Buying and Restoration Guide for 1957 Oldsmobile
Lisa Steuer McArdle
· 3 min read
1957 was a big year for
Oldsmobile
. During that time, the Oldsmobile 88, Super 88 and 98 series came out. In both the 88 and Super 88 series, there was a wagon called the Fiesta, which was the first wagon with the Oldsmobile nameplate since 1950, according to Hemmings
. The 1957 Oldsmobile 88 was available as either an entry-level version called a Golden Rocket, or a mid-level version called a Super Golden Rocket, according to
Hagerty
. There were also a host of body styles to choose from. There were two- and four-door Holiday hardtops, two- and four-door post sedans, a convertible, and the four-door Fiesta hardtop station wagon. Unfortunately, the last Oldsmobile vehicle was produced in 2004, but the brand remains
popular
today with classic car
enthusiasts. 
How much does a 1957 Oldsmobile cost?
If we are looking at the Oldsmobile Super 88, the vehicle,
in perfect condition
, is valued at $21,400, according to Hagerty. On the other end of the spectrum, an Oldsmobile Super 88 in “fair” condition is valued at $7,100, and means the vehicle is driven daily and has visible flaws. According to
J.D. Power
, the original MSRP of a 1957 Oldsmobile Super 88 4-door sedan is $3,030. The average retail price is $16,700 and the high retail price of $29,400.If you do some searching around, you will see a wide range of sale prices for 1957 Oldsmobiles. You can find some for $20,000, while others are priced at over $50,000.
The total cost of owning a 1957 Oldsmobile will also depend on the condition it is in, including maintenance and repairs.
Where can I buy a 1957 Oldsmobile?
There are many websites where you can peruse
old cars for sale
, like the 1957 Oldsmobile. Often you can find them on Craigslist or eBay. If you are buying a used 1957 Oldsmobile online, just make sure it is a legitimate website. Some of the best places to buy used cars online include Autotrader, Hemmings, Bring a Trailer, and AutoTempest.
Restoring your Oldsmobile
Some owners choose to have someone else restore their car. But if you plan to do it yourself, you’ll need the right parts, of course. It also might help to invest in a repair manual, which you can find on
eBay
. If you are looking for parts, there are a few companies that specialize in supplying parts to classic cars. One of those companies is
Original Parts Group
, which has spent the last 35 years manufacturing and retailing restoration parts and accessories for classic cars. There’s also
Fusick Automotive Products
, which says it has specialized in Oldsmobile parts for the 88, 98, Toronado, Cutlass, 442, and Hurst Olds since 1971.Here are just a few more classic car parts resources to check out:
- Classic Tube
- Steele Rubber Products
- Kanter Auto Products
- Hydro-E-Lectric
In addition, you’ll also want to make sure you have the right parts on hand to restore your car. According to
Wilson Auto Repair
, here are some of the tools you’ll want in your garage for restoring a classic car:- Basic, everyday tools that you most likely already have in your home, like screwdrivers
- Socket and open-ended wrenches in a wide variety of both standard and metric sizes
- Torque Wrench
- Floor jack and jack stands
- Breaker Bar
- A high-speed dremel tool to buff out small parts, trim plastic components to fit better, and more
- Shop Vac, Broom & Cleaning Supplies
Additional resources when restoring your 1957 Oldsmobile
There’s also the
National Antique Oldsmobile Club
. You can find plenty of valuable resources and technical articles there, and there’s even a forum where experts can answer your questions. The club focuses on 1897-1981 Oldsmobiles, and the club is open to anyone (dues are only $38 annually and members receive the club’s monthly magazine, Roundabouts to Rockets). Model-year advisors are available to answer your questions about Oldsmobiles from 1901-1980.
