My daughter fell in love with this tune when she was nine-years-old. We used to go to car shows every other weekend, and she laid eyes on a Rocket 455 in a Cutlass one night. She asked, "Dad, is that what that song is about?". I knew a local country band that played some Bar & Grill places, and at local events, and if we wound up somewhere where they were playing, she'd always request it. Her favorite line was, "Who's junk pile piece of Chevelle is this?".
I love that line too. We have a family friend who is a retired policeman that I think of when I hear this song, when she says, "the very kind you drive."
My step dad Dave was a stand-up kind of guy. Vietnam vet and construction worker and everything in between. Most importantly, he took care of my mom. He loved this song because it reminded him of his 442 that he got after the war. They both passed in 2020. Now I love this song.
Talk about a great country/rock song.....GM axing Olds and Pontiac was a blow to all us muscle car guys. Memories of bygone days is epitomized in this song. Kathy does a wonderful rendition.
I've worked on and restored several Oldsmobile automobiles starting way back in 1975 when I bought my first Olds, a '68 4-4-2 convertible with a 4 speed. My dad, an Oldsmobile dealer mechanic, drove a "souped up" '57 Olds Super 88, so Oldsmobile's run deep in our family. When I first heard this song I envisioned Kathy behind the wheel of a big early '70's baby blue Olds 88 or Ninety-Eight, which both were available with the Rocket 455. The highest advertised horsepower 455 came in the W-34 version of the 1968 through 1970 Toronado front wheel drive cars, with the '70 version called the Toronado GT. The next highest was the 1968 Olds 4-4-2 based Hurst/Olds advertised at 390 hp. These cars were all painted Peruvian Silver with Black trim. This video features a 1959 Oldsmobile, which came with either a 371 cubic inch Rocket or a slightly larger 394. Finally, the 455 Rocket was first available in 1968, and last offered in 1976.
As a teen i was able to save up for a down payment and bought a new 69 Dodge Coronet RT and i won every street race all over town, but i have to admit when i saw an Olds 442 i never picked a fight with them. I had a 71 Olds Rocket and it was fast too. Always loved the Olds cars and the Toronado GT was a unique muscle car.
Had a 1973 Plymouth Fury III when I was in the USMC - Chrysler 440 4 barrel - looked like an ordinary car but would run 140+mph right out of the factory. Wish I still had it!
I had a 68 Fury lll, with a 383 under the hood. Loved driving it, till the heater and radio quit working. Still get the urge to fly down the road as a grandmother! How fun is that?
Growing up, we always had Oldsmobiles, with big motors and spent many of hours racing down Woodward, in the Motor City! Shortly after my Dad passed from Leukemia, I came across a used 1984 Delta 88 Royale, that had the Olds dieselized, piece of junk motor in it, for a song. My dear late father-in-law, also an Olds freak and mechanic found out about my find for Mom. We ended up putting a rebuilt 455, with a probuilt THD 400 trans in it for her. Added dual flomaster exhaust, and man, what a nice soynding sleeper!! She just loved that car (still remembering her smile, when she did her first brake torque with it)!!
Had an ultimate sleeper in the 70's, a 70 Olds Cutlass S, ugly dark green, bench seat, column shift TH400 auto, steel wheels with dog dish hubcaps. Had a 455 Rocket under the hood though, if it hooked up would pull left front wheel off the ground every launch.....love this song.
+1-Shot slinger I hear ya brother, and all the cars and parts were made in America!!!! Now you can hardly find anything made in America, and man I try on everything I buy.....But I love Kathy, always have, always will......
Can't forget Commander Cody's 'Hot Rod Lincoln', Sam the Sham's 'Mustang Sally', Beach Boys' 'Fun Fun Fun', Golden Earring's 'Radar Love, Deep Purple's 'Highway Star' or Queen's 'I'm in Love With My Car'. All great car songs, from an era of automobile passion. An era that seems to be drawing to a close. We were fortunate to live in a time that was truly special when it came to cars. Something that up and coming generations might never know.
I like this song I had a few Oldsmobiles in my Time I had a73 Cutlass supreme 74 Cutlass salon 76 Cutlass supreme they all had the 350 olds engines. Boy you talk about strong I did some research back in the day it's said that the350 came off the line with 200 horsepower I never had the pleasure of owning a455 back in the day I heard about the delta88 olds having the455 but not the supreme they were the best cars i ever owned powerful dependable easy to work on wish ihad at least one of them today😭i miss those cars great cars❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️👍👍👍👍👍
My dad bought my mom an Olds in '70. Since mom was sick & tired of her 1960 Mercury Comet that couldn't get out of its own way, dad told the salesman that he wanted the biggest motor available. The salesman said that it was a double upgrade & that the car was well-powered enough with the 350. Dad said that he'd order the car 'on the spot' & if it did not have the 'double upgrade' motor in it, he wouldn't take the car! Eight weeks later, mom was the proud owner of a pale yellow Oldsmobile Delta 88 with a '455 Rocket', as it said on the gold-colored air cleaner. Damn, that engine was HUGH! We had that 'Rocket' for 14 years. Dad finally ended up totalling it, & he sold the motor to a friend's son who rebuilt it & put it in a Trans Am. Mom passed away, dad passed away, & I don't know whatever happened to that Trans Am or the 'Rocket' motor.
