Hi all, Newbie here with a difference. I need your help to find my next classic, It's got to be a 1949/50 Olds rocket 88 coupe. I fell in love with this car a couple of years back and being a blue collar worker I have had to sell my pride and joy 66 Mustang to realise my dream. Now for the twist, I live in central England and allthough there is a thriving scene for classic american cars I have never seen or heard of a 50 coupe anywhere. I have been searching the web daily for cars in the US since the summer but nothing much has come up. Can any of you give me some guidence on the best places to look or any hidden gems out there? I'm getting a bit obsessed with the search and all things rocket powered but frustration is starting to set in, I know the wait will be worth it but I feel like there must be more choice out there than the few 'non sellers' advertised at silly high prices for the last 6 months. Getting the car inspected and shipped is the easy bit, I have companies in place for all that but can any of you offer advice that will help me on my quest. Cheers. Stuart.

 

Welcome aboard

Well that's a tall order but we'll see what we can do.

 

Good luck in your search. are you looking for bone stock or something like this from a fourm member http://www.retrorodz.com/1949oldsmobile.pdf.

Please provide a little more detail

 

WOW!!! That was nicely done! Do you know that car Pat?

 

Welcome to CO.

Snowing there still?


There's a guy on Craigslist looking for a '50, not you I take it?

Just to know what you're looking for, a club coupe like this?

http://omaha.craigslist.org/pts/1540904811.html


You can do the search all craigs now if you didn't know already.
You never know what will turn up there.

http://www.searchallcraigs.com/

I'll keep an eye open.

 

http://www.cars-on-line.com/oldsmobile.html

 

Not personally, but the owner is on this site sometimes, just can't remember his user name. He did a great job on it thats for sure

 

Welcome to the site.It's great to have you here.

 

Wow thanks for the warm welcome, snow is just melting here thank god, as a primary school caretaker, janitor I think you call them, I'll be glad to see the back of it.

Bluevista, you are a star. It's not me on craigslist looking, I've not put out any requests so far except this one and I'm so greatful for the quick response.

The one on craigslist is in budget and looks great but with a tatty interior I would like to know how good the body is under that fresh paint. Not saying it is full of filler, just cautious.

Hi Citcapp, this is where I show my ignorance, bone stock is fine as long as its V8 but I'm not sure what the alternatives are anyway. Are we talking extras such as more chrome and nicer cloth or other things? please educate me. This brings me to a newbie question, is a coupe and a 'club' coupe the same or does 'club' mean something? Told you I was a newbie!

Well I'm a few hours ahead of you lot and its getting late so I'm off. Thanks you guys.
Stuart

 

I'm a star!

Cool that you like that car, I was just curious of what kind of coupe.

What is the difference?


It looks pretty unmolested except for the paint, the less other people have messed with it the better.
I bet it smells like 1949 inside with that original interior.

If you're serious maybe a member here who possibly lives in that area would be so generous as to check it out and get some buyer type pics.

Those are cool cars, used to think they were sort of homely but the more you look at them the better looking they get, they sort of grow on you.
Maybe it's the beer goggles though?
"I woke up with a hangover and a 1949 Oldsmobile coupe was making me breakfast and I had a ring on my finger"

 

I don't know if this '54 S88 is sill available.... $6875. And I do not know any details... nevertheless, here's the link:

http://hudsonvalley.craigslist.org/cto/1544547151.html

 

.....I'm a star!


You're something alright!!! Bet that's one of the nicer things you've been called! LOL!

Life looks good, good, good ..... Allan's got his beer goggles on....

Or.... Cause I'm married to you baby, and I don't even know your name...

 

I wish I could wake up and share breakfast with a 60 year old, wait, I mean, oh god that sounds wrong. The gap in my garage is getting me down though. I was all set to wait a good year or so till the right one came along and I still am but I like to buy knowing I've seen all on offer.
Teacherofphsics, thats a good deal on the 54. It amazes me how the values differ for different models and years. I guess its like the mustangs (dirty word on this site?) I paid half the amount on my coupe that I would neede for a fastback.
Bluevista, the idea of some local olds nut checking out a car for me was more than I could have hoped for. I've emailed the owner of the one you found, shame the location means its a long way from any port, 1250 miles from NY. Thats going to add to the cost but not sure how much. Thanks for the help.

 

You're welcome stuhes.

Never thought about the 60 year old angle?
I'll be in that position and not too many years, knock on wood.

I've had cars transported a few times but you have shipping to the shipping, more shipping when it gets there?

Just post the location and that you need a car checked out to grab their attention. People aren't always looking at all the threads and new posts get the most traffic.
I'm sure if somebody is from the area they would be glad to help, we aren't all that bad no matter what you've heard.

There is this guy Redgoat but I won't get into that.

I would be happy to look at it and be a test pilot but a little far away, anything to defeat this winter boredom and the dreaded cabin fever.
I just saw a clean '94 Roadmaster wagon is for sale about 5 miles away from me but my wife gave me the evil-eye when I mentioned it and then said two words in a stern tone "Vista Cruiser".
I've used inspection services a couple of times and saved myself a lot of grief.
We've got to watch out out for each other.
United we stand, divided we fall.

