1955 Oldsmobile Facts, Figures, and Specifications
1955 – 200 HP Mark Reached at Oldsmobile!
In 1955 the ’54 look was further softened and the grille took on a more oval shape. While truly not that much different from the previous year, the car took on a more modern look. The Rocket V-8 sported higher compression and the Super 88 and 98 engine moved over the magical 200 HP mark – to 202 ponies!
1955 Oldsmobile Resources
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1955 Oldsmobile Facts – Body Paint Color Codes
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1955 Oldsmobile
| 10 Black | |
| 20 Burlingame Red | |
| 21 Regal Maroon | |
| 30 Mint Green | |
| 31 Glen Green | |
| 32 Grove Green | |
| 40 Twilight Blue | |
| 41 Panama Blue | |
| 42 Bimini Blue | |
| 43 Frost Blue | |
| 50 Mist Gray | |
| 51 Juneau Gray | |
| 60 Polar White | |
| 61 Caspian Cream | |
| 62 Coral | |
| 63 Bronze | |
| 64 Chartreuse | |
| 65 Shell Beige | |
| 70 Turquoise |
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1955 Oldsmobile Facts and Specifications
General Year Information – 1955 Oldsmobile
In 1955 the look was further softened and the grille took on a more oval shape with the more massive bumper completing the circle. The look of the car was modernized the front fenders peaked above the headlights, and the wheel openings were more oval-like, with their trailing edges swept back toward the rear – adding a feeling of motion. The rooflines were similar to 1954, but the car appeared slimmer and more streamlined, though it was not. Two-tone paint schemes were more widely used.
The Oldsmobile V-8 sported higher compression allowing the Super 88 and 98 engine to move over the magical 200 HP mark at 202 HP.
Production jumped dramatically in 1955 across all of GM’s lines, but no more so than Oldsmobile, which showed an increase in sales to 583,179. This was 230,000-plus over 1954’s 351,634. It is said that the new 4-door Holiday Hardtop drove a majority of these new sales, but only 119,962 of this body style were sold across all series lines. The remaining 120,000 in increased sales was attributable to the increase in all the lines – and most of all to the popularity of the 2-door Hardtop.
1955 Oldsmobile Factoids
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The 324 CID V-8 now sported the same 4-barrel carburetor, but now had an 8.5:1 Compression ratio, and 0.403 inch camshaft lift. This resulted in 202 HP at 4000 RPM.
The 88, Super 88 and 98 Series received the 4-door hardtop model for the first time. The ability of the 4-door owner to have the same sporty styling as the 2-door buyers send people to the showroom. 119,962 copies of this body style were sold across the entire Oldsmobile like – a stunning success!
1955 Oldsmobile Facts – Models Offered
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88 Series – Again the 88 series featured a 2-barrel version of the Rocket V-8 engine as standard equipment, but now the 4-barrel 202 HP S-88 engine was an extra-cost option. Standard 88 equipment included directional signals, bumper guards, stainless steel moldings, dual horns, cigarette lighter, front and rear floor mats, and inside rear view mirror.
Oldsmobile continued to offer a number of stylish two-tone combinations highlighted by an attractive molding package. Upholstery choices were gray, green, or blue pattern cloth or “Moroceen” and pattern cloth.
88 Series modes were 2-door Sedan, 2-door Holiday Hardtop, 4-door Sedan, and 4-door Holiday Hardtop.
Super 88 – As in the past, the higher horsepower Ninety-Eight series engine was slipped into the 88 body for the Super 88. An Olds buyer had more choices in this series than any other since there were four available body styles: a 2-door sedan and hardtop, a 4-door sedan and hardtop, and a convertible. Standard equipment included all items from the 88 series plus foam rubber seat cushions, stainless steel rocker panel moldings, front seat back robe cord, spun glass under-hood insulation, and rear window vent panes.
98 Series – As in the past, this year’s Ninety-Eight was physically larger than the 88 cars. Standard equipment included items from the 88 and Super 88 series plus an electric clock, stainless steel wheel discs, custom cushion lounge seats front and rear, hand brake signal light, courtesy light package, safety padded dash, DeLuxe steering wheel and horn ring, and windshield washer.
1955 Oldsmobile Facts – Engines
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324 CID 2-Barrel 88 Series V-8 – All Transmissions: V-8. Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Five main bearings.
Displacement: 324 cubic inches.
Bore and stroke: 3.875″ x 3.4375″.
Compression ratio: 8.5:1.
Horsepower: 185 @ 4000 RPM.
Torque: 320 @ 2000 RPM.
Valve lifters: Hydraulic.
Camshaft timing: Intake 244°, Exhaust 244°, Overlap 28°, Lift (intake) 0.403″, (exhaust) 0.403″.
Carburetor: Rochester 2GC two-barrel, model 7006970.
324 CID Super 88 and 98 4-Barrel V-8 – All Transmissions: V-8. Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Five main bearings.
Displacement: 324 cubic inches.
Bore and stroke: 3.875″ x 3.4375″.
Compression ratio: 8.5:1.
Horsepower: 202 @ 4000 RPM.
Torque: 332 @ 2400 RPM.
Valve lifters: Hydraulic.
Camshaft timing: Intake 244°, Exhaust 244°, Overlap 28°, Lift (intake) 0.403″, (exhaust) 0.403″.
Carburetor: Rochester 4GC four-barrel (manual transmission) #7006000 (automatic transmission) # 7007000.
NOTE: More detailed information on the V-8 engines may be found in the Library’s 1955 Oldsmobile AMA Specifications Sheets. You may access them HERE.
