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 Olds features a rare 287ci engine 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.
For a 69 year-old car painted black, the body and paint are 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 real-world flaws that are shown in the photos below. Overall, though, a really strong appearance.
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 very 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.
73 photos follow! Contact info is at the bottom of the page.
Cascadia Classic LLC - DA0639
Portland, Oregon
503-891-7702
or click here to email
