Oldsmobile 98 Rocket Convertible 1952
February 10th, 2009, 08:40 AM
#1
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 25
Oldsmobile 98 Rocket Convertible 1952
I took this pics today, so I thought to share them with you. This is my '52 Olds 98 Convertible. The car is completely original ( but rough ) and rust free. I bought it a few months back from a friend who has nice collection of classic car but haven't got the time to work on them. As I said, car is one of 3544 examples made that year and its been in Serbia, I believe, since new. It was used in official purposes as a part of government motorcades in Novi Sad. Right now, I am searcing for old photos ( form 50's and early 60's ) to document this, I found some but I am looking for more. It's very possible that this car was part of motorcades when some very powerful international political figures visited Novi Sad, back in the day. After governmant years, car was sold to private owner, who drove it during very little in 70's and in early 80's car went to storage ( fortunately, dry one ) and in late 80's owner died and car went to his son . This guy left the car in his yard and let his ( and neighboors ) kids to play in it. Kids done more damage to this car than all years of use put together and they tore the canvas roof, destroyed the interior, break the windshield and head lights... My friend rescued the car few years ago and you know the rest of the story... Since Serbia have continental climate, rust issues are common on old cars. Fortunately, this Olds is rust free ( just some minor sufrice rust ), chrome is in good shape and engine ( which is # matching ) runs. This is top of the line Olds in 1952 so ih has a power windows, power steering and power roof.
My plans are to restore the car. Money could be the problem, but I am willing to invest in this car. I am fan of cars in original condition, but in one point, I have a thought to make this a lead slead or a pro street or a some kind of kustom car, since it will be maybe cheaper than to restore it to 100 points. The parts that I need are basicly some trim, upholstery, dash and some mechanical bits and good painting, sandblasting and fully striping down. I am sure that I will find some more problems during that but this is for start. So, what do you all think?
My plans are to restore the car. Money could be the problem, but I am willing to invest in this car. I am fan of cars in original condition, but in one point, I have a thought to make this a lead slead or a pro street or a some kind of kustom car, since it will be maybe cheaper than to restore it to 100 points. The parts that I need are basicly some trim, upholstery, dash and some mechanical bits and good painting, sandblasting and fully striping down. I am sure that I will find some more problems during that but this is for start. So, what do you all think?
February 10th, 2009, 10:59 AM
#4
Past Administrator
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Rural Waxahachie Texas
Posts: 10,004
GEE THANKS! Now I have to wipe off all the drool from the front of my shirt! 
. That is a really nice car. It looks like the bumpers are in excellent condition too. However you approach this as a project it will turn out good. I have seen early fifties cars chopped, channeled and customized. Seen them done Gasser style, seen them done as a mild custom too. For some ideas and images go on over to this site and poke around a little. Lots of good ideas there.
. That is a really nice car. It looks like the bumpers are in excellent condition too. However you approach this as a project it will turn out good. I have seen early fifties cars chopped, channeled and customized. Seen them done Gasser style, seen them done as a mild custom too. For some ideas and images go on over to this site and poke around a little. Lots of good ideas there.
February 10th, 2009, 11:58 AM
#5
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 79
This is a rare find in and of itself, but if you can also find some sort of documatation that it was a gov owned car it would really be a prize. I imagine that might be hard to do, though.
I would keep thing as stock as possible. It might not be easy, but it would be worth far more in the future if you did.
Start with making a list of everything you need down to the smallest item and then post it. Someone might have something here and there that you might need.
I would think this would take years to finish, but throw us picture now and then with a bit of info on to how this is going.
I have seen cars worse than this bought back to original condition, so don't let anyone tell you it cannot be done.
I would keep thing as stock as possible. It might not be easy, but it would be worth far more in the future if you did.
Start with making a list of everything you need down to the smallest item and then post it. Someone might have something here and there that you might need.
I would think this would take years to finish, but throw us picture now and then with a bit of info on to how this is going.
I have seen cars worse than this bought back to original condition, so don't let anyone tell you it cannot be done.
February 10th, 2009, 12:12 PM
#6
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 79
I sent you a private message on this, but I thought I would post it here for others.
Check out www.ctcautoranch.com for parts for your car.
Check out www.ctcautoranch.com for parts for your car.
