1955 Oldsmobile 98 two-door holiday hardtop

Today on what it’s like we are taking a closer look at what top shelf looked like from Oldsmobile in 1955.
Oldsmobile was offered in three models 88, super 88 98 at the top, interestingly, Oldsmobile did not offer wagons from 1951 through 1956.
Enjoy =)
This absolutely stunning car is currently for sale at Classic, automall Morgantown, Pennsylvania, for hours of operation directions, and to get more information on this car. Be sure to click the link below after the show.
www.classicautomall.com/vehic...

[@charlesdalton985]

Huey Lewis - Happy to be Stuck with you..The car is stunning! Well done upgrades for drivability. WYR: 55 Olds in both cases, but make mine an 88, same engine in a lighter car. Thank you as always ~ Chuck

[@What.its.like.]

Awesome choices I’m with you I sort of like the lesser olds models Yeah buddy that’s the song and band =)

[@dennislettich4035]

@@What.its.like. NOT the name of the song, or the name of the group!!!

[@charlesdalton985]

@@What.its.like. To me the Rocket 88 is among the first muscle cars. Big engine in a smaller car. Of course, I'm not objective as my dad owned a 55 88, same color scheme as this one. Maybe someday......

[@johnboydTx]

👏👏👏 Well Done 👍 Enjoy ✌️🤠

[@What.its.like.]

Hey Charles I’m sorry but Dennis is right I always thought it was happy to be stuck with you so I just looked it up he is right and he got it 1st

[@thomdigiacomo5154]

I have an original salesman’s leather bound sales book which allows a prospective buyer to visualize several color combinations of the model they were interested in. Two and three tone color screens were popular. It also had swatches of the various fabrics offered snd leather combinations . It slid had the various convertible roof colors available. this way a buyer can see exactly what there car will look like before ordering. I got it new in 1955 It’s still in pristine condition. Amazing what dealerships offered to potential clients then

[@jefffixesit60]

We had one of these in the early '60's! A Holiday 98, white over sky blue, made the year I was born. I loved the little chrome 'rain guard' that popped out when you let the window down or opened the door. First car we had with power windows, it was a beautiful beast! 😁

[@What.its.like.]

Awesome thank you so much for sharing those memories of your car =)

[@robertwatkins364]

I had one of these when I was in highschool. Mine was a two door post car. It had a 324 engine with a 4 barrel, power brakes, power steering, and a four way power seat. I scrounged up some "John Milner" type reverse chrome wheels, and white wall tires for it. I put a AM/ FM, cassette player in the glove box. I had a Bob Seger tape, and an Alabama tape! I was set for cruising in style!

[@charlesdalton985]

Awesome car - that had to be stunning with the chrome reverse wheels!

[@robertwatkins364]

@@charlesdalton985 chrome wheels are my favorites! Not the smoothie chromes, but the real chromes.

[@What.its.like.]

Thank you so much for sharing those memories of your car. Sounds like you had a pretty stellar ride.

[@bparksiii6171]

First choice 55DeSoto, Second 55 President Speedster. Seen lots of those mid 50 Oldses back in the day from 98's to basic 88 sedans those wheel covers were hot items back then, saw them on all kind of cars-piickups along with Mercury cruiser skirts. Those Olds owners had to watch out where they parked, a lot of those fancy wheel covers were also stolen, that 98 looks gorgeous.

[@seven_hundred-seven_hundred]

Very nice. Thank you.

[@hcombs0104]

This is a beautiful restoration. I really like the dashboard, and how it's laid out. My grandmother once owned a '56, so I've always been somewhat partial to that generation Olds. Mostly because of that, my choice is Olds for both scenarios of WYR. Well, maybe the Mercury...

[@61rampy65]

As usual, another great video! That Olds is beautiful, but, jeez, couldn't they at least oil the drivers door hinges?? Something so minor can be a major turn-off to some people....like me. I like that the previous owner added some modern items to make it safer/easier to drive.

[@What.its.like.]

That car just showed up for sale. It wasn’t there earlier in the day. I think that they would grease the hinges. Glad you did this episode

[@waynegood9233]

When I was younger my family had a 1955 88 4 door hardtop with all the bells and whistle in 1959-1963 it was a two tone white and grey What a great car !!!

