Some race cars are bought, and some are built. But then there are race cars like Brian Bednar’s 1987 Oldsmobile Cutlass, a machine woven deeply into a family’s history before ever making a pass down the dragstrip.
What started as a brand-new showroom purchase by Brian’s sister in 1987 eventually evolved into a multi-generational family heirloom and, ultimately, a brutally fast race car affectionately known as the “OldsMopar.” The car’s story spans decades, countless highway miles, and multiple owners within the same family before finally transforming into the race car it was always destined to become.
A Family-Owned 1987 Cutlass With Decades Of History
The journey of this Cutlass started when Brian’s sister purchased the car new in 1987. After driving it for seven years, she handed it down to her son. Eventually, Brian bought the car from him in the mid-1990s and used it as a daily driver for four years.
But the family connection didn’t stop there.
The Cutlass later became Brian’s father’s transportation, racking up serious mileage while traveling between Florida and California multiple times. After that, the car moved on to Brian’s brother before eventually being parked in a garage for eight years.
When the car returned to Brian in 2020, it was mechanically tired but still had a clean, solid body. That’s when the next chapter officially began.
“When it found its way back to me in 2020, it was mechanically worn out, but the body was in great shape. At that point, there was only one thing left to do with it: make a racecar out of it,” Brian says.
Drag Racing Runs Deep In The Family
Brian’s passion for racing comes naturally. Growing up in a family immersed in motorsports helped fuel a lifelong obsession with horsepower and competition.
That drag racing background eventually led to more than 40 years of active competition across multiple categories. Over the decades, Brian has piloted everything from bracket cars to a family-operated Top Alcohol Dragster in the early 1990s.
Before building the OldsMopar Cutlass, Brian campaigned a Spitzer Top Dragster in both NHRA and PDRA competition. The results were impressive, finishing second in PDRA points in 2019 while earning five No. 1 qualifier spots during the season.
The OldsMopar Combination Is Anything But Ordinary
Part of what makes this Cutlass stand out is the unconventional combination hiding under the hood. The car blends Oldsmobile heritage with modern Gen III HEMI power, creating a unique setup that grabs attention everywhere it goes.
Between the front fenders, you’ll find a 426 cubic-inch Blackbird Performance Gen III HEMI that’s wearing a Whipple 3.8-liter supercharger. The engine is built using a Callies aluminum block, crank, and rods as its backbone. BES Racing Engines took care of working the OEM Dodge heads over before a set of T&D Machine Products rocker arms were installed.
The OldsMopar’s engine is controlled by a Holley EFI system. Behind the engine, you’ll find an FTI powerglide and Coan torque converter. The suspension consists of a Ford 9” rearend, stock-style control arms, and Viking shocks. Trick Chassis components were used to stiffen the Oldsmobile’s chassis.
Currently, the Olds has run a best of 5.06 at 142 mph in the 1/8th mile. Brian’s plan is to update the car’s chassis to a 7.50 et certification so he can go run Top Sportsman in the NHRA and IHRA.
Blackbird Performance And Friends Helped Bring The OldsMopar To Life
Building a car like this is no easy task. Brian credits Geoff and Jena Turk of Blackbird Performance as critical pieces of the project’s success.
“I need to thank Geoff Turk at Blackbird Performance for putting together the very powerful Gen III HEMI engine. Geoff’s invaluable tuning help has really made this car work. Without his expertise, the car wouldn’t perform at its current level.”
Brian also wants to thank all the efforts of close friends, dedicated racers, and family who helped with the car.
“Jay Brettman handled fabrication duties, building the headers and the car’s 8.50-certified roll cage. And most importantly of course, my wife, Micki, for putting up with all my racing over the years.”
This support system has helped turn a long-forgotten family car into a serious drag racing machine with a story few race cars can match.
“What I like the most about this car is the fact that it’s a family heirloom and that it is a very unusual combination, and it hauls ass,” Brian says.
Brian Bednar’s Oldsmobile really checks all the boxes. It has a cool backstory that involves his family. He’s built the car with help from his family and friends. Finally, it’s a G-body that’s powered by something other than an LS-based engine. It will be cool to see this Gen III HEMI-powered Olds, that’s a real car, tangle with all of the tube chassis cars in Top Sportsman.
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