February 10th, 2009, 03:01 PM
#7
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 25
Thanx guys! Your support means a lot to me 
There is no doubt that this car is gov owned. First, older people who were there in 50's and early 60's remembers this car from parades and such. Then, there is an old registration card with specific licence plate number which is gov related. You see, Serbia ( ex Yugoslavia ) was communist country and during those years, no private owner was wealthy enough to own a new 98 Convertible ( it wasn't cheap in US either ), even though there was lots of foreign cars and lots of US cars. It was unimaginebile for ordinary guy to buy a brand new car like this, not because it was a foreign and capitalist car, but because it was too expensive for any communist citizen to afford. But, the state was wealty so gov owned cars were always top of the line models of best european and american makes. This is why there is no doubt that this Olds was gov car. I want to find a exact dates when car arrived in Novi Sad and when it left gov service to be sold to private owner, some period pictures form parades and if there is any left in gov archives ( but I doubt there is any information there ). Just pictures would be enough.
You all are right, this car is very good basis for restauration. Is rust free and complete, few bits and good paint job and it's done. Unfortunately, I am not in a very good financial situation right now ( starting a family ) so my plans for a concurse restauration are not realistic. On the other side, making this a kustom job, maybe isn't a best idea ( even thou I like it ), because a car is rare and historicaly significant...
There is no doubt that this car is gov owned. First, older people who were there in 50's and early 60's remembers this car from parades and such. Then, there is an old registration card with specific licence plate number which is gov related. You see, Serbia ( ex Yugoslavia ) was communist country and during those years, no private owner was wealthy enough to own a new 98 Convertible ( it wasn't cheap in US either ), even though there was lots of foreign cars and lots of US cars. It was unimaginebile for ordinary guy to buy a brand new car like this, not because it was a foreign and capitalist car, but because it was too expensive for any communist citizen to afford. But, the state was wealty so gov owned cars were always top of the line models of best european and american makes. This is why there is no doubt that this Olds was gov car. I want to find a exact dates when car arrived in Novi Sad and when it left gov service to be sold to private owner, some period pictures form parades and if there is any left in gov archives ( but I doubt there is any information there ). Just pictures would be enough.
You all are right, this car is very good basis for restauration. Is rust free and complete, few bits and good paint job and it's done. Unfortunately, I am not in a very good financial situation right now ( starting a family ) so my plans for a concurse restauration are not realistic. On the other side, making this a kustom job, maybe isn't a best idea ( even thou I like it ), because a car is rare and historicaly significant...
February 10th, 2009, 03:51 PM
#8
Registered
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Northeast Ohio
Posts: 4,430
Welcome Wolftrax, cool name.
I would keep it original myself, please don't customize it.
That car looks like it could just be cleaned up. A top and windshield, and paint if needed, clean up the chrome and trim and it would look good. Just fix what's needed. interior even looks pretty clean. If it's rust-free I would just preserve it as much as possible, only original once.
There have to be pics or other info on that car if it is what you think it is. The CIA probably have tons of photographs of it somewhere.
Tracking down the info is half the battle. The fun is in the hunt.
Just my two cents woof, Wolf.
I would keep it original myself, please don't customize it.
That car looks like it could just be cleaned up. A top and windshield, and paint if needed, clean up the chrome and trim and it would look good. Just fix what's needed. interior even looks pretty clean. If it's rust-free I would just preserve it as much as possible, only original once. There have to be pics or other info on that car if it is what you think it is. The CIA probably have tons of photographs of it somewhere.
Tracking down the info is half the battle. The fun is in the hunt.
Just my two cents woof, Wolf.
Last edited by Bluevista; February 10th, 2009 at 03:53 PM.
February 10th, 2009, 05:07 PM
#9
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 25
Thanx Bluevista!
WolfTrax is my name in Serbian directly translated to english, it makes no sense but sounds cool...
Anyway, you right, the car deserves to be original, that's the goal but all those kustom possibilities are so tempting, the starting point is great!
I am sure that CIA have better information that I will ever be able to find, but they are a hard guys to ask for a favor However, there is one specific picture that I want to find, I even know the name of the book in which its published. That picture shows late J.B. Tito, president od ex Yugoslavia and communist leader in front of gov building in Novi Sad. He is in black '59 Cadillac Series 75 convertible by Ghia ( this is he and the car, photo taken somewhere else - http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-...08989_6080.jpg ) and second or third car behind him is this Olds 98 Convertible! So I'm looking for that book. This Olds wasn't part of Titos motorcade but when Tito visited some place, local gov branches provided the escort for Titos limusine. This was the sole purpose of my Olds.
WolfTrax is my name in Serbian directly translated to english, it makes no sense but sounds cool...