1955 Oldsmobile Facts – Chassis Features
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- Wheelbase: 88 and Super 88: 122 inches; 98: 126 inches.
- Overall length: 88 and Super 88: 203.36 inches; 98: 212.36 inches.
- Overall height: All: 60.5 inches.
- Overall width: 77.82 inches.
- Front track: All: 59 inches.
- Rear track: All: 58 inches.
- Standard tires: 88 Series: 7.10 x 15; Super 88 and 98 : 7.60 x 15.
- Optional tires: 88 Series: 7.60 x 15; Super 88 and 98: 8.00 x 15.
1955 Oldsmobile Facts – Powertrain Information
- Three Speed Manual Transmission Ratios
- All: 1st – 2.3933:1, 2nd – 1.5259:1, 3rd – 1.000:1, Reverse – 2.534:1.
- Automatic Transmission Ratios
- All: 1st – 3.8195:1, 2nd – 2. 6341:1, 3rd – 1.4500:1 4th – 1.000:1, Reverse – 4.3045:1.
- Rear Gear Standard Ratios
- SMT: 3.42:1; Optional: 3.64:1.
- 88 AMT: 3.07:1.
- Super 88 AMT: 3.23:1.
- 98 AMT: 3.42:1.
NOTE: For more powertrain information, you may access the 1955 Oldsmobile AMA Specifications Sheets HERE.
1955 Oldsmobile Facts – Powertrain Options
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- The 202-horsepower Super Eighty-Eight/Ninety-Eight engine was an option on the Eighty-Eight series.
- All cars came standard with a column-shifted, three-speed manual transmission.
- The Hydra-Matic was a $165 option on any series, any model.
- Oil filter ($10).
- Air cleaner ($5).
1955 Oldsmobile Facts – Significant Options
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- Air conditioning ($550).
- Autronic Eye ($45).
- Backup lights ($13).
- Condition-air heater/defroster ($74).
- DeLuxe radio ($94).
- DeLuxe steering wheel and horn ring ($15).
- Electric 2-way seat ($50).
- Electric 4-way seat ($65).
- Electric clock ($11).
- Electric radio antenna ($21).
- Electric windows ($80).
- Hand brake signal light ($5).
- Padded instrument panel ($32).
- Power brakes ($58).
- Power steering ($120).
- Rear seat radio speaker ($12).
- Spotlight ($23).
- Super DeLuxe radio ($21).
- Windshield washer ($11).
1955 Oldsmobile Downloads and Images
1955 Oldsmobile Facts – Related Document Downloads
Files directly related to the Line will appear below. Click to Download:
1955 Oldsmobile Full Line Brochure
1955 Oldsmobile 4-Door hardtop Announcement Brochure
1955 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Concept Car Brochure
1955 Oldsmobile AMA Specifications Sheets
SEEKING: Period 1955 Oldsmobile Road Tests – Contact Us HERE.
1955 Oldsmobile Facts – Related Images
Related Images to the Oldsmobile Line will appear below
1955 Oldsmobile 98 Convertible
The 1955 Oldsmobile 98 Convertible. Like the Super 88, the 1955 Olds 98 convertible was great looking and well appointed. Once again, it outsold the 88 by a small margin.
1955 Oldsmobile 98 2-door Hardtop
The 1955 Oldsmobile 98 2-door Holiday hardtop was a solid seller, delivering just a pinch under the 4-door sedan at 38,363 units.
1955 Oldsmobile 98 4-door Hardtop
The 1955 Oldsmobile 98 4-door Hardtop new 4-door hardtops were available across the Olds lineup, but none were more posh that the 98 version, and 31,267 were sold this year.
1955 Oldsmobile 98 4-door Sedan
As usual, the 1955 Oldsmobile 98 4-door sedan was the line’s best seller at 39,847 delivered.
1955 Oldsmobile Super 88 Convertible
The 1955 Oldsmobile Super 88 Convertible was the other popular convertible in the Olds line it sold just under the 98 in volume, with 9,007 delivered.
1955 Oldsmobile Super 88 2-door Hardtop
The ever-popular 1955 Oldsmobile Super 88 2-door hardtop was very popular and sold 62,534 units.
1955 Oldsmobile Super 88 4-door Hardtop
The new 1955 Oldsmobile Super 88 4-door hardtop sold 47,385 units in its introductory year!
1955 Oldsmobile Super 88 2-door Sedan
The 1955 Oldsmobile Super 88 2-door sedan was the model sold to racers and hot rodders. It was a speed demon’s dream, but very plain and only 11,950 were sold.
1955 Oldsmobile Super 88 4-door Sedan
The 1955 Oldsmobile Super 88 4-door sedan was a world beater in sales with 111,316 produced — the most of any Olds model by a wide margin.
1955 Oldsmobile 88 2-door Hardtop
The 1955 Oldsmobile 88 2-door Holiday hardtop was a big seller – especially now that you could check the box that got you the Super 88’s 202 HP V-8. It outsold the Super 88 by a wide margin with 85,767 produced.
1955 Oldsmobile 88 4-door Hardtop
The 1955 Oldsmobile 88 line received the 4-door Holiday hardtop as well, and it was a good thing because this model added over 41,000 units to Oldsmobile’s sales.
1955 Oldsmobile 88 4-door Sedan
The 1955 Oldsmobile 88 4-door sedan was not as lusty a seller as one would have thought given its utility, with only 57,777 produced.
1955 Oldsmobile 88 2-door Sedan
The 1955 Oldsmobile 88 2-door sedan probably contributed to the S-88’s slower sales with the availability of the S-88’s 202 HP Rocket V-8. A total of 37,507 were sold.