I had a friend 10 yrs ago that had a 72 Olds Cutlass with a 350. He said I'm getting tired of getting beat in 1/4 mile Dave can you help me tune her up. I told forget that engine go get a 455 rocket it will fit and bolt right in that car. go get a 400 Turbo tranny that should should that engine. and switch it to a electronic ignition. I told him they may get him off the line but from 1/8 maker to the end its all you. that car would fly he wrecked it two years later
+David Alexander i have a great story. when i started working in 1966 i got to be great friends with a guy who owned a pontiac parisianne with a 327 in it. he thought it was the greatest thing since sliced bread. one day we pulled up to a light and a girl with a little mini cooper pulled up beside him. the damn thing sounded like a sewing machine. she smiled at us and proceeded to leave us in the dust. that damn thing could go and my buddy swore me to secrecy, don't tell anybody, i'll never live it down. well next day there was pictures of mini coopers all over his work area. i don't know how his buddies figured it out hahaha
Great story! My dad had a string of GTO's, Corvettes and a 442 Camaro with some type of custom-built engine(more powerful than what came in it...450?) Anyway, that Camaro DID sound like an airplane and seemed like it might take off by itself at any moment....LOUD & powerful. Great memories.
I bought a 455 Rocket for 300 bucks from a junkyard back in 1989. I put it in a 1978 Trans Am. I didn't know it was a Rocket and apparently the junkyard didn't either. A couple months later I bought a new carb and intake. My buddy was helping me and he noticed a marking on the block and told me what I had. We ran the numbers and it was the Rocket. I put the original carb and intake back on and never touched the engine again. But I did run the shit out of it. Then sold once my daughter was born. I miss that car.
I just saw Kathy sing this song live tonight 8-16-22 at the WV State Fair live she was Awesome!!! I love her ❤️❤️. She has a beautiful voice!! I wish the would play her more!! That's why I don't listen to radio anymore!
My highschool car was a 1971 Olds Cutlass Supreme SX with a 455 ci engine, 4 barrel carb and dual exhaust. What a way to get back and forth to school. I have had many big block cars since then, but still have a special place in my heart for the Oldsmobile.
To my Dear Friend Rebecca L McCutcheon 1955 - 2019....I miss you so very much! She passed away from cancer and I miss our long talks and all the laughter....one day I was sitting in her kitchen and she showed me a old picture of her when she was younger standing proudly next to her car that had a 455 Rocket in it lol! I think about you all the time and will see you in Heaven when I get there Lord willing : ) until then....Love You
my kids like my music and when i was sick my daughter made up a playlist for me and she knew every song i liked and i haven't changed one. the list has a hundred and some songs in it. makes me proud.
Not a real big country fan. But I've always liked Johnny and Reba, I'm 63 and just recently come across this young lady who's pulling me in. And I like it. What gearhead would not.
Every once in awhile you come across a song that for no reason makes you laugh and sing-along and just puts you in a good mood, and yeah there is no reason for it what-so-ever, this is one of those songs. It always makes me wanna sing and dance around the room.
...not when you were on the losing end like I was!!! When I was growing up there were four girls and their widowed mother who lived across the street. When the guys all turned 16 we all got hot cars. We all headed straight for an old, "outlaw" drag strip put together by a notorious car club. And then the oldest neighbor girl suddenly showed up with a just purchased -- you guessed it -- 455 Olds. End result? My 368 Lincoln Turnpike Cruiser-powered '55 Ford with a Mercury push button automatic got it's doors blown off! We all did! Every word of this song is true!!!😮😖
My college car was a 1971 Chevelle. And I loved the car and the line, "Who's piece of junk like Cheeeeee... velle" because back in the day you could take a joke for comedic value and not as a personal attack. Especially in a song like this one . Soooo great a tune
@@bouncingsoul777 that is awesome. I wish I had never sold mine. We were leaving D.C. moving to AZ. My dad whom I trusted told me he did not think the car would make it. I should have tried. Take care of your baby. So cool, my friend
My first car was a 1972 Oldsmobile Cutlass with a Rocket 350 engine. I still remember stepping on the peddle and the front end rising. Nope, it wasn't a 455 but this song still brings back fond (and scary he-he) memories.
My first was a 1968 Olds Cutlass Supreme...350 also. Still think about her all the time! I was 16,now 57. Also had 2-'73's and a '76... '76 had the 455, I believe.
The ultimate car guy / gal song. I had a Chevy G20 van with the original 350 block built out to 385 cid backed by a built 700R4 trans with a 3.73 posi. It ran high 12's in the quarter and could hit 140 on the open road. I miss that thing even though it tried to murder me a few times.
I loved Chevelle SS 327 , but that line at 1:19 has got to be one of the best lines of a song ever " whose junk pile piece a sh evelle is this". Also its one of the best videos for Facial expressions by a country singer.
My second car was an Oldsmobile Achieva. Named her "Amy the Achieva" after Amy Grant. I loved that car, she had a V6 and a lot of get up and go, yet still got great gas mileage. Unfortunately a shop employee crashed her through a wall and that was the end of her. :(
Love ♥️This w/the Awesome 455 Rocket Chevelle in it! I’m Such a Car fanatic from way back when Cars were Soo much fun to drive & Race❣️ I’m a Chevy girl but I Love great cars & I Love this Song❣️Thanks for great music 🎼 and great car!! 💞🚘💞
I honestly love your posts and always enjoy reading them in my lonely spare time. I'm so sorry I invaded your privacy, but I'd love to be friends with someone who could share such sensitive post content, which means you're a woman of integrity. I wanted to add you but sending you a friend request without your consent is inappropriate because I'm a public figure and it wouldn't take much either, I'd appreciate it if you send me a friend request now so we can be friends and text better here on UA-cam
One of the biggest kicks that always grabbed my attention was seeing Kathy Mattea kick on the harp, mid-way through the song! Never hear enough harp in any country these days. I later found out that it was Kim Wilson who played the harp on this song for the recording
My buddy rebuilt an Olds 425 for his '66 Ninety Eight. Did it all! New flattop pistons, had the forged steel crank cryo'd, added roller rockers and gave it a modest cam. Get the car on the freeway and you see why they built such a boat. It just pulls past anything and everything with ease and the engine doesn't even sound like it's workin' hard at all. It's a dream!
