1962 Oldsmobile F-85 Jetfire Hardtop Coupe

The Oldsmobile Jetfire, was a Cutlass pillarless hardtop with a turbocharged version of the 215 V8, which Oldsmobile referred to as the Turbo-Rocket. This made the 1962 Jetfire the first ever turbocharged production car.

Meet America’s first production turbocharged V-8. Olds offered it in mid 1962 as the “Turbo Rocket” in a new Deluxe-trim F-85 hardtop coupe called Jetfire. Featuring “fluid injection”, the 215-cubic-inch mill pumped out 215 horses, so acceleration was lively (curb weight was only 2739 pounds). Alas high price $3049, steep for a compact – and suspect reliability of the turbo limited Jetfire sales to only 3765 for the model year. Besides the Jetfire an a mild facelift for all models, the other big news for Oldsmobile’s 1962 compact line was the addition of F-85 convertibles in both base and bucket seat Cutlass trim. Respective output was 3660 and a healthier 9893 units.

Like its full-size stablemate, the line-topping Starfire, the Jetfire coupe was fitted with deluxe satin-finished exterior moldings, special wheel covers and a stylish convertible like roofline. The Jetfire interior was equally impressive, with all-vinyl front bucket seats and a center console with a special ‘Turbo Charger’ gauge. An ‘Add Fuel’ warning light for the Turbo Rocket Fluid reservoir was incorporated into the gauge.

Inside, a vacuum-boost gauge on the standard center console indicated if the turbo was doing its job. The gauge also included a warning light to remind owners to refill the Turbo-Rocket Fluid tank—a bottle in the engine bay held an emergency supply.