Anyway, you right, the car deserves to be original, that's the goal but all those kustom possibilities are so tempting, the starting point is great!
I am sure that CIA have better information that I will ever be able to find, but they are a hard guys to ask for a favor
However, there is one specific picture that I want to find, I even know the name of the book in which its published. That picture shows late J.B. Tito, president od ex Yugoslavia and communist leader in front of gov building in Novi Sad. He is in black '59 Cadillac Series 75 convertible by Ghia ( this is he and the car, photo taken somewhere else - http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-...08989_6080.jpg ) and second or third car behind him is this Olds 98 Convertible! So I'm looking for that book. This Olds wasn't part of Titos motorcade but when Tito visited some place, local gov branches provided the escort for Titos limusine. This was the sole purpose of my Olds.
February 11th, 2009, 03:03 AM
#11
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 25
Thanx!
I have one question. Right now, car is dark brown, maroon. I believe it's a original color but I don't know what colors were available in'52 for 98 series. Could I find out what was original color by decoding the VIN number? Reason for this question is that I don't like maroon and I will change color for sure, but I like it to be some of original Olds color of the period. Anybody has a color chart?
Few years ago, I bought a Dennis Casteele book " The Cars of Oldsmobile" 1897-1981, but there isn't a lot information about my car. This is all ( sorry about the pic, taken with a phone camera ):
I have one question. Right now, car is dark brown, maroon. I believe it's a original color but I don't know what colors were available in'52 for 98 series. Could I find out what was original color by decoding the VIN number? Reason for this question is that I don't like maroon and I will change color for sure, but I like it to be some of original Olds color of the period. Anybody has a color chart?
Few years ago, I bought a Dennis Casteele book " The Cars of Oldsmobile" 1897-1981, but there isn't a lot information about my car. This is all ( sorry about the pic, taken with a phone camera ):
February 11th, 2009, 03:25 AM
#12
Registered
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Northeast Ohio
Posts: 4,430
The tracks of a Wolf, makes sense to me.
That is really something to have a photo, provenance is so important with cars like that and that's a major find. I'm sure there will be more information to come.
I looked in the TCP auto color library and it shows a code 21 Regent Maroon Poly paint color for 1952. If there is a trim tag it may show the number, post the info or a pic and I'm sure somebody could decode it.
Check it out.
http://www.tcpglobal.com/autocolorlibrary/
That is really something to have a photo, provenance is so important with cars like that and that's a major find. I'm sure there will be more information to come.
I looked in the TCP auto color library and it shows a code 21 Regent Maroon Poly paint color for 1952. If there is a trim tag it may show the number, post the info or a pic and I'm sure somebody could decode it.
Check it out.
http://www.tcpglobal.com/autocolorlibrary/
February 16th, 2009, 04:40 PM
#13
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 25
Thanx! Another '52 98 Convertible, great!
Yes, my car has speedometer in kilometers. Lots of classic US cars which I found in Serbia had that. Two reasons. One, because ( gov owned ) were ordered with that and second, ones that were privately owned had been imported from other European countries. Some EU countries had laws against speedometers in miles, just in km. Anyway, that speedometer is interesting because, ex Yugoslavian gov bought cars directly form GM ( some kind of COPO deal, probably, as in Chevrolet COPO ) and could specify what ever they wanted ( and they wanted speedometer in kms )
Rigth now, I am not at home in Novi Sad, but in a few days I will go to my garage and snap a few photos of engine, firewall and rest of the tags ( door tag ). Unfortunately, that sainless trim at rear is missing ( what you see is all I got )...
Yes, my car has speedometer in kilometers. Lots of classic US cars which I found in Serbia had that. Two reasons. One, because ( gov owned ) were ordered with that and second, ones that were privately owned had been imported from other European countries. Some EU countries had laws against speedometers in miles, just in km. Anyway, that speedometer is interesting because, ex Yugoslavian gov bought cars directly form GM ( some kind of COPO deal, probably, as in Chevrolet COPO ) and could specify what ever they wanted ( and they wanted speedometer in kms )
Rigth now, I am not at home in Novi Sad, but in a few days I will go to my garage and snap a few photos of engine, firewall and rest of the tags ( door tag ). Unfortunately, that sainless trim at rear is missing ( what you see is all I got )...