The 425 I did was a romper-stomper. That car came with a Turbo 400 that had a variable pitch stator in the torque converter and would get about 2500 stall to get all that iron moving when activated.
We had a guy in our town back in the '70s that had a really hot built 455 with 2x4s on a tunnel ram manifold in a '67 F85 4door. It was fast as all get out!! Guessing low 12s in the quarter...
She came to our high school auditorium in little ol' Ludington Mi and put on one hell of a show. Great performer, I especally liked some of the Irish stuff she did...
A 1959 Olds might be fudgin' it a wee bit... poetic license? Great song, on my Top 10 List for an instant cheer up! In memory of my beautiful ride... my 1953 Pontiac straight eight. RIP, old girl.
Oh my god, when this song came out I was building a Trans Am with a 455 (Pontiac engine) but I could not possibly hear this song enough lol. Got me all pumped up
@@michaelcosgrove4027 Doubt it's a SD. That was a 2 year only option, 73-74. Pontiac made a non SD 455 as well which is the majority of the 455s out there
A throwback to the 1960's when Detroit ruled the road ... the family had Chevys, Pontiac's : BUT also grew up with not one, but two Big Block 455 Rocket V8 Oldsmobiles ... a 1965 Dynamic 88 sedan ... and a 1969 Dynamic 88 Royale coupe ... yeh, even though both were "family" cars, those 455's WERE made to burn !!! Fun times !
Good Lord I love this song I grew up on Oldsmobiles great cars luxury power handling the rocket engines were in their own class that Oldsmobile rocket engine will always burn deep in my heart and so will the song thank you Kathy mattea for such a great song
Hello 👋 Lisa. How are you doing? Hope you are fine. I'm Zack Hudson and am from Denver Colorado. Where you are from ? You seem like a real country girl
Love this song! A friend's mom had a 455 Olds with a hood about a mile long. The "rocket" concept actually goes back a lot farther, at least to the J-series V-8s of the 1950s. An uncle had a 58 Olds with this motor, and you could get it with three deuces which they called "tri power."
1958 Olds. 389 Tri-power. Dad would let me take it to school. A friend had a 421 Pontiac. I'd blow his doors off. Then Dad traded for a 1959 T-Bird. 352 Police interceptor. It was the fastest in town except a guy had a 409 with 2 4's on it.1963 Impala. I wasn't the fastest anymore.
I like this song and dedicate it to the best car I ever had, a 1970 Pontiac Catalina, rag-top. She had a nice 455 under the hood and I would race Mustangs all the time. SMOKIN!
The 455 wasn't the largest factory engine. I owned a 1965 Buick Riviera Super Wildcat Edition. It was one of only 300 made and came with a 465 cu. in. engine, with 2 x 4 bbl carburetors from the factory. My 1970 Cadillac came with a 500 cu. in. engine. There were some great engines in the cars of the late 60's and early 70's.
Hello 👋 Maryann. How are you doing? Hope you are fine. I'm Zack Hudson and am from Denver Colorado. Where you are from ? You seem like a real country girl
Don't get me wrong- I LOVE this song, and it always puts a big smile on my face every time I listen to it.. Not that it affects the song or the video one little bit, but I feel the need to set the record, so to speak, straight. In 1959, the only V-8 options for an Oldsmobile was either a 371 cid or 394 cid engine..Oldsmobile did not offer the 455 cid big block until 1968. One of my high school classmates had a '59 Super 88 and with the 394 cid engine, it would mash you back in the seat when you nailed it. Those were the days! also wish country music would get back to the wonderful days of the 70-80's! Saw Kathy Mattea in concert at San Antonio, TX, and she was every bit as good live as on the albums!
@OldsVistaCruiser 455 A larger big-block was introduced for 1968 as the Rocket 455 at 455 cu in (7.5 L) to replace the 425s. It kept the 425's 4.126 in (104.8 mm) bore and bumped the stroke to 4.25 in (108 mm). 1968-1969 455s were painted red, except in the Toronado, where they were painted slate blue metallic, while 1970-1976 versions were metallic blue.
Hello 👋 Margaret. How are you doing? Hope you are fine. I'm Zack Hudson and am from Denver Colorado. Where you are from ? You seem like a real country girl
I honestly love your posts and always enjoy reading them in my lonely spare time. I'm so sorry I invaded your privacy, but I'd love to be friends with someone who could share such sensitive post content, which means you're a woman of integrity. I wanted to add you but sending you a friend request without your consent is inappropriate because I'm a public figure and it wouldn't take much either, I'd appreciate it if you send me a friend request now so we can be friends and text better here on UA-cam❤
I had a banana yellow '68 442 convertible in 1975 with the 455. Fast as heck but I never liked taking corners with it. My brother had a '71 GTO that same year. Somehow--and I have no idea how-- we never got any tickets. He got pulled over one time for going 110mph on the D.C. Beltway. The policeman said, "Son you can outrun me but you can't outrun my radio." Then he walked away and nothing happened.
I liked how they showed the green screen in the background of that car at the end, which was revealed to be in a studio. Showed they didn't take the video too seriously.
I feel every word - them was the Good Ole' Days. I had a few Muscle Cars in the 1970s - 1969 Boss 429 Mustang, 1970 Mustang Mach I (351C) and a 1970 Torino Cobra (429/370HP). Everyone had a Muscle Car - and you drove it to work Monday through Friday, took it to the Drag strip Saturday Night, opened the headers and bolted on a set of slicks and raced all night! And if someone challenged you at a stoplight, wellllll........ The Olds 442 was a respectable ride in that time - cool stripes and scoops on the hood. Between the cars and the hard driving 1960's-70's Music, well, there hasn't been anything as good since! Thanks for the memories, Kathy!
