Oldsmobile Experimental Cars

Experimental Cars shown here were built to test or showcase Oldsmobile engineering and design prowess. They could be based either on existing models or hint at ideas for future models.

1903 Oldsmobile Pirate

The Olds Pirate took part in the first officially timed run on Ormond Beach later to be known as "Speedweeks". There is some confusion around the Pirate winning a race against the Winton Bullet #1, but both 'Sports Car Digest' and 'Ormond Beach Historical Society' state that the Winton beat Olds by a few fractions of a second.
Nevertheless, the Pirate set a speed record of 54.37 MPH (some sources say 54.38) when most automobiles of the time ran at a top speed of about 30 MPH.
It was named the Pirate because of its bare bones appearance. The car has 2 bullet style tanks on it. One was for gas and the other for water. The original car had a 2 cylinder water cooled engine, providing 7 hp and ran at about 600 rpm. It had a large flywheel and the car was similar to the style of the Curved Dash Olds.

1903 Oldsmobile Pirate

1903 Oldsmobile Pirate

1903 Oldsmobile Pirate

1903 Oldsmobile Pirate

 

1987 / 1992 Oldsmobile Aerotech 1

The Oldsmobile Aerotechs were a series of experimental high-speed vehicles created between 1987 and 1992.

The Aerotech I was driven by three-time Indy 500 winner A.J. Foyt to a world closed-course speed record of 257.123 mph on August 26, 1987. "Flying Mile" speed was 267.88 mph. Straightaway speeds were 290+ MPH. It was powered by a turbo-charged version of the 2-litre Oldsmobile Quad 4 engine. There were two versions of the Quad Four. The ST (short tail) "RE" unit, prepared by Batten Heads of Detroit, used a single turbocharger to make an estimated 900HP. The LT (long tail) "BE" powerplant, built by Fuel Engineering of California, used twin turbos to produce an estimated 1000HP. There were 3 versions of the 1987 Aerotech I, 2 ST versions and 1 LT.

In December 1992, yet another version of the Aerotech I, powered by a 4.0L Oldsmobile Aurora V8 engine and fitted with headlights, broke 47 speed endurance records including the 10,000 and 25,000 kilometre world speed records. Other national and international speed records ranging from 10 kilometres to 24 hours were accomplished by a team of drivers working 24 hours a day for 8 days.

1987 Oldsmobile Aerotech 1

1992 Oldsmobile Aerotech 1

 

199? Oldsmobile TCX

Low Cowl, Large Windshield styling theme. 1st-gen 3800 3.8L V6. This is one of approx. 3 TCX's built. It was based on the Cutlass Supreme Coupe, perhaps used for reaserch of a proposed upcoming model/technology at the time.

199? Oldsmobile TCX

199? Oldsmobile TCX

199? Oldsmobile TCX

199? Oldsmobile TCX

 

1985 Oldsmobile FE3-X Calais

3.0L V6 125HP engine. 16" rims with 225/50VR-16 tires. Monochromatic paint, window tinting, functional aero/ground effects package, headlight and grille covers, front air dam, flush emblems, rocker panel extensions, wheelwell evacuation ducts, brake cooling ducts and an adjustable rear deck spoiler. Was later re-painted to match Aerotech colours (last photo).

1985 Oldsmobile FE3-X Calais

1985 Oldsmobile FE3-X Calais

1985 Oldsmobile FE3-X Calais

1985 Oldsmobile FE3-X Calais

1985 Oldsmobile FE3-X Calais

1985 Oldsmobile FE3-X Hurst Olds Cutlass

AKA: Darth Vader - 5.0L, 307-cid V8 200HP engine. 16" rims with 245/50VR-16 tires. Monochromatic paint, window tinting, functional aero/ground effects package, headlight and grille covers, front air dam, flush emblems, rocker panel extensions, wheelwell evacuation ducts, brake cooling ducts and an adjustable rear deck spoiler. See fe3x.com for info on this car and this site for other general FE3-X info!

1985 Oldsmobile FE3-X Hurst Olds Cutlass

1985 Oldsmobile FE3-X Hurst Olds Cutlass

1985 Oldsmobile FE3-X Hurst Olds Cutlass

1985 Oldsmobile FE3-X Hurst Olds Cutlass

1985 Oldsmobile FE3-X Firenza

2.8L V6 120HP engine. 16" rims with 225/50VR-16 tires. Monochromatic paint, window tinting, functional aero/ground effects package, headlight and grille covers, front air dam, flush emblems, rocker panel extensions, wheelwell evacuation ducts, brake cooling ducts and an adjustable rear deck spoiler.

1985 Oldsmobile FE3-X Firenza

1985 Oldsmobile FE3-X Firenza

1985 Oldsmobile FE3-X Firenza

 

2000 Oldsmobile Silhouette OSV

"Oldsmobile Speciality Vehicle", an experiment in an aftermarket parts brand for Oldsmobile. Featured a body kit, custom interior, and special cherry red paint.

2000 Oldsmobile Silhouette OSV

2000 Oldsmobile Silhouette OSV

2000 Oldsmobile Silhouette OSV

2000 Oldsmobile Alero OSV

"Oldsmobile Speciality Vehicle", an experiment in an aftermarket parts brand for Oldsmobile. Featured a body kit, custom interior, and special cherry red paint.

2000 Oldsmobile Alero OSV

2000 Oldsmobile Alero OSV

2000 Oldsmobile Alero OSV

2000 Oldsmobile Intrigue OSV

"Oldsmobile Speciality Vehicle", an experiment in an aftermarket parts brand for Oldsmobile. Featured a body kit, custom interior, and special cherry red paint.

2000 Oldsmobile Intrigue OSV

2000 Oldsmobile Intrigue OSV

2000 Oldsmobile Intrigue OSV

2000 Oldsmobile Intrigue OSV