ClassicOldsmobile.com - View Single Post

HotRodHearseGuy · May 19th, 2008, 01:29 PM

I thought I'd drop a message to all that after being a part of the thread about an AWD Vista Cruiser and then the the messages about sedan deliveries and such, I thought I'd post that I'm soon to be the proud owner of a running 1971 or 1974 Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser.

Over the weekend, I located one on the other side of Dallas, Texas for almost next to nothing. I have been told that it does in deed run, but will need some work mechanically to really make it road worthy. I was told that it desperately needs a paint job and interior work. Neither of these bother me as I'm sre I'm going to want to re-paint it anyway. The interior, same thing, I already planned to completely gut it and start over as I will need to make sidewalls similiar to a hearse anyway to cover the rear door glass and the cargo glass.

Yes, I'm going to build this car for myself, but after hearing some really neat things, I want y'alls help on this.

Should I look into doing woodgrain? If so, should it be custom painted on, get a woodgrain vinyl kit or take it up a notch and use actual maple or oak or something similar that can be purchased like a sheet of plywood? I have a source for getting 1/32" and 1/16" in 4x8 sheets - can get maple, cherry, mohogany and oak.

Next thing is color: I was told this one is kinda white or that really light cream color. Either way, it WILL NOT be one of those colors. Yes, I'm in Texas, but I drive a black hearse, so dark colors do not bother me. I'm not opposed to "resale" red, most greens, silvers/grays, blues, purples/violets and black. Darker colors will also help "hide" that the rear foors are still functional.

Interior: Do I stay with the split bench seat (I was informed of this this morning it has that) up front and do I retain the rear passenger seats including 3rd row or should all of that be changed so it's truly a sedan delivery for strictly hauling cargo? I do not have children unless you count the 2 dogs and cats. I do however do a LOT of camping and swap meets.
A couple of my thoughts are maybe going with bucket seats up front and a nice center console so then I could also move the shifter from column shift to floor. I know the seats will be cloth as leather just gets plain HOT in the summer and it's also easier to keep a cloth interior clean as I plan to drive the wagon when completed and not just to shows. I will however use that "ultra-leather" (high tech new vinyl) as accents and such. Again, what color/colors/design would you like to see.

For those who are now wondering what is going to happen to the glass, it won't be for sale. In fact, I'm not even going to remove the glass from the car, but the car will be a legitimate Sedan Delivery. My plans are to as it was mentioned, remove the rear door handles (will put them onto electric poppers). ALL the rear foor and cargo glass trim will also be removed. Once that is completed, I will then BOND sheetmetal to those areas, thus "removing" the glass from existence. This is also why the sidewalls like a hearse will need to be designed to hide the glass inside as well. Once the panels have been bonded into place, I will then do the bodywork to hide any remaining seams and then all the paint and other exterior details will be done.

I figure that in doing an adhesive bonding and these adhesives are quite durable (look at most new cars, they use a LOT of this adhesive too), IF someone deicdes they want to own my car more than I do, but want to revert the car back to it's original state, it can be done with MINIMAL efforts. the biggest issue to changing it back would be that of the rear door handle locations as they will be welded up with patch panels.

I REALLY look forward to seeing what everyone comes up with and this is a serious serious deal.

Frank Redmond
Bowie Texas

May 19th, 2008, 01:29 PM	#1 (permalink)
HotRodHearseGuy Builder of the strange Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 16	Clamshell Custom Cruiser I thought I'd drop a message to all that after being a part of the thread about an AWD Vista Cruiser and then the the messages about sedan deliveries and such, I thought I'd post that I'm soon to be the proud owner of a running 1971 or 1974 Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser. Over the weekend, I located one on the other side of Dallas, Texas for almost next to nothing. I have been told that it does in deed run, but will need some work mechanically to really make it road worthy. I was told that it desperately needs a paint job and interior work. Neither of these bother me as I'm sre I'm going to want to re-paint it anyway. The interior, same thing, I already planned to completely gut it and start over as I will need to make sidewalls similiar to a hearse anyway to cover the rear door glass and the cargo glass. Yes, I'm going to build this car for myself, but after hearing some really neat things, I want y'alls help on this. Should I look into doing woodgrain? If so, should it be custom painted on, get a woodgrain vinyl kit or take it up a notch and use actual maple or oak or something similar that can be purchased like a sheet of plywood? I have a source for getting 1/32" and 1/16" in 4x8 sheets - can get maple, cherry, mohogany and oak. Next thing is color: I was told this one is kinda white or that really light cream color. Either way, it WILL NOT be one of those colors. Yes, I'm in Texas, but I drive a black hearse, so dark colors do not bother me. I'm not opposed to "resale" red, most greens, silvers/grays, blues, purples/violets and black. *Darker colors will also help "hide" that the rear foors are still functional.* Interior: Do I stay with the split bench seat (I was informed of this this morning it has that) up front and do I retain the rear passenger seats including 3rd row or should all of that be changed so it's truly a sedan delivery for strictly hauling cargo? I do not have children unless you count the 2 dogs and cats. I do however do a LOT of camping and swap meets. A couple of my thoughts are maybe going with bucket seats up front and a nice center console so then I could also move the shifter from column shift to floor. I know the seats will be cloth as leather just gets plain HOT in the summer and it's also easier to keep a cloth interior clean as I plan to drive the wagon when completed and not just to shows. I will however use that "ultra-leather" (high tech new vinyl) as accents and such. Again, what color/colors/design would you like to see. For those who are now wondering what is going to happen to the glass, it won't be for sale. In fact, I'm not even going to remove the glass from the car, but the car will be a legitimate Sedan Delivery. My plans are to as it was mentioned, remove the rear door handles (will put them onto electric poppers). ALL the rear foor and cargo glass trim will also be removed. Once that is completed, I will then BOND sheetmetal to those areas, thus "removing" the glass from existence. This is also why the sidewalls like a hearse will need to be designed to hide the glass inside as well. Once the panels have been bonded into place, I will then do the bodywork to hide any remaining seams and then all the paint and other exterior details will be done. I figure that in doing an adhesive bonding and these adhesives are quite durable (look at most new cars, they use a LOT of this adhesive too), IF someone deicdes they want to own my car more than I do, but want to revert the car back to it's original state, it can be done with MINIMAL efforts. the biggest issue to changing it back would be that of the rear door handle locations as they will be welded up with patch panels. I REALLY look forward to seeing what everyone comes up with and this is a serious serious deal. Frank Redmond Bowie Texas