Starting Point
April 7th, 2009, 04:14 PM
#23
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 25
I'm still considering to leave it in long-term storage but, money issues demands sale. If I find another way to raise funds, car stays, but if I don't, I must let the car go. This is a fantastic car, good condition and once in a life time project but, unfortunately, I'm not ready for it
Of course. To export a classic car form Serbia, you need a written permission ( a form ) form Serbian Classic Cars Museum. I have a friend, who works there, so I will ask him ( what is the fee, how hard is to get it ) but I am sure that whole bureauacracy isn't very complicated or expensive. After that, it's only to arrange shiping and money transfer...
Of course. To export a classic car form Serbia, you need a written permission ( a form ) form Serbian Classic Cars Museum. I have a friend, who works there, so I will ask him ( what is the fee, how hard is to get it ) but I am sure that whole bureauacracy isn't very complicated or expensive. After that, it's only to arrange shiping and money transfer...
April 9th, 2009, 09:40 AM
#24
is Fast Enough ...
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: dogtown
Posts: 1,308
I'm still considering to leave it in long-term storage but, money issues demands sale. If I find another way to raise funds, car stays, but if I don't, I must let the car go. This is a fantastic car, good condition and once in a life time project but, unfortunately, I'm not ready for it
Of course. To export a classic car form Serbia, you need a written permission ( a form ) form Serbian Classic Cars Museum. I have a friend, who works there, so I will ask him ( what is the fee, how hard is to get it ) but I am sure that whole bueraucracy isn't very complicated or expensive. After that, it's only to arrange shipping and money transfer...
Of course. To export a classic car form Serbia, you need a written permission ( a form ) form Serbian Classic Cars Museum. I have a friend, who works there, so I will ask him ( what is the fee, how hard is to get it ) but I am sure that whole bueraucracy isn't very complicated or expensive. After that, it's only to arrange shipping and money transfer...
Race cars with documentation bring a premium. I think this applies to cars with "History". Take that car document history while you can, parade pictures, any civic paperwork, repairs by the city garage etc. Get a parade frame made. Document that and and research you do, so the Parade Frame is accurate. Use Serbian wood.
Now you can rent it out for Parades, Shows, Weddings and such.
Prepare a prospective and finance or get some partners. I would try to keep it. For "Cars That Got Away" this is Tops. That car is museum quality.
Start a Website and a web cam. I think it's cuter than the Puppies...
April 9th, 2009, 10:05 AM
#25
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 25
You have some pretty good ideas there
The '52 98 convertibles aren't exactly growing on trees and this the only one I've seen and only one I ever will see ( probably ). This car is super rare even for you guys, who are Olds fanatics and live in US. Imagine how it's rare in Europe, especially ( ex communist ) East Europe. Unfortunately, I don't have a lot of time to search trough archives so I didn't find nothing significant yet.
I found only one '52 98 Convertible for sale on the internet. He said that " Only 19 Remaining Nationally"...
http://www.fastlanecars.com/Public/Vehicle_Detail.aspx
This is '53 98 Convertible ( not the same but similar ) and the price could be even higher...
http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/6225912
The '52 98 convertibles aren't exactly growing on trees and this the only one I've seen and only one I ever will see ( probably ). This car is super rare even for you guys, who are Olds fanatics and live in US. Imagine how it's rare in Europe, especially ( ex communist ) East Europe. Unfortunately, I don't have a lot of time to search trough archives so I didn't find nothing significant yet.
I found only one '52 98 Convertible for sale on the internet. He said that " Only 19 Remaining Nationally"...
http://www.fastlanecars.com/Public/Vehicle_Detail.aspx
This is '53 98 Convertible ( not the same but similar ) and the price could be even higher...
http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/6225912
April 9th, 2009, 01:08 PM
#26
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 25
Thanx!
I'm still hoping for a chance to keep this car. This is big project, in every aspect and maybe is better to wait. If there is, let's say 50 '98 Convertibles in a roadworthy condition in US, I heard for one in UK and one in museum in Germany. That's 52, to be exact!
I'm still hoping for a chance to keep this car. This is big project, in every aspect and maybe is better to wait. If there is, let's say 50 '98 Convertibles in a roadworthy condition in US, I heard for one in UK and one in museum in Germany. That's 52, to be exact!
April 20th, 2009, 12:29 PM
#27
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 25
Today, I was at the friends garage, where I keep my car, to see how it is and to take some more pics. Unfortunately, we didn't move car ( because there isn't a lot of space ), but I did take some more photos, sort some parts and clean it a bit. I have took a pictures of two tags, each side of front firewall. The first tag is standard, but the second, explains the spedo in kilometers... The car is made in Antwerp, Belgium in GM factory, which made various GM cars form 1929. Until 60's that factory made US cars but later it has shifted production to European GM models ( like Opel ). It looks, that this car is rarer than I thought! I mean, does any body knows, how many 98 Rocket Convertibles could be produced in Antwerp in 1952...???
