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Home/Technical Info/Oldsmobile/11. Car Models Described/ 1957/
1957 Oldsmobile Models Described
Big news for 1957 was the addition of a station wagon for the first time since 1950.
The "Fiesta" was available in the Super 88 (shown here) and the 88.
A total of 8,981 Super 88 Fiestas were sold in 1957.
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1957 Oldsmobile Brochure 32 Pages Composite
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1957 Oldsmobile Production - All Series
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1957 Oldsmobile - General
The 1957 Oldsmobiles were introduced to the public on November 9, 1956. A restyle greeted Olds buyers this year. At the front, the oval grille/bumper was even more massive, but cleaned up. It was narrower in height and had the parking lamps inside the oval. "Oldsmobile" in large block letters spanned across the opening. The "world" logo that had appeared on the front of the hood since 1949 was even more stylized and stretched horizontally to cover 1/3 of the hood face. The rocket hood ornament was reduced to a spear-like chrome strip, and a small replica of the former hood ornament was placed on each fender at the top over the headlights.
The sides of the body were a bit more rounded, and the "rocket tube" bulges trailing back from the beginning of the rear quarter were made more prominent. At the rear, the tail lights were no longer real teardrops but now were inset oval lenses still bringing to mind a jet exhaust. The rear bumper was massive but smooth and rounded. The trunk "world" emblem was similar in size and placement, and there were two ridges running toward the trunk edge from the rear window base all the way back to the rounded edge.
The roofline was changed a bit, also being more rounded, and, on some models, there were breaks in the wraparound window matching the ridges on the trunk. While the car was more massive, it actually appeared smaller to the eye. It was a clean design that looked good, stationary or in motion.
For 1957, Olds buyers could order a station wagon for the first time since 1950. The biggest news, however, was an engine displacement increase of 47 cubic inches to a massive 371 CID. Horsepower was way up, too, at 277, and there was no two-barrel carbureted engine, all lines received the 4-barrel Rocket V-8. A new option was the "J-2 Rocket" with three two-barrel carburetors, making the magical 300 HP.
The tire and rim sizes changed in 1957 to 14", ostensibly to lower the car a bit. Tire width went up to compensate for the vehicle's additional weight.
J. F. Wolfram was the chief executive officer of the Division for this year. The Oldsmobile Mona Lisa concept car was on the auto show circuit during 1957. Richard Petty drove Oldsmobiles in NASCAR stock car races.
Model year production peaked at 355,476 units, a significant drop from the previous year, and back to the range of 1953-54 sales. Management didn't realize it, but a recession was eating into sales.
1957 88 SERIES V-8 -
The 88 line was still the less expensive offering, but all models were available. For some reason, Oldsmobile tagged the 88 line as "Golden Rockets." It seemed incongruous as it was far past the division's fiftieth anniversary. The name lasted for just this year.
In addition to the first station wagon since 1950, Also available for the first time in the 88 line was a convertible. Standard equipment included arm rests, bumper guards, directional signals, rubber floor mats, and sun visors.
Upholstery choices included a variety of colors and fabrics.
1957 Super 88 SERIES V-8 -
The Super 88 continued to find popularity with buyers. As had been the practice, wheelbase and body shells were shared with the 88s. Six body styles were offered, and the newly returned "Fiesta" station wagon was now available. Standard equipment included all items from the 88 series plus front fender chrome script, exposed chrome roof bows, and side interior courtesy lights.
A variety of colored cloth and leather upholstery combinations could be odered.
1957 Ninety-Eight SERIES V-8 -
The top of the line Oldsmobile Ninety-Eight was officially titled "Starfire Ninety-Eight," and it was still offered in just four body styles. The 98s were longer and heavier than either of the 88 series. Standard equipment included all items standard on the Super 88 plus electric windows, special emblems, power steering, power brakes and Jetaway Hydra-Matic transmission.
Upholstery choices included a variety of cloth, morocceen and leather.
Oldsmobile Engines -
All Series Rocket V-8. Overhead valves. Cast Iron Block. Displacement: 371 CID. Bore and stroke: 4.000" x 3.6875. Compression ratio: 9.5:1. Horsepower: 277 @ 4400 RPM. Torque: 400 @ 2800 RPM. Five main bearings. Hydraulic valve lifters. Carburetor: Rochester 4GC four-barrel.
