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So I am planning on a totally new interior, as it is pretty ratty. I wanted to see what the floor pan looked like, in case it was rusted or another problem that I was not aware of. I also wanted to make sure that all fasteners were easily removable for the interior guy. I found that the front seat belt bolts were the worst to get out. I pulled front and rear seats and back, both rear side panels, to where I could get to the window operator hardware. They were very difficult to operate, so I lubed them up, and they are so much better now.
Floor pan was in great shape. Very little rust. This did get me down to where the hydraulic cylinders are easily accessible. It is tempting to buy new ones as the old ones are leaking a little. I’m not a big fan of Convertibles, but I can say for sure, they sure make working on the interior easy, with regard to headroom and ducking into the car.
The color of the floor steel closely matches Rustoleum primer, so I’ll touch up with that.
The rear window access panels were just stamped steel, with no paint at all on them. Lightly rusted. I’m gonna prime them I think
This silver colored thing is in center of back, behind the seat. Still don’t know the purpose of it?
Paper towel left over from another service effort?
These lower convertible top bracket bolts were all just started in, and never tightened down.
Top of the left hydraulic cylinder shows signs of leaking.
Like Patton said, that silver tower is the "vent" for the "ventless" fuel system. Basically a big air buffer to allow the tank to be vented to another reservoir, but not be vented to atmosphere. I think there are tubes with sponges in them running up it.
Ah, makes sense. Its been awhile (30 yrs) since I redid the interior of my '70 C/S 'vert, which apparently didn't get this thing. Now that I look closer at the pic, I see this is looking back towards the trunk, I was thinking it was from the trunk looking towards the interior. Either way, seems strange to route fuel vent lines into the interior. Or is this thing sealed off from the interior and the venting occurs from underneath?
Ah, makes sense. Its been awhile (30 yrs) since I redid the interior of my '70 C/S 'vert, which apparently didn't get this thing. Now that I look closer at the pic, I see this is looking back towards the trunk, I was thinking it was from the trunk looking towards the interior. Either way, seems strange to route fuel vent lines into the interior. Or is this thing sealed off from the interior and the venting occurs from underneath?
Yes, it looks to be pretty well sealed up at the base. Glad you gentlemen replied back. I was thinking of doing an investigative removal, but knowing what it is, I think I will just leave it be.
A wash and wax may make your ^^^ car look pretty good. I have settled on a repaint for mine. Being an Arizona car, the Sheetmetal looks great. Very little rust anywhere, but that AZ Sun pretty well cooked the paint.
i bought two new cylinders and a hose set for the vert top. Just finished that today. Just don’t want to have leaks or a blown hose to mess with after doing a complete new interior. Carpet and door panels are back ordered from OPGI. Late November delivery I hope! I have the rear seat armrest and side panel material in hand and will start that work while waiting.
I did find and install an original AM radio too.
I’ll need to deal with the imitation walnut plastic overlay at a later date. But the radio, and new front and rear speakers are in and working.
A wash and wax may make your ^^^ car look pretty good. I have settled on a repaint for mine. Being an Arizona car, the Sheetmetal looks great. Very little rust anywhere, but that AZ Sun pretty well cooked the paint.
i bought two new cylinders and a hose set for the vert top. Just finished that today. Just don’t want to have leaks or a blown hose to mess with after doing a complete new interior. Carpet and door panels are back ordered from OPGI. Late November delivery I hope! I have the rear seat armrest and side panel material in hand and will start that work while waiting.
I did find and install an original AM radio too.
I’ll need to deal with the imitation walnut plastic overlay at a later date. But the radio, and new front and rear speakers are in and working.
The speaker in my car is located behind rear backrest cushion, right side. It faces rearward. Attached with two shoulder bolts that stand it off the supporting structure just a little. Blue wire under the carpet goes to the firewall and radio. I can see it when I open the trunk, now that I know where to look.
I do not know if a rear speaker is a factory option? I want to think that it was? Because I also think that there were several radio options. Just regular AM, AM with front and rear fader, FM mono, and true FM stereo. Perhaps a wiser forum member can clarify?
Viewed from front passenger area. Blue wire visible. Close up view Viewed from front driver side
Welcome to those vintage years of rear speakers in convertibles. The rear speaker in both my '68 & '69 4-4-2 convertibles is in the same spot, OK when the top is up but inaudible when the top is down. Rear speaker was an option (U80) through those years , as was AM (U63), AM-FM mono (U69), and AM-FM stereo ((U58 starting with the '69 model year) for A-body cars. My '68 has AM-FM mono with the rear speaker which is nice because you get full sound from both speakers so that, if the top is down, you still get full sound. My '69 is AM-FM stereo, though, so when the top is down you only get half the sound because the rear speaker is so muffled it can't be heard!
The fact that those lower convertible top brackets weren't tightened makes me wonder if you have a Fremont car. I've heard from former Oldsmobile dealership owners and workers that the quality control at the Fremont assembly plant wasn't that great and I certainly saw that with my '69 when I went through it.
The rear window access panels on mine were the same - no paint.
You have a great looking car and a fun and solid project to work on. It will be a beauty! Enjoy!
Randy C.
'68 4-4-2 convertible (Lansing build, Best Of Class 13B, 2011 OCA Nationals)
'69 4-4-2 convertible (Fremont build, a nice driver)
Welcome to those vintage years of rear speakers in convertibles. The rear speaker in both my '68 & '69 4-4-2 convertibles is in the same spot, OK when the top is up but inaudible when the top is down. Rear speaker was an option (U80) through those years , as was AM (U63), AM-FM mono (U69), and AM-FM stereo ((U58 starting with the '69 model year) for A-body cars. My '68 has AM-FM mono with the rear speaker which is nice because you get full sound from both speakers so that, if the top is down, you still get full sound. My '69 is AM-FM stereo, though, so when the top is down you only get half the sound because the rear speaker is so muffled it can't be heard!
The fact that those lower convertible top brackets weren't tightened makes me wonder if you have a Fremont car. I've heard from former Oldsmobile dealership owners and workers that the quality control at the Fremont assembly plant wasn't that great and I certainly saw that with my '69 when I went through it.
The rear window access panels on mine were the same - no paint.
You have a great looking car and a fun and solid project to work on. It will be a beauty! Enjoy!
Randy C.
'68 4-4-2 convertible (Lansing build, Best Of Class 13B, 2011 OCA Nationals)
'69 4-4-2 convertible (Fremont build, a nice driver)
Thanks Randy for clarifying the radio options. I was driving today with top up and it sounded amazingly good for AM radio. I had the drivers window clear down at 60 mph and was surprised to see that wind through the open window was minimal. Good encouragement from you, Thanks!
i am gearing up to paint it in spring,I think. Probably my last adventure in the world of auto painting. I think the color is Matador Red? And I will probably do base clear as my garage is a semi clean environment and not to the level of single stage paint quality. Definitely plan on driving it a lot.
Great info on the speakers thanks… always wanted the rear speaker since I bought my car in 1982, but I dont know why lol for my lowly base AM radio. ✌️
Originally Posted by OLdGreenPaint
Thanks Randy for clarifying the radio options. I was driving today with top up and it sounded amazingly good for AM radio. I had the drivers window clear down at 60 mph and was surprised to see that wind through the open window was minimal. Good encouragement from you, Thanks!
i am gearing up to paint it in spring,I think. Probably my last adventure in the world of auto painting. I think the color is Matador Red? And I will probably do base clear as my garage is a semi clean environment and not to the level of single stage paint quality. Definitely plan on driving it a lot.
