1954 Oldsmobile Rocket F88 concept car

This is the car that in 1954 could have "killed" the Corvette. Chevrolet, being GM's big sales and profit division, campaigned against it. When Chevy was coming out with its 6-cylinder sports car with its 2-speed "powerglide" transmission and side curtains, here was a sports car from Oldsmobile with a big V-8 and power windows.

So, GM said no to Oldsmobile building this car. This concept 1954 Concept Oldsmobile Rocket F88 is now the only one in existence. It was a Motorama Dream Car, one of only two, or an unconfirmed possible three, created.

At the prestigious Barrett-Jackson Auto Auction in Scottsdale, Arizona, John S. Hendricks (Discovery Communications founder) paid $3,240,000 to acquire it. After spending decades as a collection of parts stuffed into wooden crates, the F-88 was reassembled. This acquisition made automotive history, and is the cornerstone of the Gateway Colorado Automobile Museum, in its own special room on a rotating display.

Thanks to Cliff for sending this in.