[@a.leemorrisjr.9255]

Was never an Olds man, but I gotta give them their credit where due. Was sorry to see them go😢.

[@seed_drill7135]

My dad and his twin brother shared a 1955 88 convertible with three on the tree. I vaguely recall it still sitting at my grandfather's. They sold it in '72. Biggest car regret ever.

[@michaelcroos4713]

Grew up with one of these, brand new, orange/red and white, my dad's love affair with Oldsmobiles started with a 1951 2 door hardtop.

[@P_RO_]

Definitely Oldsmobile styling with the 'globe' emblem and the 'flipper' hubcaps.The 'floating' lettering in the grille is awesome. And the beginning of the 'excess chrome' era years before the rest followed along. The "Rocket" engines were still considered powerful but Chevy was changing the game. This one has many 'upgrades' to make it more driveable in the modern world and I'm not sure if the upholstery follows the original patterns but it looks good regardless. This was Olds at it's best. WYR is all Olds, but the DeSoto and Nash run a close second.

[@What.its.like.]

Sweet choices =) Great insight

[@Jerry-ok8gj]

Thank you for a wonderful video My favorite car, Oldsmobile. Miss Oldsmobile very much! Thanks again!

[@What.its.like.]

Thank you so much for watching glad you dig this episode =)

[@Motomack1042]

Desoto! The Old holiday is a really nice automobile. In 1980 my dad's business partner purchased a 1956 4dr and had a complete frame off restoration done. Nothing was skipped, the car was brand new stem to stern. One afternoon he was doing a presentation in St Petersburg FL, and he left some paperwork at the office in Tampa. I just happened to be at the office waiting for my dad to pick me up, when they needed someone to take the paper work to St Pete, and the only vehicle available for me to drive was the 56 Olds. I had a blast, the old car was amazing, I was surprised just how fast the old car was.

[@What.its.like.]

Thank you so much for sharing that story, we need to get more young people in the Classic Car hobby In a lot of ways, these cars are way better than what they sell now and they last forever when maintained and taken care of if you want better gas mileage, just switch out the rear end

[@bobmccurdy8881]

What a beautiful car look the color combination too. Oldsmobile - Oldsmobile.

[@garygreen7552]

Love seeing these older cars. I do note that the 11+ second 0-60 mph acceleration is a lot slower than what we consider acceptable now. I think anything more than10 seconds is a problem. Thank you.

[@basilhatte]

There were 3 of these in my father's extenxive beater collection in the '60's: 2 '55's and a '56 (all 98' s, in a similar red/whits 2-tone) ; they all seemed to be unusually heavy, sinking to their frames in the springtime mud each year... but damn, they sounded sweet, and rode like Caddy's, (at least to junior me). A bit of an underappreciated classic, IMO.

[@markdavis6875]

I find it hard to understand how you can equate the 1955 price to 2024 and say it’s now 35, 000 . What new car can you buy for that price ? A luxury car today is closer to 100,000 or more !

[@davidpowell3347]

The government consistently understates the ravages of dollar inflation.

[@What.its.like.]

That’s why I do the comparisons because inflation has gotten ridiculous over the years has it not? Also, the buying public has a lot to do with prices all they have to do is stop buying these vehicles, but it takes everybody ..

[@barronridge5613]

It's called inflation.

[@LlyleHunter]

Dad usually drove Oldsmobiles with some Chevys interjected every few cycles. I had a few Chevys, two Oldsmobiles and a few Buicks and my brother had a Buick and our Oldsmobiles really were the best built and most reliable of all of them constantly. I miss the brand but GM turned them into big giant Saturns in the end of their run and the Olds customers wanted real Oldsmobiles. I am very happy with my current Colorado however. It’s nice and strong, it rides nicely and has a good interior. I wish Olds was still around because I want a second vehicle and if they had a midsize crossover I’d probably opt for it. I’m waiting for the next Blazer to be out for a year so I can review the reliability records.

[@stephenlawson2546]

You do very well I like the commercials. This is the one car I love. My brother had a super 88. 55 was a good year. The buick is very nice too. Ford did well. If I had to go back to 55. I would need a barn to keep them in.

