying to study up on the differences of the Super and the regular 88. This car I've only seen in pictures, and it looks like it has Super trim on the outside, but a standard interior. Any sure-fire ways to tell one way or another?
Thanks everyone.
#2
Hi everyone.
Wondered if anyone could give me a few pointers on what to look for when viewing a '56 Super 88.
Is there a decoder that will tell me what the data plate info is saying? Are there particular areas that are prone to rust?
I've been trying to study up on the differences of the Super and the regular 88. This car I've only seen in pictures, and it looks like it has Super trim on the outside, but a standard interior. Any sure-fire ways to tell one way or another?
Thanks everyone.
Wondered if anyone could give me a few pointers on what to look for when viewing a '56 Super 88.
Is there a decoder that will tell me what the data plate info is saying? Are there particular areas that are prone to rust?
I've been trying to study up on the differences of the Super and the regular 88. This car I've only seen in pictures, and it looks like it has Super trim on the outside, but a standard interior. Any sure-fire ways to tell one way or another?
Thanks everyone.
#3
As Tedd noted, there are a lot of not always on all 56's, and you could add or delete just about anything, including heat, but the first thing to look for on a Super 88 is "88" circled in chrome on the front fenders. Super 88's had full hubcaps standard, regular 88's had dog dish. Super 88's came standard with a 4bbl. carb, boosting the hp to 240. Dual exhaust and jetaway were optional. There were no chrome rocker panel moldings on any 56. My Super 88 does not have chrome headliner strips. The 56 sales brochure doesn't show any models with skirts, and mine has no provisions for skirts.
#4
If you have a service manual, there may be something in there to decode the cowl tag. I haven't looked in quite a while, but here's also a link to a discussion on some other site. I googled "decode 56 Oldsmobile tag"
http://forums.aaca.org/topic/119304-...olds-cowl-tag/
The usual suspects for rust - lower fenders, quarters, rockers, and around the headlight buckets as they didn't have much if anything for splash shields.
http://forums.aaca.org/topic/119304-...olds-cowl-tag/
The usual suspects for rust - lower fenders, quarters, rockers, and around the headlight buckets as they didn't have much if anything for splash shields.
Last edited by Russ P in MD; November 28th, 2016 at 10:00 AM.
#5
Thanks guys. Tedd you're right, this is a 4 door sedan. Rust I thought would be pretty much the same as any car, but I wouldn't have thought about the headlight buckets.
I'm going to see if the guy will send me a picture of the data plate so I can decode it before I go look at it. The car is in Florida and I am not. I'd hate to take a trip down there if there was something I didn't like that I would have been able to see before I got there.
Is the color on the data plate? The car is all black now, but I don't think that's original.
I'm going to see if the guy will send me a picture of the data plate so I can decode it before I go look at it. The car is in Florida and I am not. I'd hate to take a trip down there if there was something I didn't like that I would have been able to see before I got there.
Is the color on the data plate? The car is all black now, but I don't think that's original.
#6
Here's a link to a very useful article about the 1956 Olds:
https://www.hemmings.com/magazine/hm...8/3691721.html
https://www.hemmings.com/magazine/hm...8/3691721.html
#7
Thanks guys. Tedd you're right, this is a 4 door sedan. Rust I thought would be pretty much the same as any car, but I wouldn't have thought about the headlight buckets.
I'm going to see if the guy will send me a picture of the data plate so I can decode it before I go look at it. The car is in Florida and I am not. I'd hate to take a trip down there if there was something I didn't like that I would have been able to see before I got there.
Is the color on the data plate? The car is all black now, but I don't think that's original.
I'm going to see if the guy will send me a picture of the data plate so I can decode it before I go look at it. The car is in Florida and I am not. I'd hate to take a trip down there if there was something I didn't like that I would have been able to see before I got there.
Is the color on the data plate? The car is all black now, but I don't think that's original.
#8
That was a good article, and good info on that forum. Thanks guys. Supposedly this guy has all the service records back to when it was new, not sure if that includes the original paperwork. Guess I'll see when I go look at it.
