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looks like this is going to be a really nice car! I cant believe the sandblast guy! The color combo is going to be a real head turner! keep it up and don't get frustrated!
What a huge improvement. Still lots to go. Curiosity - I know the lower areas behind the front wheels and ahead of the rear wheels gets brutal for rock and road debris. Are you putting anything over the paint in those areas to protect it? Something Like a clear 3-M product they put on new cars?
It looks awesome!!!!!! I am so glad that the fender trim and emblem were removed before paint. now the fun begins! lots to do! Its gonna be a beauty!
I hope to be posting a similar post next sunday night!!!
Starting to add trim, will soon be installing door glass & rubbers, internal wiring etc.
Had a set back with the engine, ended up having a cracked head, have sourced some
replacements from the States, just have to wait for delivery, starting to look like a car again, regards, Cus
Starting to add trim, will soon be installing door glass & rubbers, internal wiring etc.
Had a set back with the engine, ended up having a cracked head, have sourced some
replacements from the States, just have to wait for delivery, starting to look like a car again, regards, Cus
Love that color. A cracked head? Hope there's nothing wrong with the block! Fortunately those J heads are plentiful so they should be cheap. I know the shipping is horrendous.
That is starting to look like a car again, and I really love that color much more than what you started with! Keep up the good work.
Progress has been a bit slow, after importing replacement heads, waiting for them to get reconditioned etc., put the top end back on last weekend, engine is running well, just have to fit HEI distributor. Have started on the interior, next will be re-cover the dash , just scored original clock etc., that was missing, also will fit door glass, is it better to fit the glass before the rubber?
BTW, I was trying to look up info on that Navy window sticker. Apparently, there is a U.S. Navy Base Coronado in San Diego, CA. Also, the fouled anchor is an image associated with the U.S. Navy. Recent U.S. Navy window decals had a sticker indicating the owner of the vehicle was an officer. The pictured sticker in the article I linked would have been on the vehicle of a Captain (O-6). If the sticker you have followed the same rules as recent stickers, I would guess the vehicle belonged to a Chief (E-7). Check it out:
Thanks for your replies,
not looking forward to this glass fitting, will have to be in the right mood, would hate to scratch the glass. I have the 2 manuals, so I'll read up, I have plenty of time, I think
I'll tackle it myself though, hard to find anyone that takes the proper care these days.
Also, thanks for the info on the Navy sticker, you are the first one to shed any light on this, as mentioned the P.O. had no idea & no interest. From what I can gather the car was purchased from the US navy by someone in Queensland Australia, imported out here, converted to R.H. drive by them, was an OK job, will be a lot better when I'm finished, just things like a crappy job on the dash, & hadn't re fitted glove box etc., all
the front end & steering components are good. It had a transmission service sticker on the inside of the door from a Queensland Co., had done about 25,000 miles in '94, then not long after was laid up till now, has about 56,000 on the clock. Miles seem very low,
but I'm a bit suspect on it, the heads had been off for a reco at some stage & bores had a bit of a lip, not big, could be accurate, everything else seems to of had little wear,
just weather deterioration. I'm thinking it might have been overheated, left head & exhaust manifold both had cracks. Compression is low, but very even, all around 130,
doesn't blow any smoke & runs quietly, so I think that will be OK for a while, won't really know till she gets on the road & it's put under load, will do that gradually,
I think once you get the car on the road you will be surprised by how awesome it is. There's nothing like driving one of these big body C/B bodies. Even with an old engine they will pass anything on the road but a gas station.
Working on the interior now, have dash re-upholstered & fitted, have door cards re-done
+ parcel shelf. I purchased a roof lining kit & fitted it on the weekend, was a bit of a learning curve, but all went well. Fitting all the garnish moulds at the moment.
Will have new carpet soon. Next will be front & rear screens fitted.
Working on the interior now, have dash re-upholstered & fitted, have door cards re-done
+ parcel shelf. I purchased a roof lining kit & fitted it on the weekend, was a bit of a learning curve, but all went well. Fitting all the garnish moulds at the moment.
Will have new carpet soon. Next will be front & rear screens fitted.
regards, Cus
Hey, I have a nice OEM tan steering wheel if you are interested. It has some cracks in the back but the rim and "wood" inlay are very nice. I can post some pictures if you're interested in it.
I like the cover you put on the dash. Of course, it's odd for me to see a right-hand drive car. I'm sure you can say the same about a left-hand drive car.
Consider this if you want to change the look of the steering wheel:
My steering wheel is missing a trim ring like yours. That is why the steering wheel has a split in it. I never looked for a NOS trim ring or a steering wheel in good condition, I just covered mine. Actually, I need to use this product to repair cracks in the base of my steering wheel:
Hello All,
Well, finally all registered & on the road. I've done about 100 miles car is running well,
very smooth & seems to be well aligned. Still have some things to complete & sort out,
but great to be on the road after 3 years of restoring, has been a mission but loved every minute, well, there might have been some not so great moments! but you have to move on, all part of restoring,
And that car looks unbelievably good. Around here, you never see those fully and properly restored - most likely, if you see one at all, it's a beat-up "semi-survivor."
Thanks for the comments. The four door sedans wouldn't be that collectable over
there, a bit like an old family car, it's a pretty rare car here in Aus, doesn't make it
worth a fortune though, nobody knows what it is! Everybody has heard of Chev, Dodge,
Pontiac, Buick, some know about Studebaker, which I had in my early 20's, but not many
people at all have heard about Oldsmobile.
Just love cruising around in it, will have to talk to the local council about increasing the
size of the car parks though, 5.7m of car is a bit of a challenge to get into a parallel park, regards, Cus
Living near the ocean is great, but you have to rust proof everything , the salt air can very thick on an on-shore wind. Old cars just fall apart around here unless you take good care of them.
