1st Drive In 36 Years: My 1957 Oldsmobile Rocket 88 Makes It's Return To The Road

[@FloridaClay]

I had forgotten how handsome the dashes are on these.

[@tomadkins2866]

I was only 3 years old when my Dad traded in a Grey 57 Olds for a new 65 Ford Galaxie. I still have a vivid memory of my Mom carrying me outside and loading me into the front seat of that Olds on a cold, winter morning (headed to a babysitter then to work?) and seeing that awesome dashboard/instrument cluster lit up. I can still almost feel the air blowing from the heater. Funny, the random snippets you remember, even as you get older.

[@johnlofgren4195]

Sounds like an Oldsmobile all right.

[@fleetwin1]

Boy o boy, this car brings me back. My Uncle Fred had a 57, can't remember if it was an 88 or 98. Charcoal with grey interior...It had power brakes though, that I remember. My brother finally ended up with the car when Uncle Fred replaced it with a 67 Delmont 88 coupe, he blew it up driving it to college...

[@JuniorFan08]

Researched the hydramatic - it is a four speed. With the selector in Drive, it will run through all four gears. In "S", it will shift normally 1,2,3 and stay in 3rd until 70-75 mph, then will shift into 4th. This is for use in hilly conditions, when towing or other "severe" use. When in "L", it will shift 1-2 and stay in second gear until 15-50 mph. L is designed for engine braking on long down hill runs.

[@Freedomquest08]

Everything you said there is definitely correct for the Dual Range Hydramatic. In '56-59/60ish, Olds used the Jetaway Hydramatic, which is also a 4 speed. Olds probably kept the shift speeds the same, but I'm not sure if the shift characteristics are the same as the Dual Range Hydramatic. The Jetaway is much different and unique internally. It uses sprag clutches instead of bands and two fluid couplings; the small one is a fill and dump that controls the shifts. This change was made to smooth out the harsh shifts of the earlier Hydramatics (referred to as jerkomatics for their harsh 2-3 shift). The Jetaway's were stout transmissions and in the day they were junkyard gems that were sometimes swapped into newer, early '60's Olds cars that had the not so good Roto Hydramatic.

[@jamesmooney8933]

I had a 4 speed hydromatic in my '87 Olds 88 Royale. It was fast for an 80's car. It had the fastest 3.8 L V6 FWD that year. GM got rid of the 4speed hydromatic around '62. Even the Cadillac had 3 speed Hydromatic after '62.

[@JuniorFan08]

@@jamesmooney8933 My uncle had a '62 Super 88 that he still had when I got my license in 1966. He let me drive it on occasion and I remember it shifting only twice - 1st to 2nd and 2nd to 3rd. It was a "sensitive" car to drive but I guess if you drove it every day, you'd get used to it.

[@jamesmooney8933]

@@JuniorFan08 I had a 4 speed automatic in my '57 Caddy, 87 Olds fwd 88, and 90 Buick fwd Park Ave. I loved the 4 speed automatic. Around '63 GM got rid of the 4 speed automatic, and just increases horse power. This was a mistake, although increased HP gave the cars more power, but the gas economy was bad. Also I live in Pittsburgh where you are always going up and down hills. Sometimes on steep hills the 3 speed will be going back and forth between 2nd & 3rd. I don't think it is good for the transmission and it is annoying. Now I have a Toyota Corolla with over drive and it runs great.

[@TheDgill]

Love the Rockets on the ends of the fenders . So 50's

[@deweygill1973]

Gramps had a ‘57 Super 88 coupe in Desert Glow. He’d take me for rides when I was a little kid, it was my favorite car from my childhood, much more exiting than Dad’s ‘53 98 four door. Always loved the wraparound dash

[@johnsarian_cu]

Solid car from the era where drivers didn't need to be in a hurry. Just smooth ride and comfort.

[@heathhenderson7217]

The 57 olds has the best looking dash in my opinion.

[@carlp3032]

Great work as usual Ben! Wonderful save!

[@edwardallan197]

That is an ideal resto candidate, agreed....

[@ClassicChrome86]

Like seeing you work on these cars. Love the series on your '56 Caddy. Continued good luck with your projects and your channel.

[@rogercamp6071]

In '57 Oldsmobile came out with the printed circuit board for dash lights a dozen years or more before everyone else did, I read that in Motor Trend when the new car issue came out.

[@neilschipper3741]

Wow.... You've done it again! I've always enjoyed your working all these old boats. Great job and always liked it when you put the dogs in there for an update for their approval.

[@quagmiredavis4117]

Always use marvel mystery oil in fuel helps rings valves etc ... valvoline 30 in summer 1030 winter nice project keep us posted

[@guilleguille8959]

I love this car...care this car...try to restored will be fantastic . A hug from Argentina

[@fitzspike]

I really like the dash/instument designs on the 1950s cars!