#9
Unless someone has changed the interior, this car is not a Super "88". They all came with the different armrest (the ones made into the door panel) not the armrest that fastened on with screws like the ones in the picture. Larry
#11
If someone has a 1956 shop manual on the first page under general information it lists the model designations by number and letter code and that would pin it down on what it left the factory as. Unfortunately I don't have a 56 manual and I suspect the 55 manual (what I have ) would be wrong for a 56.... Tedd
#12
If someone has a 1956 shop manual on the first page under general information it lists the model designations by number and letter code and that would pin it down on what it left the factory as. Unfortunately I don't have a 56 manual and I suspect the 55 manual (what I have ) would be wrong for a 56.... Tedd
#13
I guess I was wrong about the super 88 Sedan having the other type armrest..In the '55 and '56 Super 88 2 door and 4door Hardtop(Holidays) they all came with the built in armrest the same as the "98's, and had the chrome headliner strips. Larry
#14
Larry, that's absolutely correct. The 56's were a strange breed with many variations, including dozens of exterior paint combos.
#16
Frank thanks for this. It will tell us for sure if the car I'm going to look at is a Super or a regular 88. I'm going to call the guy tonight and see if he'll send me a picture of the data plate.
#17
Chrome difference. On Super 88 and base 88
If this works, This is the difference in the way the chrome is on Super88 and Base 88 Note chrome just under door glass. I can't get the picture to load on the base 88 ,but it has no chrome running parallel under the door glass. If you need both pictures ,send me your Email address ,and. I will try to Email both pictures . Larry
#20
Great job Larry. I never noticed that chrome difference.
My Super 88 has the same color combination as the one in the picture, except the white walls should be 2 3/4.
Remember that those "spinner" hub caps shown on the base 88 were only available standard on the 98's. The base 88 had dog dish.
#22
#24
'56 Olds
Yes Tedd, both the hood lip Moulding and the grill surround mouldings are very hard to find ,and extremely expensive if you find them. Ignachuck here are the colors and Two tone colors .But there were different ways that they could be two toned. Larry
#25
Luckily, in 56 they eliminated the chrome hood lip. But they gave some of us the jetaway!
#27
Particularly that 56 dash, cause yours (and mine) have factory A/C. And we both have the optional padded dash. I think it was 12.50 or 18.00, I forgot which.
Last edited by ignachuck; December 3rd, 2016 at 02:29 PM.
#29
You already have some excellent suggestions. The last vehicle I bought was in N.CA. It was a bit too far to go unless I felt reasonably certain about it. If the seller is cooperative, and especially if he's above the book, he should not mind photographing anything on the car you want to see. The fellow in CA did just that for me. I flew there and drove it back. On the '56, try to get any service information and original documents that may be available. An original owner should have most of it. Some of them tended to leak a bit at the extreme ends of the back glass, especially if they had outside storage. Also some developed a small leak at the bottom of the radiator where the core and the tank meet. Things like sluggish wiper motor and windshield reservoir pump were common with age. Sometime a spot weld near a hood hinge would release. Rear engine oil seal and front transmission seal leakage seemed to be common with old age. Vibration damper ring bond often failed after many years. Sometime rear leaf springs sagged some especially if they carried extra loads. It seems like I remember both 5 and 6 leaf springs, but I can't recall the application right now. When the heater control valve leaks the coolant can go inside the car. If the fuel pickup is like in a '55, don't operate the car under an indicated 1/4 tank. At about 1/8 tank it will suck air and you will need to add fuel to get it to run again. The 88s usually got the older Hydramatics while the S88s & 98s got the newer Jetaway. The Jetaway has a transmission cooler and a "Park" position on the dash, while the older one has no cooler and must be placed in "R" to achieve the park function. The S88 should have a 4 BBL. carburetor with a tag number 7007221 with auto trans. & 7007222 on a manual trans. The '56 was the first year to have the auxiliary valves on the carburetor's secondaries. Most cars got the heavy duty oil bath air cleaner, but theoretically there was also a "standard" air cleaner (which I have never seen). The '56 was the first year that used the new "window" distributor; all engines got it. The exhaust valves got a little bigger on the '56 and the compression ratio went up a little from '55. Premium fuel is required. It varies with elevation, temperature, timing settings, and engine condition, but the octane requirement should be about 89-92.
#30
Okay guys I wasn't going to do this but here is the ad for the car I'm wanting to go see. Give it a look and let me know what you think. If any of you think this is the car for you go ahead and call him, it would make things easier for me
http://pensacola.craigslist.org/cto/5880137007.html
It's been for sale for quite awhile. Not sure if it's because there's something glaringly wrong with it once you see it in person, or it's priced too high, or the guy is a jerk, or some combination there of.
Thanks again for everything.
http://pensacola.craigslist.org/cto/5880137007.html
It's been for sale for quite awhile. Not sure if it's because there's something glaringly wrong with it once you see it in person, or it's priced too high, or the guy is a jerk, or some combination there of.
Thanks again for everything.
