Words & Photos: Gary Rosier
This is one cool 1956 Oldsmobile Super “Rocket 88” two-door hardtop. Commonly referred to as the second generation Olds, we must first remember that the First Generation Oldsmobile’s (49-53) were the cornerstone of what the young men in America were wanting. WWII had ended and the boys coming home wanted more!
The post-war demand grew for more powerful engines, and Oldsmobile didn’t disappoint. Their new “Rocket V-8” had the goods! It was winning on the track regularly in the new NASCAR division races in the very early 50’s. Some publications actually referred to it as the “King of NASCAR.” Increased sales and its catchy “Rocket” designation led to such things as the slogan “Make a date with a Rocket 88” and even a hit Rock N Roll song called “Rocket 88.”
Tom Taxon of Port Orange, Fla. took it all to heart at a very young age! He and his wife Pat had first dated in a car very similar to this one (see the pic in the slideshow below), so it was always a car high on their priority list to re-acquire someday.
He started out as a tool and die maker early in his work life, migrating into mechanical engineering and production management at a small manufacturing company. Over the years, Tom managed a sheet metal fabrication company, then joined a video and arcade game startup in the late 70’s. He then joined an engineering consulting firm in ’83, and in ’89 moved to Bally Technologies. There he worked as Vice President of Hardware Engineering for 18 of 21 years until retirement in 2010. So you know the skill level was there to tackle such a project.
Tom and his wife knew retirement was around the corner and she wanted him to pursue his dream. After all, this was a car in which they had dated – oh, the memories! He was at a Goodguys show in Pleasanton, Calif. and saw this Olds which was for sale, but looked nothing like the car you see here. Seems that a young man had ideas of making it a souped up Rat Rod of sorts, an early ’50’s theme type of ride, complete with grey primer and red flames!
Not to worry: Tom had a vision and proceeded to purchase the car, as most of it was there as far as trim pieces, interior and a solid body. He now owns this cool example of a 1956 Oldsmobile Super “Rocket 88” 2 door hardtop.
After purchasing the car in October of 2006, Tom began work in earnest in mid-2007. The long process of modifying the chassis started with a new Fat Man front-end with 2″ dropped spindles while a new Heidts Independent rear was built into the back-half next. It features a Ford 9″ with 3:55 gears and Wilwood 4 piston calipers (inboard!). A new Wilwood master cylinder with dual 9″ booster modernized and completed the braking end of the business. Once the body was off the chassis, it was sent out for a walnut shell media blasting – inside and out.
As for so many of us, life kept getting in the way. Tom was involved in an accident (not his fault) in early 2010 that set things back another year while he recovered, and then relocated to sunny Florida as his retirement began with remodeling the new home. All of these things kept taking their toll on the timeline!
He is a fabricator/tool and die maker after all though, so once settled into their new home, work began in earnest on the car. Tom did almost all the work on the car: chassis redesign and fabrication, exhaust, wiring, plumbing and the sometimes tedious final reassembly. Although he had painted a few cars in the past, he felt that this one was special and needed a professional touch. So he enlisted the help of a retired body-man and painter. Setting up a body shop/paint booth in his large RV Garage, Tom assisted and learned!
As far as the “GO” department, the old 270 hp Rocket V-8 wasn’t going to cut it, so a new GM Crate motor designated as the LS376 (480HP) with the 4L70E transmission (electronic 4 speed) came next. Hooker headers exit the gases, along with 2.5 inch ceramic coated exhausts and Flowmaster Mufflers. The gas tank was cleaned up but needed the modern internal fuel pump upgrade to handle the new modern power-plant setup. US Radiator handled the cooling chores with a triple flow core. It rolls on American Racing Torq Thrust II wheels, 16X7 up front with 16X8 at the back, fitted with Falken Ziex ZE512 tires – 205/60R19 and 225/60R16 respectively.
The interior was handled by The Upholstery Man in Port Orange. Tom insisted that stock interior patterns were used. The dash was left stock, as this period of cars had some very nice, unique dashes – only the addition of new Classic instruments were needed. All the trim, chrome and stainless was straightened, polished and plated at Ogden Chrome in Utah. He did have to hunt down one side piece – which took two years!
This was, after all, GM’s idea of riding the wave of excitement with the public’s fascination with the new Jet Age. The design cue was for the open air inlets of the jet engines as well as the sweeping tails, pointed tail-light lenses and flowing body lines mimicking the jet age. Tom loved the look of the front bumper, but not the grill and center post (new for ’56). He had a friend who owns a plastic fabrication business make the custom bullets and air splitter and had them chromed, and it made for a nice clean look.
This second-generation Olds has found new life. Yes, it still has all the old cherished memories, but with a new comfortable twist. Modern electronics, power-plant and running gear bring it into the 21st century for sure, but four kids, 13 grandchildren and three great grandchildren all will attest – it’s One “ROCKET” of a ride! Tom and Pat “dated” for over 51 years, and he knows she’s watching from above and still accompanying him in their beloved Super Rocket 88!
