'50 Olds Rocket 88 Club Coupe - GM experimental engine - Cadillac LaSalle 3 Spd

1950 Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight Description

Full restoration by marque expert
Rod & Custom Magazine feature car
Extremely rare GM experimental engine
Factory dealer display hood

Here's a '50 Olds 88 you won't find everyday. Finding a nice '50 is difficult, finding one that has all the authentic Period Custom details is even harder. Finding one that is running a historic experimental GM engine has got to be a once in a lifetime opportunity.
This rare 287ci engine is from Oldsmobile's Experimental Motor Group, led by Charles "Boss" Kettering. In the late 1940s, this motor laid the foundation for what was to be the first new engine design since WWII, the venerable Olds 303. The 287ci motors were sold to petroleum companies for high compression testing. It's estimated that around 30 were built, 4 are known to still exist, this is one of them. This motor was discovered in Kansas City in the late 70s and was later acquired by '50 Olds expert Eddie Rezac. Eddie matched up a low mile '50 Club Coupe with the motor, bolted in a '37 Cad/LaSalle gearbox, added an overdrive unit, and this one-of-a-kind Custom Olds was born.

As you can see in the photos, this Olds has the right look. For a 69 year-old car painted black, the body is terrific. Beautiful flowing lines with deep reflections on super straight sheet metal. Bumpers are straight and ding free. The paint is very nice but perhaps not concours perfect, has a few small flaws if you look if you put your nose right up to it. This is the type of car that's to the level you'd be proud of but not so sterile that you're afraid to drive it.

Factory wheels (rears widened), rings and caps in great shape riding on New Hankook Optimos, 215-75-15 front and 225-75-15 rear. The profile picture shows what a perfect stance this car has. The car starts at the push of the button and runs great. It rides down the road straight and true, runs cool, stops well, and has a nice burble to the exhaust. The motor features a rare Edmunds dual carb intake, modified Batwing air cleaner, Belond headers, and a super rare Delco-Remy experimental finned coil.

The interior feature classic 50s tuck and roll interior, nicely done and super clean throughout. Vintage Sun football tach still works great. All dash instrumentation, signals, horn, etc are working. The radio works and a power antenna has been added. The car has been converted to 12V.
The trunk has its original upholstery, still nice but not quite as fresh as the rest of the car.
The car comes with original owner's manual and safe driving booklet, plus a huge assortment of brochures and manuals, service receipts, trophies, and 2 copies of the Rod&Custom issue that the car was featured in. Also included is an extremely rare GM Research manual detailing all aspects of this engine, interesting reading for sure.
The story behind the development of the Kettering 303 motor is a fascinating one, involving corporate politics, post war ambition and a talented team of engineers that included future GM president Pete Estes. Hemmings has a good write up about it at: https://www.hemmings.com/magazine/mus/2004/10/Rocketing-Relic---1950-Oldsmobile-88/1280845.html

The '50 Olds 88 is often credited with being America's first muscle car, a hot rod with a factory warranty. The Rocket 88 dominated the NASCAR field in 1950 and also won the Carrera Pan-Americana Road Race that same year. Portland's own Hershel McGriff driving his "City of Roses #52" won the inaugural event, he was 22 at the time.

A driving video can be viewed at: https://youtu.be/tMSeoDXe-3g (copy and paste)
I have more pictures if needed (including the rust-free undercarriage) but eBay only allows 24 pictures.

Email with any questions!I'm happy to meet with you or your representative for inspections and test drives. I'm located in Portland, Oregon and can be reached at 503-891-7702.

Please only bid if you're ready to buy this car. Paypal deposit of $1000 within 24hrs, balance within 3 days. I've heard all the stories, so let's not waste each other's time, please only bid if you are willing and able to purchase right away. Thank you.