[@r1lark]

Wait, you forgot the dogs!! 🙂

[@mikestone7692]

Nice work…

[@johnnoland4249]

Having learned to drive on power everything. The first time I drove a car withpot power brakes, well, stopping was an experience!

[@anthonymcandrew529]

Great video, great old Oldsmobile! Thanks for posting.

[@ronaldwarren5220]

Love those 50s BOP cars!

[@johnhoye4535]

this is a lot of fun, more test drives please

[@TomHolz-e9x]

Excellent video ! 😊 Love that old Detroit iron !

[@sensations111]

Really like the drives esp in the Cadillac! Thanks Ben

[@dangoodall-williams4200]

It's awesome that you bring these cars up to running and driving and then onto someone who is gonna take it further. Thanks!

[@nonelost1]

5:44… Only ‘57 Oldsmobubbles had that “suddenly it’s 1949“ look with the three-piece rear window. I always kinda liked those. BTW, Dan Restodan was thinking about buying a ‘58 Buick recently in one of his videos. Perhaps you and Dan can do a collaboration video of your ‘57 olds along with his ‘58 Buick (assuming he bought it). NEVER MIND. I see you sold it. Hope it went to a good home.

[@daggggy]

Thats a 4 speed hydromatic same as my 56 olds drive super and low then reverse

[@jimclarke1108]

Cool ride bud

[@RobertPerrigoOkiechopper]

Atta boy Ben, keep them alive.

[@unclerick8224]

Great job getting this one running. I enjoy watching all of your videos.

[@jasongecik9059]

Great video Ben, really love that old car.

[@jerrytate9394]

Love that video!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@santaclause2875]

Super cool car, Ben! And she runs soooo smooth and nice. Thanks for the video.

[@kapekodbob]

Like those years

[@benjamin_007-1]

Let’s go

[@SSmith-fm9kg]

Sweet ride! Was that a Texas grasshopper as a hood ornament?

[@TheCorvetteBen]

Yes it was!

[@beatglauser9444]

Congratulations! This is Texas: No need for wipers. A question: In Texas: Do you need to pass an inspection for a new registration or is it only up to your courage if you want to fix or drive a car in very doubtful condition?

[@TheCorvetteBen]

Depends on how it is registered. If it is registered as a "classic" then you need to pass a minimal safety inspection. If it is registered as an "antique" there is no inspection what so ever

[@beatglauser9444]

@@TheCorvetteBen Thank you for this information. I wish it was that easy in Switzerland!

[@beatglauser9444]

I have a question: What happened to the 55 Pontiac Chieftain? Was it sold?

[@TheCorvetteBen]

We still have it. Itll be worked on soon

[@beatglauser9444]

@@TheCorvetteBen Thanks for answering! I hope we can see a video on that.

[@wkjeeping9053]

I was once told those rockets came with disc on the front. I never looked into it cuz they were just trying to sell me one at a swap meet

[@TheCorvetteBen]

No cars had front discs in the 1950s

[@americanrambler4972]

@@TheCorvetteBenThey barley had brakes even when new! A hard stop was always an adventure! But love the sound of the exhaust from the rear of the car. Also really like the rear end sitting at proper ride height. Makes the position of the rear wheels and hubcap in the rear fender openings look right and proper.

[@ohdamnitsthatguy60]

aint nothing wrong with manual brakes or steering yes you have to watch what you are doing but thats true with a car w/ power steering n brakes too.

[@joshuahollobaugh7382]

when will the next corvette brought back from the dead series be?

[@anthonycothran352]

I'm impressed with that car. Can you go in reverse on a open road I want to hear the hydramatic whine in reverse to a high pitch. I will pay you to record that car going in reverse do you have a cash app? I'm serious about that.

[@morphed9477]

Now take it to Maaco

[@kenschmidt6522]

No no no. Keep the patina.

[@morphed9477]

Patina looks like crap

[@carllyons7649]

How much for the 57 olds ?

[@TheCorvetteBen]

Email me [e-mail]

[@johnrussell3869]

Isnt 180 for a okd v8,i thought 200 is to hot?

[@TheCorvetteBen]

200 is normal for a car sitting and idling. 220 and up is too hot

[@johnrussell3869]

The newer cars run hotter cleaner emissions but I thought that to hot for old V8 hard on valve guides no leaded fuel,I don't when they started putting stelite guides

[@jeffreyshepherd8488]

First!

[@johnrussell3869]

Haaa that looks like perry masons car

[@johnrussell3869]

I think it's the same?

[@johnrussell3869]

Not a vette' but very cool car and best of all u brought it back to life!!!

[@stude1953]

always seems that when you want to do something like back up thare's always one person on the planet and the only person within 20 miles that is right up your ass!! lol

[@a.c.m.e.ink.4568]

Could have at least cleaned the bird 🐦 poop 💩 off the windshield !

[@TheCorvetteBen]

Meh

[@Ctrl-XYZ]

Its. Not it’s.