1957 OLDSMOBILE 98 STARFIRE 62,638 Miles bLACK 371 C.I. J2 TRI POWER FOUR SPEED

1957 Oldsmobile Ninety-Eight STARFIRE Description

As one of the first companies to ever build a production motorcar, Oldsmobile was always a leader. When they introduced their “Rocket” V-8 in 1949, it was perhaps one of the first musclecars on the American road. Oldsmobile’s powerful V-8 engine helped put the face on a performance car, and a J2 option for 1957. The J-2 tripower engine developed by Oldsmobile for 1957 was the game changer they needed to crack into NASCAR racing. That was the prevailing thought at Oldsmobile, at least. Only the powerful "hot rod" engine was too fast. NASCAR founder Bill Francis took one look at the times Lee Petty was turning during testing at Daytona (144.9 MPH on the Beach) in 1957 and disqualified the Oldsmobile J-2 from NASCAR competition. They claimed it was a hot rod engine that could not possibly factory manufactured for street use. Even though Oldsmobile did make this engine available as a factory option for that year it was never sanctioned by NASCAR. It will always be remembered as the engine that was "too fast for NASCAR!" This is a excellent example of a rare 1957 Oldsmobile Starfire 98 convertible with the J2 Tri power option! This is a original "Black" car (Paint code 10) with "Alcan white" paint code 60) with a factory three tone interior Black, White & Silver and black Stayfast convertible top and boot. the correct 371 c.i. V8 with the J2 option producing 300h.p. mated to a FOUR speed "Jetaway Hydra-Matic automatic transmission, Independent front suspension with coil springs, Live rear axle with semi-elliptical leaf springs, and four wheel hydraulic drum brakes. There is power steering, power brakes, power windows, power convertible top, clock, factory wonderbar radio, courtesy lights, Auto head light dimmer, continental kit, fender skirts, spinner wheel covers and Big whitewall tires. This is an absolute Stunning and arguably the most desired color combination produced in 1957 by Oldsmobile. Please call to purchase or with any questions This car is priced to sell and hard to find in this condition let alone this color combination!