I started this thread kinda late. I've already got the car apart,but I'll show what I have done so far and try to keep it updated.
I saw this car on E-bay in Nov of 2011 and it was listed with a starting bid of $299. It was located in New Mexico. I was looking for one after having another one several years ago as a daily driver. My wife and I were squabbling over it for a couple of days when it disappeared from E-bay!
I contacted the member who listed it and asked why it was removed.
He said that someone had offered him $300 for the bumpers alone! He said that he was going to part out the rest of the car!
I told him it was really a shame to waste a good rust-free New Mexico body.
He agreed and I offered him $300 for the rest of the car. He said that he thought he could get more than that parting it out. I then asked him what he wanted for it and he said "$500". I said, "I'll send you a check".
After screwing around with Interstate Auto Movers for almost 3 months it was finally delivered to me in Fla. on Jan 17,2012.
The following pics were the ones from E-bay

 

This is what it looked like on Feb 17 after stripping the trim, windows, and interior.

 

These were taken Mar 6th . The last one shows the shop vac which I filled twice with red New Mexico dust from every cavity of the body.

 

These were from Mar 29th. As the dash was removed and disassembled.

 

These pics were taken on Apr 21. The body is ready for sandblasting. Almost!
This is where work kinda halted as there was neither time nor money to continue. However, I have recently retired so I am busy polishing up much of the chrome trim, (which only needs polish to make it look like new,(gosh, I love New Mexico cars!) And soon disassembly of individual components such as the heater and A/C etc. I still need money, but that may be coming soon.

 

We should all be so lucky to find a rust free car cheap. Looking forward to seeing more on this car.

Bottom line $300 was cheap for those bumpers. Rust free rear cores alone generally go for considerably more than that.

 

I just found a sweet deal ! A complete rebuilt 63 394 Starfire engine (minus the camshaft?) for $2900 + shipping.
It was left abandoned at a machine shop after the car was sold without it.
Lack of cam was OK as I was thinking of purchasing a custom one from Ross Racing Engines.
Anybody have any ideas as to cam specs? I plan on running three large
rochester 2bbls on an offy manifold, stock exhaust with turbo mufflers, and MSD ignition. I might also see if Brezezinski can do anything with the stock manifolds.
I plan on driving the car daily, with an occasional pass down the dragstrip, so I don't want anything too radical.
Also does anybody have, or know where to get, Rhodes lifters in the .941 diameter? New or used are OK.

 

I thought I'd show a few photos of my shop. I'm in a 15X50 industrial warehouse. Rent is high, but, I don't have any irate neighbors to deal with!

 

I just drove the "golden spike" today! I removed the last part off the body shell. It was the spare tire hold down bolt from the trunk. (first pic)
The only external rust through on the body was a small hole the size of the end of a pencil, in the left rear wheelwell. (2nd pic) Gosh! I love New Mexico cars!
I've spent most of last week cleaning all the gum,sealer, caulking,dirt,loose rust and debris from the body before sandblasting.
Saves the blaster time, me $$$$$.
This car must have been driven by a roofer at one time. The dropoffs on either side of the trunk contained over 100 roofing nails.
The last pic is not a dry NM riverbed. It was taken from inside the quarter panel just to make sure those areas were clean.

 

I'm a bit eccentric, I name my cars. I usually name my cars after the former owner. The name Susan Hickman was on the title. Hence, "Suzy"
Suzy is a little bit like "Christine" (did you ever see a movie called "Christine" about a kid that fixes up a haunted '58 Plymouth?)
Well, Suzy can "grow" new parts too! The thing she can't do is straighten out the dents in her body by herself. Henry The Bodyman will have to take care of that part of her makeover!

 

I spent the last several days cleaning the tar out of the body seams. What a job!
VIN and body plates were covered by gorilla tape.
An old carpet comes in handy when working on the floor.
Nuts and bolts are stored in old coffee cans.

 

I forgot to post pics yesteday of the VIN and body plates.
It's very important to protect these plates when sandblasting! Why?
Because, It's a federal crime to remove or alter them!
I put two layers of Gorilla tape on them, overlappng them by 1/2 in.
When the blasing is done I'll trim around the plates with an X-acto knife and hand sand up to the plate.
The body plate will be scuffed and shot with chassis black. And the VIN plate will be polished with Blue Lightning Metal Polish.

 

That looks like a solid body. My 63 was not that straight when i got it.

 

I got just plain lucky when I found this car. It sure makes for an easy restoration.
I looked through your posts and saw pics of your car 2 1/2 years ago, but what does it look like now?
BTW, your car is the same color combo mine was originally, Gold with white top. When finished though my car will be red.
I love New Mexico cars!

 

Mine hasnt changed much life got busy. I painted the top cadillac diamon ice it was a three stage paint and it looked great after i painted it. I am going for a mild custom look. Hopefully I will get back to it soon. Do you subscribe to Rod &Custom? They did an article on a wild custom 64 holiday coupe in the december 2012 issue. looking foward to seeing more progress.

 

mattcrp1; If you're going to get rid of the stainless mouldings on the body. I'd like to get first dibs on them. I need one for the LT. rear quarter.
In fact, I'd probably be interested in any of the chrome trim that you don't need.