Great song and video! My wife and I have met Kathy 4 different times over the years and she is always very nice to us! Thanks for the pictures and autographs Kathy!
My daughter fell in love with this tune when she was nine-years-old. We used to go to car shows every other weekend, and she laid eyes on a Rocket 455 in a Cutlass one night. She asked, "Dad, is that what that song is about?". I knew a local country band that played some Bar & Grill places, and at local events, and if we wound up somewhere where they were playing, she'd always request it. Her favorite line was, "Who's junk pile piece of Chevelle is this?".
That's awesome !!! Great father- daughter memories. Got 3 of them myself.
Coming from a dodge guy her your child was smart, that shhhh/Chevelle line was my favorite part also!
I love that line too. We have a family friend who is a retired policeman that I think of when I hear this song, when she says, "the very kind you drive."
Whose junked out piece of WHAT!!
SHIIII-Velle¿ a favorite of mine 2 along with "you guys gonna race or just sit therè and kiss!" 2funny
Gas was 35c a gallon I remember
RIP to all those great Oldsmobiles,Pontiacs and Plymouths they made some great muscle cars,shame they had to go.
60 Plymouth with push buttons o'yea. 59' and 64' Oldsmobile 98 fully loaded. 442 convertible
1970 Cuda
Felt in love since I was 11
@@charlestaylor1584 push button Rambler took us over the Canadian Rockies back in 71.
@@johnnystafford1826 ALRIGHT. Go push buttons.
One o them ol typewriter transmissions
I was at the Studio, upstairs working on computers, when she was recording this. It sounded great just coming through the walls!
Lucky you! Man, did you have any idea what a classic this would become?
Had a 74 Toronado, had a 292 CompCam duel exhaust and yes it was A 455 rocket Front wheel drive burn outs!!!
Very Cool Story Brother!!! You Were Very Fortunate!!! Peace Out and God Bless!!!
What an awesome memory that must be! Great song and fabulous video!
Rode with an old farmer in Pennsylvania in the late 50s. I don't think he had a 455. But! Man that 88 would fly.
My step dad Dave was a stand-up kind of guy. Vietnam vet and construction worker and everything in between. Most importantly, he took care of my mom. He loved this song because it reminded him of his 442 that he got after the war. They both passed in 2020. Now I love this song.
I'm sorry for your loss. Bless you.
That Vet had good taste, may they both rest in peace. -|-
This won the 1997 CMA Music Video of the Year award.
CHEVYS ARE LIKE ****HOLES...EVERYBODY HAS ONE!
I did not know that. I would have voted for it.
Talk about a great country/rock song.....GM axing Olds and Pontiac was a blow to all us muscle car guys. Memories of bygone days is epitomized in this song. Kathy does a wonderful rendition.
Buicks too
I've worked on and restored several Oldsmobile automobiles starting way back in 1975 when I bought my first Olds, a '68 4-4-2 convertible with a 4 speed. My dad, an Oldsmobile dealer mechanic, drove a "souped up" '57 Olds Super 88, so Oldsmobile's run deep in our family. When I first heard this song I envisioned Kathy behind the wheel of a big early '70's baby blue Olds 88 or Ninety-Eight, which both were available with the Rocket 455. The highest advertised horsepower 455 came in the W-34 version of the 1968 through 1970 Toronado front wheel drive cars, with the '70 version called the Toronado GT. The next highest was the 1968 Olds 4-4-2 based Hurst/Olds advertised at 390 hp. These cars were all painted Peruvian Silver with Black trim. This video features a 1959 Oldsmobile, which came with either a 371 cubic inch Rocket or a slightly larger 394. Finally, the 455 Rocket was first available in 1968, and last offered in 1976.
Hey how are you doing..?
As a teen i was able to save up for a down payment and bought a new 69 Dodge Coronet RT and i won every street race all over town, but i have to admit when i saw an Olds 442 i never picked a fight with them. I had a 71 Olds Rocket and it was fast too. Always loved the Olds cars and the Toronado GT was a unique muscle car.
That 59 is a beauty. Yes sir, thank you very much , I am I am a beauty indeed.
This lady is one of the greatest. I miss her presence in the world of Country Music
I remember her, Patty Loveless, and Holly Dunn all bustin' out hits around the same time. Good times !!!
Kathy Mattea rocks! How can you listen to this song or watch this video without a big ole grin on your face?
You can't.
Had a Delta 88 convertible with the 455 Rocket. Loved it. Still wish I'd kept it.
Had a 1973 Plymouth Fury III when I was in the USMC - Chrysler 440 4 barrel - looked like an ordinary car but would run 140+mph right out of the factory. Wish I still had it!
I had a 68 Fury lll, with a 383 under the hood. Loved driving it, till the heater and radio quit working. Still get the urge to fly down the road as a grandmother! How fun is that?
Growing up, we always had Oldsmobiles, with big motors and spent many of hours racing down Woodward, in the Motor City! Shortly after my Dad passed from Leukemia, I came across a used 1984 Delta 88 Royale, that had the Olds dieselized, piece of junk motor in it, for a song. My dear late father-in-law, also an Olds freak and mechanic found out about my find for Mom. We ended up putting a rebuilt 455, with a probuilt THD 400 trans in it for her. Added dual flomaster exhaust, and man, what a nice soynding sleeper!! She just loved that car (still remembering her smile, when she did her first brake torque with it)!!
Had an ultimate sleeper in the 70's, a 70 Olds Cutlass S, ugly dark green, bench seat, column shift TH400 auto, steel wheels with dog dish hubcaps. Had a 455 Rocket under the hood though, if it hooked up would pull left front wheel off the ground every launch.....love this song.