US tag
European tag
Can anybody tell me about number of Oldsmobiles made in Antwerp. I found that, during the years, a hundreds and hundreds thousands of GM cars were made there, but how many Olds and how many that year?
US tag
European tag
Can anybody tell me about number of Oldsmobiles made in Antwerp. I found that, during the years, a hundreds and hundreds thousands of GM cars were made there, but how many Olds and how many that year?
April 20th, 2009, 04:31 PM
#28
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 25
You are probably right. When I searched net about Antwerp plant, I found that cars made there were economy models ( 6 cyl ), trucks and vans, no luxury cars or high end options. GM made that plant to produce basic models ( Chevrolet mostly and some Pontiacs ) and after WW II to made cars for US forces stationed in Europe. All of GM plants in Europe were made this way. This Olds were top of the line model, to costly to produce and hard sell in post war Europe, so it must have come form States trough Antwerp plant, because it was biggest GM plant in Europe at that moment. In that process, it could got kilometers spedo and Antwerp tag. If the number 12 is the twelfth car released that year from that plant and the motor assembled date is correct ( 10.6.'52 ) could this mean that it was made at the end of model year production if the next model year production starts in September?
Last edited by WolfTrax; April 20th, 2009 at 04:58 PM.
April 21st, 2009, 04:28 AM
#29
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 25
I don't know about radio, it must be in the boxes which came with the car, I'll check it out. There are a few boxes in a back seat and few in the trunk. I'll have to write down everything that is there, just to know what exactly I got there. In unlikely case of my restoration... It's funny how life arranges things. Just when I found that I must sell the car, I found that is rarer ( and probably more valuable and interesting ) than I thought before. I don't know should I laugh or cry...
With the right parts and paint, bodywork and interior specialists booked in advance, this car could be done in little as 6 months or so. If I ever restore this car, the planing will be essential. While car is at the paint and body shop, seats and interior panels are at the upholstery guys and the engine is at the mechanic. In that case, you can have everything done quickly.
I believe that it could be done that fast because there isn't any major rust problems,there isn't and panels to replace or make, there isn't and collision damage or any structural damage... so, after good sandblasting, primer paint and paint, there is only a sweet job of assembling it...
With the right parts and paint, bodywork and interior specialists booked in advance, this car could be done in little as 6 months or so. If I ever restore this car, the planing will be essential. While car is at the paint and body shop, seats and interior panels are at the upholstery guys and the engine is at the mechanic. In that case, you can have everything done quickly.
I believe that it could be done that fast because there isn't any major rust problems,there isn't and panels to replace or make, there isn't and collision damage or any structural damage... so, after good sandblasting, primer paint and paint, there is only a sweet job of assembling it...
April 30th, 2009, 04:24 AM
#31
Past Administrator
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Rural Waxahachie Texas
Posts: 10,004
I have been following this thread since the beginning. I sincerely hope you are able to nail down the exact documentation to solve the puzzle about the car's origin and trip to Europe. It sounds like coldwar has helped you out quite a bit which is good. If you decide to sell it I hope that the buyer will keep us informed. Please let the buyer know about us and encourage him/her to sign up with us (unless one of us buys it). It sure would be nice to keep in touch with this car and be able to see it to it's completion fully restored or at least cleaned up and made road worthy. Good luck.
May 2nd, 2009, 05:44 AM
#32
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 25
Yes, the Coldwar helped me a lot, and I am very greateful for that ( Thanx! ). No matter what happen, I will keep you informed ( I also have few interesting stories and pic about classic Olds in Serbia ) so I'm not going anywhere. I'm just finding a way to avoid sale and if I have to sell it, to sell it to right person...
May 2nd, 2009, 06:22 AM
#33
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Korat, Thailand
Posts: 360
Great car, I hope you get to keep it. It looks like a good cleaning and detailing it may be drivable. Then fix a little at a time. With lights and top you could drive it anytime. Maybe do the interior next. My first project was a 64 Dodge and being broke it took me 2 years to complete the restoration. By the way your English is excellent.
May 2nd, 2009, 08:48 AM
#34
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 25
Thank you! I have read you thread about classic US cars in Thailand, very very interesting!
