1955 88 Holiday 4-dr Sedan - Need a Decode!
January 23rd, 2023, 06:08 PM
#2
Phantom Phixer
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Apopka, FL
Posts: 4,699
VIN 558M73163
55- 1955 year model
8= Super 88
M= Lansing MI assembly
73163= sequential serial number
Style 55-3639SD = 1955 Super 88 deluxe holiday sedan
Body L 9301 = L= Lansing MI assembly , 9301 = sequential assembly number
Trim 371 = Ivory leather bolster , black pattern cloth
1955 Oldsmobile – Tagged "trim-Black" – SMS Auto Fabrics
Paint S51-60 = upper Polar White , lower Juneau Gray
1954 Oldsmobile (autocolorlibrary.com)
55- 1955 year model
8= Super 88
M= Lansing MI assembly
73163= sequential serial number
Style 55-3639SD = 1955 Super 88 deluxe holiday sedan
Body L 9301 = L= Lansing MI assembly , 9301 = sequential assembly number
Trim 371 = Ivory leather bolster , black pattern cloth
1955 Oldsmobile – Tagged "trim-Black" – SMS Auto Fabrics
Paint S51-60 = upper Polar White , lower Juneau Gray
1954 Oldsmobile (autocolorlibrary.com)
January 25th, 2023, 03:45 PM
#6
madmax442.com
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Albuquerque, NM
Posts: 352
Thank you, yes it's a Super 88 Holiday Sedan, model number 553639SD (right from The Cars of Oldsmobile p. 242). The Holiday being synonymous with Hardtop. It's confusing for sure. I think Sedan by itself without Holiday would be the 4-door post model.
I did buy it sight unseen, it's all original from everything I have seen via pictures (fingers crossed!).
Thanks again for your help! Michael
I did buy it sight unseen, it's all original from everything I have seen via pictures (fingers crossed!).
Thanks again for your help! Michael
April 12th, 2023, 12:16 PM
#12
madmax442.com
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Albuquerque, NM
Posts: 352
An update on my '55, had it about 3 months now. Found the previous owner, I am the 4th owner. It was bought in Detroit in 1955, the original owner passed in 90's and was stored until 2010. It changed hands twice since then. My goal is the leave it as original as possible. The interior and paint are original. I am been slowing working thru items over the past few months, dumped a few bucks into her. Turns out to be a fairly well optioned car, with Autronic eye, power antenna, clock, Super DeLuxe radio, and back-up lights. I got most everything working now, including the radio and clock which were both in-op. Changed the fuel pump, fixed all the vacuum lines and wipers work. Found a washer bottle and pump (it was missing), ran new lines but the washer pump needs new seals. Installed 2 3/4" whitewalls was the biggest change. Re-painted the engine and valve covers too. The carburetor is original, a Rochester 4GC, had to rebuild that. Brakes were done in 2010 and it stops straight, but the Treadle Vac is barely there as it takes a lot of effort to stop. It has receipts from 2013 on a rebuilt Treadle Vac, so not sure what's going on, need to pull the line off the canister and check vacuum. I had to round up a close to correct jack for the trunk. The cardboard and liner is still original in the trunk. I am climbing the Fusick customer spend rankings! LOL. Loving the car!
https://www.madmax442.com/norma-jean...#about-darlene
https://www.madmax442.com/norma-jean...#about-darlene
Last edited by madmax442.com; April 12th, 2023 at 02:06 PM. Reason: adding content
April 12th, 2023, 01:40 PM
#13
Jen R - '55 Super 88
Join Date: Mar 2023
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Posts: 47
An update on my '55, had it about 3 months now. Found the previous owner, I am the 4th owner. It was bought in Detroit in 1955, the original owner passed in 90's and was stored until 2010. It changed hands twice since then. My goal is the leave it as original as possible. The interior and paint are original. I am been slowing working thru items over the past few months, dumped a few bucks into her. Turns out to be a fairly well optioned car, with Autronic eye, power antenna, clock, Super DeLuxe radio, and back-up lights. I got most everything working now, including the radio and clock which were both in-op. Changed the fuel pump, fixed all the vacuum lines and wipers work. Found a washer bottle and pump (it was missing), ran new lines but the washer pump needs new seals. Installed 2 3/4" whitewalls was the biggest change. Re-painted the engine and valve covers too. The carburetor is original, a Rochester 4GC, had to rebuild that. Brakes were done in 2010 and it stops straight, but the Treadle Vac is barely there as it takes a lot of effort to stop. It has receipts from 2013 on a rebuilt Treadle Vac, so not sure what's going on, need to pull the line off the canister and check vacuum. I had to round up a close to correct jack for the trunk. The cardboard and liner is still original in the trunk. I am climbing the Fusick customer spend rankings! LOL. Loving the car!
I'm looking forward to having mine on the road before too long - it was my father's so I consider it still the original owner
April 14th, 2023, 07:24 AM
#14
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Forest Ranch Ca.
Posts: 7,731
Before you give up on the treadle-vac be sure to check the vacuum canister and all the lines from the carb to the canister. A little leak in the vacuum system will cause a major loss of stopping power.... Tedd
April 14th, 2023, 07:39 AM
#15
madmax442.com
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Albuquerque, NM
Posts: 352
Thanks Ted, I also read you can bypass the canister for testing purposes, is that true?
April 16th, 2023, 06:27 AM
#16
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Forest Ranch Ca.
Posts: 7,731
Most likely for only one attempt. I would leave it attached, start car for a few minutes then remove the booster vacuum line. There should be a sucking noise if the booster is still holding vacuum. The same thing with the vacuum line coming from the carb. No suck, you gotta leak somewhere doesn't take much for your brakes to go south in a hurry...Tedd
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
