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This piece of history is going on the block at Mecum on January 14th. Does anyone know the history of this car ? Especially the design, build and the specifications of the motor ?
I was an Oldsmobile dealer’s adult son in 1974 and was told a story by the District Sales rep about one of the two cars. Apparently a dealer/collector in Lenoir, NC named Rooster Bush contracted to buy one of these 2 Pace Cars following the race. Realizing that the car was not Street legal and, I don’t believe it had a VIN #, Oldsmobile Division attempted to renege on the sale and Bush threatened to sue them. Oldsmobile finally caved in and agreed to sell the car on a bill of sale, no title/MSO and made Bush sign an agreement that he could Never sell the car. I have no idea what has transpired over the past 49 years concerning that car, but there’s a 50/50 chance this could be it. Interesting that this car went into hiding in 2005 which was the end of the line model year for Oldsmobile…
Good to see you on here, Buddy. If anyone has a car with Holt Oldsmobile badging, odds are Buddy was involved in the sale! Did y'all sell any 1974 H/Os? Mine came from Massey in Kinston and I got it after Bob Brannan had it.
I've also wondered which one it is- the Bush car or the Spagnoli car. When Joe Spagnoli was restoring his, didn't a third one surface somewhere?
If it is Rooster's car, and since Oldsmobile has been out of existence 18 years and Rooster died in 2011, wonder if GM will hold the Bush heirs to that agreement? Or can we hope the General has forgotten about the 1974 Pace Cars.
It is interesting that you mention Bob Brannan. His is a member of our Olds club (NTOC). I haven't seen Bob in a few years. What a gentleman.
Since Oldsmobile and a lot of years have passed, you would think they would not car if anybody is even left that knew about the agreement. I would sure love to see one of these cars.
If it is Rooster's car, and since Oldsmobile has been out of existence 18 years and Rooster died in 2011, wonder if GM will hold the Bush heirs to that agreement? Or can we hope the General has forgotten about the 1974 Pace Cars.
Rooster’s heirs were not a party to his contract and not bound by its terms. Even if they been, at some point the Rule Against Perpetuities would prohibit control over the vesting of a future contingent interest in property.
I had a ‘74 W-31 White pace Car as a demo; Daddy wouldn’t allow a 455 after I rolled my ‘73 W-30 H/O😬. I did install a shift kit, headers, cam and W-31Aluminum intake to wake the ‘74 up. The dealership sold the car with all those goodies still on it! Those were the days😊. I did get a W-30 again in ‘75!
I also recall Bob Brannon offering his ‘69 H/O to me in the early 80s for $7,950. I think my response was “are you crazy Bob?”. I still have the letter. Good stuff…
And regarding the actual Pace Car, I believe Bill Kinsey told me the two pace cars had Quad Coil-overs on them🤷🏻♂️
When Rooster was still in business he would have a car show at the dealership and I remember seeing the 74 pace car and the 68 442 that I believe was called the Mod Rod.I have pics of these some where along with some of his other cars. Met the man that owns the very first 1957 Olds rooster sold at the dealership. Buddy do you remember when Musclecar Review did a write up on you in 1986 with all the 442's w 30, w31? We have the 67 442 convertible that was on page 50.
When Rooster was still in business he would have a car show at the dealership and I remember seeing the 74 pace car and the 68 442 that I believe was called the Mod Rod.I have pics of these some where along with some of his other cars. Met the man that owns the very first 1957 Olds rooster sold at the dealership. Buddy do you remember when Musclecar Review did a write up on you in 1986 with all the 442's w 30, w31? We have the 67 442 convertible that was on page 50.
That's the Cameo Ivory vert with power windows & TH400! I bought that car in Cary, NC in 1984 for $5500 and sold it to a fellow in Hickory (I believe) in 1993 who said he had one like it new. Is that you?
Thats the car The man you sold it to was a relative of my wife. I had never met him until he put the car up for sale because of health problems.He said it reminded him of the one he bought new in 67 I have the POP for the first 67 he had and told him to put it on some forums and he might get lucky and get it back.
I don't have a current email or phone # for Bob Brannan, and I think he moved from OK to Texas a few years ago. I'd like to talk with him. He must be pushing 85 now.
When he was Charlotte Zone Service Manager I used to go to his house in Waxhaw NC. First time I went I told him he and Pat lived in "plumb nearly"- as in plumb nearly out of this world! Had to go into SC and double back to get there. Enjoyed many sandwiches for lunch there.
There have been a couple of ex-Brannan cars in my yard over the years. A true gentleman who could rattle off Oldsmobile part numbers and specs without having to get the books out!
Bob might have some insight on which Pace Car this is. My gut tells me it's the Bush car.