That idea about partial - rolling restoration crossed my mind, and it could be easily done because car is complete and sound, but there is another problem. In Serbia, we pay registration and insurance fees according to displacement and power of engine, not according to overall value of the car. There isn't any difference between classic and modern car, everybody pays the same. Trough few of our classic car clubs, we started initiative to lower fees for classic cars and things like that, but there is a long way trough bureaucracy ... Anyway, that means that registering a big Rocket V8 will be very expensive ( everything above 3 liters limit is like over 2000 $ a year!?! ), but it will be worth it. For that money, you could do a decent paint job or best upholstery or buy a lots of spare parts. So it's best to collect all resources and finish restoration in one push...
That idea about partial - rolling restoration crossed my mind, and it could be easily done because car is complete and sound, but there is another problem. In Serbia, we pay registration and insurance fees according to displacement and power of engine, not according to overall value of the car. There isn't any difference between classic and modern car, everybody pays the same. Trough few of our classic car clubs, we started initiative to lower fees for classic cars and things like that, but there is a long way trough bureaucracy ... Anyway, that means that registering a big Rocket V8 will be very expensive ( everything above 3 liters limit is like over 2000 $ a year!?! ), but it will be worth it. For that money, you could do a decent paint job or best upholstery or buy a lots of spare parts. So it's best to collect all resources and finish restoration in one push...
May 2nd, 2009, 09:45 AM
#36
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Korat, Thailand
Posts: 360
Thank you! I have read you thread about classic US cars in Thailand, very very interesting!
That idea about partial - rolling restoration crossed my mind, and it could be easily done because car is complete and sound, but there is another problem. In Serbia, we pay registration and insurance fees according to displacement and power of engine, not according to overall value of the car. There isn't any difference between classic and modern car, everybody pays the same. Trough few of our classic car clubs, we started initiative to lower fees for classic cars and things like that, but there is a long way trough bureaucracy ... Anyway, that means that registering a big Rocket V8 will be very expensive ( everything above 3 liters limit is like over 2000 $ a year!?! ), but it will be worth it. For that money, you could do a decent paint job or best upholstery or buy a lots of spare parts. So it's best to collect all resources and finish restoration in one push...
That idea about partial - rolling restoration crossed my mind, and it could be easily done because car is complete and sound, but there is another problem. In Serbia, we pay registration and insurance fees according to displacement and power of engine, not according to overall value of the car. There isn't any difference between classic and modern car, everybody pays the same. Trough few of our classic car clubs, we started initiative to lower fees for classic cars and things like that, but there is a long way trough bureaucracy ... Anyway, that means that registering a big Rocket V8 will be very expensive ( everything above 3 liters limit is like over 2000 $ a year!?! ), but it will be worth it. For that money, you could do a decent paint job or best upholstery or buy a lots of spare parts. So it's best to collect all resources and finish restoration in one push...
May 2nd, 2009, 05:37 PM
#37
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 25
Thank you. I do care about that car, in fact I care about cars a lot! During last seven years, cars were my profession because I worked as automotive journalist and test driver in one of Serbian car magazine. Classic cars are my speciality ( US cars mostly, but I like all old iron ) and I spend a lot of time finding them since I was kid. I jumped a lot of fences and was chased by lot of dogs when I searched a backyards for forgotten cars...
There was a lot of interesting classic cars in Serbia and most of those are gone because they didn't end up in hands of people who understand and love them. I will try my best to save this Olds from that destiny... @ Rdrokit
Here is somewhat better situation. Customs are lower, but registration is highter. Still, there are Ferraris and such over priced exotics on Serbian streets but, for a common guy is hard and extremly expencive to run and maintain car with big engine.
May 16th, 2009, 04:27 AM
#38
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 25
Few days a go, I got a call form ex owner, who had find some old photos of the car. I scanned them for your viewing pleasure...
this photos are taken late 90's when ex owner bought the car and start cleaning it and sorting the parts:
and those photos are from early 90's ( possibly late 80's ) when the car is found and when the kids stopped playing in it and shooting glass with BB guns...
this photos are taken late 90's when ex owner bought the car and start cleaning it and sorting the parts:
and those photos are from early 90's ( possibly late 80's ) when the car is found and when the kids stopped playing in it and shooting glass with BB guns...
May 29th, 2009, 07:41 AM
#40
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 25
it's not my Olds, but it's '49 somewhere around Novi Sad...
originalslika-Foto-stari-auto-i-tri.jpg
pic taken in 50's ( old plates before 1959 )
originalslika-Foto-stari-auto-i-tri.jpg
pic taken in 50's ( old plates before 1959 )
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
