Well I deal was made tonight on this car. It will take a while to get started on it but this one is gonna make my 66 look like junk.

IMG_0208.jpg?t=1359432544

 

Congrats on this one. I love 54's. Plans?

 

I vote for a full floater, and 1 big zoomie pipe in that open space in the front fenders behind the wheels.

 

Use your mechanical skills and make it Olds powered. don't cheap out and go
chubby.
dare to be different.

Gene

 

cool..

 

If this is gonna put the '66 to shame, then I'm gonna bookmark this link and check it regularly.

 

Congratulations on the find, Richard! Know that with your outstanding talent, that is going to end up being a fantastic automobile! better than the one you sold two years ago? Hard to believe, but bet it will be!

 

You must have me confused with someone else. Just because I support someone's right to build a car any way they can does not mean I follow the crowd. I would never put a BBC / SBC in something like this and although a LS would be tempting its been done so much its boring already to me. If I was building a racecar I might go that rought but not for this car.

Short term clean it up , get it running, drop it , add big in little chrome 15" wheels and white walls and drive it.

Long term complete restoration of the body leaving most or all of the trim. Mild custom treatments outside stock type two tone above the 1/4 moulding. Bigger custom wheels, big brakes, custom suspension. I know what I want to do powertrain wise but I'll save that for a later time after I look a little more in to the feasability of what I want to do.

HAHA

it will be I'm stoked

I will be a while. Got to get some things off my plate first but it will be worth the wait if it come together as well as it is in my head

We will see. I spouted off now I guess I have to make good on my words.

 

Hmm, you should trade Brian for his 54 Chevy. Car looks pretty decent body only appears to have light surface rust. How is the frame?

 

Why would I do that?

 

Sounds like a cool project Richard. Let the midlife crisis begin.

 

Love it - looks to be in good shape

Dad had a '54 when I was a kid - remember riding in the back seat - was so quiet you didn't know it was running

 

Yikes...the ink is probably not even dry on the paperwork and the car is probably not in his garage yet and there is talk of him trading it. LOL! No Way!!!! I want to see what he does with this one! Maybe I'll get my own 54 one day and then I'll have a lot of ideas from watching Richard. Richard was nice enough to send me a link on a 54 2 door sedan that is a very nice clean car. And if I wasn't getting ready to spend a bunch of money on the house I may be seriously thinking about that one.

Brian

 

Richard,
How about a DX Olds diesel with a turbo, or a Duramax diesel ?
Maybe an IH power-stroke, I don't know about that one.


That would be way different.

Gene

 

Love your work and everyone knows my enthusiasm over 50's era cars, but what turned you on to a 54?, seems most people are either muscle car guys/ girls or they are classic car people few I know are both, inquiring minds want to know......Tedd

 

Well Richard, 64Rocket kind of stole my thunder, but I am thinking, maybe a 425 twin turbo....

 

Welcome to the 50's Richard. Knowing your skill level and your desire to seek perfection is going to make this a thread to watch in the future. Gook luck

 

Yall are on the right track but I'm more looking at fuel injected 324,371,394 with twins

 

I just happen to know where a Hilborn injector setup is hiding for a 394, my ex brother in law had it on a dirt track car back in the 60's. I was sorta keeping it a secrete till I needed it but if you are interested I would ask if he wanted to sell it.....Tedd

 

Thanks I have liked late40-50's Olds cars since I was a kid and about 5 yeas ago I started really thinking about building one. I first I was not sure what year but about a year ago 54 became the target. It has the frowny face / catfish look in the front of the early cars with the more square body of the 55/56. I also like the square rear wheel opening as opposed to the tear drop shape.

Thanks but I am going to have to recover from the purchase before I start sinking money in to parts.

 

Even cooler......

 

It won't need much... it already has the cool factor.

 

So a little bit of 54' news....

I wanted to see my vison on paper long before I start work on the project. That way I can change things around to make it perfect before the final product is completed. There are a lot of professional artists out there but the one whos work I like the best is Ben Hermance. Click on the link and check out some examples of his work. So last night as a first step I contacted Ben to see how much I need to start saving up. It must be fate because turns last year he was commissioned to do a 54 Olds for someone else and they never followed through. He made me an offer I could not refuse to take over the work and make the changes I want for my ideas. I am very excited to be able to work with Ben on this project.

 

His renderings are incredibly lifelike. He must be a Photoshop guru. Love to see what he comes up with for your project Richard. Did you pick a color combo yet?

 

Richard, Ben wouldn't be the guy who just moved to GA, is he? The one building the G body wagon.....I think working at Bulldawg....

 

Giant smile was on my face all afternoon.

Its in even better shape than I expected.

 

Few more. A bath will do it wonders.

 

\

I think The one I am working with is in Wisconsin.

 

Richard,

Congrats on welcoming the newest member of your family!! It looks like most of it is there and it sure looks nice and solid. Looking forward to seeing what you do with it. Oh...and I hope your face is feeling better as I imagine it's a little sore from walking around with a big smile on it.

Brian

 

Now the fun begins. Looks straight body wise

 

Call Ross Racing Engines and Build/Stroke that 324!

 

I'm jealous....

 

We did our '54 as a reasonably original restoration, but as we were working on it, I kept envisioning a restomod. I'll be watching to see what you do with yours. Love the car! Good luck with the project!

 

Congrats Richard. I will make time to come over and see this one. I am betting this will be the best thread on here. No doubt it will be longer than Rob's interior thread.

 

Many congrats - hope to see this one soon!

 

HAHA I am still grinning ear to ear this morning. Putting a few things for sale tonight to help get things rolling faster.

Very solid and straight

You are on the right track with my plans

HAHA don't hate

Thank you. I will be a slow process but will be worth watching. I have wanted a full feature in a national magazine since I was a little kid. If this one does not get me that nothing will.

You keep treatening to come over but I am still holding my breath

Thanks man. Since you know so much about these I may pick your brain from time to time.

 

Congrats Richard on your new baby. I love your way of thinking. My vote would be for the 394. It seems like parts are a little easier to find and I am really impressed with the power in my '64 Dynamic with the 2 BBL. I picked up a spare engine and slim Jim trans for $45 on Fleabay. Good luck with your sale and thanks for sharing your build with us.

 

Thanks I can't wait to get going on it. I just have to force myself to be patient until the time is right.

 

Thats great! Love it!
click V
EarlyOlds2.jpg

 

That's sweet man.