Oldsmobile created the 1950 Oldsmobile 88 in 1949 by combining its new high-compression Rocket V-8 from the big 98 series with the smaller, lighter platform of its six-cylinder 76 models. The result, America's first "factory hot rod," was a sensation on road and track -- especially in dashing convertible form.
The 1950 Oldsmobile 88 offered home-built hot rod power at an attractive price.
Though designed independently of Cadillac's larger new 1949 V-8, the Rocket, too, was an efficient lightweight engine with great tuning potential. Even with mild 7.25:1 compression, this 303-cubic-incher initially delivered 135 horsepower, giving the 88 a 22.5:1 power-to-weight ratio -- outstanding for the day. With that, the 88 brought to thousands of buyers the kind of performance once reserved for high-priced cars -- or home-built hot rods.
Oldsmobile's popular Futuramic styling was little changed for 1950. While other 88s offered standard and DeLuxe versions, the convertible came in only one well-dressed model attractively priced at $2294. Olds built 9127 for the model year. Hardtop variants dominated the racing circuits, Olds claiming both the NASCAR crown and class wins in the Mexican Road Race -- "Rocket Action" indeed.
The 1950 Oldsmobile 88's Rocket V-8 made a stir both on and off the race track.
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