Vehicle Description
By the late 1940s, American automobile buyers progressed from seeking basic, economical transportation and began demanding more comfort, power and style than ever before. Oldsmobile was one of the first automobile manufacturers to answer the call. Under Oldsmobile chief stylist Art Ross, many design elements from the 98-based Fiesta and Starfire GM Motorama dream cars soon graced all of Oldsmobile's production models, conferring a fresh and glamorous aura over them. Engineering, long an Oldsmobile-Division strength, took a quantum leap forward with the release of its all-new 303ci Rocket V8 engine. A totally modern, compact, and powerful overhead-valve design, the Rocket instantly became an American performance legend. It also influenced the era's popular culture as the automotive inspiration for Ike Turner and his Rhythm Kings' massive 1951 hit song "Rocket 88." The Rocket was continuously updated and improved over the years, growing in displacement and power output and just prior to the infamous AMA (American Manufacturers' Association) ban on motor racing of 1957, Oldsmobile was a high-ranking NASCAR contender known as GM's top "engineering" division. Highly collectible as one of the "Golden Rocket" Oldsmobiles built for 1957 in commemoration of GM's landmark 50th Anniversary, this very special 1957 Oldsmobile 98 convertible is offered from the personal collection of Gordon Apker and fully restored from the ground up with excellent black livery over a two-tone red-and-white interior. 75,143 original miles (title reads mileage exempt). Completed in 2015, the Oldsmobile earned a Third in Class Podium Award at the 2016 Arizona Concours d'Elegance. Powered by the famed 371ci J-2 V8 engine with Tri-Power induction, it is very well equipped with an automatic transmission and desirable features and options including a black power top, power-operated antenna, brakes and steering, Wonder Bar radio, air conditioning, power windows, a power front bench seat and full bright hubcaps.