[@What.its.like.]

Thank you =) happy you dig the channel I’m with you wish I had a time machine

[@h.paulsprojects3061]

Great video!! This is a nicely styled automobile, I'd go with this one in both WYRs

[@denislandry7577]

We all love the 55,56, 57 chevy , however Buick , Ols , are to die for , my opinion

[@What.its.like.]

Don’t hate me, but I think tri five Chevys are overrated

[@TigerRogers0660]

Hey Jay!! Another great video!! Great American car from the mid 50s. Enjoyed!! Cheers from Australia.

[@What.its.like.]

Happy you dig this episode. My two favorite eras are 30s and 50s but try to cover everything.

[@tedecker3792]

Had a neighbor who bought a new olds every year in the 50s and 60s, his wife got the year old car, and they would trade the two year old car. Always the high end two door hardtops. Their son was my friend that became the CEO of a Fortune 500 company. They also had a Renault Dauphene and would take the neighborhood kids to the Saturday matinee moves in it.

[@NeedtoSpeak]

WYR….I take the 55 Olds. My father had either a 55 or 56 that looked like a cream cycle (flamingo pink and cream 2 tone). It was 4 door. Like this one, it was an eye catcher.

[@middleclassretiree]

Another wonderful video Jay, thank you and keep them coming. As far as the WYR this time I really can’t choose , I actually want all of them 55 was a great year to be an American car shopper and an American period !

[@What.its.like.]

=) 55 was another great year for cars totally agree happy you dig this video

[@stevelee5724]

Hey Jay. Wow how neat mate. Cheers from New Zealand

[@What.its.like.]

Glad you dig this episode =)

[@tombrown1898]

The 1954 98 line are my favorite Oldsmobiles of the 1950s. The two-tone pattern on the 98 Holiday Coupe' is gorgeous. The 1955 pattern looks like a rat tail. At the age of 3, I almost stole a new 1956 Super 88, but that's another story.

[@ironcladranchandforge7292]

That's a beautiful car and looks to be a great restoration with reasonable upgrades. I would take this car over any tri 5!! I've never been a tri 5 enthusiasts. As a matter of fact, I prefer the Chevy cars from the early 50's over the tri's.

[@draggonsgate]

'54's snout looks like the gill monster from Creature of the Black Lagoon... Am I the only one who isn't a fan of fender skirts? To me they just don't look right, on any car, including my beloved '76 Grand Marquis. I took mine off. There is something about a 50's car in red and white interiors that looks so sharp! (Nice Mark Vll in the background!) That hood ornament is freakin' awesome! The hood creases make it looks like jet trails! Awesome car. Great vid! WYR: 1) Mercury (surprise, surprise... lol) 2) Just because it's so out there and different, the Nash.

[@Clyde-2055]

WYR: 1- I liked those Mercurys, but didn’t like those crappy Y-blocks. Liked the Olds drivetrain, but the 98 was bloated and overweight. The Super 88 was more to my liking. 2- Studebaker

[@johnboydTx]

J Drive inn movie from my youth 😂 W.W. and the Dixie Dance Kings 👍. Burt Reynolds and Jerry Reid and Don Williams and several stars 😉👏👏 Black and gold 88 holiday 4 door custom touches 😉👏👏👏 WYR DeSoto and a tie between Studebaker and Oldsmobile 🤔 Great Episode Happy Motoring ✌️🤠

[@TomSpeaks-vw1zp]

What was it about those 50’s car’s windows steaming up at the drive in movies?😮

[@leejankovskis7814]

Nice example other than the interior. I'd have to have that done again.

[@jeffreykurth2703]

Nice video. The Merc and the Stude.

[@What.its.like.]

Cool choices

[@luisvelasco316]

WYR: Olds (but I agree with Chuck that the Rocket 88 would be my choice, and I'd get a 4-door Holiday. Studebaker in the second group. All the choices today are interesting.

[@OLDS98]

Thank you for the video. It was good. That car is detailed. Did someone restore the car? a a 1996 Oldsmobile Ninety-Eight owner you can see how much changed and how much stayed as tradition. You put effort into the video and shows. My Ninety-Eight is not as long as the Ninety-Eight or have A V8, but the tradition is still there. You keep locating these cars.

