2 Questions about the '56 Oldsmobile Super 88
#1
2 Questions about the '56 Oldsmobile Super 88
Hey!
I'm considering buying a '56 Oldsmobile Super 88, but I just have 2 questions
1: Was the Jetaway Hydramatic the only transmission for the Super 88 or was it just an option? I've heard people tell me both
2: If it has no B-Pillar, is it automatically a Holiday Hardtop? I've heard that when they don't have the B-Pillar that they are the holiday hardtop. I see one for sale without the B-Pillar but it doesnt have the "HOLIDAY" emblems nor does the seller mention it being the holiday hardtop
Any answers will be greatly appreciated
TheBrightlyFancy
I'm considering buying a '56 Oldsmobile Super 88, but I just have 2 questions
1: Was the Jetaway Hydramatic the only transmission for the Super 88 or was it just an option? I've heard people tell me both
2: If it has no B-Pillar, is it automatically a Holiday Hardtop? I've heard that when they don't have the B-Pillar that they are the holiday hardtop. I see one for sale without the B-Pillar but it doesnt have the "HOLIDAY" emblems nor does the seller mention it being the holiday hardtop
Any answers will be greatly appreciated
TheBrightlyFancy
Last edited by TheBrightlyFancy; March 15th, 2018 at 12:51 AM. Reason: Just fixed some grammar
#2
As I understand it, the Jetaway started as an option on the 88 series and eventually as inventory of standard hydra-matics were used up became the only automatic available. All hardtops were Holiday's but only the 98's had the emblems.
#3
Hey!
I'm considering buying a '56 Oldsmobile Super 88, but I just have 2 questions
1: Was the Jetaway Hydramatic only optional on the Super 88 or was it standard? I've heard people tell me both
2: If it has no B-Pillar, is it automatically a Holiday Hardtop? I've heard that when they don't have the B-Pillar that they are the holiday hardtop. I see one for sale without the B-Pillar but it doesnt have the "HOLIDAY" emblems nor does the seller mention it being the holiday hardtop
Any answers will be greatly appreciated
TheBrightlyFancy
I'm considering buying a '56 Oldsmobile Super 88, but I just have 2 questions
1: Was the Jetaway Hydramatic only optional on the Super 88 or was it standard? I've heard people tell me both
2: If it has no B-Pillar, is it automatically a Holiday Hardtop? I've heard that when they don't have the B-Pillar that they are the holiday hardtop. I see one for sale without the B-Pillar but it doesnt have the "HOLIDAY" emblems nor does the seller mention it being the holiday hardtop
Any answers will be greatly appreciated
TheBrightlyFancy
The 1956 88 series will continue to use the 1955 Hydra-Matic transmission.
The new Jetaway Hydra-Matic transmission is available on the Super 88 and 98 series only.
#4
TheBrightlyFancy
#5
Here is the 1956 brochure:
http://www.oldcarbrochures.com/stati.../dirindex.html
You will see that the four door Super 88 had the "Holiday" lettering on the fenders.
The two door Super 88 Holiday did not.
Both four door and two door 98's had the "Holiday" lettering.
http://www.oldcarbrochures.com/stati.../dirindex.html
You will see that the four door Super 88 had the "Holiday" lettering on the fenders.
The two door Super 88 Holiday did not.
Both four door and two door 98's had the "Holiday" lettering.
Last edited by ignachuck; March 15th, 2018 at 02:57 AM.
#6
http://wildaboutcarsonline.com/cgi-b...aldisplayed=50
According to ^^^ , "The Jetaway Hydra-Matic was standard equipment on Ninety-Eight models and a $190. option on other models."
#8
This may help:
http://wildaboutcarsonline.com/cgi-b...aldisplayed=50
According to ^^^ , "The Jetaway Hydra-Matic was standard equipment on Ninety-Eight models and a $190. option on other models."
http://wildaboutcarsonline.com/cgi-b...aldisplayed=50
According to ^^^ , "The Jetaway Hydra-Matic was standard equipment on Ninety-Eight models and a $190. option on other models."
#10
#12
#13
Unless you have, as I do, a car with Jetaway shift indicator but a mismatched slant pan installed (ours is from '55 and mated to a '55 324). It shows a position for park, but it means nothing.
#14
Mine is a 54 and the Jetaway was not available thank goodness. It is interesting stuff has been changed over the years on these old cars. My 54 has a 55 engine and transmission in it. And then you could have one of the 53 models that had a dynaflow in it.