#31
Okay guys I wasn't going to do this but here is the ad for the car I'm wanting to go see. Give it a look and let me know what you think. If any of you think this is the car for you go ahead and call him, it would make things easier for me
http://pensacola.craigslist.org/cto/5880137007.html
It's been for sale for quite awhile. Not sure if it's because there's something glaringly wrong with it once you see it in person, or it's priced too high, or the guy is a jerk, or some combination there of.
Thanks again for everything.
http://pensacola.craigslist.org/cto/5880137007.html
It's been for sale for quite awhile. Not sure if it's because there's something glaringly wrong with it once you see it in person, or it's priced too high, or the guy is a jerk, or some combination there of.
Thanks again for everything.
#32
Ozzie, do you mean the steering wheel is not original because it looks brand new or because it's not correct for the car? It is the same as the one in my car, but in much better condition. That bakelite sure did crack a lot in 60 years.
Also, the interior shots bring back memories. Shouldn't be a show stopper. I was able to replace the headliner, upholstery and carpet for under $1500. for materials. I did the install.
Also, the interior shots bring back memories. Shouldn't be a show stopper. I was able to replace the headliner, upholstery and carpet for under $1500. for materials. I did the install.
#33
I have family in Pensacola and will be visiting soon. I got the same thing about the engine, redone heads. I hope that doesn't mean that the weak rings now smoke or the worn bearings knock. All the more reason to see the car in person.
The bumpers look pretty pitted, the interior speaks for itself. I'd be using this as a semi-daily driver. As far as the original paperwork, I know it should answer the question whether or not it's a Super. I tend to be a Cutlass guy, and I can't tell you how many times I've seen a Cutlass Supreme advertised that turns out to be a Cutlass S, because they think the S means Supreme. If it says it's an 88, maybe the guy just thinks they are all Supers. Who knows. I'll find out soon enough.
I would like to know what you guys think about the price. As the king of lowballers, my first guess is it's worth about half what he's asking. If it is indeed worth that money, I don't want to be a jerk about it.
Thanks you guys.
The bumpers look pretty pitted, the interior speaks for itself. I'd be using this as a semi-daily driver. As far as the original paperwork, I know it should answer the question whether or not it's a Super. I tend to be a Cutlass guy, and I can't tell you how many times I've seen a Cutlass Supreme advertised that turns out to be a Cutlass S, because they think the S means Supreme. If it says it's an 88, maybe the guy just thinks they are all Supers. Who knows. I'll find out soon enough.
I would like to know what you guys think about the price. As the king of lowballers, my first guess is it's worth about half what he's asking. If it is indeed worth that money, I don't want to be a jerk about it.
Thanks you guys.
#34
Well if it was on the west coast I'd be seriously looking at it.If it doesn't have major hidden rust problems or bad lower end it's worth more than that in parts. The hard to find stuff is all there.
If you want a driver it looks good enough to be just that now. If you someday want to restore it complexly start with a budget of $20,000 then forget you have one.... Looks good to me.... Tedd
If you want a driver it looks good enough to be just that now. If you someday want to restore it complexly start with a budget of $20,000 then forget you have one.... Looks good to me.... Tedd
#36
The wheel probably is the correct year for the car, but mine also has a grey interior and my wheel is grey. The one in the photo appears not to be grey on my monitor. Hence I assumed that it has been changed at some time in the past.
#37
Well, here's another "not always"..... the interior of my car is (or was)identical in colors to the car in the pictures- plain gray bolster/gray pattern cloth. And my steering wheel is ivory, just like the one in the pictures.
#38
Way back in reply #2, Tedd said "not always" in describing 56's.
Well, here's another "not always"..... the interior of my car is (or was)identical in colors to the car in the pictures- plain gray bolster/gray pattern cloth. And my steering wheel is ivory, just like the one in the pictures.
Well, here's another "not always"..... the interior of my car is (or was)identical in colors to the car in the pictures- plain gray bolster/gray pattern cloth. And my steering wheel is ivory, just like the one in the pictures.
#39
Ozzie, I hope you didn't take my comments the wrong way. I just meant that there could have been variations to the color combos, not that you were incorrect. You are a valued contributor to this site and a lot of us depend on your knowledge and expertise to set us straight when we need help.
By the way, on my car, the plastic tips on the directional and the shift handle are also ivory to match the steering wheel. The shafts themselves are gray and match the steering column and the lower dash.
By the way, on my car, the plastic tips on the directional and the shift handle are also ivory to match the steering wheel. The shafts themselves are gray and match the steering column and the lower dash.
Last edited by ignachuck; December 5th, 2016 at 02:11 PM. Reason: Punctuation