This is a great song .Makes you want to fly down the highway. Reminds me of a time when Detroit made great cars and people bought American!
+1-Shot slinger I hear ya brother, and all the cars and parts were made in America!!!! Now you can hardly find anything made in America, and man I try on everything I buy.....But I love Kathy, always have, always will......
Ahh the 60s and 70s... the good ol' days. Rock and Roll, beautiful cars, great time.
Pool Guy nk
Can't forget Commander Cody's 'Hot Rod Lincoln', Sam the Sham's 'Mustang Sally', Beach Boys' 'Fun Fun Fun', Golden Earring's 'Radar Love,
Deep Purple's 'Highway Star' or Queen's 'I'm in Love With My Car'.
All great car songs, from an era of automobile passion. An era that seems to be drawing to a close.
We were fortunate to live in a time that was truly special when it came to cars. Something that up and coming generations might never know.
Hell yeah!!
Had a 455 in a '72 Delta 88.
Many people were shocked by this big 4 door boat passing them!
I like this song I had a few Oldsmobiles in my Time I had a73 Cutlass supreme 74 Cutlass salon 76 Cutlass supreme they all had the 350 olds engines. Boy you talk about strong I did some research back in the day it's said that the350 came off the line with 200 horsepower I never had the pleasure of owning a455 back in the day I heard about the delta88 olds having the455 but not the supreme they were the best cars i ever owned powerful dependable easy to work on wish ihad at least one of them today😭i miss those cars great cars❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️👍👍👍👍👍
My dad bought my mom an Olds in '70. Since mom was sick & tired of her 1960 Mercury Comet that couldn't get out of its own way, dad told the salesman that he wanted the biggest motor available. The salesman said that it was a double upgrade & that the car was well-powered enough with the 350. Dad said that he'd order the car 'on the spot' & if it did not have the 'double upgrade' motor in it, he wouldn't take the car! Eight weeks later, mom was the proud owner of a pale yellow Oldsmobile Delta 88 with a '455 Rocket', as it said on the gold-colored air cleaner. Damn, that engine was HUGH! We had that 'Rocket' for 14 years. Dad finally ended up totalling it, & he sold the motor to a friend's son who rebuilt it & put it in a Trans Am. Mom passed away, dad passed away, & I don't know whatever happened to that Trans Am or the 'Rocket' motor.
I had a friend 10 yrs ago that had a 72 Olds Cutlass with a 350. He said I'm getting tired of getting beat in 1/4 mile Dave can you help me tune her up. I told forget that engine go get a 455 rocket it will fit and bolt right in that car. go get a 400 Turbo tranny that should should that engine. and switch it to a electronic ignition. I told him they may get him off the line but from 1/8 maker to the end its all you. that car would fly he wrecked it two years later
+David Alexander
i have a great story. when i started working in 1966 i got to be great friends with a guy who owned a pontiac parisianne with a 327 in it. he thought it was the greatest thing since sliced bread. one day we pulled up to a light and a girl with a little mini cooper pulled up beside him. the damn thing sounded like a sewing machine. she smiled at us and proceeded to leave us in the dust. that damn thing could go and my buddy swore me to secrecy, don't tell anybody, i'll never live it down. well next day there was pictures of mini coopers all over his work area. i don't know how his buddies figured it out hahaha
Great story! My dad had a string of GTO's, Corvettes and a 442 Camaro with some type of custom-built engine(more powerful than what came in it...450?) Anyway, that Camaro DID sound like an airplane and seemed like it might take off by itself at any moment....LOUD & powerful. Great memories.
I bought a 455 Rocket for 300 bucks from a junkyard back in 1989. I put it in a 1978 Trans Am. I didn't know it was a Rocket and apparently the junkyard didn't either. A couple months later I bought a new carb and intake. My buddy was helping me and he noticed a marking on the block and told me what I had. We ran the numbers and it was the Rocket. I put the original carb and intake back on and never touched the engine again. But I did run the shit out of it. Then sold once my daughter was born. I miss that car.
Hell, it's not Delta. It's on the podium of Oldsmobile Ninety-Eight
I just saw Kathy sing this song live tonight 8-16-22 at the WV State Fair live she was Awesome!!! I love her ❤️❤️. She has a beautiful voice!! I wish the would play her more!! That's why I don't listen to radio anymore!
It's no longer country, when bocephus dies country dies dear
i had several 455 olds engines that were hosses. I even put one in a 66 lemans pontiac. that puppy was dangerously fast.
My highschool car was a 1971 Olds Cutlass Supreme SX with a 455 ci engine, 4 barrel carb and dual exhaust. What a way to get back and forth to school. I have had many big block cars since then, but still have a special place in my heart for the Oldsmobile.
To my Dear Friend Rebecca L McCutcheon 1955 - 2019....I miss you so very much! She passed away from cancer and I miss our long talks and all the laughter....one day I was sitting in her kitchen and she showed me a old picture of her when she was younger standing proudly next to her car that had a 455 Rocket in it lol! I think about you all the time and will see you in Heaven when I get there Lord willing : ) until then....Love You
I had a OLDS 442 WITH A 455 ROCKET
I used to street race for pink slips and I always won the races.
Jesus is the Way the Truth and the Life no one comes to the Father except through Me JOHN 14:6
I believe the saying was that a 455 could pass anything except a gas station.
i've heard this song by about 50 different artists. nobody does it like kathy mattea. i love it when country singers do rock and roll.
The lyrics are so good... I still love this.