 

Well said and good point about creating a new thread to get people looking. You are right about the shipping, I'm looking at about £2,000 to import a car from the west cost or a bit less from the east coast, that includes pretty much all duty, tax etc but that goes up with higher value cars and first I have to get it to the port! Combine that with a poor exchange rate and you can see that I'm pretty dedicated to still chase this purchase.
To give you a better idea of what I'm aiming for look at this one. I was engrosed reading about the Carrera PanAmericana and Hershall McGriff and wanted to recreate his car but when I saw the colour and red rose design I went off the idea, then I saw this and knew I could follow the same understated scheme. Thats my goal.
http://www.vintagegarage.net/car_nascarolds.html Any one seen this one in the flesh?

 

How much in american dollars are you looking to spend?

 

For the right price......right citcapp?

Where do you get those heavy duty knee action shocks?

That car is cool.
Do it in black and it would really look Robert Mitchum "Thunder Road".

It wouldn't be too hard to duplicate visually with a roll bar, some vintage stickers and big 88's painted on the doors.
What other number would it be?

Here in the state of Ohio there are 88 counties Mr. Olds-mobile was born here too, more proof that OhiOlds is major Olds country.

 

Knee action shocks? am I missing something? Well I guess laying my cards on the table will help you help me as it were. In the region of 16k US is all I can strech to. Don't want a 'project' would rather have all the hard work done. Asking too much?
Can anyone recommend an inspection service that is thorough and good value? do these companies do a test drive as part of the inspection?

 

If I am not all wrong there was an ad on Craigslist in California with two or three 49/50 olds a while back, anyone know if they still are for sale? / Mike

 

Here's a fast back http://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/...98/746459.html

The coups are hard to find so far

 

Autohaus in Las Gatos, CA has had a couple of these cars in the past year. The first one was advertised on ebay several times. It was a black car and looked to be very restorable. The engine was reportedly out of the car but came with it. It had a reserve and I don't think it ever sold. They had another one recently with no reserve. It looked to be fair but would require a total restoration. I love these cars.

 

Yes I've been watching those for ages, They keep failing to meet reserve. when I first saw them I emailed him, he wanted over 50k for the restored one and I think 15k for the non runner OUCH. Seen a nice one in Orange County but the seller hasn't replied to my email. I'll try him again today. Seen that fastback before, I like the dull paint and would be tempted to leave it like that, After spending more time polishing my old Mustang than driving it I am tempted to get something I'm happy using in all conditions and don't have a heart attack when my kids want to get in. I also want a condition 1 gleaming example for next to nothing but I know thats not going to happen.

 

Welcome to CO Stuart. I think with your desire and determination and our help you will find your car eventually. I think your concept is a good one, that pale blue color on the example you showed is pretty nice, clean and sharp yet understated.

 

http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehi...AdIdZ173634761

 

http://vancouver.kijiji.ca/c-cars-ve...AdIdZ177575747

 

I think those are still on there?
Do the search all craigs and it should come up.

Hey stuhes, I like your Hong Kong Phooey avatar.

 

The 51 in our avatar is for sale larry@vintageozarks.com located in Mo.

 

Stuart: I'm a Member of the Olds Club of America (several of us on here are). I will search our national magazine, Journey With Olds classifieds, for the next couple of months to see if there are any '50's coupes for sale, and forward on the information to you (if my senior moments don't get in the way, and I forget!). I know of one 2 door business coupe w/a '57 "breathed on motor" w/A/C and 3 2 BBL carbs (great road car, incidentally) that sold for $22,000 (American). He was asking $26K to begin with. A really nicely done, completed car. Actually, I just re-opened the current issue (January 2010) of the JWO and the following ad is listed:
"1950 88 2dr sedan - 53K miles w/recent upgrades, far too many to list, plexiglass hood. Also 1901 Curve Dash Replica, just finished frameoff, 12V with remote start, etc. With trailer $38,000. Bob Sutiner, Justice, IL (708) 430-0125". Total price is for all of it. The picture shown w/the ad is a really nice looking car. Not trying to sell it for him, just letting you know pricing/availability.
Aron

 

Does the mean looking dog and old baseball bat come with the 4 door from Toronto?I wouldn't go and look at that one on my own! I'm overwhelmed by your help so far. I'm only after a coupe even though it will cost more as I've seen some real good deals on 4 door sedans but I love the long boot (sorry, trunk) on the coupe. Not seen any more on craigslist, some rust on the black coupe found by Bluevista and the work required puts me off a bit. I'm not skilled enough to restore it myself so need the best I can get within my budget. Thanks Aron for keeping a look out on JWO, that will be a big help.

 

sent you a PM & e mail Larry 51 Olds

 

If you diddnt get mail e mail me & I will send you a link Larry larry@vintageozarks.com

 

sent you a e mail if you diddnt get it let me know & i will send you a link The 51 in our avitar is for sale send a e mail larry@vintageozarks.com Larry

 

Thanks for the pictures Larry. That car is a real beauty. I'm sure some one will treasure it but I'm affraid I can't be tempted away from the sporty shape of the bubble top coupe. If you come accross one please let me know.