FEATURE – 1958 Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight hardtop
Words: Mike Ryan
Photos: Scott Montgomery
‘FOR SALE’
Where do you define the tipping point in American car styling going from gorgeous to garish? Granted it depends on the make, model and even individual opinion, as some may argue American cars were never hit with the ugly stick at all.
That being said, some believe the change came about with the 1958 models. The evidence? You’ve only got to look at the 1957 Chevrolet, which is one of the most popular American classics going around. The 1958 Chevrolet much less so. Same goes for the ’57 vs ’58 Ford. And the less said about the Edsel the better.
Chrysler Corporation was ahead of the curve with their 1957 models, so the changes made for ’58 were less radical. Indeed, the changes brought about by General Motors for their 1959 range were due to Chrysler’s ’57 models. The bigger, boxier bodyshell that debuted on most GM models for 1958 lasted only one year before a sleeker version followed.
Before Chrysler showed another way, GM’s approach, and particularly that of its chief stylist Harley Earl, was to lay the chrome on with a shovel. In 1958, it was Buick and Oldsmobile that copped the biggest helping.
Year of (Some) Change
Oldsmobile came to 1958 with renewed energy, having celebrated its 60th Anniversary the year before and building its six millionth car early in the ’58 production run.
A station wagon was back in the lineup for ’57 after an absence of six years, with a convertible added to the entry-level range for ’57, too.
The 17-model offering from 1957 carried over into 1958 almost unchanged, but there was a new (or new-ish) naming structure range-wide - the ascending order of Golden Rocket 88 to Golden Rocket Super 88 and Starfire 98 was simplified to Dynamic 88, Super 88 and 98.
Both the Dynamic 88 and slightly pricier Super 88 models shared a 122.5-inch wheelbase for ’58 (a half-inch increase on ’57), while the premium 98 models rode on a 126.5-inch wheelbase.
Aside from price and some extra chrome trim and interior finishes, the key element separating the Dynamic 88 from the Super 88 was the engine. All Oldsmobiles had been V8-powered since 1951, with displacement gradually increasing each year, but in 1958, the 371ci engine that had only been available in one state of tune the year prior was now offered in 265hp (198kW) form for the Dynamic 88 and 305hp (227kW) for the Super 88 and 98. The difference was down to a single two-barrel carby on the Dynamic 88 series, while the Super 88 and 98 used a four-barrel to get the extra grunt, with a ‘Jetaway’ four-speed Hydra-Matic auto transmission common to all.
If more power was required, the Super 88 and 98 could be upgraded with the ‘J-2’ engine that used three carbies on the 371ci V8 to produce 312hp (233kW). Even though Oldsmobile said the J-2 was not suited for street use, plenty were ordered for road cars when it was first announced in 1957. That trend continued into 1958.
In the larger and heavier 98, 0-100km/h times of 10 seconds were achievable with the J-2, with an 88 able to hit the same mark in under 8 seconds – pretty potent stuff for 1958!
Power steering, electric windows, power seats, air conditioning, a heater and removable radio were on the options list, as was the ‘Autronic Eye’ automatic headlight dimmer and a limited slip diff.
It’s rarely known today that the ’58 Oldsmobile could be optioned up with air bag suspension, too. Unfortunately, this ‘New-Matic’ suspension was as unreliable as the air systems fitted to other GM models of the same era; so much so that Oldsmobile dealers were supplied with a conversion kit to re-fit conventional suspension
Style Debate
For all its extra horsepower, innovative features and long list of options, any discussion of a 1958 Oldsmobile invariably comes back to the styling. Some love it, others hate it.
It was lambasted by non-GM people when new, especially the front-end spear that wrapped around the dual headlights and seemed at odds with the quartet of horizontal bars at the rear.
After years of oval-shaped grilles that had defined Oldsmobiles against competitors, the full-width ’58 grille was square and, like the rest of the car, chunky, too.
At the rear, jet-pod-inspired tail light housings were wrapped in more chrome, with small fins on top and extra garnish added on the Super 88 and 98.
There was no mistaking an Oldmsobile for anything else – coming or going – in 1958, either, as the name was spelled out in chrome letters that spanned the width of the bonnet and boot lid.
The Oldsmobile interior, completely restyled for 1958, was typical of the period and no less opulent than similar mid-priced offerings from Buick, Dodge or Mercury.
The steering wheel, with two kinked spokes, gave an uninterrupted view of the crescent-shaped speedometer ahead, with warning lights above and the gear position indicator and ventilation controls below.
Encasing this and the centrally-positioned radio was thick chrome trim that followed the line of the wraparound windscreen.
Less obvious touches for 1958 included an all-new ‘Starlite’ headliner on Super 88s and 98s, and seven different colour choices for the upholstery, including two-tone options in cloth or vinyl to match the exterior finishes.
Oldsmobile’s one-year-only look for 1958 may have been controversial, but it didn’t stop the brand rising to fourth place on the industry league table (behind Chevrolet, Ford and Plymouth) for the first time since 1905: a position it wouldn’t better until 1972.
While derided when new, Oldsmobile’s 1958 styling has come to be more widely appreciated with the passage of time. One of those to appreciate that stying is Bayden Roberts.
Bought, Built, Parked
Bayden’s a fan of classic American steel, with his first car being a ’57 Chevy 210. But as well versed in classic Americana as he is, even he was unfamiliar with the ’58 Oldsmobile when he spotted this car in a Ballarat caryard in 2010.
“I had never seen one before and liked that it was different,” Bayden explained.
“I drove past it every week and decided I needed to call in and look at it.”