This was one of my mom's favorite songs and everytime I listen to 455 Rocket I always think of her
RIP
Bonnie Sue Flanigan
1953-2020 ❤🙏
my kids like my music and when i was sick my daughter made up a playlist for me and she knew every song i liked and i haven't changed one. the list has a hundred and some songs in it. makes me proud.
Every time I sing this tune, I think of her, too. :)
sooonice
Rest Well Mother Flanigan. It sounds like you were well loved. #455
My 1st car was a '71 Olds with a 455 Rocket. Damn, I have a cool Dad!
What ! Was he trying to kill you ??? Lol 😜😜😜
I had a 455 Rocket in my Oldsmobile back in 1973! It sucked gas like crazy!
Not a real big country fan. But I've always liked Johnny and Reba, I'm 63 and just recently come across this young lady who's pulling me in.
And I like it. What gearhead would not.
Every once in awhile you come across a song that for no reason makes you laugh and sing-along and just puts you in a good mood, and yeah there is no reason for it what-so-ever, this is one of those songs. It always makes me wanna sing and dance around the room.
unless you love muscle cars, great music, and pretty women.
...not when you were on the losing end like I was!!! When I was growing up there were four girls and their widowed mother who lived across the street. When the guys all turned 16 we all got hot cars. We all headed straight for an old, "outlaw" drag strip put together by a notorious car club. And then the oldest neighbor girl suddenly showed up with a just purchased -- you guessed it -- 455 Olds. End result? My 368 Lincoln Turnpike Cruiser-powered '55 Ford with a Mercury push button automatic got it's doors blown off! We all did! Every word of this song is true!!!😮😖
@@joestephan1111 and I unfortunately bet she was laughing all the way home....
@@brianmason8400
If you knew her I'm sure she was!😎
Hahaha! You're right. Such a great song!!!
My college car was a 1971 Chevelle. And I loved the car and the line, "Who's piece of junk like Cheeeeee... velle" because back in the day you could take a joke for comedic value and not as a personal attack. Especially in a song like this one . Soooo great a tune
That line is whole reason I listen to this song LOL!....friends used to sing this line to me...'68 Chevelle...first car...still own it
@@bouncingsoul777 that is awesome. I wish I had never sold mine. We were leaving D.C. moving to AZ. My dad whom I trusted told me he did not think the car would make it. I should have tried. Take care of your baby. So cool, my friend
Yes....back when people could take a ribbing and not get so "offended"!!
I love the 67 but I'm a mopar nut.. My first sweet mopar was a 70 cuda..
Mine was a 70 Chevelle
Great cars and a great performer, where have all the good ones gone.
One of the best tunes about the oldsmobile big block 455 since the hot rod lincoln by commander cody❤❤❤❤❤
My first car was a 1972 Oldsmobile Cutlass with a Rocket 350 engine. I still remember stepping on the peddle and the front end rising. Nope, it wasn't a 455 but this song still brings back fond (and scary he-he) memories.
My first was a 1968 Olds Cutlass Supreme...350 also. Still think about her all the time! I was 16,now 57. Also had 2-'73's and a '76... '76 had the 455, I believe.
Quite possibly one of THE coolest songs...EVER.
The ultimate car guy / gal song.
I had a Chevy G20 van with the original 350 block built out to 385 cid backed by a built 700R4 trans with a 3.73 posi. It ran high 12's in the quarter and could hit 140 on the open road. I miss that thing even though it tried to murder me a few times.
THE BEST, AND MOST FUN VERSION OF THIS CLASSIC SONG.
This is still smooth and sultry as an ice cube floating in tumbler of Wild Turkey.
beta757, I prefer Crown Royal.
Gentleman Jack is my drink, good Tennessee sipping whiskey 🥃
@@pacificcoastpiper3949 oh you sip it? I just drink it like water.
@@verdant2215 my usual drink is stout beer
Yes it is!
I just heard this song for the first time about two weeks ago. I happen to own a 1970 Oldsmobile with a 455 Rocket in it. Now I love this song
My mother used to race her Pontiac Le Mans with the 455. My father was a mopar man with his Duster with a Hemi
So great to see a country singer with some sass :)
Brings back some fond memories. I had a 442 Olds…young boys thought I was cool…and the old men thought me hot…believe me it was The Car! ✌🏼😉
Hello Jere 👋 how are you doing today, hope you’re good
@@Reaganmurphy4596 doing well, wish you the best
@@jere5555 oh thank you. It’s actually my pleasure to meet you here.. where are you chatting from??
@@Reaganmurphy4596 Northern California, you?
@@jere5555 I’m in LA California, how’s the weather condition treating you over there today??
I loved Chevelle SS 327 , but that line at 1:19 has got to be one of the best lines of a song ever " whose junk pile piece a sh evelle is this". Also its one of the best videos for Facial expressions by a country singer.
Hahaha, I love all muscle cars but that IS funny😂
Chevelle SS 396 or Chevelle SS 427 believe me I had the 396.
The Chevelle with the 454 will smoke the 455 Rocket, just sayin’
Rest in Peace Oldsmobile :(
I HAD 2 OLDSMOBILES,GUESS WHAT A VERY GOOD CAR AND DEPENDABLE CAR. WHY DIDTHOSE BASTARDS STOP MAKIN THEM?
@@ronroberts1281 Poor management at GM, that's why. That same poor management brought bankruptcy 4 years later too.
My second car was an Oldsmobile Achieva. Named her "Amy the Achieva" after Amy Grant. I loved that car, she had a V6 and a lot of get up and go, yet still got great gas mileage. Unfortunately a shop employee crashed her through a wall and that was the end of her. :(
Had a 2000 intrigue. Hauled ass down the freeway.
Love ♥️This w/the Awesome 455 Rocket Chevelle in it! I’m Such a Car fanatic from way back when Cars were Soo much fun to drive & Race❣️
I’m a Chevy girl but I Love great cars & I Love this Song❣️Thanks for great music 🎼 and great car!! 💞🚘💞
I am a Chevy guy still like the song!