 

Charlie....do you like New Mexico cars? Lol! I love the car and the price you paid! Nice to see one of these old girls get some love! Super clean car. One of my favorite cars I ever had the pleasure to own, was a '63 Dynamic 88 Fiesta Wagon. I still have some spare parts lying around from it.....

 

Spare parts? PM me with a list of what you have. I may be interested!

 

I'll dig them out and PM you. I know I have some taillight lenses, 14" trim rings, and also an NOS chrome trim that splits the taillight lense. I'll let you know.

 

Today I got my upholstery samples from SMS Auto Fabrics.
They claim to have the largest collection of obsolete upholstery fabrics for american cars from 1940-90. In addition, they will make any fabric or vinyl that they don't have.
The samples they sent me appear to be newly manufactured. They match the pattern or grain of the originals exactly!
I'm changing the color of the interior from beige and dk. brown to red and maroon. The car will be red.
My wife and I talked it over and we agreed that since we had training in auto uph. at a local tech school (who no longer offers it ), that we would do the upholstery ourselves.
We are looking for a used industrial sewing machine in the Fla, Ga, or Ala area.

 

Does anyone know a good and reasonable sandblaster in the Orlando area ?

 

Got back to the car today after a couple of weeks of "honeydo's"
Started restoring the heater & A/C unit. I dissassembled everything and scrubbed all parts with "Mean Green" and water. The blower housing was sanded (where paint was flaking off) and scuffed. It was then painted in black enamel. Some "factory patina" was preserved. The housing came from the factory with a run in the paint. I scuffed the run and shot new paint right over it. These cars were not perfect when new and a "perfect" restoration should reflect this.
The fiberglass heater box was cleaned thoroughly and will remain in its natural unpainted state.
The three diaphragms you see in the first picture will have to be replaced. Fortunately, they are available from Original Parts Group. (they list them for a 63 Pontiac Grand Prix , but I'm pretty sure they are the same )
Only $55 each! Oh well, I guess I should be glad I can get them!

 

Good to see you chipping away at the resto, Charlie.
Looking great so far and it will be worth it in the end. You probably won't have to worry about coming up against too many restored '63 88's at the shows.

 

Especially ones with a 4 speed stick!

 

I just scored an original AM/FM '63 Olds radio from E-Bay for $77.
I cleaned and polished the face and it looks like new.
I took the covers off the sides and cleaned out the inside, everything LOOKS good. However the radio is untested.
I can't wait to get my speakers re-coned so I can try it!
A word of wisdom: DO NOT attempt to "power up" one of these old Delco radios without connecting and properly grounding the correct (# of Ohms) speakers. You put the amplifier in grave jeporady if you power it up without the proper speaker(s) attached.

 

I forgot the pics!

 

Lookin darn good! I've got a project just lije this. If you sesrch my posts or "my 63 ss build" you'll see the extent im having my nova done to.

 

Just came across this thread. The car looks great Charlie. I bought mine to flip, but fell in love with it and can't let it go! Good luck on the build!

 

Welcome to the "darkside".
Economically it doesn't make sense to do a full restoration on a Dynamic 88. However, it is nice not to be "one of many" at a car show.

 

Hmm? I find this to be an interesting comment. I suppose it could be applied to all 1963 Oldsmobiles?

Of course, being the owner of a D88 I reserve the right to respectfully disagree.

 

This!! If I ever get my '64 paid off and home GRRRRR

 

Well, just a little inspiration for you -- I've put close to $100k in my "other car" which is a 55 Chevy. It was my first car and it now has a blower motor and a total frame-off, but it gets NO WHERE NEAR the looks and comments that my Olds gets. It drives me crazy because I've put so much time and effort into the Chevy and all I did was buy the Olds!! Oh well, I love them both (even if my 55 gets better gas mileage with a blower!).

 

Economically, it doesn't make sense to do a full restoration on almost ANY car. This is one of the oldest truisms in the collector car hobby.

You don't do it for the economics of it, and it shouldn't be looked at that way. You do it for the enjoyment, and the money you spend is what you would have spent to play golf or go fishing or whatever else if you weren't spending it to fix up an old car.


I have enjoyed your thread.

 

Words of wisdom, precisely because they speak the truth!

 

Exactly my point! Couldn't have said it better.

 

Charlie Jones.
There is a company in MN that makes perfect replacement speakers for your radio. They are perfect size, great quality and well priced. I have them in my 64 88. They are designed specifically for older GM model radios. They can handle as far back as the 40's.

 

Navvet, Do you have their name or number ?
BTW Navvet, I'm an Air Force vet. Vietnam 69-73.

 

Charlie Jones
Sorry about not putting info in last e-mail. Here you go:
S&M ELECTRO-TECH
Blaine, MN
toll free: 877 780 2861...........E-Mail: turnswitch@turnswitch.com.
They are very very laid back but know their stuff. Web site is a bit old fashion but is up to date.
Navy vet 78-2008....Granada, Panama,all gulf wars!! What air wing were you with. My dad was Army air corp WW2 B-17's

 

Any more pics of your 63? I saw it for sale at Pate Swatmeet 3-4 years ago

 

Thanks for the tip.
I was in the 432nd Tac Fighter Wing out of Udorn Thailand. 13th TFS.
Later I was with the 308th TFS at Ubon, Thailand.
My dad was a sonarman on the destroyer escort Swayze in the North Atlantic in WWII.