[@What.its.like.]

I think this one has been restored, the seats didn’t seem like the right material I tried to do my best to cover the cars that never get talked about, and it’s like that every word that I go so if I see anything of interest, I try my best to cover it happy you still dig this channel

[@OLDS98]

@@What.its.like. I thought it was restored. I thought so. I noted the door trim panels. It was a good job, but I was like something does not seem authentic here. Thank you for sharing and your work in the channel.

[@JohnCBurzynski]

I will take the Olds, it's beautiful, nicer than new. My guess would be Baby Hold On, by Eddie Money.

[@What.its.like.]

It was stuck with you hewy lewis

[@ronmailloux8655]

The would you rather not have a stodgey Nash Imbarasser lol. Olds all the wya...thanks for another great post.

[@ColtonRMagby]

WYR: All of them.

[@joeseeking3572]

No such thing as glovebox delete, lol. Sacrificed the space for AC ducting. You did get a glovebox with factory AC, but yes, smaller. Those flipper wheel covers were very popular - with thieves, er, teenagers. WYR: 98, both instances. Song - Huey Lewis "Stuck with You" ?

[@avp217]

That looks like an aftermarket a/c system, possibly from Vintage Air. I don't know if factory air was available on the '55 Olds.

[@richardwarren7492]

Hint? Siblings Richard and Maurice McDonald opened the first McDonald's at 1398 North E Street at West 14th Street in San Bernardino, California, on May 15, 1940. 54 Olds Dash. WYR 1: Merc WYR 2: Stude. Had a 54 hardtop, great car.

[@What.its.like.]

First franchised key word sweet choices

[@richardwarren7492]

@@What.its.like. The McDonald brothers began franchising their fast-food system beginning in 1953. They were built with a standard design, which included the company's universally recognized "golden arches". A second restaurant, this one owned by a franchisee, was opened in Downey, California, which remains open to this day.

[@What.its.like.]

Great information I had to look it up. I got that information from Wikipedia if you, Google it three things come up and that was the middle line but you’re right. Turns out the location Wikipedia gave out, was like the fourth maybe even fifth or sixth McDonald’s franchise location

[@kenpruvit1037]

hey jay ,another great episode,check out burt reynolds car in the movie ww and the dixie dance kings (its a 88 not a 98)

[@What.its.like.]

awesome thank you so so much for that information. I’ll definitely have to check that out.

[@chrishauser5180]

Great channel. Do you also do reviews of jaguars? In this video, I see a beautiful e- type in the background, and would love to see that, and any XJ coupes if they have them

[@What.its.like.]

Thank you glad you dig the channel pepper in the foreign cars from time to time

[@kirbywaite1586]

I wonder why the 98s didn't get the Cadillac greenhouse like the Roadmasters did for '55 and '56.

[@garythorington1600]

I always thought the Buicks and Oldsmobiles looked very similar especially the olds 98 and the Buick Electra 225. I once had a 64 Buick skylark but I thought the Olds F 85 was a little better looking

[@user-bw2ys6cr9z]

Oldsmobile raket88 💪💖😍

[@dougabbott8261]

wyr ...tough one but the merc I guess 98 has the skirts though wyr ...this one was easier 98 in that red and white the 50s was a great decade for car style . thx Jay

[@What.its.like.]

Great choices happy you dig this episode =)

[@eddiebennett2994]

Mercury Montclair, Studebaker Speedster

[@What.its.like.]

Sweet choices =)

[@DSP1968]

I''m not a huge fan of GM cars of this era -- they usually look too fat and doughy to me. But this car is really sharp and in beautiful shape with a wonderful paint job. And I'll take the Montclair and the Studebaker.

[@What.its.like.]

Sweet choices =)

[@ernielaw]

That Olds 98 is a flashy car, but I would still go with the DeSoto and Studebaker.

[@danielulz1640]

The upholstery sew pattern is correct but the fabric is wildly inaccurate. The interior looks amateurishly done. I wonder what colors that car left the factory wearing.

[@stephenlawson2546]

I might have made a mistake it might to promote a new dip for chicken.

