Hello my name is Josh,

I just picked up a 1957 Oldsmobile 88 with 79k original miles from the second owner of the vehicle. Very solid car but as I get into restor a few thing back to original I want to know a couple things

Cowl Tag Identifier (Lansing, MI on tag)
Style 57-3669 (1957, 88, )
Body T 18501
Trim 361
Paint 10-10-60 (black, black, Alcan white)

VIN
577M65599

car does have factory AC installed and still working just needs a little recharge.
I just finished spending 3days buffing our the original black paint to a nice shine.

what should I look out for on these as well I have the hydramatic transmission.

any help and insight into full details on this it would be great... is it a golden rocket, super 88 or just a plan 88

 

Nice car !
Style 57-3669 = 1957 Oldsmobile "88" Four Door Sedan (post)
Trim 361 = Ivory vinyl and black pattern cloth . Charcoal upper instrument panel , Ivory lower .

The 577M prefix to the VIN indicates a regular 88 model , not Super 88 . Built at Lansing . MI
The term " Golden Rocket " applied to all '57 Olds engines . Most were equipped with 4 barrel carbs , but some came with three two barrel carbs . ( J-2 )

 

Welcome! Nice car. I always liked those fender ornaments. Factory AC in cars of that era are rare, but four door posts are not very valuable, except to you (and me). I have a 56 Super 88 four door post with factory AC.

Get yourself a Service Manual. I just checked ebay and there a bunch of them on there as well as other sources. I believe it has an AC section in it.

 

Hi Josh,
It looks like a great example for 1957. It looks like an 88. Let us know what carburetor is on it.
The A/C needing a little charge is almost a "normal" situation. They generally leak some through the shaft seal on the compressor. They can also leak through the old rubber lines, but the shaft seal is more common. Run the A/C briefly once per week even in the winter. This will help the shaft seal stay moist and leak less. If you top up the charge be sure to use the correct refrigerant. I don't know of any significant problems with the '57. My '55 developed a leak at the back glass (which is different on the '57) and in the radiator. I had an oiling shortfall to one of the rockers once. It was resolved with a slight modification to the rocker shaft. As suggested, get a 1957 Oldsmobile Shop Manual and owner manual if you don't have them. Read them carefully. Follow all maintenance indicated in them. Check the slip yoke on the driveshaft. The factory put a plug instead of a grease fitting. Often this is omitted by some when greasing. You can replace the plug with a fitting and just leave it in place. Driving the car slowly at night (lights on) with the A/C, radio, and perhaps other things running can lead to a diminished charge on the battery. Some have remedied this by changing the generator to an alternator. Of course you can also use a battery charger. Keep the forum informed of all the fun you have with your '57 Olds.

 

Welcome aboard, Josh. Nice Ride! I really like your pic of the front end. I bet it is quite the sight coming down the road toward you!

 

Always liked the '57s. Saw several nice ones at Cruisinthecoast last year!

 

Thanks everyone!
yes I already have a shop manual on order that is due in this week..

the carb is a Rochester 4barrel
as for the AC I am taking it into the shop to have them evacuate it and refill as it is cold but not very so recharge is best but better to have them do that instead of me.

the interior is great except the cloth sections have started to tear so I am actually going to redo it with Leather instead of vinyl but keep it the ivory/black as I love how it looks.

any ideas on where I can order some seatbelts the wife and daughter would prefer I add them in for them?

 

Hey Josh,
and WELCOME!
Nice looking ride already

some have already answered your questions, but as far as seatbelts are concerned there are many outlets that you can order some for your car. I would suggest simple lap belts that attach to the mounting bolts on the seats, theyre relatively inexpensive and worth it!

Also, if you haven't already I highly recommend Fusick or restoration parts such as emblems and other restoration parts. they dont have everything but they have stuff you cant find anywhere else !
http://www.fusickautomotiveproducts....nts.asp?dept=8

It looks like you have a pretty solid foundation to start with so youre lucky!
No matter if its a 4-door, 57s are quite rare to see and frankly better looking that 57 chevys IMO. Im not just being bias

 

SMS fabrics has original upholstery materials available .
https://smsautofabrics.com/collectio...sedan+trim-361

 

Thanks Tommythecat yeah I have already save Fusick to my favorites to get a few small things.

the emblems are in great shape but going to have them rechromed and will replace the inserts with new ones since the plastic on them is cracked

 

Several of us here have had success with https://www.seatbeltsplus.com/

 

Another rare "option " I noticed were the " dog dish " hubcaps . Very few of these cars were so equipped .
Another rarity is the fact that it is a Lansing car . While Lansing produced the most cars , the great majority of them seccumbed to the " tin worm ".
The majority of the cars that survive today were built in California , Texas , or Atlanta .

 

Charlie weren't dog dish hubcaps standard on 88 post cars?.... Tedd

 

Yes , that's why I put the word "option" in parenthesis . It is rare to see them on a '57 .

 

Yeah I believe I could have thanked the original owner because at some point the car had rust proofing done on it.. I am absolutely shocked that everything is soooooo very solid even underneath it.
i love the dog dish hub caps on it
planning on blasting and powder coating the rims black before mounting 3inch white walls back on it for the spring

 

To go back a few posts, there actually was a Golden Rocket 88 model and that's what you have. The Super 88 had an emblem on the upper fenders.

 

Golden Rocket was the name that Olds used for the "basic" model 88 that year.
They also started painting the engines Gold in '57.

 

Excellent thank you very much this is good to know. As I plan for working on it this winter I am pulling and rebuilding the engine and trans.
everything is going to get a refresh with a cost of fresh paint so it looks great under the hood.
my daughter is already really loving helping me tinker with it at the age of 12 so that is a huge win and great way to building lasting memories.
she loves going to car shows with me so seeing here enjoy helping work on them makes me proud!!!