1957 Oldsmobile 98 Starfire Deluxe Holiday Coupe with J2 Power Package
Highly optioned Oldsmobile that was the 19th car off the Kansas City assembly line for the 1957 model yearDelivered new to Edwards Oldsmobile & Pontiac in Canton, OhioGenuine W code J2 Power Package 300HP Option, triple 2 barrel carburetors with batwing oil cleanersOnly 2,500 Oldsmobiles were opted in 1957 and 1958 with the J2 optionStarfire Deluxe 371 CID V-8 engine with J2 optionJetaway Hydramatic four-speed automatic transmission and 3.42 gearingFactory correct Gold Mist Metallic exterior (code 91) with Vermillion accent (code 22)Dual-range power heating andventilation, Super Deluxe AM radio and rear fender skirtsFactory correct and original Beige cloth and leather interior (code 336)Power steering, Pedal-ease power brakes, power windows, four-way power front seat and power antennaThree-piece rear window and E-Z-Eye tinted glassOptional X2 Deluxe stainless steel wheel covers withBFGoodrich Silvertown whitewall tires, size 8.50-14Documentation includes copy of original window sticker and a hand painted car show displayThe fact is that the 1957 Oldsmobiles were popular cars with big engines and more power options with the J-2. They were also milestone cars celebrating Oldsmobile’s 50th year which helps their value. We are proud to offer this super correct, to it's original window sticker 1957 Oldsmobile 98 Starfire Deluxe Holiday Coupe with the J2 300HP Power Package. This is rarely seen flagship Olds 98 two-door hardtop made in 1957 and this particular example was made in General Motors’ Kansas City, Kansas factory. It was delivered to Edwards Oldsmobile & Pontiac in Canton, Ohio. This 98 left the factory with the following equipment – dual-range power heating and ventilation; electric antenna; Super Deluxe Radio; Back-up Lights; E-Z-Eye tinted glass; cadet visor; four-way power front seat; J2 Power Package and more.
Finished in Custom Salon Gold Mist Metallic (code 91) with a Vermillion accent strip (code 22), the car’s exterior is in overall great condition. However, there are a few minor blemishes visible upon close inspection from age but the car has been preserved well. Note that this car has the unique three-piece rear window that sets it apart from its other GM counterparts.
The car’s bodywork is straight, the car’s chrome bumpers and all the hard to find trim are in very good order, the engine bay is very tidy and appears as it looked in 1957, the battery appears newer and the cargo area is in very good order, with correct spare tire, jack and lug wrench.
This 98 rolls on BFGoodrich Silvertown wide whitewall tires, size 8.50-14, at all four corners plus the spare. Each tire is mounted on a steel wheel topped with the optional X2 Deluxe stainless steel wheel covers. The tires are in good order but showing age while the wheel covers look great.
Under the hood is Oldsmobile’s Starfire Deluxe 371 CID V-8 engine with theW code J2 Power Package 300HP option, triple 2 barrel carburetors with batwing oil bath cleaners. This particular 98 left the Kansas City factory with this high performance option and only 2,500 Oldsmobiles were opted in 1957 and 1958 with the J2 option.
The J2 power package was an arrangement of three two-barrel Rochester carburetors in a line on the intake manifold. The center one was the default carb, with the other two acting as secondaries or “dumper” carbs under full throttle. The previous owner states that the J2 set-up was converted to a mechanical linkage on the right side of the carbs, with the original working vacuum linkage on the left side. In addition, he had the ignition points converted to a distributorless system and in November 2015, Arthur Gould Rebuilders rebuilt the fuel pump with gaskets and diaphragm designed for the current ethanol fuels available. (see list for the rest of previous owner’s recommendations). The Rocket V-8 breathes via dual exhausts with resonators.
Backing up this J-2 Rocket motor is a Jetaway Hydramatic four-speed automatic transmission and a 3.42:1 differential. Driver convenience features are numerous – Safety power steering, Pedal-ease power brakes, power windows, four-way power front seat and power antenna.
Inside, the original beige interior (code 336) is in overall great condition for being original and has been preserved with plastic over the years. The door panels and the optional carpeting are in good original shape. The ivory headliner, two-spoke, beige steering wheel is in similar order, the wipers and fuel gauge are inoperable. The instrument panel and the dash with the factory clock continue this good original condition pattern. Rounding out the interior is a factory Super Deluxe AM radio.
The Oldsmobile line underwent a sweeping reengineering in 1957, with a three-piece rear window making a reappearance on some models. Once again, the four-door 98s were at the top, this year officially titled Starfire 98. Standard equipment included armrests, turn signals, rubber floor mats, sun visors, front fender chrome script, exposed chrome roof bows, side interior courtesy lights, electric windows, special emblems, power steering, power brakes, and Jetaway Hydramatic. Upholstery choices included a variety of cloth, Morocceen (vinyl), and leather. The standard engine was now the 371 CID Rocket V-8. A safety recessed steering wheel was added. Front leg room was 43.8 inches.
Documentation includes copy of original window sticker and a well done hand painted car show display showing the specs of this particular Oldsmobile.
Competition to this 98 Holiday Coupe in 1957 included Buick’s Series 70 Roadmaster two-door, Cadillac’s Series 62, Chrysler’s New Yorker, Lincoln’s Premiere, DeSoto’s Fireflite, Dodge’s Coronet Lancer Super D-500, Mercury’s Monterey Phaeton and Pontiac’s Star Chief.
Other than the original high-compression V-8 (of 1949), this was actually the first real muscle or performance car that Oldsmobile built, the whole selling point of this car, with the J-2 package, was power and racing. The Oldsmobile J-2 was discontinued after the 1958 model year because of rising highway deaths and because of the AMA racing ban. If you’re simply seeking something different and a piece of American automotive racing history then come to MotoeXotica Classic Cars to look over this Olds 98 Starfire J2!
VIN: 579K01019
This car is currently located at our facility in St. Louis, Missouri. Current mileage on the odometer shows 87,783 miles. It is sold as is, where is, on a clean and clear, mileage exempt title.GET OUT AND DRIVE!!!
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