Slash

I have a 1959 olds 98 and I am in the slow process of restoration. I bought the car from my grandpa but he had it repainted navy blue and I think he put in blue carpet, to match. The interior and paint need work and I was wondering the importance of restoring it back to the way it was when it rolled off the lot, or is originality already lost since it has been unbolted. Just looking for anyone's input on the subject. Thanks

oldcutlass

As a more door, in my opinion its a personal preference. As the exact materials are hard to find and expensive. If your restoring it to be a driver, build it as you like.

MDchanic

Considering that the market for these is limited, I would think that non-original colors would have little effect on the car's value, so long as they are in keeping with the style of the time (fluorescent green metallic might not be great for resale value).

- Eric

5998DownUnder

Are you doing this to keep for yourself or on sell? These may be deciding factors.


I pulled my car apart and repainted it in the original colour but not original colour scheme.


My car was all green with no accents. Now I have white accents as per the photo.


I painted the car the way I wanted it as I still can see no time in the future to sell it.


If you want to take it back to original factory specs, there are companies that


sell remanufactured to factory specs carpet and upholstery. I used these for my car.


You can see my 'albums' and 'other albums' if you go into my profile.

D. Yaros

The best advice you have been given is to it the way you want. Going back to original will not yield a ton of bucks as, as already noted, 1959 Oldsmobile fans/buyers are not huge in number. They are fanatical when it comes to devotion, but also few and far between.

Slash

Thanks everyone for the replies, I'm just gonna build it how I want and forget factory settings. I'm actually now thinking of upgrading the tranny to a newer gm, such as a 200r4 or 700r4

MDchanic

You'll need to cut out and reconfigure the transmission tunnel...

- Eric

Slash

That's what I was afraid of, is there any other late model gm tranny that would be a better fit?

MDchanic

Not that I know of - they didn't call it the Slim Jim for nothing!

There are a couple of guys with project threads on here who did that modification, but you wouldn't want to try it unless you're retired and don't have a lot of other projects, or unless you completely don't care how the end result looks.

- Eric

59-59-59

Ughhhh.. Since when did they use a Slim Jim in '59?? That transmission tunnel is huge. He has enough room to put in any trans he wants to in there, and enough room to build an apartment to house fat chicks

MDchanic

I'm sorry. I thought all of the '59 through '64 full sizes had the same transmission.

Clearly you know better, as you've actually got a '59, so I retract my completely inaccurate statement and defer to you.

Just so I know, though, and to save me from looking foolish next time,which years DID have the Slim Jim?

Also, for Slash's benefit, do you know anything about the adapter options if he wants to use a newer transmission, but keep the First Generation engine?
I believe (I'll stay away from saying "I know...") that all of the First Gen blocks had the "integral bellhousing" design, so the only way to mate a newer transmission to them is to get a transmission with a specially modified cut down case.

- Eric

oldcutlass

Ross Racing is probably the best place for adapters and info to install a late model trans in your car.

Slash

I agree with 59-59-59, I believe the slim Jim only came out in mid sixties. 63-64 would be my guess.

Charlie Jones

61to64

MDchanic

So only four years, then.

A much shorter lifespan than the TH400!

Thanks!

- Eric

rocketraider

You have a Jetaway HydraMatic in there which is about as bulletproof as it gets, and there are still guys who build these.


But there should be plenty of room for a Turbo HydraMatic if you go that route.