This song never gets old!!!
This girl could outdoem all, and still does! Just like a 455 Rocket!
I honestly love your posts and always enjoy reading them in my lonely spare time. I'm so sorry I invaded your privacy, but I'd love to be friends with someone who could share such sensitive post content, which means you're a woman of integrity. I wanted to add you but sending you a friend request without your consent is inappropriate because I'm a public figure and it wouldn't take much either, I'd appreciate it if you send me a friend request now so we can be friends and text better here on UA-cam
One of the biggest kicks that always grabbed my attention was seeing Kathy Mattea kick on the harp, mid-way through the song! Never hear enough harp in any country these days. I later found out that it was Kim Wilson who played the harp on this song for the recording
No replacement for displacement!
And she is so smooth, I mean Kathy!😂
Kathy! The nuance of your voice and expressions are priceless!! The band is great, everything about the song is perfect. Really a jewel
This video won the 1997 CMA Video of the Year award.
My buddy rebuilt an Olds 425 for his '66 Ninety Eight. Did it all! New flattop pistons, had the forged steel crank cryo'd, added roller rockers and gave it a modest cam. Get the car on the freeway and you see why they built such a boat. It just pulls past anything and everything with ease and the engine doesn't even sound like it's workin' hard at all. It's a dream!
The 425 I did was a romper-stomper. That car came with a Turbo 400 that had a variable pitch stator in the torque converter and would get about 2500 stall to get all that iron moving when activated.
Great singer ! Great song ! I have owned an Oldsmobile with a 455 rocket. 1 of the best cars I ever had.
I had a 455 Rocket in a 69 Olds 98. It would hit it's "sweet spot" at just over 100 mph.
We had a guy in our town back in the '70s that had a really hot built 455 with 2x4s on a tunnel ram manifold in a '67 F85 4door. It was fast as all get out!! Guessing low 12s in the quarter...
I never get tired of this song or "18 wheels and a dozen roses". I also love muscle cars!!! She's an awesome singer.
Thank you Ms. Mattea..i LOVE this song 😂
Whoever edited this is a genius
What a fun song!
Go Kathy!!
This reminds me of my mother and her Pontiac Le Mans with the 455. She drag raced it while my father drag raced his duster with a Hemi
Your voice on this video is exceptional, makes ya want to get up and dance.
I loved this song it was awesome
She came to our high school auditorium in little ol' Ludington Mi and put on one hell of a show. Great performer, I especally liked some of the Irish stuff she did...
Brings back memories of my '70 Toronado. 455 cubes and 385 horses. Front wheel burnouts. an amazing car. Wish I still had her!
A 1959 Olds might be fudgin' it a wee bit... poetic license? Great song, on my Top 10 List for an instant cheer up! In memory of my beautiful ride... my 1953 Pontiac straight eight. RIP, old girl.
Oh my god, when this song came out I was building a Trans Am with a 455 (Pontiac engine) but I could not possibly hear this song enough lol. Got me all pumped up
Love your comment, especially when you mention one of my few dream cars. (Not into exotic cars)
Did you build it and keep it?
Hell yeah!! I love those old 455 SD's. That's a badass car
@@michaelcosgrove4027 Doubt it's a SD. That was a 2 year only option, 73-74. Pontiac made a non SD 455 as well which is the majority of the 455s out there
Lol l was putting one in a beat up old TA with a super T10 for a friend he got in a lot of trouble with it eventually impounded. Good times
Best Cheer up song ever !!! Thanks Kathy
My Aunt and Uncle had a 1970 Delta 88 Olds convertible with leather seats and a 455 rocket. That car was amazing!
A throwback to the 1960's when Detroit ruled the road ... the family had Chevys, Pontiac's : BUT also grew up with not one, but two Big Block 455 Rocket V8 Oldsmobiles ... a 1965 Dynamic 88 sedan ... and a 1969 Dynamic 88 Royale coupe ... yeh, even though both were "family" cars, those 455's WERE made to burn !!! Fun times !
I remember watching this video a lot back in 1997. I always liked this song.
Good Lord I love this song I grew up on Oldsmobiles great cars luxury power handling the rocket engines were in their own class that Oldsmobile rocket engine will always burn deep in my heart and so will the song thank you Kathy mattea for such a great song
Mine was a '69 GTX 440 I started drag racing when i was 16. Loved that car. By the way, I could take it!
Hello how are you doing..?
'68 Chevelle was my first car (still own it)...had a couple of friends that liked to say this line to me whenever they saw the Chevelle 😂
My teenage car was a blue Olds 88 with a 455 rocket!! Not baby blue, but I did technically wreck it on a curve. This song speaks to my soul!!
Hello 👋 Lisa. How are you doing? Hope you are fine. I'm Zack Hudson and am from Denver Colorado. Where you are from ? You seem like a real country girl
I LOVE this damn song! So sassy.
Damn Skippy,Sassy & Classy simultaneously & at the same time!
Crazy about this song!!
I dedicate this song my best friend, Scott, Mr Oldsmobile himself. Raced his 65 Olds for years
Love this song! A friend's mom had a 455 Olds with a hood about a mile long. The "rocket" concept actually goes back a lot farther, at least to the J-series V-8s of the 1950s. An uncle had a 58 Olds with this motor, and you could get it with three deuces which they called "tri power."
That Beach Boys line always brings a tear to my eye...God bless them!
1958 Olds. 389 Tri-power. Dad would let me take it to school. A friend had a 421 Pontiac. I'd blow his doors off. Then Dad traded for a 1959 T-Bird. 352 Police interceptor. It was the fastest in town except a guy had a 409 with 2 4's on it.1963 Impala. I wasn't the fastest anymore.
