1957 Oldsmobile 88
1957 Oldsmobile 88 pen and ink drawing by Christopher Parent ©2000
This signed and dated 11"X17" print comes ready to frame for $15.
"Mom's First Car"
My Mom was in her mid twenties when she got her first car. I was shocked to see my Dad pull up in the driveway with a black 1956 Oldsmobile 88 convertible. As an eight year old my first memory of that beautiful black Olds was the deep rumbling sound it made as rolled up the driveway. It sounded like I imagined the three tenors would if they were all clearing their throats in the middle of a song. My mom begged him to replace the muffler but all the kids in the neighborhood loved the sound it made and they must have thought we had struck it rich to own such a stunning convertible. On hot summer Sunday mornings Mom would drive the Oldsmobile to church with all 5 kids grinning from ear to ear as the morning wind rushed through our hair. My Dad was proud of the purchase and still talks about it today with a twinkle in his eyes: "I paid $125 for that car and the tires alone were worth that." He finally did have to deal with the muffler after Mom was pulled over by a police officer for her contribution to the local noise pollution. My little brother was in the back seat and began crying to the officer: "PLEASE DON'T TAKE MY MOMMY TO JAIL!" Our Mom was so embarrassed that Dad relented after hearing the story and replaced the muffler that same day.
My Mom still talks about "her Olds" with fondness and I still have wonderful memories of that old car that are sparked by sights and smells and especially deep rumbling sounds (although I have never heard the exact sound of the original muffler duplicated again, not even by my big brother's 1955 Chevy). That car was amazing and at times when I daydream about what I would do if I had lots of money I realize that the first thing would be to find another Oldsmobile 88 and give it to my Mom because that car is one of the few automobiles classy enough for her to own.