1952 Oldsmobile 88 - Excellent Running and Driving, Fully Original, Sweet Olds

1952 Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight Description

This 1952 Oldsmobile 88 came from the Southgate, California plant equipped about as well as any 88 would be at the time. It has the 303 V8 with a 4 bbl carburetor and a Hydromatic transmission. It has the Delux interior, complete with a dash clock, push-button AM radio, and the dual control heater and vent system. On the outside, the car appears to have just about every extra bit and piece of chrome and trim available at the time, including the sought-after sun visor and both original fender skirts (which are off of the car in the pictures). If you love Oldsmobiles as much as I do, then you know that this 1952 88 is the one to have.

This Olds runs and drive wonderfully. It starts right up, shifts reasonably well, and goes down the road just like it should. The odometer shows 80880 miles; while I have no verification of this, I have no reason to doubt its accuracy. The fuel system has been fully restored, with a cleaned tank, cleaned fuel lines with replacements wherever necessary, and fully rebuilt 4bbl carb, and more. All of the standard tune up parts have been recently replaced. The car has also recently received a newer generator and battery, and the radiator and cooling system has been recently reconditioned. All of the lines, belts and hoses have been replaced within the last couple of years to my knowledge. The brakes and the parking brake work well, although sometimes the right front brake is a little grabby. There will probably be a few drips of transmission fluid on your garage floor, although after sitting still in my garage for about a year, there were only trace amounts of fluid which were wiped up with a small rag. Like many older Hydromatics, it sometimes thinks about slightly slipping between 2nd and 3rd. As with many similar Oldsmobiles, the lifters like to make some noise just to remind you that they are there. Mechanically, I don’t see any real reason you couldn’t simply drive the car like it is.

The body on the car is also in very good condition. I’ve not heard of any previously repaired body damage, and do not see signs of such. The car appears to have its original two tone paint (light blue with a white top) throughout. As far as I can tell, every piece of chrome is in place and usable. The stainless steel trim is all in very good condition, but most of the chrome pieces will need some level of attention if you choose to make this car a show winner. There is very little rust on the car: you can see the extent of the surface in the pictures, however the floors are rusty. The worst floor is the driver’s front, which I’ve pictured. Replacement pans are available for the car for a very reasonable price: I suggest you take advantage of that. I’ve not seen any cancer anywhere but the floors – the rest of the car seems quite solid and clean in and out, top and bottom.

The windshield is cracked, as is the majority of the flat glass in the doors. The three-piece rear window is in excellent shape in and out.

The interior could use some help. As you can see in the pictures, everything is there, but none of it is perfect. The driver’s door latch is not working properly (causing the door to not open properly from the inside), the driver’s door panel was removed some years ago to begin this unfinished repair, and never put back on. When you get the car home, you’ll find this panel sitting on the backseat. I do not have the front floor covering. The headliner and visors are not perfect, but respectable and serviceable for a driver-quality car. The lights on the car seem to be working for the most part, but I cannot guarantee that things like the heater fan, wipers, etc., are working correctly

I do not have a title; the car will be sold on bill-of-sale only. The car was purchased new in Washington state and kept with the original owner for over 40 years. The car was then sold to a neighbor, without a title and on bill-of-sale, some ten years ago. After sitting in his garage for years, my father purchased the car a couple of years ago. As the car has now been doing nothing but sit in my garage for nearly a year, we’ve decided to let it get to someone who can properly enjoy it.

Please do not bid unless you intend to buy. Note that this is a “No Reserve” auction – if you bid on it, you’ve bought it. I’ll expect a $500 via PayPal within 24 hours, unless we’ve made other prior arrangements. Full payment is expected within 7 days. Please plan on retrieving the car within 14 days, unless we’ve made other arrangements prior to the sale. I’ll expect to hear from you via email or eBay within 12 hours of the auction close. Thanks!