Saw a 1950 olds 88 at a used car dealer here in scottsdale, and I couldn't keep my eyes of her! The damn song started playing in my head as I admired what a great looking machine this is...I mean apart from the billet wheels it had and the plush bucket seats, this thing has so much potential. Sure would have looked great with some steelies, whitewalls and a bench seat but it's just something I don't come across very often. And when I do it seems like some forgotten VFW left at the dimly lit area of a car show with no one really paying too much attention. What are your guys takes on this? Is this street rod territory? Was this something that was commonly hopped up or customized? I mean, other than the lowered stance, this thing looks amazing just the way it is! Should have taken a picture but with all the ad ons, it would have been an OT car to begin with....I'm just saying rocket 88s in general (obviously not just the 1950 model)...what was so great about them and what happened to them...kinda like a hero that just quietly stepped out of the limelight...
They make good customs. Just don't concentrate on showing it and make all your decisions based on what it is that makes you happy.
ran 50 olds in the mid 50s ,great cars. if it has the original eng there are lots of cheap hop up tricks for it.LMK if I can help.
Thanks, but I'm not buying one unfortunately...just wanted to know some of your guys opinions on it... Here's something close to what I saw: apart from the wheels it's a great looking machine!
They were the first OHV v8 and pretty fast,the engine was good for engine swaps.I drove a 49 98 olds 4 dr was free for the taking had many years of fun driving around.Best clean the base and rocker arms.Nice rode car drove 350 one way like newer car.
Olds 88 was one of the hottest cars of the early fifties. Basically a Chev body with the Olds V8. Well known at the time as the car to beat. Still a very good road car well able to keep up with modern traffic. The only weak point on them was front spindles that were prone to break under extreme stress like stock car racing. So, if you want a cool car from that era that does not need any modifications that would be one of them. But if you did want to modify it the engine responds well to the usual hop up tricks. Should also add, the Olds of that day was extremely overbuilt in many ways. They had the thickest brake drums, toughest engines and transmissions, beefiest rear axles etc. all but those damn spindles lol.
1950 Olds are very cool, at least the 2 doors. A 4-door can be a nice cruiser. The orig 303 OHV V8 is an excellent engine.
ford loved the 88 so much ..they did a poor xerox of the rocket V8 and called it a Y block ed cole was a genius
One of the very first "old" cars" that can be used today without any modifications, concessions or excuses.
Dad had a 52 or 3 Super 88 two door post when I was in my early teens and I spent many a happy weekend cruising around with him in it. he traded it on a 57 Super 88 4 door hardtop with a J2 in it that lived up to the Rocket 88 name. I think the 49/51 88 is one of the more overlooked cars as far as being customized goes.
Thought you would like to see my convertible. I have a good coupe that needs floors and an engine rebuild if interested. The body is in great shape for an unmolested car. Seattle area. 206-230-9145
My first R&C Hero in 1953, and now my friend, DON FERRARA, had a very cool '49 Olds 303 in his '49 Ford Custom...the Cover Car on this Oct. 1953 "HONK !" (See my Tribute to him here: http://www.legends.thewwbc.net/gpage105.html ) The design of the OHV Olds engine was basically the work of Gil Burrell...he started work on the "Rocket" -shortly after WW II- in 1946. The very cool "Rocket 88" body, was lighter & smaller...compared to the 98. The "88" body was shared with Chevy & Pontiac, and with that 303 ci "Rocket" installed, they were the hottest cars in the Country ! At the Tracks in those days their only real competition were the "Twin H" Hudson Hornets. My close family friend, Johnny Wood, bought a 1950 Super 88 HdTp when he got out of the Army in 1955, and when he'd give me rides in it I was the happiest kid on the Planet...let alone St. Louis ! Powder Blue Bottom / Dark Blue Top; HydraMatic; Radio & Heater, Whitewalls, Full Hubs...it was a "cream puff". Beautifully cared for Olds with low miles, and cost Johnny $1,000.00 in 1955 money. But it was worth every penny ! Below is a pic of Johnny & myself shortly after a Sunday Afternoon Cruise in his Super 88 in June of '55...not too long after he got the car. Johnny's on the Left. I'm the teenager on the Right, and, always fashion conscious, I was wearing my Powder Blue Sport Coat & Dark Blue Tie to blend in with the Olds. (That's my Dad's '49 Plymouth Special Deluxe 2Dr.in the background.) Always have loved them "Rocket 88's" ! In fact, my DD is a '97 Olds LSS. It's a "100th Anniv. Olds"...and one of the last Olds versions of the line to carry the Supercharged 3.8 V6. And, believe me, this "Rocket" will "Roll" ! Jonnie King www.legends.thewwbc.net
A few years back, when I was more mobile I would have enjoyed doing a 50 2 dr sedan like I used to own. My first 50 was a conv, traded that bod for a blue bot, dark blue to 50 2 dr. The original 49/51 engs had 1.5 rocker arms,52 up had 1.8, direct bolt on. big difference.
I had a couple of rocket 88s one coup and one four door. Then my brother got 76 and we put the 4 door motor in it. Lots of Olds running around with the front lowered and pipes. Cool ones had a 324 big motor from a '56. My Buddy Rich Hall had a '50 Holiday. Beautiful hard top Olds. Best one for looks.
Of all the sixty-some-odd cars I've owned I always longed for my '50 Olds fastback that I drove when I was 18...finally found one like it and won't be parting with it any time soon.
The car that inspired the first rock n roll record? "You know it's great don't be late everybody likes my Rocket 88" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gbfnh1oVTk0
In the mid-'50s in LA, there was no cooler car to have than a '50 Olds. Coupe, fastback, Holiday, convert, 2-dr sedan -- all great cars. Still on my short list of cars I'd love to own.
1st off nice Olds ragtop oldsmerc <fieldset class="fieldset"><legend>Attached Thumbnails</legend> as for me i like the 50 Olds 88 with the moldings on nosed but i got a nice 50 rocket and put it on my 50 Olds 88 coupe my thoughts most of the trim make it an Oldsmobile other wise look like a Chevy for the most part bottom line i like the 50 Olds 88 anyway you want to serve it up </fieldset>
Back in 1958 when I had a '50 Chevy 2dr Fleetline I really wanted a '50 Olds. By the time I got my dad convinced it, a more door, was sold by the local Olds dealer. Fast forward, well not so fast, 47 years later I bought a '50 Olds 2dr sedan. Not being a fast worker, the car is now road worthy but still needs thing like an interior. The front bumper is/will be a Chevy one piece repop since my original was soo bad. That was supposed to happen this Winter but my health has taken a dive. A few pics as the Olds looks now attached.
The "Original Muscle Car". I have always loved the looks of these coupes. My plan is to get mine in the shop to start on it right after Thanksgiving. Hope to be out and driving by late April- May, 2012. Will see.
I've enjoyed the mystic of Olds many times over, but more in the mid 50's. There's no badges or identification on the exterior of mine which has people stratching their heads till I open the hood.
thats one beautiful car man! wouldn't mind having one as a daily driver. my wife can keep the new car what great feedback guys, thanks! I didn't know that they were "overbuilt cars" and as for spindles, if thats all its lacking then thats an easy fix! yes there has been much debate about it being the first rock and roll song...i consider it being just that! its a great looking machine!
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