If you thought the fuel-injected Chevy Bel Air was the pinnacle of luxury and performance in 1957, think again. Meet the 1957 Oldsmobile Golden Rocket 88 with the J2 371 cubic inch engine. Despite being officially named the Golden Rocket 88, it was only identified by a simple “88” underneath each taillight. However, with the addition of the “J2” option featuring three 2-barrel carburetors, this car became a true luxury performance vehicle before the concept even existed.
This particular ’57 Golden Rocket 88 is an authentic J2 car and has undergone an extensive and thorough restoration to its original condition, with original wheels and tires included. Although sources differ on the number of cars built and which bodies they were installed in, they all agree that these are extremely rare vehicles. Our documents suggest that this is one of only four Golden Rocket 88 2-door sedans with the J2 engine in existence.
Despite being faster and more luxurious than their Chevy counterparts, the market has not yet recognized the value of these cars, making this one a tremendous bargain. This Golden Rocket 88 represents first-class cruising from the ’50s at a price that likely does not even cover the cost of its paint and chrome restoration.
The two-tone bodywork on this car is spectacularly done, especially in black and white with a red stripe in the chrome trim. The design is clean, uncluttered, and streamlined, making it one of the most successful body shapes to come out of the over-wrought 1950s.
The J2 engine under the hood is the real story on this Olds. With its triple-carb induction system, the Olds 371 was rated at an impressive 300 horsepower and 400 pounds of torque, making it even more powerful than the celebrated yet finicky 1-horsepower-per-cubic-inch fuel-injected 283 Chevy.
The black and white and red theme continues inside, with a tri-tone seat design featuring patented GM comfort weave cushions and a breathtaking instrument cluster that showcases General Motors’ superior design skills in the late 1950s.
In conclusion, the 1957 Oldsmobile Golden Rocket 88 with the J2 engine is a rare and magnificent luxury performance car that was ahead of its time. Its unmatched power, timeless charm, and beautifully restored condition make it a true gem that any collector would be proud to own.