[@aaronwilliams6989]

Every one except maybe the Nash or the Studebaker.

[@andreamills5852]

Desoto --Olds

[@What.its.like.]

Sweet choices =)

[@johnboydTx]

Fire Dome Hemi will get you every time😂 😉👍 Enjoy your adventures ✌️🤠

[@robertroth267]

It’s spelled Des Plaines, IL. Still there, but not used.

[@timothysotelo3868]

WYR. First the Mercury because I am a Ford guy the second is the Studebaker

[@What.its.like.]

Cool choices =)

[@billolsen4360]

Like the 55 styling a little better vs the '54. WYR: The 55 Olds in both categories.

[@What.its.like.]

Sweet choices =)

[@alejandroeguren4187]

The car is magnificent, marvelous, but the fender skirts, which are not stock, not original, distort completely the back profile of the car, converting it into a "square" and eliminating the beautiful lateral curve of the fenders.

[@markchandler1130]

1955 DeSoto 1955 Nash

[@What.its.like.]

Awesome choices =)

[@brianhayes7618]

55 olds

[@lenisbennett3062]

My dad bought a new Oldsmobile in 55 it was a Super 88 holiday 4-door hardtop these cars had very weak brakes use some hard one time and you would have to sit and cool them off before they would work again I think my Dad paid $4,400 for the thing when he bought it new

[@What.its.like.]

That’s crazy I have a 52 Chevy 1 ton truck and I don’t have any problems with the brakes. It’s got drums on all four corners but it stops better than a 67 Mustang but then again I use the transmission to slow down and I will push the brakes down to come to a complete stop.

[@ernestoclaudodip9671]

Open the trunk!!!!

[@What.its.like.]

,

[@wallyfronzaglio372]

The 55 olds

[@jasonnaimie5465]

on question 1 #1,

[@What.its.like.]

Sweet choice

[@robert3302]

Desoto or Studebaker.

[@8176morgan]

I never knew that Oldsmobile had a four-door hardtop as early as '55. I thought that only Buick had a four-door hardtop that early. The next year I do know that Mercury introduced their four-door Phaeton hardtop and Chevrolet introduced a four-door hardtop model for their prestigious Bel Air line that year. Anyways, for WYR I will take hands down that beautiful '55 Mercury Montclair hardtop; but as for the second choice, well I think I'll take a pass on all the three that were shown. Sorry about but you've got to be a little bit selective and choose only the makes or models that you actually like and not the ones that you don't care for much!

[@What.its.like.]

Great choices =) and insight

[@mikecesario514]

DeSoto, please, Nash please

[@What.its.like.]

Sweet choices =)

[@stevelee5724]

11:29 that trunk badge is not the world. Its the mericas! I know you mericans think merica is the world, but Hello. From New Zealand

[@What.its.like.]

Very true, but you can’t see the whole globe and its entirety in one shot

[@Clyde-2055]

Merkins ?? 😁

[@wallyfronzaglio372]

And once again the 55 olds

[@What.its.like.]

Sweet choices =)

[@aaronwilliams6989]

It was FWD from 1985-1996 , not 1966. LOL.

[@What.its.like.]

Great catch

[@JamesAllmond]

55 55 DeSoto 55 Stude Not that I don't like the Olds, just like DeSoto and Studes of this era a lot better!

[@What.its.like.]

Awesome choices 55. DeSoto is probably my favorite year of De Soto but it comes with a bit of a conundrum. I like the styling of the 55 but I like the dash and push buttons in the 56 model.

[@chrisneilson7221]

WYR = I'll take the Merc and the Studebaker.

[@What.its.like.]

Sweet choices

[@TigerDominic-uh1dv]

Fender Skirts Do not Look Good On All Cars, and This is One of Those 😊

[@TomSpeaks-vw1zp]

If fender skirts come installed from the factory then yes skirts are acceptable.

[@stephenlawson2546]

And Mc' ds has died. It is now chinese Wc'ds.

[@What.its.like.]

Totally agree I’m not a fan and haven’t been a fan in years I hate that everything that was for kids is gone… don’t get me started on that lol

[@Ctrl-XYZ]

“Ninty” Eight in your thumbnail?? Try “Ninety”

[@What.its.like.]

.