Oldsmobile Archives - Route 66 Pub Co

Turbos

While car manufacturers have been releasing new models with turbochargers as power adders, they have actually been around for quite awhile. Recently turbos were added to the Ford Focus and Fiesta engines, and even the trucking F-150. Turbos gain their power by using the exhaust gases to spin a turbine to help compress the incoming air to the engine. The denser the air, the more power the engine can make.

With the right engine, today’s shade tree mechanic could add their own turbocharger to easily increase the power. Completely spec’d kits are available, or you could piece out the individual parts.

Grand National Turbos

Buicks made a case for the turbos with their 1984 Regal Grand National and gained quite a following, until they stopped production in 1987. Another early innovator was the Corvair, that offered a turbo in 1962 to help polish their “sporty” image. The turbo charged Spyder engine made 150 horses as an option for the Corvair Monza coupes and convertibles.

Jetfire Turbos

But Oldsmobile rushed out their Jetfire to be the first turbocharged engine offering to the American motoring public in 1962. The Jetfire was a spin off on the F-85 Oldsmobile hardtop. It came with a 215 CI V-8 engine with a Garrett turbocharger making 215 horses (one horsepower per cubic inch of displacement). To avoid deadly detonation, the owners had to blend in a water and methanol mixture of “Rocket Fluid”. The other performance engine from Olds, without the turbo, was the same 215 CI engine but with just a four barrel carburetor. it could only offer up 185 horsepower.

A 1962 Oldsmobile Jetfire was recently offered on eBay and the red exterior mimicked the sales brochures from the day. The owner indicated it is a ground up restoration but with a few items still needing a look at. The owner installed a new turbocharger and added in air conditioning for comfort.

So when your neighbor pops the hood on his Ford Fiesta ST and brags about his beastly turbo on his three cylinder engine, you can tell him that turbos are old school too.

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Gordon Apker

It was announced by Sports Car Market that Gordon Apker died yesterday, February 3, 2016 in Scottsdale, AZ. Apker was a classic car collector and had developed quite a collection. Ironically this past month, the Barrett-Jackson Auction had helped sell some of his automobilia. Gordon Apker, in Barrett-Jackson’s press release was quoted that he wasn’t getting out of the collections and only selling a portion of his collection.

Gordon Apker’s Classic Cars

Apker’s cars focused on mid 50’s Detroit steel and he exhibited cars at the Arizona Concours d’Elegance

It would seem fitting to recognize Gordon by highlighting the cars he brought out there for the last two years.

Just last month, he brought out his 1957 Oldsmobile, Ninety Eight convertible. This black beauty had the famed Rocket V-8 engine, a 371 cubic inch with three carburetors. I loved the red accent line on this convertible.

Last year Gordon Apker showed this green 1952 Oldsmobile Ninety Eight two door hardtop. Not surprisingly both cars took home awards each year from the show.