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As a buyer, fixer upper and seller of cars for 20 years, 58 years of age, I was in the AMC racket for the first decade. Rare as hell but not worth anything I switched over
to Oldsmobile Cutlasses. Always liked them as a kid that grew up in the 70's- 80's. I've bought and sold a 88 Supreme Classic - 79 Hurst Olds - 80 442 and a 86 442. After saying a couple of times this is the car I'm gonna keep, I always sell it. I guess money talks. A customer at the golf course I work at comes to me and says I want to sell my son's 88 Supreme Classic. Been sitting since 2005. Wasn't really interested but, 80,000 original miles, one owner car why not.
I'm not sure there wasn't an option that wasn't ticked off on this car. T-Top, buckets, console shift, rally gauge package, 307 quadrajet, power windows, power door locks, power seat, cruise control, rear window defrost, 4 speed overdrive transmission etc. etc. as the original bill of sale from the dealership was $16,000. A lot of money in 1988.
Interior was surprisingly great considering it set outside. But I knew I wouldn't get lucky and just change the oil, put a battery in it and it would run.
Changed the gas tank, sending unit, fuel pump, carburetor, plugs, wires, radiator, rear shocks, front bearings, tires, exhaust and bought a few interior and exterior things, like one missing front fender molding, trim rings. Car runs now rediculously well.
So this is it and made the foolish promise to my wife I'd keep this car as an older guy that is my mechanic and fixes things I can't said it's the best car I'd ever purchased.
Not sure where to go from here though when I do a full restore of the exterior. I will vinyl top delete cause I personally don't like them and they are a pain in the ***.
Do I go back to stock color? Do I clone it a 442? Do I rocker chrome delete etc. etc.?
I gotta keep my promise though.
You need to do whatever you want to do but if it was mine I would put a nice new paint job on it and keep it totally stock because it is a pretty car and looks great in white. It will be interesting to see what you decide. Enjoy.
You have the better interior than mine had with the buckets and console. I agree that vinyl top is a good place to hoard rust under it. A new shiny paint job in White will look good. If you are keeping the 307, at least add dual exhaust, which it looks like it already has it. Also look at the option sticker in the trunk. Most came with 2.56 gears, mine did, way too tall with the factory TH2004R overdrive trans. A 3.42 posi will wake it up and still run under 2000 rpm at 60 mph with the stock tire height. If you are planning on 15" rims or bigger, a 3.73 gear might be better. Great project car for a cruiser.