Turbocharged Jetfire: Oldsmobile's Booster Rocket

[Centurion]

Just received my subscription issue of "Collectible Automobile" magazine (April, 2003), and one of the fine features is an article about the 1962 and 1963 Jetfires.

In case you are unfamiliar with this magazine, I believe it to be one of the best in the collector car hobby today. This article contains beautiful color photographs, and the issue also covers Jetfire literature and market values. This is definitely worth watching for on the newsstands if you have an interest in these rare Oldsmobiles.

[65Jayone]

This IS a great magazine, and I look forward to seeing the new issue. I did not even know CA existed until a little over 3 years ago...I had just looked at a 1966 442 that was for sale locally which I ultimately bought. A few days after I looked at the car, I saw the September (or was in October?) 1999 issue on the newstand which featured a 1966 442 Tri-carb hardtop...I felt it was fate that that issue would be out at the same time. I have since picked up the back issues that highlighted the Olds Starfires and 442s.

I believe that there are a number of "coffee table" books currently available that use photos from the archives of this magazine. "Cars of the Sizzling 60s" is one.

[NTX5467]

Those Jetfires were unique in that they had normal "high compression" just as a normally aspirated engine did. This is why they needed their "rocket fluid" (an alcohol/water mix as I understand it) to kill detonation under boost at full power. The Chevy Corvair Spyder (similarly turbocharged but with the more normal lower than normal compression ratio) did not need it.

Unfortunately, only a two speed automatic was available as a three speed would probably have helped things, but I suspect that a regular Olds HydraMatic of that era would have absorbed too much power compared to the two speed, not to mention packaging issues. I don't recall a manual trans being available for it either.

Turbocharging was still relatively exotic back then so Olds was being "A Step Ahead" by offering it. Olds was usually the technology leader of GM in those days too.

Just some thoughts . . .

NTX5467

[Guest]

Just for my general edification and nosiness, would anyone have a photo and/or a diagram of the system? It sounds pretty interesting. I wonder if they used an injection orifice in the carb with a variable speed pump linked to the boot. Hmmm. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />Any engine output specs handy compared to non-turbo? Just curious. Thanks!

[rocketraider]

MasterWrench, the best I can do is mail you a photocopy of the 1962 and 63 shop manual stuff. I need to get me a scanner and learn how to put stuff like that on here. PM me with your snail-mail and I'll send you what I have.

185 hp with 4-barrel carb, 215 hp with turbo. It's the same little aluminum block V8 that Rover used forever after they bought the tooling from Buick Division in the mid 60s.

I sometimes think that the late 50s-early 60s were truly GM's engineering salad days. We haven't seen the likes of it since.

[Guest rlbleeker]

NTX5467, both my '62 Jetfires have the same shift pattern as my '62 Cutlass. My understanding is that they are a heavy duty version of the standard hydramatic. I know of two 4-speed Jetfires.

MasterWrench, happy to email pics if you want.

[Guest]

I would love the pics, thanks in advance! You never know when some of this info will come in handy. (Eyeing smog-motor 455 Toro) <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

[Guest rlbleeker]

Pic didn't turn out real good, but here's a picture of a fairly complete setup on a '63 parts car.

[Guest]

RL, thank you very much for the pic! At least it seems that you can get to everything fairly easily. it's interesting that they have the turbo on the top of the engine, if that's in fact what I'm seeing there. Thanks again!