1988 Olds Indy 500 Pace Car..1 of 50

[PaceGuy]

Rotating this one out of the collection with a new acquisition on the way. 778 original miles, hand built by Cars and Concepts for Oldsmobile...very few still exist. PM with questions. eBay auction ends this Sunday.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...EBIDX:IT#v4-39

[MrCritical]

That's a rolling piece of history. Awesome!

[2002 Caddy]

You know the story behind this car... GM builds 50.. they actually started to fall apart on dealers showroom floors.. GM decides the are all unrepairable and recalls them all for destruction...

A few were already sold to customers. And a few customers decided to refuse GM's buy back offer.

The truth was that GM's prediction that the car was unrepairable (too much power + not enough bracing = car falls apart)
Most of them quickly found there way onto the used market and most of those quickly ended up in wrecking yards... Most of the pictures of these cars are on blocks half taken apart...

47,000 appraised value? For a car that even GM couldn't fix? I don't think so.

[boston boy]

Originally Posted by 2002 Caddy

You know the story behind this car... GM builds 50.. they actually started to fall apart on dealers showroom floors.. GM decides the are all unrepairable and recalls them all for destruction...

A few were already sold to customers. And a few customers decided to refuse GM's buy back offer.

The truth was that GM's prediction that the car was unrepairable (too much power + not enough bracing = car falls apart)
Most of them quickly found there way onto the used market and most of those quickly ended up in wrecking yards... Most of the pictures of these cars are on blocks half taken apart...

47,000 appraised value? For a car that even GM couldn't fix? I don't think so.

How much power could this 2.8 MPI have? I mean I have a beretta w/ the 3.1 & it boggies still but I don't see the power in this thing.
GM didn't even give it leather seat


click on the AWD twin turbo beretta now thats a car I wanted

http://www.berettastuff.com/reference/prototypes.shtml


your car still a real nice car too

[MCGARRETT]

For some reason, the 4 seater International Series Cutlass Supremes did not let a leather option until 1990, leather was available on the Cutlass, but only on the luxury LS model. It was the same for the Regal, you could get leather in a Limited, but not with the 4 seater package. The Grand Prix did have a leather their 4 seat package. I dont know what issues these had since it seems indentical to the Cutlass Supreme convertible that Oldsmobile sold as a regular production cars from like 1989 to 1995 or so, but I guess some people never miss a chance to take a swipe at GM.


These were whats called "Festival Cars", the 2 real Pace Cars that were used did not have the "basket handle" roof, they were like roadsters, and they have prototype versions of the wheels the International Series cars got around 1989. There were also a bunch of regular black coupe pace car replicas too.


$47K is alot, but looking at the ad put in full way back machine mode, I remember going to Cooper Olds in Coral Gables to see the all new Cutlass, they had silver International Series like this on the showroom floor, next to it was beige Delta 88 Royale Brougham with the FE3 suspension and alluminum wheels, a loaded burgandy 98(ala Fargo) a white over grey Cutlass Calais sedan, a white over burgandy Cutlass Supreme Classic(which seemed soooo old next to the new Cutlass) and a fantastic dark grey Toronado Trofeo. My mother did test drive a new Cutlass, it was a dark red Cutlass LS with a dark red velour interior.

[2002 Caddy]

Originally Posted by boston boy

How much power could this 2.8 MPI have? I mean I have a beretta w/ the 3.1 & it boggies still but I don't see the power in this thing.

From memory the 2.8 MFI made something like 135HP... The main problem was they just cut the top off of the car... there was zero bracing and these cars are infamous for flexing and rattling to death... Driven for any distance and the doors don't fit the windows get loose...

As a museum piece sure... But I'm one of those old school diehards who actually wants to drive the cars that I own.

[MrCritical]

Who knows what the car is worth, especially on Ebay? Someone gave over $100k for a wrecked ZRI.

[PaceGuy]

Originally Posted by 2002 Caddy

You know the story behind this car... GM builds 50.. they actually started to fall apart on dealers showroom floors.. GM decides the are all unrepairable and recalls them all for destruction...