#15
The Dealer Data Book says that both automatics were options in all 88s, so I'm not sure which to believe. My '56 88 Holiday Coupe apparently had a Jetaway from the factory. It's an August '56 Lansing car, based on the radiator date code, so it was built late in the model year.
Unless you have, as I do, a car with Jetaway shift indicator but a mismatched slant pan installed (ours is from '55 and mated to a '55 324). It shows a position for park, but it means nothing.
Unless you have, as I do, a car with Jetaway shift indicator but a mismatched slant pan installed (ours is from '55 and mated to a '55 324). It shows a position for park, but it means nothing.
#16
I believe I read somewhere that the jetaway was only available on the Super 88 and the 98's because of the upgraded engine.
Does anyone have a '56 2 bbl with jetaway?
#18
Probably, but the only way to know for sure is to look at the gearbox. These cars are over 60 years old and there is no way to know what modifications may have been done since they left the factory without looking. As I posted earlier, I have a car with a Jetaway indicator but a slant pan installed.
#19
I think he can make that determination pretty easy without looking at the tranmission. If neutral is with the shift lever all the way up, he has a hydra-matic. If you pull the shift lever all the way down, he has a Jetaway. All the way down on a hydra-matic is reverse.
#20
Ok, here is another shot were you can just barely see the gear stick. It's all the way up and on Park.
As for modifications, the only things that the owner says has been added is AC and power brakes, but there always could be something else added
As for modifications, the only things that the owner says has been added is AC and power brakes, but there always could be something else added
Last edited by TheBrightlyFancy; March 18th, 2018 at 08:38 PM.
#21
The serial number plate on the transmission will have a prefix of R55 on the older Hydra-Matic such as R55-XXXXXX. The one on the Jetaway will have a 056 prefix such as 056-XXXX. The first Jetaway serial number was 056-1001, according to the shop manual.The plate is on the left side of the transmission toward the rear and is painted orange.
#22
I think he can make that determination pretty easy without looking at the tranmission. If neutral is with the shift lever all the way up, he has a hydra-matic. If you pull the shift lever all the way down, he has a Jetaway. All the way down on a hydra-matic is reverse.
#23
Look on the right hand side of the transmission, if it has two lines going to the radiator it's a jetaway if no lines its a slant pan.... but it looks to be a jetaway from what I see.... Tedd
#27
Last photo I will be uploading here, this is the side view of the Super 88. Just adding this to verify that it's the Holiday Hardtop edition (I blacked out the location for privacy reasons) Just a fun fact: I'm planning to get the exterior repainted after I buy it (Aside from the outside paint fading, it's almost like new!) The black will be Alcan White, and the red will be the 1957 exclusive Banff Blue (I like it better than the blue options for the '56)
Last edited by TheBrightlyFancy; March 20th, 2018 at 05:09 PM.
#30
As far as Slant Pan or Jetaway ether would be OK.In general the Jetaway will usually shift smoother and has a more common shift pattern but generally isn't as tough as a Slant Pan. All other things being equal I would not buy a car because of having or not having one or the other. That being said I do like Slant Pans a lot..... Tedd
#32
I think this thread represents what this site is all about. You got some really good advice to know what you are looking at and dealing with. Everybody here loves pictures. Bring em on.
#33
One thing I noticed is that there looks like 2 extra exhaust ends under the original ones, what do y'all think that is?
What are those 2 things that look like feet on the AC output? I doubt that this is the original output, so if you guys don't know, it's fine. I feel like they might be air fresheners though...
What are those 2 things that look like feet on the AC output? I doubt that this is the original output, so if you guys don't know, it's fine. I feel like they might be air fresheners though...
Last edited by TheBrightlyFancy; March 20th, 2018 at 11:38 PM.
#35
#37
#38
Also, the cigarette lighter is not hard to find. You could post a note in the parts wanted section here. Or there are several on e-bay. Remember that the '56 lighter **** style is unique to that year (just about every year has a different style) so make sure it matches the other *****/pulls on your dash.
Good luck- very nice car!
Good luck- very nice car!
#39
Also, the cigarette lighter is not hard to find. You could post a note in the parts wanted section here. Or there are several on e-bay. Remember that the '56 lighter **** style is unique to that year (just about every year has a different style) so make sure it matches the other *****/pulls on your dash.
Good luck- very nice car!
Good luck- very nice car!
#40
The cigar lighter won't charge your phone as original or at least mine won't and If the AC was original you would have fish eye vents on/ in the dash.... Nice 56 . When you get a chance post a few pictures of the engine and interior, we love pictures..... Tedd