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Don't know if Dale Smith is still with us, but I believe he was the person that was between Oldsmobile and the racers that received the give away cars. I would like to know more myself. I do remember looking at a lot of Oldsmobile stock and super stock cars back then, and noticing that many had diesel instrument clusters. Don't know why that was. Could have been that they had been engineering cars, or maybe lemon law buybacks. Or maybe that diesel cars were an inexpensive way to pick up a late model car at wholesale auctions. Also, not clear if they were rolling "no VIN" cars, or if they were complete cars. All of this are purely my thoughts, and not based on fact or my personal experience. Classracer.com would be a good place to ask.
Last edited by maxi426; August 25th, 2023 at 10:24 AM.
Aluminum hoods and core supports were common back in the day. I used to search Pick&Pull for aluminum core supports for the Regal and sell them on the Turbo Buick forum. Saw aluminum hoods, core supports, bumper reinforcements, brake drums, etc.
The Oldsmobile never came with the Aluminum rad support from what I have been told. Racers would swap out the steel core support for an aluminum one out of a Pontiac Grand Prix.
Oldsmobile manufactured an aluminum hood and bumper braces front and back on some years. I read that the diesel powered cars received these to off set the weight of the diesel engine. Others claim that they could be found on non diesel cars. I have seen some factory cars with a decal on the quarter window designating that the car was a factory car. Class Racer is a great source and a good place to ask this question.
It's probably just a racecar. I don't recall Olds backing any S/SS cars in 88, and if they did, they would have been FWD Calais bodied, as that was the new, hot lick.
Last edited by fleming442; August 25th, 2023 at 11:11 AM.
Olds shipped bodies to many racers..they informally were called body in white purchases. No vin.
FJ Smith had a bunch in the field behind his shop…shell only.
Good point no vin number completely forgot about that.
Were the FJ smith cars front wheel drive cars being converted to rear wheel drive SS class cars?
It's probably just a racecar. I don't recall Olds backing any S/SS cars in 88, and if they did, they would have been FWD Calais bodied, as that was the new, hot lick.
They did build 1988 Cutlass rear wheel drives . My buddy had a 88 S/S factory racecar.
Your right 88 was the final year of production of the G body Oldsmobile1988 was the final year for the rear-wheel drive Cutlass Supreme. It was badged Cutlass Supreme Classic, and 27,678 were built.[5] The 2-door coupe (produced alongside the Chevrolet Monte Carlo at GM's Pontiac, Michigan plant) continued, until the new front-wheel drive version was released in December 1987. The Olds 307 was the only available engine.
Good point no vin number completely forgot about that.
Were the FJ smith cars front wheel drive cars being converted to rear wheel drive SS class cars?
Probably because I really don't remember FJ being involved in much stock eliminator. I could be wrong. Those Achievas were ugly but they made great looking racecars.
Your right 88 was the final year of production of the G body Oldsmobile1988 was the final year for the rear-wheel drive Cutlass Supreme. It was badged Cutlass Supreme Classic, and 27,678 were built.[5] The 2-door coupe (produced alongside the Chevrolet Monte Carlo at GM's Pontiac, Michigan plant) continued, until the new front-wheel drive version was released in December 1987. The Olds 307 was the only available engine.
The 307 did some damage in stock eliminator. Some the Olds GT class S/S'ers ran Cadillac engines AKA Olds .
Probably because I really don't remember FJ being involved in much stock eliminator. I could be wrong. Those Achievas were ugly but they made great looking racecars.
ya they are butt ugly…but look sweet in super stock form..second gen Achievas looked even better
a hardcore serious stock eliminator would start with a body in white from GM just like Smith does. It actually costs less to buy a body in white at that time, that it does to have someone strip a car, remove all the sound deadener, windows and gum…plus the purchase price of a good solid car to start with. They were a bargain back then.
The Oldsmobile never came with the Aluminum rad support from what I have been told. Racers would swap out the steel core support for an aluminum one out of a Pontiac Grand Prix.
Oldsmobile manufactured an aluminum hood and bumper braces front and back on some years. I read that the diesel powered cars received these to off set the weight of the diesel engine. Others claim that they could be found on non diesel cars. I have seen some factory cars with a decal on the quarter window designating that the car was a factory car. Class Racer is a great source and a good place to ask this question.
I have found aluminum radiator supports in 80 Cutlass's but never in a 81 up. I have found rear aluminum bumper supports in 81 up Cutlass's. The only difference I found between the 80 radiator supports and the 81 up supports was a very slight difference in the total height with the 80 being taller/higher.
I have found aluminum radiator supports in 80 Cutlass's but never in a 81 up. I have found rear aluminum bumper supports in 81 up Cutlass's. The only difference I found between the 80 radiator supports and the 81 up supports was a very slight difference in the total height with the 80 being taller/higher.
Good point about the 78- 80 model years. I was referring to the 81 to 88 model year Oldsmobile G bodies. I got mine from a Pontiac Grand Prix cool piece.
August 25th, 2023, 08:10 AM
