Rare 2 owner California black plate 1950 Oldsmobile Rocket 88 Deluxe Hardtop

1950 Oldsmobile Rocket Holiday 88 hardtop deluxe pristine original

60 year accumulation of NOS and near new and restored spare parts sold in two separate eBay auctions

Only two owners since new

Description

Apologies to early viewers as this was ended after 30 minutes due to incorrect auction duration time. I wanted 10 days but only had three. Now it's a 7 day auction. Thanks, Mark

This California, black plate, un-restored rust free car has been pampered all of its life and until October 2017, has never been for sale to the public. It was owned by one owner for 59 years, then a second owner for 8 years who purchased it as part of the estate after the first owner passed away. It has a little over 67,000 original miles.

Note that car's spare parts are being soldeBay item number

The car has its original interior which is still covered by seat covers believed to have been put in the car when it was originally purchased new as was customary at the time. The steering wheel, chrome, dash and gauges are in remarkable original condition. This car lived in a dry desert environment all of its life and has been garaged all of its life. It is a black plate California car which still possesses the original “50” plate tag which was attached to the license plate. Look at the open glove box door and see the first owner's period flashlight! Really cool time piece.

I have taken hundreds of pictures of the exterior, interior, engine bay, and underside which are available to perspective buyers. You may contact me at 508-868-8445 and I'll send those pictures to you or contact me through eBay.

The 1950 Olds Holiday is believed to be an all original interior, exterior chrome and stainless steel trim, glass and body. Over the years the first owner did what many owners in the 50’s did customarily. He converted it to 12 volt, changed the carburetor to a 4 barrel, removed the oil bath filter set up and changed it to an air filter, added an electric fuel pump, and removed the trunk rocket trim piece and the OLDSMOBILE lettering on the front and back. He even added air cooling to the rear brakes as well as a second fuel tank in the trunk. You'll learn more about the first owner who was an aircraft carrier mechanic in WWII.

Included in the sale of the car will be a 2 barrel carburetor and intake manifold, trunk rocket 88 emblem, clock with casing and the original oil bath air cleaner which sits behind the carburetor.

Not only did the owner save everything, but for many years sought out hundreds of NOS parts and excellent used components which will be listed in a separate auction. Although it has not been on the road since the 1980’s, it has been refreshed with new brakes and water pump and starts, runs, shifts and brakes well.

It’s very apparent that Richard loved his car. Having the background as a mechanic on an aircraft carrier, as well as at a local California airfield after the war, he appeared to strive for perfection. I’m sure that the entire lot of many valuable rebuilt machined and assembled heads and the rebuilt 1950 Oldsmobile 303 V-8listed in my other auctionwas done to the highest standards.

More about this extraordinary owner will be written below as well, a WWII war hero who was recommended for the Distinguished Flying Cross with Oak Leaf Clusters by his commanding officer. He was an Air Force Tech Sergeant on an aircraft carrier and was 22 years of age at the time. Once home, he bought a modest home built in 1942 and saved his money to purchase what was “the USA’s first muscle car” at the age of 29.

About the seller

I am listing the Olds 88 and spare parts for the current owner. If I can’t answer a question, I’ll ask the owner and get back to you. I have seen and driven in this car and have photographed all of the spare parts.

Note that the car and spare parts are being sold in separate auctions

I have loved cars all of my life. My dad loved clean fast sleek cars. My dad was a WWII veteran in the south pacific like Richard Deforest, the first owner of this fine Oldsmobile for an astounding 59 years. I know my Dad would love this Holiday Rocket.

I have sold some of my cars on eBay and take great pride in 100% positive feedback in everything I have sold. I encourage perspective buyers to do the research. I know I would if I were buying a car. E bay helps distinguish the excellent seller’s in that regard and reduce risk to perspective buyers.

About the two prior owners

Richard Deforest lived in California his entire life and passed away in July of 2009. According to relatives, he purchased this car new in 1950 at the age of 29. He owned the Rocket 88 for 59 years! He attended Polytech High School in southern California before joining the Air Force in WWII. He was recommended by his commanding officer for the Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal while working on an aircraft carrier in the south pacific. After the war he worked at an air field and is rumored to have earned his pilot’s license in exchange for doing mechanical work and upgrades on aircraft.

Richard made upgrades on the Rocket 88 to include 12 volt conversion, 4 barell carburetor, air filter installation, air cooled rear brakes, electric fuel pump and a second fuel tank in the trunk! All of these changes are still on the car, but can easily be changed to the new owner’s taste since he saved all the original parts.

Over his life, Richard sought to improve performance of the Rocket 88. The car exterior and interior appear close what it was when purchased new. There is zero crazing of the paint on this car. It’s remarkable.

Richard had the goal of improving performance. He found and had rebuilt an original 1950 Oldsmobile 303 V-8 engine which is listed in the other auction, a spare 1950 Hydra-Matic transmission, a spare torque converter, and three sets of fully machined, never used heads. One of these sets of heads is from a high performance 1956 Oldsmobile. All three sets of heads are in excellent condition. All have 1950 valve covers, also in excellent condition. There are hundreds of additional parts for sale in the other auction as well.

1950 rebuilt 303 with distributor, water pump, oil filter, dip stick can be seen in the other auction as well as in the links below. I have made videos which I can send to you for more detailed photos of the car and parts. Feel free to call me at 508-868-8445 or contact me through eBay.

Richard has created an extraordinary accumulation of nos and high end parts listed in my other sale. Although he has now passed, I can “hear and feel him” as we touched and sorted this incredible collection of parts. The parts alone are worth a great deal of money. Great job Richard and thank you for your service and heroism!

The second owner purchased the car in 2009 as part of an estate collection. The car has been pampered and garaged in California by the second owner. New brakes, water pump and fluids have recently been changed.

Driving experience

The Oldsmobile was taken out for a brief drive last week with my friend Gordon. Gordon’s mother and father bought this very same year and model in 1950. He knows this car like the back of his hand as he drove his parent’s car for many miles before enlisting into the Navy in the mid 1950’s.

The car started perfectly, drove well, the hydra-matic transmission shifted perfectly and stopped well. I can’t tell you the last time it has gone on a long trip, so checking out all systems is advised. I spent time looking at the underside and taking a hundred or so pictures for perspective buyers to look over.

Condition of the glass is remarkable for a 68 year old car. Only a well-kept and garaged California car could look so good. If added to your collection, this would be a fine driving car as it currently sits. With a little effort, it could become a show winner.