Documente Academic
Documente Profesional
Documente Cultură
PUBLICATION
2016, G. DAVID
YAROS. ALL
RIGHTS RESERVED.
Car Collector
Chronicles
Exploring:
Ca
High RPMs
Classic Rides
Reports From the Field
Oldsmobile (1897-2004)
Cadillac (1902- )
Allant (1987-1993)
Corvair (1960-1969)
= Clickable Link
IN THIS ISSUE:
High RPMs
A Look at 1916
Pics to Ponder
OldsD88@gmail.com
CCC Forum
EMail:
May 2016
Page 2
My first
question is
what do you
see?
I recently came across a photo of an Oldsmobile of which I was not aware. One reason was that it was one of many concepts created
by the Olds division of GM. While some are well
known, such as the 1954 F88 that Barrett-Jackson
hammered at $3.2 Million a few years back, others
are a bit obscure.
The photo I saw was of an Oldsmobile XP-888.
It is a 1970 era machine. Oldsmobile officially
described it as:
An entry level sports car, featuring a series of interchangeable rear compartment
covers; including fastback, pickup and
wagon variations.
I am a little at a loss to appreciate why in 1970 Oldsmobile thought that it needed an
entry level sports car in its line? After all, through 1970 Oldsmobile had already sold
155,552 4-4-2 automobiles. Also, in that year an Olds 4-4-2 with a 455 c.i. V8 paced
the Indianapolis race.
For whatever reason, the minds in
charge determined creating the XP-888
was a good idea. Here is the result of that
exercise.
My first question is, what do you see? I
see a Chevy Camaro front-end/doghouse.
Or, is it a Pontiac Trans Am? The rearend looks to have Corvette genes? Some
may see Studebaker Avanti lines in the
body, and I would not argue the point.
So where is the XP-888 today? Is it still
extant? A check of the GM Heritage Center web site yields no mention of the
car. That is not unusual. It was quite common for concept vehicles to be destroyed. If
that was its fate, it is too bad. She was a nice looking ride!
I ran across an earlier engineering and design effort which I found to be quite appealing. It was the 1953 Oldsmobile X-P Rocket. This car was constructed on a a fullsized, B-body chassis. The lines flow quite well, given the 203 inch long fiberglass
shell. The X-P Rocket was Oldsmobiles first GM Motorama concept car. It was named
after the Lockheed F-94B Starfire. Features presented to the motoring public for the
first time were the large oval-mouthed grille, a wraparound windshield, bucket seats and
a fiberglass body that incorporated a Darrin Dip in the beltline. The headlights were
encased in plastic bubbles. Reportedly three examples were built. I know of none still
in existence.
Page 3
[T]he
muffler/
exhaust
system
was mounted
to the front of
the engine
and exited
forward of
the front
wheels.
All I can say is, it sure would be nice to be able to go cruising around in this machine.
One would not have to ask twice if I wanted to borrow the car! I cant imagine the emotions that had to be stirring inside the individuals doing the scrapping. I wonder what they
were thinking, feeling at the time?
Page 4;;
A Look at 1916
U.S. population:was approximately 102 Million 30% of the 2016 population
Film star Charlie Chaplin received a weekly pay of $10,000 The equivalent of $218,000 today
There were 109 telephones for every 1,000 people in the U.S. This number jumped to 588 by 1970 and,
thanks to mobile phones, 847 by 2007
U.S. States numbered 48 New Mexico and Arizona became states four years earlier (1912), but Alaska
and Hawaii would not be granted statehood for another forty-three years (1959)
A First Class Postage Stamp cost 2 The equivalent of 44 today
The cost of a loaf of bread was 7
The average price for a car was $400
The worlds tallest structure was the Eiffel Tower
Einstein completed formulation of his general Theory of Relativity
Electric refrigerators were first offered for sale, for $900
Coca-Cola started using their new contoured bottle
Mr. Peanut was created
Montana voters elect the first woman to serve in the U.S. Congress, Republican Jeanette Rankin
The Chicago Cubs played their first game at Weeghman Field (present day Wrigley) ,beating the Cincinnati Reds 7-6 in 11 innings
President Wilson sent Gen. Pershing and 12,000 U.S. troops into Mexico to pursue Pancho Villa
Page 5;;
Pics to Ponder
Ok, Ive had my say for the month. Now its your turn! I invite/encourage submission
of your comments, opinions and article contributions. I also ask that you please help
spread the word about our publication. Everything sent shall indeed be reviewed by
me. Submissions should be sent to CCC at OldsD88@gmail.com.
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