Hi guy,s
I,m new to this forum , and would like to ask if any off you could point me in a direction.
I have the oppertunity to buy a 1966 Olds 88 , 4 door , and need some input.

Th Car is a 1966 , 2 owner car here in Georgia, and seems in very fair condition , it has not been molested in any major way that i can see, and starts and runs very well

The only problems with the car are
The Headliner is totally rotten/destroyed
The A/C makes a seriously bad noise if you engage it
has a very few rust spots,
The Car was repainted many years ago, and has been sitting for a long time

New tires, shocks, exhaust,wires, engine tune up ,new rad and hoses

Could any off you guys point me to a site for advice on the car , or possibly new/used parts ?

If anyone wants to see some pics off the car , I,ll post some later

Many Thanks

 

Welcome. You've come to the right place for info and help.

The headliner is pretty easy to replace. On these cars it is a stitched cloth headliner and is held up with sewn-in wire rods that fit into holes in the inner roof structure. I don't know if repro headliners are available for four doors, but any good upholstery shop should be able to sew up a new one.

The A/C noise sounds like a compressor or compressor clutch problem. Replacement parts are available from pretty much any auto parts store. Unless this car has been converted from R12 to R134 freon previously, you'll likely want to do this when you replace the compressor or clutch.

New parts are hard to come by. Used parts are available. There are few reproduction parts for four doors since this is a less popular body style, but engine, trans, and chassis parts are readily available.

 

I took some general shots off the Car last night


http://www.deep-south.org/photogalle...smobile/album/

any thoughts would be welcome

Paul

 

As long as the price is in your estimation reasonable, and you like the car, buy it. You are looking at very minor wear for a car that is 10 years old much less 42. the ding in the front lip of the fender might take a little time to work out, but over all it looks like an easy project that you can enjoy while you build it your way. IMHO that is what it is all about. This is not your daily driver, this is a hobby. It should reflect your personality. Good luck with your new toy, and congrats on the find

 

I agree with csstrux, if you think it's a fair price go for it. I've got a 66 Jetstar 88 2 dr and I love it. Took a little getting use to driving something that big, but worth it.

Oh yeah, the car looks in better shape than mine! Nice find.

Don

 

Thanks for the comments,
I think I will go ahead and buy the car,
I don,t have years off experience off restoration , so this one may be a learning curve.

As you said it,s not a Daily Driver, but a hobby , I can take time over, and learn, I just have to decide what route to take, stay totally stock origional , or make it my own .

lol
I may be looking for a Divorce Lawyer,
AS we have 6 other cars between myself and the wife
2 x Mazda Miata,s, 91 an 92
1 x VW Cabrio 99
1 x Dodge D50 Pickup 87
1 x Geo Tracker (Customised) 94
1 x Ford Thunderbird 95

........Dont ask me how it happened.....it just did

 

Acme Auto Headlining
550 W 16th St.
Long Beach, CA 90813-1510
(562) 437-0061

Norm

 

Get it man! I picked up my first classic (a 65 Ninety Eight) recently, and being able to work on the car is a blast. Here's a tip on gettin that old enamel paint to look good...1. Good wash 2. Clay bar system 3. Polish 4. Few coats of wax and she'll look like a different car. Have fun, and the guys on this board are super helpful!

 

Looked at the pictures....It could be a driver as is and can be a fun car...To bring it back to as new condition will be rather expensive.....upholstery, paint, body work, mechanicals, etc. It should be a labor of love. If it is not it will be a chore and the project will go stale. If you do restore the car you will have more $$ into it than you will be able to sell it for even if you got the car for free. The 425 engine and Turbo 400 trans are stout units and hold up well. Good Luck and enjoy the ride!

 

Now there's "comon Thread"

If you haven't let your wife and kids miss at least one meal because you bought Olds parts.................You ain't much of a fan.

 

I knew the Second owner off the car, it was my wifes uncle,s BABY,
he bought it from owner 1, in I think 84, and did a ton off work and spent major money on her.
Before he passed a couple off years ago he sold it to his son, who now NEEDS to sell it.
I have made the call an commited to buy her, and cant wait to get started.

