Oldsmobile Other

1949 Oldsmobile Rocket 88 Two-Door Fastback

The 1949 Oldsmobile Rocket 88 has lots of automobile history:
"Oldsmobile introduced the 88 badge in 1949. It was named to complement the already-existing 76 and 98, and took the place of the straight-8 engined 78 in the model lineup. The new car used the same new Futuramic B-body platform as the straight-6 engined 76 but paired it with the powerful new Rocket V8 engine. This combination of a relatively small light body and large, powerful engine made it widely considered to be the first muscle car. The Rocket 88 vaulted Oldsmobile from a somewhat staid, conservative car to a performer that became the one to beat on the NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing) circuits. It won six of the nine NASCAR late-model division races in 1949, and it was the first real "King of NASCAR." This led to increased sales to the public. There was a pent up demand for new cars in the fast-expanding post-World War II economy, and the 88 appealed to many ex-military personnel who were young and had operated powerful military equipment.

The 88 enjoyed a great success, inspiring a popular 1950s slogan, "Make a Date with a Rocket 88", and also a song, "Rocket 88", often considered the first rock and roll record. [Wikipedia, August 27th, 2016]

The vehicle was purchased from Rich's Rods & Relics in Myrtle Creek, OR in 2002 with the following updates, additions and refurbishings:

-- Body has been fitted to a 1979 Oldsmobile Cutlass chassis and floor pan with 2" dropped spindles up front.
-- Power steering, disc brakes, engine, transmission and rear end are all part of the 1979 Oldsmobile conversion
-- Tilt steering column is from a mid-1970's General Motors car.
-- Emblems on hood and trunk removed ("Nosed and decked")
-- Side trim and rocker mouldings removed ("Smoothed sides")
-- Frenched headlights
-- Shaved door handles with remote entry
-- Power windows
-- "Vintage" air, heat, defrost and A.C. unit
-- Electric wipers with delay
-- All new tinted glass except rear which has been tinted
-- New weather stripping and gaskets
-- Bumpers, guards and grill have been re-chromed
-- Painted with a custom mix: silver and black basecoat urethane with PPG micro sequins lightly dusted in the clear coat
-- The original 1949 Oldsmobile seat has been custom upholstered in a black vinyl tuck and roll pattern with black and silver door panels and a gray and black carpet. The trunk area is also carpeted and upholstered.
-- Rebuilt 1979 Chevrolet 305 V8 engine with an Edelbrock manifold and carburetor and a chrome air filter housing
-- Mild hydraulic cam, new duel exhaust and a custom radiator
-- Transmission is a stock 350 turbo with new seals, gaskets and filter
-- Rear end is a stock 1979 Oldsmobile 10-bolt non-positraction with approximately 2.73 gear ratio

Since purchasing the vehicle there has been one additional alteration by adding faux lake pipes. This is a turn-key vehicle, ready to go and fun at car shows. Has won several awards in local NW shows and was shown, by invitation, in the Lemay Car Museum booth at the 2013 Seattle International Car Show.