Turbo Rocket-Oldsmobile COPO?

[69SSZL1]

Finally, after all these months of working on it, I took the Turbo Rocket powered Jetfire out for a drive. It runs great, and really moves. I am really impressed with the engineering Oldsmobile put into these. With this Jetfire now running, that makes 10 known 1963 Turbocharged Jetfires on the planet.
The way these were modified on the assembly line is similar to the COPO program. When a Jetfire was ordered, Oldsmobile would pull a F85 convertible body off the assembly line and weld a Buick hardtop to it (Olds wanted the Jetfire to be a true hardtop, and they did not make a hardtop F85/Cutlass at that time). Then, the special Turbo Rocket engine was fitted and other body modifications were done to accommodate that engine. A special rear axle was installed, and a special code "OX" transmission (if an automatic) was installed. I know its an RPO and not a true COPO, but a lot of modifications over the regular F85 were done to make it. So, my question is, what would this car be considered, a Musclecar, a Factory tuner car, or what? (I know it's not a 500hp Rat motor, but the car is 1000lbs lighter then a Camaro).

[MosportGreen66]

That's awesome... thanks for sharing.

Amazing you got it running again. That motor looks daunting

[ne70ss]

So cool.

[CamaroNOS]

" So, my question is, what would this car be considered, a Musclecar, a Factory tuner car, or what? (I know it's not a 500hp Rat motor, but the car is 1000lbs lighter then a Camaro)."

Greg, you know what this is considered......freakin awesome! Man that is really a piece of art and ultra rare. I really like the car.

You and it should be travelling north to Chicago in November with it. Way too cool to leave under wraps.

Paul

[DW31S]

It's about time you "non-believers" (joking you know) took notice of our beloved Oldsmobiles! Olds engineers were on the forefront of technology on many clandestine operations that most of the public (car guys included) are/were not unaware of. Some of the ideas never made it past the drawing board or prototype stages, and not all were 100% successful (late '70s -early '80s diesels), but many were quite innovative such as the rarity discussed here. This was not the first turbo-car from Olds that was available to the masses. I personally like the '63s a little better than the '62s, (I like the '64 f85 post body style best). I'd love to own this car if I had the means to store it properly, and YES!, that engine does look daunting. Please tell us more about this car's history and how you came to acquire it; if that info has been posted I missed it.
Great car and thanks for sharing!!! Love the color, too!!!

[PLATINUM6BBL]

Cool car. There is one that use come to shows around here. Also knew of one that was crushed out of a yard not far from me.

[69VN]

Incredible piece of Oldsmobile history right there! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/headbang.gif[/img]

[markinnaples]

Really a cool vehicle. More information and pics please.

[black69]

That is one amazing ride. Outside of the obvious rarity of it, is that power bucket factory? I had a 65 chevelle convert with power buckets, and they only made <span style="font-style: italic">20</span> of those power buckets on that car, so had to ask. Love the way the interior (especially seats) look. I am sure there is a flux capacitor somewhere in that engine bay!

I definitely want to learn more about Methanol injection and what that does for engine performance. Don't say anything about that option to a drug user though, they might get some ideas to use your car in their lab.

[Verne_Frantz]

Do you know what the total production of the Turbo was in '63? A fellow who owned a small motel near me growing up had one. A two-tone.
Verne