1969 Oldsmobile Holiday S Coupe (rocket 350)
February 1st, 2015, 11:42 PM
#1
1969 Oldsmobile Holiday S Coupe (rocket 350)
Hey everyone, I posted in the "newbie" forum and now I would like to take the time to develop my project thread here on this site. I hope that with your help, I can properly restore functionality and appeal to this vehicle, as I will be keeping it long term (wanted a cutlass of this genre since I was younger).
I traded for this car on craigslist, patiently waiting until the right deal (through my many barters) presented itself. I am pleased to say that as of today I am a very proud owner of a 1969 Oldsmobile Holiday Cutlass Coupe. I decoded the vin, triple checked the major engine components, and determined the rocket 350 and trim package. The vinyl top is shot, naturally, but the windows and doors are sound. Body has some rust, as seen in pics below, but no frame rot through and the floors are great considering it sat for so long.
I have a bucket list of things that need attetntion.. For starters, I have not attempted to drive it, as the tranny lines are rotted through pretty bad at engine area. I hear this is common, but I have no real experience with these cars enough to fully determine it (working on getting some mechanic buddies to check it out). It RUNS GREAT considering you have to pour gas in carb and run a tube to a gas tank. The carb needs a rebuild, I honestly may just get a performance carb instead. The exhaust was said to leak at manifolds, not really the case, the exhaust is short and has no muffler (lol).
The interior is okay, not beat up too bad. Headliner needs some love, and seats are starting to crack a bit, particularly by driver's side. Headlights work okay, one high beam bulb is out. I haven't checked brake lights, but blinkers seem to be not functional ATM. I haven;t checked brakes (minus visually looking at some relatively new hardware on the rear ones). Cosmetcis dominate the list of things to do. It runs and idles fine on gas, which is huge. I understand I need to go through this car, and even though I am younger and eager, I want to go about this in a way that makes this car last for many pleasure cruises to come. So here it is, my new baby, try to be nice.. She looks a little beat up now, but she will become the beauty she deserves to be under my care.
Here are the pics:
69%20cutlass%20s%20-%20%201_zpsa4efpfgw.jpg
69%20cutlass%20s%20-%20%206_zpszmqc8gpr.jpg
69%20cutlass%20s%20-%20%201_zpsa4efpfgw.jpg
69%20cutlass%20s%20-%20%204_zpsnniek6xc.jpg
69%20cutlass%20s%20-%20%202_zpskwtvgequ.jpg
69%20cutlass%20s%20-%20%205_zpspjqgiaob.jpg
69%20cutlass%20s%20-%20%208_zpstcevutb6.jpg
69%20cutlass%20s%20-%20%209_zpsq2wye2da.jpg
69%20cutlass%20s%20-%20%207_zpsqjbopjjl.jpg
I traded for this car on craigslist, patiently waiting until the right deal (through my many barters) presented itself. I am pleased to say that as of today I am a very proud owner of a 1969 Oldsmobile Holiday Cutlass Coupe. I decoded the vin, triple checked the major engine components, and determined the rocket 350 and trim package. The vinyl top is shot, naturally, but the windows and doors are sound. Body has some rust, as seen in pics below, but no frame rot through and the floors are great considering it sat for so long.
I have a bucket list of things that need attetntion.. For starters, I have not attempted to drive it, as the tranny lines are rotted through pretty bad at engine area. I hear this is common, but I have no real experience with these cars enough to fully determine it (working on getting some mechanic buddies to check it out). It RUNS GREAT considering you have to pour gas in carb and run a tube to a gas tank. The carb needs a rebuild, I honestly may just get a performance carb instead. The exhaust was said to leak at manifolds, not really the case, the exhaust is short and has no muffler (lol).
The interior is okay, not beat up too bad. Headliner needs some love, and seats are starting to crack a bit, particularly by driver's side. Headlights work okay, one high beam bulb is out. I haven't checked brake lights, but blinkers seem to be not functional ATM. I haven;t checked brakes (minus visually looking at some relatively new hardware on the rear ones). Cosmetcis dominate the list of things to do. It runs and idles fine on gas, which is huge. I understand I need to go through this car, and even though I am younger and eager, I want to go about this in a way that makes this car last for many pleasure cruises to come. So here it is, my new baby, try to be nice.. She looks a little beat up now, but she will become the beauty she deserves to be under my care.
Here are the pics:
69%20cutlass%20s%20-%20%201_zpsa4efpfgw.jpg
69%20cutlass%20s%20-%20%206_zpszmqc8gpr.jpg
69%20cutlass%20s%20-%20%201_zpsa4efpfgw.jpg
69%20cutlass%20s%20-%20%204_zpsnniek6xc.jpg
69%20cutlass%20s%20-%20%202_zpskwtvgequ.jpg
69%20cutlass%20s%20-%20%205_zpspjqgiaob.jpg
69%20cutlass%20s%20-%20%208_zpstcevutb6.jpg
69%20cutlass%20s%20-%20%209_zpsq2wye2da.jpg
69%20cutlass%20s%20-%20%207_zpsqjbopjjl.jpg
February 2nd, 2015, 04:56 AM
#2
Oldsdruid
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Southside Vajenya
Posts: 10,284
Down here in the sunny south we'd write that car off as unrestorable due to the rear wheelhouse rust, but really doesn't look any worse than any other 45 year old rust belt car. I've seen worse brought back.
If you don't have any frame rot you'll be OK, but you have a lot of sheetmetal to replace. I wouldn't even fool with trying to repair the hood or quarters- get better metal. The 69 is popular so there's stuff out there.
Folks on here can source a lot of your parts, and there are several reputable aftermarket and reproduction sources.
Get yourself a 1969 Olds factory Chassis Service Manual and Fisher Body Manual, and there's an Assembly Manual out there too which will be helpful- it's reprinted from the same drawings and assembly procedures the factory used.
If you don't have any frame rot you'll be OK, but you have a lot of sheetmetal to replace. I wouldn't even fool with trying to repair the hood or quarters- get better metal. The 69 is popular so there's stuff out there.
Folks on here can source a lot of your parts, and there are several reputable aftermarket and reproduction sources.
Get yourself a 1969 Olds factory Chassis Service Manual and Fisher Body Manual, and there's an Assembly Manual out there too which will be helpful- it's reprinted from the same drawings and assembly procedures the factory used.
August 20th, 2018, 12:53 PM
#5
72 Olds CS
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 6,657
thats a clean driver in mass my 11 year old truck had more rust and less metal left when i junked it
welcome the car looks likea good project
August 20th, 2018, 06:11 PM
#6
Just an Olds Guy
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Edmonton, AB. And "I am Can 'eh' jun - eh"
Posts: 24,525
Congratulations on your purchase.
You obviously did some research before you bought this so I doubt there are going to be a lot of surprises.
Good thing is there are a fair number of aftermarket vendors and parts for the 69. The rear sheetmetal is available from any number of them, and there are patch panels for the front. Same for wheel well tubs.
Take your time and work on the safety items first. Getting them solid will let you drive the car a bit and enjoy the feeling of ownership.
You obviously did some research before you bought this so I doubt there are going to be a lot of surprises.
Good thing is there are a fair number of aftermarket vendors and parts for the 69. The rear sheetmetal is available from any number of them, and there are patch panels for the front. Same for wheel well tubs.
Take your time and work on the safety items first. Getting them solid will let you drive the car a bit and enjoy the feeling of ownership.
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