That look showed the car – a 1958 Dynamic 88 hardtop sedan - to be in good condition overall, with most of its chrome and stainless in place, period-correct hubcaps on the standard 14-inch wheels, relatively good glass and interior trim. and the desirable J-2 engine, too.
The car had a low stance, thanks to seven-inch lowering blocks that Bayden was told had been fitted while the car was still in the US.
Soon after purchase, Bayden decided to rebuild the car in the style of an early ‘60s mild Kustom, with a bare metal respray in flat pale blue, a metalflake roof and angel hair hoodlining.
“We went to a few events in the car, and I had it for sale back then,” Bayden recalled. “I actually sold it, but the sale fell through. I lost interest and pushed the car into a corner of the shed.”
The car sat in that corner for another five years before Bayden returned to it with renewed energy and a new plan.
“In August of 2016, I decided it was time to revamp the car.”
Brighter, Bolder, Better
While the Oldsmobile was still usable as is, elements of it were getting tired, including the J-2 engine.
“I yanked out the J-2 and replaced it with a 350 Small Block from a late-model Corvette, with an MSD dizzy and Turbo 350 added for practicality and reliability.”
A modern 600 Holley carby was fitted, too, but to give the modern engine an old-school look, Bayden fitted an air cleaner from a ‘50s Cadillac and added period-look Oldsmobile rocker covers: “Open the hood and it fools almost everybody that looks at it,” Bayden laughed.
To suit the 350, Carline in Ballarat fabricated extractors and a full-custom exhaust system, which was then sent to Jet Hot Coatings in Castlemaine for a chrome finish. To keep the 350 cool, a modern aluminium radiator with thermo fan was fitted.
Modern airbag systems are much more reliable than the ’58 factory New-Matic and Bayden had a dumped, ground-scraping stance in mind, so the chassis was sent to Hodgey’s Hot Rods & Customs in Sebastopol (on the outskirts of Ballarat) for new air bag suspension all round. The chassis was notched and boxed to suit, with a 4-link set-up added at the back, too.
Powder coated in metallic silver, the chassis was next fitted with airbag lines and all new bushes and ball joints. New brakes and fuel lines were added, too, with Bayden sourcing most of this gear from Dave & Annie at All American Driveline & Auto Parts in Ballarat.
Those new brake lines run to the factory drum brakes and master cylinder, which seem an odd choice, given the rest of this car’s updated specs, but Bayden says it was built for cruising, so a set of oversized disc brakes wasn’t considered necessary.
A Taste of Italy
Early in this rebuild, Bayden had decided that the pale blue wouldn’t be retained. Many alternatives were considered before he settled on Baslac 3-layer pearl in ‘Rosso Radicofani’ - an Alfa Romeo colour.
“While the chassis mods where being done, I organised a few of the mates to help get the body prepped for paint.”
As he was doing the paint himself, Bayden called in the extra hands to help get the Oldsmobile completed and running in time to attend the Bright Rod Run in 2018.
At the same time, all the chrome, including those jumbo bumpers, was sent to Harkrome Quality Electroplaters in Braybrook, while the abundance of stainless trim went to Simon Aldridge in Maryborough for refurbishment: “I highly recommend him,” Bayden said
Pat from Pearl Craft was tapped to re-finish the steering wheel in a shade complementary to the Alfa Romeo red, while the seats and door cards were completely re-trimmed in white tuck-n-roll vinyl by J & T Rix Motor Body Trimmers in Camperdown.
All new wiring was fitted by Kyle Burns, a mate of Bayden’s, with new glass fitted all round, too: most coming from O’Brien’s, except the front ’screen that had to be sourced from the USA.
As the rebuild reached its closing stages, finishing touches included new tail light and indicator lenses from Fuchs Industries in the USA, an electric 2-speed wiper motor and supplementary Moon oil pressure and engine temp gauges.
Bayden’s a Ballarat boy (Sebastopol to be specific), which if you know that area, you know can get damn cold in winter, which makes the addition of a compact aftermarket heater a practical choice.
Finally, mods made to the 88’s body shell in the early stages allowed for the fitment of a seriously big set of hoops – Voys alloys in 18x7-inch on the front and 20x10-inch on the back.
Cruise-Ready, Ready for Sale
Completed in time for the 2018 Bright Rod Run, Bayden’s taken the car on several cruises since, including Melbourne car shows and several country events.
One of its more recent runs was to the Queenscliff Rod Run this past February, where JUST CARS spotted it. There’s no denying it attracted plenty of attention at that event, but by this stage, Bayden had decided to sell the car (see breakout).
The time and effort put into the prep and application of the paint is a highlight of this build, and it looks even better in the metal than the pictures show here. No matter which element you look at, there’s a lot to like about this car, but you really need to see it in the metal to appreciate the time, effort and dollars that have gone into the build.
It’s not often you come across an Oldsmobile like this one that’s been given a modern makeover. With its undeniable impact and abundant space, it’d make for a great family cruiser, too.
If you think the cars of 1958 were a styling low point, give this one a look – we reckon it’ll change your mind.
FOR SALE
As one of the few examples of a ’58 Oldsmobile hardtop sedan in Australia, this car is a rare find. The comprehensive rebuild to cruise/street machine spec makes it a very attractive find, too.
A lot of money’s gone into the build, which is reflected in the asking price, but Bayden believes it’s good buying.
The car is fully engineer approved and is offered with a current roadworthy certificate. The ‘DROPD’ custom Victorian plates will also be included in the sale for a Victorian buyer, along with 12 months’ registration.
Asking price is $120,000 ono. Phone 0407 802 269 for more details.
View online with more photos at https://www.justcars.com.au/ using the ad code: JCM5070780
