Chassis No.
508M67772
| Fort Worth, Texas
135 bhp, 303.7 cu. in. OHV V-8 engine with a Carter four-barrel downdraft carburetor, four-speed Hydra-Matic automatic transmission, independent front suspension and a semi-floating rear axle, and four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes. Wheelbase: 119.5 in.
Oldsmobile’s Holiday Coupe was one of the original three GM “hardtop convertibles” introduced in 1949, alongside the Cadillac Coupe deVille and Buick Riviera. Not only were these automobiles the first to wear their long-lived nameplates, they also introduced to the major American market the pillarless door design, which gave the cars the appearance of being convertibles with the top up. Such styling had been earlier used in the 1920s by Chalmers and Chandler, but it was new to major automakers.
Only minor changes were made to the Oldsmobile Holiday Coupe for 1950, aside from a mid-year styling upgrade to a one-piece curved windshield. Under the hood was the famous 303.7-cubic inch Rocket V-8, which recorded both remarkable performance and fuel economy for the time, such as reaching 0–60 mph in just 12 seconds and a 1950 Olds winning the Mobilgas Grand Canyon Run at an average of 20.19 mpg.
The 88 Deluxe Holiday Coupe offered here was acquired by the Andrews Collection from the well-known Southern California stable of Art Astor, who is known for his extensive and impressive collection of motor cars and memorabilia. It had been treated to a nut-and-bolt restoration, which was reportedly undertaken over a nine-year period, while a previous owner secured all of the necessary new old stock components. Quality and care remains evident throughout the car, including on the radio, dashboard instrumentation and controls, and the two-tone green cloth and leather seats. Both the engine and undercarriage have been consistently well-detailed over the years, and they remain, like the rest of the car, in superb condition, with only light signs of aging.
The restored car was shown across the country, and its striking appearance of Adler Green and Black earned it a cover feature in Cars and Parts magazine in June 1993, as well as a feature article in the June 2002 issue of Collectible Automobile magazine. It remains a beautiful example of a pioneering body style, and it is ready for participation in the Woodward Dream Cruise or in AACA and VMCCA events.
