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I posted about this car in my introduction post back in January and it is now mine. Here's the story and pics.
I have had a few Oldsmobiles over the years, but am mainly into 67-72 Chevy trucks, however I enjoy and love most vintage vehicles. Several years ago I was riding my motorcycle in Southern IL and noticed a 72 C20 sinking in a yard. After asking around, I found out who owned it and knocked on the door. The lady told me that it was her husband's truck and he had died in 1979. It only had 25,000 miles on it but sitting out was hard on it. Nonetheless she went on to tell me that she has a 1957 Chevy Bel Air 2 door hardtop (black with red interior) that she had bought new when she was 19, a 1968 Olds 98, a 1967 Olds Delmont and a 1968 Impala. She wasn't interested in selling any of them but she gave me her number and said it was OK to call. So I kept in touch (I live 5 hours away from her), and eventually she agreed to sell the truck to me. The day I went to pick it up, I saw her 57 Chevy hiding in a shed that was falling down, last licensed in 1977. Eventually she did get it moved to a better garage before it fell in on the car, thankfully..
She said she's get tired of driving one car, park it and get another. That's why she had so many sitting around.
On to the Oldsmobiles. On another visit, I was able to see the 1968 98 that was sitting in an old garage as well as the 67 Delmont (and the 68 Impala). A couple of years after that she said she would sell me the 98. I knew little about it other than she said it ran fine when parked. I could only see the driver's side and the back because of how it was parked in the garage but figured I'd chance it and that it would be a fun adventure. Unfortunately she passed away suddenly last summer, but her family said they would still sell me the car (she was a widow as I mentioned and had no children - only two nieces). After all of estate was settled, the niece and I made a deal.
I picked the car up a few weeks ago and thankfully the tires aired up and we were able to roll it out. The owner's manual, warrantee information and the protecto-plate were all in the glovebox along with the original window sticker and the registration papers from every year. She and her husband had bought it in 1974 and they were the second owners. It had around 76,000 miles when they bought it and it has 82,671 on it now. The dealer that sold the car new (no longer there) was one block from the garage where it has sat for all these years. Also the oil change sticker on the door states that on 3-16-79 it had an oil change when it had 82,656 miles on it - it only has 82,671 miles on it now. Fifteen miles since 1979. They changed the oil and basically parked it. The oil is still clear on the dipstick.
The interior is moldy and smelly, but otherwise in nice shape and it appears to have no rust other than a little on the surface where the paint has chipped. I have pulled the plugs and am currently oiling the cylinders before I try to turn it over by hand.
I noticed that 455Dave has a beautiful 1968 98 2 door that he restored, white with a black vinyl top. This car is the same except his interior in black and mine is aqua colored.
Thanks for listening.
Here's a bunch of pics to try to tell the story. First of the truck that started it all (before and after) as well as the other cars.
Thanks for the great story. Sorry to her she passed. You did an excellent clean up job. I love seeing cars go to the right people. Way to go. Oldsmobile on!!
Congrats, it really looks like a nice solid car! Let me know I can help. I went through the “waking up from a long sleep” on my LS. Just a couple of things I learned. By-pass the fuel return line if you start it from a remote gas jug. My tank was dry (full of 1979 dried fuel sludge) and I didn’t think about running the fuel through the return and making a slurry of new and old fuel in the tank. It would have been easier to clean out if it were still dry inside. Also, my interior was so mildewed and moldy you could smell it from inside the house. Lots of cleaning and dismantling got rid of the smell…it can be done. Look forward to seeing more of your car! Dave
455Dave - this car also is so smelly that you can smell it from a distance. Any tips on cleaning the interior in terms of products that won't damage anything? i plan on removing the seats, carpet, door panels, etc. and getting it all clean before reassembly. Probably replacing the carpet, but we'll see.
The plastic glove box door hinge is broken, but I can't find a replacement. Do you know of a source for that hinge?
Thanks for the great story. Sorry to her she passed. You did an excellent clean up job. I love seeing cars go to the right people. Way to go. Oldsmobile on!!
I suggest a strong solution of Simple Green to clean the interior. It isn't caustic and has a pleasant scent. If Simple Green, water and a nylon brush don't work you can always go to a more caustic cleaner.
July 23rd, 2021, 06:54 PM
