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So I have been on this site for years and I have had Oldsmobiles my entire life. My Dad bought his 55 88 when I was born. We used to cruise it and show it. Due to some unfortunate circumstances and life getting in the way it has fallen into disrepair. I have had my 64 jetstar for almost 17 years now. This year I decided i wanted to be able to cruise both cars with my son and my father. My friends and I have jokingly decided that this is the year of the olds, or #YOTO. So we got the car from my dad's place and I have started the tear down of the motor and the brakes. I will try to post pics of the progress as i go. The 55 is on its second restoration at <33K. you can also see my 1990 cutlass supreme international hiding the in the back ground. its 100 miles away from 200k!!! we have had it since new, back to a 3 olds household lol.
i have been cleaning out the damage down by the animals that decided to move into the engine bay. What they did do was make a mess of the paint work. I do have a question at this time, is dark green the only color the 324 engine came in? Because whats left of this paint looks very teal to me. The 55 is on its second restoration at <33K.
Nice looking 55. Yes, green was the only engine color used. Fusick has it in expensive spray cans and Bill Hirsch has it in quarts and it is very good.
I'm watching your YOTO. Keep the pic coming. And by the way it looks like you used the Fusick Rocket valve cover stencil on your first go around. Should you plan on doing the lettering by hand One Shot lettering enamel #130 l Primrose yellow is a dead match for the Rocket lettering on the valve covers..... Lost in th fifties ....Tedd
Tedd, I am going to friendly disagree with you on the lettering. I tried both the stencil and free handing the letters. I would say unless you are a sign painter, do no try and paint the lettering. I used the self adhesive letters from Fusick and they worked great. They have been on for several thousand miles and still look great. I did not clear coat them or anything else. That is just my experience.
This wasn't done by my shaky hands but by my wife at the time. Color on the lettering looks good still but the miles have gotten to the base color.... Tedd
Well I have never used the stencil so my experience is one sided but this valve cover isn't the only one that I have seen with over runs with the stencil. Here is mine after about 50.000 miles, could be better but the lettering is still good
Tedd, your wife did a very nice job on the lettering. I pretty knowledgeable source told me they actually used a stencil and a roller at the factory. That would make for some sloppy lettering from the factory.
Glenn
I think we should agree that Oldsmobile and others were manufacturing automobiles, not painting Rembrandt's. This restoration craze of "correct" and "perfect" has made us critical of things that were ok years ago. I know when I go to a car show, I am looking to enjoy seeing cars and not so much what "hand built restorations" are there.
.........Just my two cents worth
February 21st, 2019, 12:42 PM
This restoration craze of "correct" and "perfect" has made us critical of things that were ok years ago. I know when I go to a car show, I am looking to enjoy seeing cars and not so much what "hand built restorations" are there. 
