Just because the economy is imitating a Valu-Jet swamp landing doesn’t mean that insane prices for rare muscle parts have gone down. We found a listing on RacingJunk.com for an Oldsmobile W27 rear end. This piece featured an aluminum center section to reduce weight and increase the cooling properties of the assembly.

Available only in 1970 and only on W-30/31/32 optioned cars, this is one of the most rare pieces in the Oldsmobile factory parts world and apparently this seller knows that. Supposedly less than 5% of the already small pool of cars which could have had the axle actually optioned it and virtually none were sold over the parts counter. By 1971 it was no longer available and some research shows that they didn’t like to be hit too hard with slicks, so there were probably a portion blown to smithereens by eager drag racers. 

There are certainly circumstances where an investment like this can pay off, but will adding this axle to your car really bump the worth of the thing $8500? Seeing as you’ll also be burying your investment in a place where only the smallest percentage of Oldsmobile freaks will even look for it adds to the absurdity on some level as well.

So the question….is this thing really worth $8500?

Source — RacingJunk.com — Oldsmobile W27 Complete Rearend