Worked out a price for the hood. We agreed on $500. Body guy said it's well worth it. He can make all the repairs for under a grand.
Kind of nice that the hood came to me and I didn't have to pay shipping or go pick it up.

 

It's coming along nicely.

Most of these cars had a hard, hard life in the last 45 years.

At least you know what was done was done right.

Seats look great.

 

When I asked the seller if the heater/defroster worked , he told me there was a wire disconnected but it did work. When I asked about the 2 pull kick panels that were missing, he said he had them somewhere but if he couldn't find them he would get a set from a buddy of his and send them to me. All lies!
Turns out this is an AC car that was changed to non AC. I don't have a problem with that per say but dam just tell the truth. I'm thinking the pic below shows were the evaporator should have been? Let me know if that's correct.

My engine builder said that AC could be added with the cam I have but I'm not sure if I want to spend anymore money.

I'm assuming the evaporator was bolted to the firewall in the pic below?

Does anyone know what the numbers represent in the other pics? They are located above the blower motor hole.

Rick

 

Rick, the #'s break down like this
0 = 1970
G = Framingham plant
the last 6 are the vin #'s that should match the vin plate on the dash...

hope all is well !

 

Thanks Tim...I'll check the VIN and see if it matches. It wouldn't surprise me a bit if it doesn't

Rick

 

Tim,
It does match

Rick

 

Wanted to post some progress pics of the fender work. Repairing the OE fenders set the schedule and my wallet back a bit but they are very straight and will make for better car in the end. All the gaps are looking good and the hood repairs turned out sweet. Should be laying down some color by month's end. I'm getting really anxious and cant wait to start putting it back together.

Rick

 

Nice work! Nice deal on the hood also.

 

Can't believe how quick your are moving with getting the body work done. Looking forward to seeing Color .

My doesn't go till July to start body work, and I'm already excited.

 

looks good just wondering if you were keeping up with what you have spent so far

 

If I get time I'll break it down later but I am roughly $15K into the bodywork. All the paint and materials are included in that price. Still have to pay for spraying the car, sanding, clear coat, stripes etc., etc. I can see another $2k very easily. I'm very happy with the way its turning out so far.

I could have saved at least a couple of grand if I would have kept the fenders on it that were prepped and ready for paint. At this point it's all about getting the nicest looking car I can.



Rick

 

Look, I am a fairly new member here, and you don't know me from Adam, but trust me, I am a long-time car-nut (like you), and I will state: it is people like yourself that keep these cars on the road, keep the companies that produce parts in business, shops in business, and perhaps in a not-so-physically tangible, but spiritually immense way, keep guys like me and many others inspired to spend the time and money to restore, humbled when we stumble, and keep us celebrating these rolling pieces of history/Americana.


Hoooo-ra for you, and that car will be stunning when you are finished. All the best, and great work! - Jon

 

Success = Good Planning + Time + Money + Patience + Luck + Perseverance

You have to have a long term vision and not get discouraged.

 

Thanks Jon. I appreciate the encouraging words.

That about sums it up.

 

Body shop has the car curing in the sun today and tomorrow. The weather seems to be cooperating perfectly. Saturday it will be wearing it's new color. I'm so pumped up for this!


Rick

 

Shot some paint under the hood.

Rick

 

The underside of the hood looks great Rick, I'm looking forward to seeing the pics once the car is painted. I'll be stopping by my shop next week to see how the work is proceeding on mine as they were looking to add the new left rear quarter panel this week.

Tom

 

Getting closer 😎 X2 on the hood! Staying to ones in for color

 

Got word today that the car won't get painted tomorrow. They did not have time to do the final wet sanding. Promised it will be painted next week provided the weather cooperates.I'm OK waiting. Have way to much time and money invested to get in a hurry at this critical stage of the process.

Rick

 

Looking good!

 

Heading to the body shop today to see the new paint in person. Should be buffed and ready to go by the time I get there. I'm getting my shopping list ready for the Nationals so I can put her back on the road.

Rick

 

Nothing better than a fresh paint job....looks great.

 

I worked on the assembly line at the Framingham plant from 1972-1974.

You guys would not believe how these cars were slapped together.....I often wonder how they survived this long.

 

Not quite finished yet with the fine sanding and buffing details on the paint but man does it look good in the flesh. I'm really pleased with how it turned out. I guess there's always room for improvement but I don't remember new ones looking this nice. Then again I was only nine!
Can you tell I'm a happy man today?

Rick

 

Looks great Rick, I'm looking forward to the pictures after it gets the fine sanding and buffing done. It makes me wish I was at this point with my car but I still have probably another month and a half before my car is ready for paint.

Tom

 

Looks great, I like that gold the best of the choices. Congrats!!

 

Fresh paint



I've just received mine from the paint shop as well ��

 

Here are some pics of the finished paint. Still have to tweak a few things and paint the sport mirrors but it's pretty much done.

I want to sincerely thank my buddy John Albrand, owner operator of Dusty Boots Restorations in Covington Ky. He went above and beyond what any other shop would have done. He's an Oldsmobile guy and is tremendously talented at body and mechanical work.

All the jewelry and interior will get put on/in after the Nationals and then I can start enjoying this sweet car.

Rick

 

Here's a few more.

 

Thanks for looking. Let me know what you think.

Rick

 

When did you begin your project? Seems to me it wasn't long ago. Sounds like your making pretty good progress.

Yeah I'm partial to the gold too. The chrome will make it pop a little more.

Walt, Your paint scheme is so nice. Very original....I likey!

Rick

 

Love it, awesome job.

 

Very nice Rick, I also think the chrome when you place it back on will really make your car stand out - fantastic. I had my car in the body shop since late spring and was originally told late fall would be the time completion on it but the shop owner has been working on it late at night and on Sundays when the shop is closed so things are progressing more quickly than thought. He seems to be the same type of person you described your body guy as - lucky men are we.

Tom

 

You will need to have all the trim polished to match the paint now.....

 

Rick, looks great! Refresh my memory: which gold did you settle on?

 

Thanks BG

Galleon gold...... but the actual color that we ended up with is a variation of that. When we sprayed the jams it was too green so we tweaked it a bit and ended up with this color. I really like the way it turned out and doubt that there will ever be another one just like it.

Rick

 

Looks an awful lot like nugget gold but not quite. Been following you all the way, great job, great write-up. You're almost to the finish line so stay the course - don't get excited and take a shortcut this close to the end !


1970 4-4-2 Nugget Gold

 

Looking great Rick. It was great meeting you at the Nationals. Hope to see this bad boy at Albuquerque!!

 

Thanks Joe, I enjoyed meeting you as well. Wish we all could have hung out a little longer.

 

Rick, Car looks great.
When the time is right I may need to get with John, he seems very knowledgeable, and a nice guy.