I,m not under any time preassure to work on the car , my plan is to take small steps at a time and just enjoy working on it

I would rather have this car as a Weekend Driver , an not go the Fully Restored Trailer Queen route, affraid to take it out to drive

My Boss is all for it an has offered to help me , as he,s a Mopar Nut an a Gas Head , lol (he just picked up a new SRT8 Challenger to go with his Dodge Viper Engined Pickup!!!)

 

Maybe you boss could help you by handing you tools when you change the oil. Other than that I doubt he is enough of a GEARHEAD to handle an Oldsmobile. It's AWSOME MIGHT would porbably make him cry.

Welcome. Cool car!

 

My secret is that the third wife has her own very expensive hobby (horses), so she can't say much about mine. Plus, the fact that her hobby requires a farm with lots of space for cars isn't a bad thing either.

 

Very Good I like that
I tried the argument
"If you buy all these shoes, why cant I buy Cars ?"...........SILENCE

The Boss man Is actually a damm good wrencher , does all his own stuff , and Sprays , handy skill to have , and maybe take advantage off when the time is right .
Completly Mopar Mad though .....

This was My last Project, bought a bit rough, as MY Daily Driver, when I was done it Magically turned into HER Daily Driver .....go figure

 

I Second ( wife ) THAT !

 

Quick question folks
What size/bolt pattern am I going to be looking for for a nice set off wheels for The 66 Dynamic 88

 

I think it's 5X5.5

 

I thought 5 X 5"

Don

 

I had a wife like that once but I successfully ran her off.

Her Motto was,

"If the shoe fits....................................buy it."

 

Correct.

 

Sorry to keep asking Questions Guy,s
But , Have any off you installed a new Headliner in your cars Yourself ?

I see from trolling the net you can order custom made headliner,s
but I dont think there is anywhere around here that Install,s or even does Headliners.

Anyway
I would rather do as much work to the Car Myself as I can,
Just want the satisfaction of knowing it,s my own work...

Paul

 

Oh ,
By the way , has anyone recomendations on where to get nice rally,s that will fit the 66, Dynamic 88

 

Most any upholstery shop, at least in my area does headliners. I had one done last year for my Sfire...was somewhat pricey in my opinion....700 bucks....may be an easy job....dont really know but its not my thing so I shelled out the bucks...looks very nice too!....They even had a book with samples showing GM and 1966 styles. They ordered a perfect match.

 

Looks good. I like it

 

Just been on Flea Bay , an bought a shop manual for the Car
Hope i got the right CD , lol

Think I,ll go pick the Old Girl up tomorrow or Sat
an get down to work

 

I called a local upholstery shop at lunch , but the guy that does the pricing was at lunch , lol
Told me to call back in 30 mins , but of course by the time I got back to work
I was flat out and never got near a phone, guess it,ll be Monday.

I have been reading posts till i,m cross eyed, he he
found some very useful info thanks guys

I,ve ordered a few catalogs , from places , now just waiting on them
I plan to go to the local , Rim Shop Monday , see what kind off a deal he can do , on some nice rims , I,ll print a pic out I found on the board off the style i,m after an let him look to see what he can come up with.
I,ll not know for sure till I get her home , but i,m Assuming , she has 14 inch rims ?, right ? with a 5x5 spacing
How wide Can you go without causing problems on the front, turning an rubbing ?

Since I haven,t got the Car home yet , I,m unsure off the Radio Situation,
I LOVE my Music , and will want a good system in the car
Can or have any off you installed Door Speakers/shelf Speakers?
Is there a prefered place in the door to avoid window problems ?

I know , I know
I,m like a Kid in a Candy Store !!!
I can FEEL the $$$$$ starting to slip away, but hey, It,s an Oldsmobile Right , to Hell with the cash!!!!!

 

Oh an before I forget,
I,ve ordered some Auolsol metal Polish on line
I used it in the UK for years it,s just GREAT stuff ,
It should bring that chrome to life in no time flat

Brought a set off rims I had bought off a burned car back to a mirror finish in a couple off hours, great stuff