A few were already sold to customers. And a few customers decided to refuse GM's buy back offer.

The truth was that GM's prediction that the car was unrepairable (too much power + not enough bracing = car falls apart)
Most of them quickly found there way onto the used market and most of those quickly ended up in wrecking yards... Most of the pictures of these cars are on blocks half taken apart...

47,000 appraised value? For a car that even GM couldn't fix? I don't think so.

Sudden expertism can be a slippery slope 2002 Caddy.

If anyone is interested in what my research on these cars has found feel free to PM me. I've talked to the OCA and members that have owned these cars (most drove them illegaly on scap titles), the GM Heritage Center, and before them Oldsmobile's Historic Group and have a lot documented. The fact that the cars were never barrier tested is what got GM Legal concerned.

As for the Kruse appraisal--it's only a point of reference--one that I debated with the car's previous owner. The reserve isn't anywhere near that stratosphericly crazy number. I agree the car is best suited for a collection vs. driving it into the ground.

[calgaryhhr]

Wouldn't an event like the Barrett Jackson auctions be best for trying to sell a vehicle like this?

[2002 Caddy]

Originally Posted by PaceGuy

Sudden expertism can be a slippery slope 2002 Caddy.

Originally Posted by calgaryhhr

Wouldn't an event like the Barrett Jackson auctions be best for trying to sell a vehicle like this?

Just head over to OldsPower.com or RealOldsPower.com... They know all about these cars...

A car very much like this one, with 800 miles on the clock sold at BJ auctions in the fall of 2008 for $20,000...

Good luck with the sale.

EDIT: Correction... This very car was bought less then a year ago at Barrett Jackson for $20,000 plus sellers and buyers commissions.

Good luck with the "flip"

[Quixote88]

Originally Posted by calgaryhhr

Wouldn't an event like the Barrett Jackson auctions be best for trying to sell a vehicle like this?

Not necessarily... It costs a pretty penny to go through auction companies, not that it's free on ebay, but it's far less expensive to list the car online.

Also, this is one of those cars where there has to be a "true" Oldsmobile collector in the house. That is, general car collectors may bid good money on a 1970 W-30 442 or 1957 Fiesta Wagon, but these late model specialty vehicles usually only appeal to, in this case Oldsmobile, specific collectors, regardless of how rare it may be.
That is, you could pay auction listing fees but never get close to the bid that you really want for the car because the crowd doesn't fully appreciate what it is. An online listing gives you exposure to so many more people over a longer period of time for a lower listing fee.

I saw this listing on ebay. I wish I was in a position to bid on the car. It is a true museum piece. I've read about these cars, though I've never seen one at auction. (I've been to dozens of classic car auctions, and have consulted on numerous sales & purchases) This Cutlass is a beauty. Best wishes for the sale.

[boston boy]

Originally Posted by 2002 Caddy

From memory the 2.8 MFI made something like 135HP... The main problem was they just cut the top off of the car... there was zero bracing and these cars are infamous for flexing and rattling to death... Driven for any distance and the doors don't fit the windows get loose...

As a museum piece sure... But I'm one of those old school diehards who actually wants to drive the cars that I own.

I was just wondering. I have a 1992 beretta & she dyno 187 Tq 104 Hp to the wheels at 218,000 miles. I didn't know if GM did some magic on that 2.8 MPI motor.
Thanks

I would like that twin turbo beretta AWD, god I wish I was rich & have cars like that build for me. I still like that car for sale good luck

[87silver]

Originally Posted by MrCritical

Who knows what the car is worth, especially on Ebay? Someone gave over $100k for a wrecked ZRI.

Exactly; There's a lot of STUPID people out there with MONEY. The trick is to find them.

[prowlerjc]

Originally Posted by 2002 Caddy

EDIT: Correction... This very car was bought less then a year ago at Barrett Jackson for $20,000 plus sellers and buyers commissions.

Good luck with the "flip"

BUWAHAHAHA!!!!!!