Looking for '52 Olds 88 info

[330Scott]

Greetings everyone.

I recently stumbled across a 1952 Olds 88 2-door hardtop for sale. It is white over robins egg blue with a Rocket V8, auto trans and power brakes. This car is very similar to the '52 88 4-door sedan that I drove in high school for a while. (May that car R.I.P.) Anyway, the car really caught my eye and I am considering purchasing it for a future resto project.

So I am trying to learn as much as possible about the '52 88's before I head back up and talk to the seller. I know basically nothing about this year Oldsmobile and am looking for any specs, options, parts availability and hopefully some '52 owner's websites. Also, and no disrespect to this message board, I am really looking for an active message board for Oldsmobiles of the 1952 era/generation.

Thanks a lot.

Scott

[Oldsfan]

Scott,

Power brakes were not available on Oldsmobiles until '53. I've seen '52s that have had power brakes added as part of the restoration process. Also, something tells me that dealerships were supplied with retrofit kits in order to install the '53 power brake accessory packages on '52s. I had a '52 98 sedan many years ago. It had neither power brakes or power steering, but it did have the Autronic Eye headlight dimmer. '52 was the first year for power steering and Autronic Eye. A really cool option they had on the '52s was the Steering Wheel Watch. It mounted in the horn ring and the movement of the wheel kept it wound. Watches show up on eBay regularly. Horn rings and steering wheels are less frequent and expensive. The really hard part to get is the special curved turn signal lever. Alot of cars equipped with the wheel watch had a compass installed in place of the clock on the dash.

I think this is the most active board you're going to find for Oldsmobiles of this era.

Paul

[RocketDude]

It sounds like a nice car, depending on the condition. I recently picked up a nice '51 Olds S88, which is practically the same car.

I'm not sure what all infornmation you are looking for. I started by getting a factory manuel, and a "Motors" manuel that covers that year car.

I have only had my car since the first of the year, so I'm still stumbling along, trying to find sources of information and parts. It takes a while to build a library of sources.

So far I have gone through the engine, and replaced a few body parts.

Ebay is my best source of parts, so far. I would be happy to share any information I can with you. If you would like, email me at BUNNELLYL@AOL.COM.

Don't wait to long to go talk to the seller or you might be sorry..1

[rocketraider]

The National Antique Olds Club will be a good resource too. Plenty of people knowledgeable on the early 50s Rocket cars. www.antiqueolds.org I think- used to be able to link to it from this site.

[330Scott]

Thanks for the replies, guys. Appreciate it.

I've been doing a little internet searching and have been coming up with more and more questions than answers. But that's the way it goes when I start digging into the unknown. One thing that I would like to know is how can you tell a regular 88 model from a Super 88. Is it as easy the car having Super 88 badges, or are there distinguishing items such as S88 only chrome, wheel covers or something or the other. Also, is there only one V8 engine available for the '52 88's? If so, can you tell me a little bit about it please?

Oldsfan, the car's brake pedal says power brakes and there is some sort of diaphragm under the brake pedal. Odd looking setup. There was no wheel watch and I didn't notice anything unusual about the turn signal stalk.

RocketDude, thanks for your offer of help. Sounds like you are moving right along with your '51 - way to go. Yeah, I may take a little road trip up to see the car again either this weekend or the weekend following. This may just be a pipe dream because the '52 really struck a chord with me because of the '52 that I drove in highschool. We had some great times in that car until I rolled it one Sunday morning when my brother & I were headed out to a friend's farm to do some pheasant hunting. I basically flipped it onto it's lid into a ditch and we were unhurt. Some guy stopped by and took me into town and back home while Curt stayed with the car. I walked into the house around 8:30 and Mom & Dad were still in bed and Dad's shouted out something about being home pretty early. (Think I interrupted their, er, ah, privacy.) And I shouted back that I had a little accident. Mom started screaming at the top of her lungs "YOU SHOT CURT!!! YOU SHOT CURT!!!" No Mom, I just rolled your car and Curt is OK. Whew, talk about taking the edge off a serious situation.

But I digress.

The sheetmetal on the car appears to be pretty solid, but the goofy thing about it is that the car must have been sitting outside for an awful long time with both front windows rolled down. The front seat is disintegrated and there is a hole rotted through the floorboard on the drivers side. I can only imagine that the floorboard rot will be even worse once I start crawling around the car. The good thing is that the engine compartment is complete including that brute of an aircleaner. So yes. this car will not be a quick and easy restore.

Rocketrader, thanks for the link. Every bit helps.

So that's it guys. Do I or don't I? I was told that the price is around $1,800. My biggest problem is where to put it. I have two projects going on right now and I don't have a place to store another car unless I pay for storage, which I really don't want to do. I had to pass on a '58 Savoy 2-door post a couple of months ago because of the same storage issue. It's rough being a car guy.

[Oldsfan]

Scott,

I'm doing some of this from memory, but I think I've got it right.

The base model 88 was called the Deluxe 88 (or was it 88 Deluxe...). Only available in 2 and 4 door sedans (and maybe a club coupe). My grandparents had a Deluxe 88 sedan, probably in the same shade of blue you are referring to. Convertibles and Holidays were not available in the Deluxe line. Deluxes had plainer interiors, no chrome around the windshield/backglass, and I think they had rubber stone guards in front of the rear wheels instead of stainless. It is a common misconception that all Supers had fender skirts - they were optional.

There was only 1 V8 available in '52 - the 303. Deluxes had a 2bbl, Supers and 98s had a 4bbl (first year).

Your car probably had the power brakes added as a dealer installed accessory when they came out in '53.

I believe you said this was Holiday coupe. That's a pretty desirable model.

Paul