Optional J-2 Rocket V-8. Overhead valves. Cast Iron Block. Displacement: 371 CID. Bore and stroke: 4.000" x 3.6875. Compression ratio: 9.5:1. Horsepower: 300 @ 4600 RPM. Torque: 415 @ 3000 RPM. Five main bearings. Hydraulic valve lifters. Carburetors: three Rochester 2GC two-barrels.
Optional J-2R Rocket V-8. Overhead valves. Cast Iron Block. Displacement: 371 CID. Bore and stroke: 4.000" x 3.6875. Compression ratio: 9.5:1. Horsepower: 312 @ 5000 RPM. Torque: 425 @ 3200 RPM. Five main bearings. Mechanical valve lifters. Carburetors: three Rochester 2GC two-barrels.
Chassis -
Wheelbase: 88 and S88 Series 122" 98 Series 126.0"
Overall length: 88 and S88 208.2" 98 Series 216.7"
Front tread: All - 59.0". Rear tread: All - 58.0.
Tires: 88 Series 8.50 x 14 98 Series 9.00 x 14
Powertrain Options -
All 1957 Oldsmobiles were powered by a 370 CID 4-barrel Rocket V-8 engine.
The J-2 package could be ordered on any model and cost $83.
The J-2R package - not recommended for street use and sold mostly to drag and stock car racers was offered on a limited basis for $395.
Heavy duty air cleaner.
Dual exhausts on cars not so equipped.
A three-speed manual transmission was standard on both Eighty-Eight series cars.
The Jetaway Hydra-Matic introduced in 156 was standard on Ninety-Eights and optional on all other models.
Significant Options -
Air conditioning ($430).
Autronic eye ($46).
Backup lights ($15).
Cadet visor ($33).
DeLuxe wheel covers ($30).
Electric antenna ($22).
Electric clock ($19).
Heater/defroster ($85).
Hydra-Matic transmission ($215).
Padded dash ($20).
Power brakes ($37).
Power steering ($100).
Radio, DeLuxe ($96).
Radio, Super DeLuxe signal seeking ($121).
Rear speakers ($16).
Remote control mirror ($9).
Seat belts ($23)
Windshield washer ($11).
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The 1957 Olds Starfire 98 convertible was a standout. Even in a declining sales year, 8,278 were sold.
Always popular, the 1957 Olds 98 4-door hardtop was the best seller in the line at 32,099 delivered.
The 1957 Olds 98 2-door hardtop was brash and sassy, but its high price pushed people to the 88 and Super 88 line. Only 17,791 were sold.
The 1957 98 4-door sedan had been the top seller in previous years. For this year, it took a back seat to the 4-door hardtop with only 21,525 produced.
The ever popular Super 88 convertible lost better than 2,000 in sales from '56.
The 1957 Super 88 4-door hardtop was no. 2 in that line's sales, with 39,162 delivered.
The 1957 Super 88 2-door hardtop is a collector's favorite, but it lost out in sales to the 88 2-door, likely because its famous 4-barrel Rocket was standard in the lower priced car.
1957 Super 88 4-door sedan was the highest seller in that line with 42,696 produced.
The former hot rod favorite, the 1957 Super 88 2-door sedan, trickled out of the factory this year with only 4,002 sold.
The 1957 88 C\convertible was the new kid on the block in the 88 line, yet only 6,423 were delivered.
The 1957 88 Fiesta station wagon could be had as a hardtop or sedan. As a result, 10,819 combined were sold.
The 1957 88 4-door hardtop was an adjunct to the Super 88 version. Most buyers stepped up to the upscale car leaving this model with only 3,830 produced.
The 1957 88 2-door hardtop was a lower priced version of the Super 88 model. That allowed 49,187 to be delivered, second in sales that year.
The 1957 88 4-door sedan was the sales leader in 1957 with 49,187 sold.
The 1957 88 2-door sedan was the lowest priced Olds and should have been the fastest, given it weighed in at 4100 lbs. But it was 400 lbs. heavier than the '56, and that held it back as a performance piece. But with J-2 power . . .
The 1957 370 CID V-8 was a new casting with larger bore and stroke and freer breathing cylinder heads.