1957 Oldsmobile Starfire Ninety-Eight Convertible

579M22578roadUnited States

Engine: 371 cu. in. OHV V8 with three 2-barrel carburetors (J-2 option), 300 bhp, 415 lb-ft torque
Colour: Two-tone Sapphire Mist and Victoria White

A 1957 Oldsmobile Starfire Ninety-Eight Convertible equipped with the rare J-2 tri-carburetor option, producing 300 bhp from a 371 cu. in. Rocket V-8. The J-2 package — briefly made available to the public following pressure from NASCAR's Bill France Sr. — was seldom ordered and is exceptionally uncommon on a top-specification model. This example underwent a comprehensive frame-off rotisserie restoration by Mark Barker before passing to prominent collector Dr. Edward Dauer and subsequently entering the Andrews Collection.

Ownership

—Auction sale
Sold US$187,000
RM Sotheby's catalogue lot →
Date unknownAcquisition unknown
Mark Barker / Mary-Wayne Motors
partial documentation
Performed a comprehensive frame-off rotisserie restoration on the vehicle; documentation relating to this work is on file.
Date unknownAcquisition unknown
Dr. Edward Dauer
partial documentation
Described as a well-known collector; acquired the car following its restoration by Mary-Wayne Motors.
Date unknownAcquisition unknown
Andrews Collection
partial documentation
Car was maintained in good cosmetic and mechanical condition during this period of ownership.

Competition

1957
Daytona Beach Speed Trials
Driver: Lee Petty144.9 mph recorded
Petty piloted a J-2-equipped 1957 Oldsmobile, prompting NASCAR's Bill France Sr. to raise concerns about the engine's availability to the general public.

Maintenance & restoration

—Restoration
Mary-Wayne Motors
Complete frame-off, nut-and-bolt rotisserie restoration returning the car to a high-quality factory-correct appearance, though intentionally stopped short of full concours standard.
Work attributed to Mark Barker of Mary-Wayne Motors; documentation on file referenced in the catalogue.

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