Item Info

Media Type: Photographic Prints
Source: Automobile Reference Collection
Notes:

General Motors Motorama

1956 OLDSMOBILE GOLDEN ROCKET

Oldsmobile’s 1956 experimental car—the Golden Rocket—is well named.

With a gold colored fiber glass body and aerodynamic styling, this two-door sports coupe has a special look of grace and swiftness. Only 49.5 inches in height, the Golden Rocket is 75.4 inches wide, 201.1 inches long, and has a 105 inch wheelbase. Tread is 59 inches front, 56 rear and the road clearance is 6.5 inches. A 275-horsepower Rocket engine powers the car.

To afford easy access to the two bucket seats, a unique automatic seat control is featured in the golden Rocket. As the door is opened, a roof panel automatically raises as the seat simultaneously is raised and turned toward the outside, allowing the driver or passenger to get in or out of the car with a minimum of effort. Each of the two access panel-seat arrangements operates independently of the other.

Cowl air inlets just below the windshield on either side of the hood bring fresh air into the passenger compartment, which is done in brilliant blue upholstery. Air exhaust openings behind and below the backlight rid the passenger compartment of air to allow for passenger comfort.

A special steering wheel—designed for safety and easy access to the driver’s seat, is another special feature of the golden Rocket. Safety lock breaking points are located on either side of the wheel about two-thirds of the way to the top. When two buttons are depressed simultaneously, the wheel folds under, giving ample room for the driver to be seated. The locations of the two buttons prevent accidental release of the wheel.

The car’s front wheels are housed in unique “twin torpedo” pontoons flanking a slim aircraft type nacelle covering the engine. Side running lights are located on dorsal fin projections located on either side of the rear of the passenger compartment.