Harley Earl’s 1958 Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight, king of chrome and junkyard rust

Automotive stylist, Harley Earl’s chrome-laden legacy achieved its peak during GM’s 1958 model year. One of his boldest creations, a 1958 Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight, adorned in Festival Red awaits rescue at Jefferson County Auto Parts. The ’58 models, gaudy and overdone to some, would be Earl’s final designs after 30-plus years at GM. Ironically, Earl’s handiwork can be found in an Alabama junkyard more than 52 years later.

PHOTOS BY JODY POTTER/JUNKYARDLIFE.COM

1950s GM vehicles are unique, in that each model year was redesigned. Styling changes were made to lure customers into showrooms to buy the latest creations. Pound-for-pound, General Motors’ vehicles had more chrome and trim than any U.S automobile manufactured in 1958. Sheetmetal and trim pieces are highly prized on low-production vehicle years, like 1958. This rusty, mostly unmolested Oldsmobile provides a good starting point for a project or parts car. 

A quick investigation of this 1958 Olds revealed the original 371 cubic-inch, Rocket V8 engine. In my book, the styling alone out-shined dozens of weather-beaten classics rusting in this Alabama junkyard. The $850 asking price was tempting. Check out my earlier post if your tempted too.

Comment below or send your photos and stories to junkyardlife.com

Comment below or send your photos and stories to junkyardlife.com

More stories...

Auction deal: Rare 1970 Oldsmobile Cutlass SX musclecar $600

$250 1972 Cutlass Supreme for sale: Buy or not to buy?

1965 Pontiac GTO, a lifesaver