4. Oldsmobile Jetfire 1962
Oldsmobile Jetfire is a very important model for automotive history that unfortunately never got the respect it deserved. This was the first turbocharged passenger car along with Chevrolet Corvair Monza. However, Oldsmobile`s system was far more complex and powerful than Chevrolet`s and it deserves a detailed look. Back in the early `60s, Oldsmobile was known as an innovative company that was never afraid to introduce new systems to their cars. In those days, each GM`s division competed with each other trying to present something new and better than the competitors. Oldsmobile chose to turbocharge as the new technology it wanted to perfect.
The engineers took the compact F-85 model and retained its small 215 CID V8 engine which developed 185 hp and gave it a totally new forced-induction intake system which included a Garett turbocharger and a special “Turbo Rocket Fuel” tank which consisted of distilled water, methanol and a corrosion inhibitor mixture which was injected into fuel and air mixture to prevent the detonations. This was necessary since turbochargers were pretty primitive and prone to detonation or pre-ignition in those days, which could ruin the engine. For the standards of the day, the Jetfire V8 was the state of the art technology and initially, the market was very interesting. The new V8 delivered 215 hp which was 1 hp per cubic inch making it one of the best performance cars of the day. With the 0 to 60 mph time of around 8 seconds, it was almost as fast as the Corvette. Although the Jetfire wasn’t marketed as a performance car it was still pretty fast for the standards of the day.