Well I decided to but some engines a few days ago and low and behold two are Olds 350 blocks one is a 72 (not a rocket) the other is a diesel block that I intend to build which is what brought me here.... but I should probably properly introduce myself


To start my name is Aaron but I've managed to get the nickname whiplash from friends and family currently I have a 2000 Chevy Silverado 1500 Waldoch conversion that I'm slowly making into a capable tow rig for my current fast car a 1995 mustang gt with a 331 stroker motor and some other nice modifications

 

Welcome to the site, your 72 block is a rocket engine. Thats what Olds marketing advertised them as.

 

Welcome. As noted, every single Olds V8 built since 1949 has been called "Rocket" (except for the aluminun 215 in 1961-63 that was called "Rockette"). It was a name made up by the marketing department with no significance whatsoever. The effectiveness of this marketing campaign is proven by the fact that nearly 70 years later, people still think there is some magical performance significance to the term.

 

I think the name came from the fact the marketing of the early Olds OHV V-8's used the space program. Most of the early to mid 50's Oldsmobiles had a hood ornament that was supposed to look like a jet. Apparently the name stuck.

 

The "space program" didn't exist in 1949 (Sputnik launched in Oct 1957). "Rockets" were a big thing because we had just come out of WWII and the German V2s. You'll note that every rocket used in early Olds advertising looked like a V2.

 

... Which held, at that time, both the promise of ultra fast travel and space exploration, and also the memory of the devastation caused by the "silent" V2s, which, travelling at over 3,000 mph, arrived at their targets before their sound did.

Interestingly, Joe, and apropos of your comment that every rocket drawn at the time resembled the V2, the Olds publicity drawing bears a surprising resemblance to this photograph of a V2 facility during the War:



- Eric

 

I did use the term space program out of context. I remember very will when Sputnik was launched. Amazing how Oldsmobile's Rocket was identical to the V2 rockets. I had never seen the picture of the V2 rockets. Thanks Eric.

 

Well I learned something today.

 

And, to cap off this talk of rockets and their origins, as well as to note the passing of the hero John Glenn, I came across this comic today in "Adam," a men's magazine from March of 1966 (I've gotten a bit behind on my reading...).



- Eric

 

My Science teacher always thought I would be an Astronaut some day because she said I took up space!

 

I always thought this was funny...

 

Haha, Alice!! Who the F$%K is Alice ?

 

You have watched "The Honeymooners," have you not?


- Eric

 

Oh yeah, I've seen some episodes. I just thought I'd throw a DR. HOOK slider in ther .