I am starting this thread early. There are 3 or 4 people here that know what I am getting. Lets keep a lid on it till I pick it up. I will be traveling from Brazil Indiana to Montana to pick up an Oldsmobile. This thread will be the adventure to bring it home with a 4000 mile trip. I started off with truck maintenance. Changed the engine oil, transfer case fluid and transmission fluid, topped off the differential oils and changed the shocks. I removed the back seat for more room. Has the big 8.1 gas engine and Allison transmission! I love these trucks!

We don't leave for a few weeks but I have lots to do till then. I hope to keep this updated along our trip and getting ready. I need to work on my trailer and the winch next.

 

Following along. Seems I saw a W up that way for sale sometime back on social media.....
Just kidding, taking the wife as well? I bet it's going to be a good one for that kind of traveling, be safe.

 

Eric, I figured it was a "car trip". Is it a 215 powered car ?

 

Safe travels. Looking forward to seeing your next project. Be careful, there is a bear in your driveway.

Don W

 

Yes, my wife is going with me. For the price of shipping we decided to make a full vacation out of it and go get it ourselves. We will stay a few days at Glacier National park while we are out there.

Sorry, not giving hints like 215 power or W car.

Yes Don, his name is bear also.

I will say that it is not a car I would typically be interested in. There is a reason why I am now and will explain that later.

 

Great looking, well kept truck! Mid 90's?

 

I'l be in Great Falls Aug 18-26, in case that's near where you're headed and if I can do anything to assist.

 

2002. I just got it earlier this year. My last truck was the same thing and had it for 15 years. Best trucks I ever owned.

 

Thanks, We will be north of there in early September.

 

Good idea rolling a vacation to site see while getting the car home! I'll be following, hoping for a save uneventful trip Eric! John

 

Wishing you & family a great trip. Haven’t made it to Glacier National Park yet, but hope too. Once you decide to go public, please share car & trip pictures so we can enjoy vicariously.

I recall very, very well your car from Dayton. Top notch work! As complex as that system was (and is) I couldn’t imagine what more could have been done to bring it to factory spec.

Part of me hopes you’re aiming at another 215, part of me hopes an exotic-ish Olds big block just to see what you can do anew with your attention to quality & detail.

Carry on and good hunting!
Chris

 

Good luck on your trip! It’s always fun to go pick up a car. Best vacation ever.

and glacier national is amazing! I spent a few days at Hidden Lake shooting photos with the new for then Lincoln Navigator.

 

Thank you. I very much enjoy restoring cars. This one will get restored to some level but till I get it home I am not sure to what level. My issue is that I can't afford this hobby so the final product has to be worth at minimum what I have in it. This one I am picking up I plan to keep for a few years after it is done but I know I will eventually sell it to be able to restore the next one. I have to weigh what the final value would be for it in nice restored condition verses what it would be for concourse level and then do the work accordingly.

 

Enjoy your trip.
Remember there is value in the enjoyment of working on and driving the vehicle. Even if you spend a little more than you'll get out of it, you got enjoyment out of using it. Many forget that part.

 

I typically enjoy building them more than driving them actually. If I don't get enough out of one then I can't do the next one no matter how much I enjoy it. If I were to just enjoy driving them, I would sell them all and buy another 1991 Quad 442 W-41. It was the most fun driving Oldsmobile I ever had.

 

x2 on that. I have to say, my 1991 Calais Int'l Series with the H/O Quad 4 and the manual 5 speed was the most fun driving Oldsmobile I ever had for sure.

 

I really wish they would have used the International series for the W-41 package. For sure fun driving cars.

 

I absolutely love my '01 2500HD 8.1! I picked it up a few years back with only 66K miles. Pulls my Roadracing hobby C5Z with minimal effort. Only about 8 to 10 mpg but I didn't buy it for fuel economy . Have a safe journey.