Kathy... I love the way you sing this song!
One of the greatest car songs of all time IMHO.And i've listened to them since the '50's.Sounds like Jerry Douglas on Dobro.
It was Jerry Douglas
She's one 1⃣ of my favorite entertainers of country music 🎶 still playing her beautiful music in 2023
1957-1970 Oldsmobiles, w-30, w-31, 442, J-2, Hurst-Olds, Tri-power, 350, 371, 394, 400, 425, 455...the best. Kathy's pretty darn good too.
I like this song and dedicate it to the best car I ever had, a 1970 Pontiac Catalina, rag-top. She had a nice 455 under the hood and I would race Mustangs all the time. SMOKIN!
Henry Hill had a 1970 Pontiac Catalina convertible back in the day, too, you know!
Good Song - Best car I ever drove was a 1974 SD-455 Trans Am - lightning Quick with a high stall Automatic :)
driving a sweet car like that and rocking in it with Kathy Mattea and her band? heck yeah! 😎
The 455 wasn't the largest factory engine. I owned a 1965 Buick Riviera Super Wildcat Edition. It was one of only 300 made and came with a 465 cu. in. engine, with 2 x 4 bbl carburetors from the factory. My 1970 Cadillac came with a 500 cu. in. engine. There were some great engines in the cars of the late 60's and early 70's.
Grew up on Oldsmobiles! My father used to take me out on Woodward Ave when I was growing up. Those were the days!
Kathy Mattea, What a look, those Eyes, That Smile & Check Out Those Beautiful Teeth- Hey You're Somethin' GIRL & That VOICE- WOW!
And a voice as smooth as Tennessee sipping whiskey 🥃
Great tune and sexy singer. Kathy is smokin’ like that 455 Rocket!
Most the kids don't what 455 Rocket is!!!🥰
Hello how are you? So sorry for the infringe on your privacy. Beautiful song
My Dad had a car like this. His was black and a neighbor had one this color. I loved watching the speedometer go through the colors. I love this car
Hello 👋 Maryann. How are you doing? Hope you are fine. I'm Zack Hudson and am from Denver Colorado. Where you are from ? You seem like a real country girl
Don't get me wrong- I LOVE this song, and it always puts a big smile on my face every time I listen to it.. Not that it affects the song or the video one little bit, but I feel the need to set the record, so to speak, straight. In 1959, the only V-8 options for an Oldsmobile was either a 371 cid or 394 cid engine..Oldsmobile did not offer the 455 cid big block until 1968. One of my high school classmates had a '59 Super 88 and with the 394 cid engine, it would mash you back in the seat when you nailed it. Those were the days! also wish country music would get back to the wonderful days of the 70-80's! Saw Kathy Mattea in concert at San Antonio, TX, and she was every bit as good live as on the albums!
but... if Oldsmobile did offer a 455 in 1959, the correct ignition timing would have been 4 degrees above top dead center.
@OldsVistaCruiser 455
A larger big-block was introduced for 1968 as the Rocket 455 at 455 cu in (7.5 L) to replace the 425s. It kept the 425's 4.126 in (104.8 mm) bore and bumped the stroke to 4.25 in (108 mm). 1968-1969 455s were painted red, except in the Toronado, where they were painted slate blue metallic, while 1970-1976 versions were metallic blue.
Hello 👋 Margaret. How are you doing? Hope you are fine. I'm Zack Hudson and am from Denver Colorado. Where you are from ? You seem like a real country girl
This song is awesome 💖, I had forgot about it , I stumbled into it last night 🥰 Excellent work 🌹🌿🥳
Hello beautiful how are you doing today 👋🤗
I honestly love your posts and always enjoy reading them in my lonely spare time. I'm so sorry I invaded your privacy, but I'd love to be friends with someone who could share such sensitive post content, which means you're a woman of integrity. I wanted to add you but sending you a friend request without your consent is inappropriate because I'm a public figure and it wouldn't take much either, I'd appreciate it if you send me a friend request now so we can be friends and text better here on UA-cam❤
I had a banana yellow '68 442 convertible in 1975 with the 455. Fast as heck but I never liked taking corners with it. My brother had a '71 GTO that same year. Somehow--and I have no idea how-- we never got any tickets. He got pulled over one time for going 110mph on the D.C. Beltway. The policeman said, "Son you can outrun me but you can't outrun my radio." Then he walked away and nothing happened.
I liked how they showed the green screen in the background of that car at the end, which was revealed to be in a studio. Showed they didn't take the video too seriously.
Happy 60th Birthday Kathy Mattea
Is there anything more addictive in a song than hand-clap percussion ? Love it here !
@Kathy Mattea🎶 Fine by me. You gave us one of our favorite concert experiences at the Washington County Fair in Hillsboro, Oregon.
I feel every word - them was the Good Ole' Days. I had a few Muscle Cars in the 1970s - 1969 Boss 429 Mustang, 1970 Mustang Mach I (351C) and a 1970 Torino Cobra (429/370HP). Everyone had a Muscle Car - and you drove it to work Monday through Friday, took it to the Drag strip Saturday Night, opened the headers and bolted on a set of slicks and raced all night! And if someone challenged you at a stoplight, wellllll........ The Olds 442 was a respectable ride in that time - cool stripes and scoops on the hood. Between the cars and the hard driving 1960's-70's Music, well, there hasn't been anything as good since! Thanks for the memories, Kathy!
Happy Birthday Kathy Mattea!!!
Hey how are you doing today?
Great song and video! My wife and I have met Kathy 4 different times over the years and she is always very nice to us!
Thanks for the pictures and autographs Kathy!