My First Ride: Dale Inman’s 1949 Oldsmobile

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By Ben White

Dale Inman, an eight-time Sprint Cup championship crew chief and 2012 NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee, bought a popular ride in the early 1950s that had a rather unique history. It was used as a major part of a local business enterprise before he found it for sale after his 16th birthday in August of 1952.

The car traveled all around the countryside in the dark of night for several years before its wheels parked in the dirt driveway of the Inman family home in Level Cross, N.C.

“With the help of my mother, the first car I ever owned was a 1949 Oldsmobile, “Inman said. “It was one of flip Coup-types and was one of the 88 models that I bought from a bootlegger in Asheboro, N.C. I don’t remember what I paid for it.”

Unlike most moonshine cars, Inman’ ride was different in color which served as a way to hide its true origin.

“It was kind of a burgundy color but later on I had it painted black,” Inman said. “Black was a popular color back then but there were only just a few colors to choose from in those days. Most everything back then was black. All I know is I got in it, put tires on it about every 8,000 miles, put gas in it and drove.”