This Quirky Bubble-Top Oldsmobile Was a Community Icon. Now It’s Available on Copart.

      Of all the custom cars created over the years, only a small number endure long enough to become legends. I wouldn’t rank this red, white, and blue, double-bubble top Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme alongside a Gene Winfield creation, but it's definitely something special. Having passed by it at least once a month for several years, it holds a unique place in my memory, perhaps even my heart. Therefore, seeing it in disrepair at our local Copart lot is quite painful.

      I wouldn’t expect many to recognize this car. It’s more of a local legend in my area of the Ozarks rather than a nationally celebrated show winner. However, a recent post by Brian Wattenschaidt in the Radwood Facebook group caught my attention as I spotted that distinctive livery and transparent roof on my screen.

      This car had been parked at Public Park & Sell Auto Mall in Joplin, Missouri, for quite a while. Every car enthusiast around here remembers it. It even made waves on Twitter some time ago, and I happily informed my coworkers, “Hey! That’s not far from where I live!” You get excited about the small things when you come from a place like mine.

      As shown in the historical views on Google Earth, it was proudly stationed at the front corner of the lot in June 2017. It might have even been there earlier. I never spoke to the owner, but I suspect he purchased it to attract attention to his store. While it remained in that spot for years, I believe it was technically for sale the entire time.

      You might need to zoom in to spot it in the second photo, but it’s there!

      As the attached screenshots indicate, around June 2019, the car was relocated to a different position, now right at the front of the store rather than directly next to Main Street. I vaguely recall it moving around a bit, but I had only ever seen it at Public Park & Sell. It was a staple, much like the yellow VW Beetle fountain at Volk’s Avanti Insurance Agency nearby.

      At some point, the Oldsmobile simply vanished. I don’t recall exactly when, but Google Earth suggests it was before May 2023. I certainly noticed it was gone but assumed someone had finally bought it—and who could blame them? It’s a cool car.

      I hadn’t thought much about it until I saw that Facebook post on Friday. It actually revealed some things I didn’t know. For instance, I had no idea what engine it had, but the advertisement states it has a 3.8-liter V6. Interestingly, it also served as the pull car for the original Shockwave jet truck, which toured the country for exhibition runs before crashing in 2022. How cool is that?

      Now it's ready for retirement, with Copart listing the main damage as “top/roof.” That sounds accurate, as I can’t imagine those bubbles withstand the hail we often receive. It's now located in Fayetteville, Arkansas, with an estimated retail value of $6,982. I’m unsure who would pay that much, but I can tell you two things: it won’t be me, and I hope whoever buys it enjoys it immensely.

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