 

Nice! I assume you have the 4.10 gears? I have the 3.73 gears. I get 10 MPG on the highway pulling and 13 with no trailer and empty. I had may last 8.1 for 15 years and loved that truck so much. It took me 2 years to find another one like it with the same options and rust free. I have zero desire to own a modern diesel and no matter how you figure it, these are cheaper even with the lower MPG.

 

My money is on a Bravada for one of his girls.

 

If anyone needs 61-63 parts or 215 engine parts and lives along this route, I could bring them with me... I will post this in the parts for sale.

 

Now that's a road trip! Safe travels. Curious what you're picking up...

 

My next restoration I hope. I have to get it home and evaluate what level of restoration I will do. I "think" it will be a major restoration but yet to be determined. Stay tuned. I will post it when it is sitting on my trailer in Montana.

 

Wow! Thats a road trip for sure.
North Dakota looks like a good cruise control state.

 

Trailer maintenance is done and starting to load up. I had this trailer severely overloaded earlier this year and the tires got really hot. I was not sure if I wanted to trust the tires but not had any troubles with them since that happened. I decided to run them but did pick up two spares to have on hand.

Now I am loading up all the parts I presold. I posted my route a few places to see if anyone wanted parts delivered that were to large or heavy to ship. Well, I sold an engine, front suspension setup and trunk lid for the 61-63 cars across three different stops. I have sold enough to cover all my gas for the trip. I am so ready for this trip and two weeks away from work.

 

Eric, we always second guess ourselves when loading and what to take for spare parts.
One suggestion I have would be to lump as much together as a clump and run a ratchet strap around it, then strap down to the trailer. Pack things as low as possible to have smooth air flow and prevent an air dam.

 

Leaving at 5:00 AM. I am far more excited about the trip than the car but if not for the car the trip would not be happening. I have needed a really good vacation for a long time. This will be a fantastic adventure. Also get to meet other 61-63 people on this trip that I have talked to for a long time.

 

Sending a prayer with you ENJOY!!

 

Sounds like an awesome trip!!!
look forward to seeing the new ride.

I didn’t see your route, but if you happen to roll through southern Mn, I’m south of Minneapolis in case you need any help or lunch…..
Eric

 

Thank you! I have been praying myself for safe travels and that my girls at home are safe. Today went flawless.

 

Thank you. We went around the north side of Minneapolis today.

 

Left the house at 5:17 AM (Brazil Indiana) and just got in the hotel at Bismarck ND at 9:00 PM my time at home, 8:00 PM here. 1054 miles. Most I ever went in one day. Stopped in Wisconsin and dropped off a trunk lid for a 1961-2 F-85. 110 miles later dropped off an aluminum 215 engine and a Jetfire sway bar. I am pooped! Many more hours to go tomorrow!

Sadly, the first picture did not turn out so well. The sun was coming up behind us and looked great in the mirror, Just can't tell in a picture.

 

Eric, you made good time. The tedious driving will start tomorrow. You have the big miles behind you.

 

Made really good time today. We stopped at Havre Montana for a short wile. I had a Great Uncle die in a plane crash in November 1966 just south of this town. Before I was born but still was worth a stop. We are staying in Shelby Montana for a couple days.

I pick up the car tomorrow!

 

Eric, get rested tonight before you start the next phase of your trip.

 

For sure! I am pooped and really glad I went as far as I did yesterday. Made today much easier. Tomorrow should not be difficult getting the car and back to the hotel. I should be able to relax most all day tomorrow. The little work I am doing dealing with the car will feel more like playing, lol. I am sure when I have it back at the hotel I will be looking it over and planning in my head. I will post pictures tomorrow evening.

 

They are never in the condition you hope them to be in and this is no different. Still a great next restoration project!

 

"X" marks the spot. Nice score! Safe travels home.

Don W

 

Awesome W-30! Congrats!

 

Wow 4 speed X code convertible.
Beautiful! Arguably one of the greatest Oldsmobiles ever, certainly a pinnacle for 1972 (perhaps tied with an X code H/O conv)


With optional mud flaps!