I remember talking to Bob for hours at the Charlotte AutoFair.One of the nice guys always willing to help anybody he could.Bought a few parts from him that nobody else had and he always had time to talk about family and Oldsmobile. Glenn i have'nt called him in a while so I don"t know if the # is still good. I you "ll send me a text I'll give it to you. Tony Cook 828-228-8119
I also recall Bob Brannon offering his ‘69 H/O to me in the early 80s for $7,950. I think my response was “are you crazy Bob?”. I still have the letter. Good stuff…
Wouldn't you love to get that car for $7950 now? I'd love to have that 68 Delta police package car he has...
After Bob retired and he and Pat decided to return to Oklahoma, I bought Pat's Custom Cruiser. I remember Bob saying that would be one less car they'd have to move. I think they moved either nine or eleven from NC to OK.
I often wonder if his daughter Susie is still drag racing. She was good at it and that girl did love a fast car...
Steve Moskowitz might know which Pace Car this is too. Trouble is he just had back surgery and is probably still fogged up.
FYI rocketraider, there is a Bob Brannan on Facebook that looks to be originally from Oklahoma and now resides in Texas. Belongs to Oklahoma Oldsmobile Association and looks like he has an association with Brannan Auto Sales in Gainesville, Texas. In case you wanted to reach out.
PS - I don’t know what year you were last in Waxhaw, NC but boy has that place changed.
Last edited by Bigmikey65; Jan 8, 2023 at 11:01 AM.
About 25 years ago. Haven't been on that side of Charlotte since the Brannans left.
Everywhere close to big cities in NC has changed. Me and the Pontiac bud went to eat barbecue in Willow Springs south of Raleigh last spring. Went thru Cary and Apex. Last time I was in Apex, Hwy 55 was two-lane and Apex was country. If I hadn't seen the town limit sign I wouldn't have known I was in the place. The Dairy Queen and the pool hall beer joint were GONE. Hwy 55 is 5 lanes and nothing but development both sides.
I'd hate to see Waxhaw and Monroe since 485 opened.
Tony, I'll text you soon. We didn't know what we had in Bob. I miss him.
Most would say barbecue in Willow Springs died with Paul of Paul’s Barbecue on 55 which is now an ice cream parlor. Now most go to Stephensons Barbecue on Highway 50 in the Cleveland community.
Stephenson's it was. One of the few barbecues I've had that didn't need any additional sauce or seasoning past what was brushed on cooking it. Stamey in Greensboro is like that, and so was Allen's between Chapel Hill and Hillsborough. But their sauce/dip was so good you couldn't help but put a little bit on your plate of p-i-g hog! Plus Stephenson's has the proper boiled taters and red slaw sides...
Now that we've swerved completely off topic, has anyone uncovered anything else on the Mecum Pace Car?
Last edited by rocketraider; Jan 8, 2023 at 01:34 PM.
If you look on the Mecum website for the listing on this car, it does verify that it was Rooster Bush's car; even has a picture of him standing beside it...
Car sold for $115k - obviously off the guesstimate. It has D Heads, F Block, W/Z Exhaust Manifolds, 1970? W-30 Aluminum Intake Manifold, no VIN Tag and no Data Plate. Here are some pictures :
Last edited by Bigmikey65; Jan 15, 2023 at 12:51 AM.
Had it been the equivalent 70 or 72 car the price would probably have hit the estimate or higher. Though I did think it would have hit $200k based on the provenance.
Issue here is 1) people didn't know or care about the significance and history of this car and 2) "it's one-a them ugly-*** Colonnades! GM didn't make cars after 1972!"
🙄
That mentality is a big reason I left the 68-72 world behind about 35 years ago.
I will disagree on the Colonnade cars. While they are not as popular as the 68-72 cars, they are very good cars. I have had two 72 Cutlass Supreme convertibles and my 75 Hurst handles way better than either of them. Not all of us think they ugly ***. That is a matter of opinion and you know what opinions are like. Other than the Corvette, I have not been a fan of GM for lots of years. However, somehow they have managed to stay in business.
I like Colonnades. My 74 Hurst handles better and even with its awkward swivel buckets is a more comfortable car for me than the 70 S and 72 Supreme were.
Just hope Rooster's car has ended up in appreciative hands who will maintain it as he did.
With a name like Ransom is it any wonder he became an Oldsmobile dealer?🙂
I wonder if it came with "D" heads from the factory? Seems unlikely but I suppose anything is possible since this car didn't have to meet any type of emissions requirements.
Forgive me if I missed this piece of the story. I see where the factory sold this car to Bush on just a bill of sale. When sold through Mecum, was the transfer of ownership also via only a bill of sale?
As per Mike's description in post 26, the car has no vin tag, trim tag, or title. It can never be driven on public roads legally. Just a show piece in a museum, or large collection (still cool though) which probably effected the price.
