1950 Oldsmobile Rocket 88 Futuramic

No one would have guessed that the low-key arrival in the US of a number of ex-POW German rocket scientists during late 1946 would influence the direction of automotive design for a decade in the 1950s and 1960s. These men were undoubtedly the world’s leading experts on rocketry and rocket propulsion and their knowledge turned the long-established American dream of space travel from a fantasy into a possibility.

Although modern historians consider Sputnik’s launch in 1957 as the start of the Space Age, its aesthetic can be traced back to at least a decade earlier when rocket ships, spaceflight and nuclear energy entered the public consciousness. Dream cars designed by Ford’s Advanced Styling Studio and others were never actually built, but they included several of the era’s most distinctive design characteristics - aerodynamic tailfins, sleek silhouettes, curved edges and missile-shaped ‘hood ornaments’ that could probably impale you. However, some eight years earlier, Oldsmobile replaced their flathead straight-six with a 303ci, 135bhp V8 entitled 'Rocket' that kicked off a generation of horsepower wars, spaceship-inspired designs and elaborate mid-century details. The Oldsmobile logo of a globe surrounded by rings was selected to convey the 'universal' appeal of the brand, and the Olds steering wheel centre features the Saturn-like representation of our world on a background of jet-age stars.

For 1948, and carrying into 1949, Oldsmobile gave its flagship 98 Series a freshened look that drew heavily from the marque’s Futuramic styling concept. That year, Futuramic design language was applied to four 98 body types on the 125" wheelbase chassis including the convertible. In period advertising, Oldsmobile promised that the 1949 Futuramic offered 'the dramatic design of the future — the finest of functional modern design in any field'. While the styling of the Futuramic was a great success, perhaps the bigger news was the 303in³ Rocket V8 engine for 1949. By any definition, the Futuramic was a luxurious cruiser born to 'rocket' down the road in comfort and style.

This particular example has clearly being restored to a superb level with subtle upgrades to enhance not only performance, but also the style and driving enjoyment that only a piece of 1950s Americana can provide. The external styling alone turns heads whenever out on the open road, underlined by the 'bookie's cap' windscreen visor and typical space age adornments through to the Cadillac hubcaps, all enhanced by acres of chrome. It's been mechanically upgraded with a slightly later 1955 Rocket engine fuelled through a four-barrel Edlebrock carburettor and turning a mild cam to produce, we understand, around 300bhp fed through the 4-speed Hydromatic automatic gearbox. Internally, the style and luxury continues with typical period details and chrome highlights including subtly fitted air conditioning all adding to the overall feel of the superbly trimmed interior.

With post-war American vehicles currently enjoying a surge of popularity, this glorious Rocket 88 can be used and enjoyed to the maximum, be that out on the open road or on the show field. Your early inspection is welcomed and encouraged to fully appreciate this very early 'space-age', trend-setting, Oldsmobile rocket-ship.