The 1957 Oldsmobile Super 88 is a unique piece of automotive engineering. In a time where unadulterated speed was key to marketing appeal, the horsepower-centric design prevailed. Oldsmobile offered the J-2 package for the Super 88, designed for high performance and racing. The J-2 included a 371ci Rocket engine along with an array of power enhancements.

A triple carburetor setup was offered on the J-2 for the ’57 and ’58 model years.  In 1957, Lee Petty would drive an Oldsmobile 88 to the first ever Daytona 500 victory. NASCAR administrator Bill France would soon issue a ban prohibiting the use of fuel injection or multiple carburetors. The 88 Series was produced from 1949 to 1999, a classic spanning 10 generations.

Let’s learn the story of this classic Olds and why it was outlawed by NASCAR.

History Of The Super 88

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The first Oldsmobile 88 made its debut in 1949 with a powerful Rocket V8 under the hood. It was a striking emergence from the consumer car manufacturer into the high performance market. The first generation edition has been referred to as the original “King of NASCAR” for its frequent wins.  In fact, many have considered the 1949 Oldsmobile 88 to be the first American muscle car.

Upon the implementation of the Rocket V8, the 88 could go from 0-60 in 13 seconds, a shocking feat for 1950. It complemented the era of fast cars; “That was the start of the golden days of the horsepower race during the Fifties” said Bill Holt, member of the original J-2 development team.

The 3x2 configuration would allow the center carb to operate in standard conditions with the two additional carbs opening in response to increased acceleration. The triple two-barrel carburetor setup was similar to the Pontiac GTO Tri-Power. Two transmissions were available: the 3-speed manual and 4-speed Hydra-Matic, the latter receiving most of the popularity.  With this equipment, the 88 was able to incorporate smooth shifting with a substantial power-to-weight ratio.

The ‘50s styling of the Oldsmobile matched the allure of jet age styles with Rocket accents and a “Futuramic” design. Iterations of the 88 series would be produced until 1999, each major modification designated by 10 different generations. Over the years, it would make a gradual transition from high-performance muscle car to full-size sedan.

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OHV V8 Rocket Engine

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Originally offered in the Oldsmobile 98, the first Rocket V8 had 135 horsepower and 283 lb-ft of torque.  These numbers would increase significantly over a short period of time.  Charles Kettering, GM chief researcher, was a key figure in the development of the engine.

The OHV Rocket V8 engine included in the J-2 package made 300hp with a 4-speed Hydra-Matic transmission. Only 2,500 were produced with the package from 1957-1958. This option also had an 8.5:1 compression ratio. The chassis was substantially strengthened with the addition of reinforced engine mounts, steering linkages, and stiffer springs.

The wild success of the Super 88 in 1950 and 1952 was impressive. In 1952, the Oldsmobile faced being eclipsed by the Hudson Hornet. Oldsmobile responded to this through its release of the impressive J-2 package. The J-2 would make racing history and a production version of the package was offered in 1957 for just $83. This edition was updated to have a 10:1 compression ratio along with the triple carb setup.

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Story Of A NASCAR Legend

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The Rocket engine established its race capabilities and Oldsmobiles became considered fierce racing competitors with tons of natural talent.  In 1949, 88s fitted with Rocket V8 engines won 6 out of 9 NASCAR late model division races and 10 out of 19 in 1950.  Oldsmobile V8s and 442s have also been used as Indy 500 pace cars throughout the years.

In 1956, Lee Petty gave the J-2 a legendary name when he completed a record-breaking run of 144.928mph on the sands of Daytona.  Three years later Petty emerged victorious at the first Daytona 500, driving none other than a tenacious 88.  If that wasn't enough to impress, the first Carrera Panamericana endurance race was won by #52, an Oldsmobile 88.

This was the model that convinced the legendary driver to transition from Dodge to Chevy. Other drivers including Joe Littlejohn, Curtis Turner, and Bill Blair would accomplish victories in the car as well.

The end of the Super 88’s official NASCAR career came when Bill France introduced the infamous ban of 1957. In response to the sweeping wins of cars like the ’57 Chevy, fuel injection and superchargers were outlawed. This was intended to create a more fair game for all the drivers participating in NASCAR races.

Many were unhappy with the new changes, protesting through various avenues.  The ban of the Hemi engine caused Chrysler to leave NASCAR until another version was permissible in 1966.

Factory sponsorship was also brought to a halt by the American Manufacturers Association in 1957; This followed a claim by the Wall Street Journal that automakers were spending $7 million a year on the sport. GM discontinued engines with multiple carburetions in 1967 on every model (except the Corvette).  The J-2 package, although brought to an abrupt halt, remains a performance legend.

NEXT: The True Story Of Richard Petty's NASCAR Dominance