'59 Olds found in NY
March 17th, 2011, 06:06 PM
#1
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'59 Olds found in NY
Hey everyone!
I'm new to the forum, and this is the first Olds I've ever owned. While I know my way around Chevys & Pontiacs of this era, I admittedly know little about Oldsmobiles. This past few weeks I had been on the hunt for a '59 GM driver, and I came across an ad in Hemmings for a 1959 Olds 88 4 dr hardtop for $4000 which was close to my house and advertised as being in excellent condition. I tried several times to contact the seller, and after not hearing back from them, I gave up and kept looking.
A week or so later I get a call from an elderly woman who told me the car was still available and had been bought new by her father. She explained that it had been sitting in her garage since the mid '80s. She also told me that she had gotten many calls but didn't want to be bothered with sending photos, and no-one local had yet to come look at it.
I went and looked at it that night and as the garage door slowly opened, I see this 59 Olds sitting on four flat tires and covered in dust. It's a 'Super 88' sporting a 394cid engine, 4 bbl, power steering and power brakes. The car has original paint, original spare, original embossed 'Oldsmobile' rubber floormats, even the four T-3 headlights appear original. The garage floor had been painted twice since the car was parked, and they simply painted around it. I left a deposit, and picked it up the next night.
The car is in such remarkable shape, especially for the northeast that I didn't even try talking the woman down, I gladly paid the $4k. I haven't tried starting it just yet, but I'm not expecting any problems once a few precautions are taken. Anyway, just wanted to share my story. It's by far the nicest most original car I've ever owned, and for me this has been a once in a lifetime experience.
If I may use this opportunity to ask, what battery can I use that will fit in the original tray? A 24 is too wide. A group 56 & 29NF will fit, but I'm not sure of the cranking amps required for the 394. Any suggestions are appreciated!
I'm new to the forum, and this is the first Olds I've ever owned. While I know my way around Chevys & Pontiacs of this era, I admittedly know little about Oldsmobiles. This past few weeks I had been on the hunt for a '59 GM driver, and I came across an ad in Hemmings for a 1959 Olds 88 4 dr hardtop for $4000 which was close to my house and advertised as being in excellent condition. I tried several times to contact the seller, and after not hearing back from them, I gave up and kept looking.
A week or so later I get a call from an elderly woman who told me the car was still available and had been bought new by her father. She explained that it had been sitting in her garage since the mid '80s. She also told me that she had gotten many calls but didn't want to be bothered with sending photos, and no-one local had yet to come look at it.
I went and looked at it that night and as the garage door slowly opened, I see this 59 Olds sitting on four flat tires and covered in dust. It's a 'Super 88' sporting a 394cid engine, 4 bbl, power steering and power brakes. The car has original paint, original spare, original embossed 'Oldsmobile' rubber floormats, even the four T-3 headlights appear original. The garage floor had been painted twice since the car was parked, and they simply painted around it. I left a deposit, and picked it up the next night.
The car is in such remarkable shape, especially for the northeast that I didn't even try talking the woman down, I gladly paid the $4k. I haven't tried starting it just yet, but I'm not expecting any problems once a few precautions are taken. Anyway, just wanted to share my story. It's by far the nicest most original car I've ever owned, and for me this has been a once in a lifetime experience.
If I may use this opportunity to ask, what battery can I use that will fit in the original tray? A 24 is too wide. A group 56 & 29NF will fit, but I'm not sure of the cranking amps required for the 394. Any suggestions are appreciated!
Last edited by 59Super88; March 17th, 2011 at 06:11 PM.
March 17th, 2011, 07:29 PM
#2
Looks like a great find, congrats on your purchase. Where are you in NY? I have a 63 Riv 401 high compression and I have a 650 cca battery in there with no issues. Should be sufficient for your car as well.
March 17th, 2011, 09:45 PM
#9
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Posts: 173
March 18th, 2011, 02:50 AM
#11
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Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: The Hudson Valley
Posts: 21,183
Lawnguyland.
- Eric
(to all those not from the NY area: this is a local-accent joke)
March 18th, 2011, 08:46 PM
#14
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I'm on the island as well, in Lindenhurst. The car came out of White Plains. I plan on having it at the Rumblers show in Brooklyn, as well as Bellmore on Fridays. Gotta go through it first, just haven't had time.
March 18th, 2011, 08:50 PM
#15
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The car's gonna remain 'as is' so long as I'm on this side of the grass. Aside from new tires, tune-up, carb rebuild, and a good cleaning, I don't expect to do much. I love it just the way it is, it's just too nice to screw with it.
March 19th, 2011, 08:12 PM
#17
I'm on the island as well, in Lindenhurst. The car came out of White Plains. I plan on having it at the Rumblers show in Brooklyn, as well as Bellmore on Fridays. Gotta go through it first, just haven't had time.
July 25th, 2011, 01:45 PM
#18
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Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: West Hempstead, New York
Posts: 935
1959 Oldsmobile
Not many 1959 Oldsmobiles left in the United States -- probably just as many in Sweden now... I know... I serve them frequently....
I have practically everything for this car mechanically speaking...
I have the Upper and LOWER (Yes, LOWER BRAND NEW!!!!!!) Ball Joints, and the entire front end....
I have everything for the brakes -- master cylinder, wheel cylinders, brake hoses, brake shoes, bearings and seals, and BRAKE DRUMS brand new -- 1 last set of the "Big Bells" -- original Kelsey-Hayes Front Brake Drums and the Rear Brake Drums... and more.
I have the Fuel Pump NEW and the Water Pump NEW (and 1 N.O.S. GM in the black & yellow GM Box!!!!)
And a whole lot more...................
Best to call me ------- Craig -- 516 - 485 - 1935.......
I have practically everything for this car mechanically speaking...
I have the Upper and LOWER (Yes, LOWER BRAND NEW!!!!!!) Ball Joints, and the entire front end....
I have everything for the brakes -- master cylinder, wheel cylinders, brake hoses, brake shoes, bearings and seals, and BRAKE DRUMS brand new -- 1 last set of the "Big Bells" -- original Kelsey-Hayes Front Brake Drums and the Rear Brake Drums... and more.
I have the Fuel Pump NEW and the Water Pump NEW (and 1 N.O.S. GM in the black & yellow GM Box!!!!)
And a whole lot more...................
Best to call me ------- Craig -- 516 - 485 - 1935.......
July 25th, 2011, 02:32 PM
#20
Nice find.... Of course you will need to wash out gas tank, check rubber lines for fuel and brakes. Most likely wheel cylinders are shot and master cylinder could be stuck. You should change oil and filter and prob open carb for new gaskets and accel pump. Make sure engine turns by hand and pull valve covers to look at valve operations while cranking with plugs out. Points are prob oxidized. Check radiator for proper fluid and those hoses. Will be interesting to hear about what you find and when it starts! Fusick has parts as well as NAPA and the like. Very few if any mechanical parts are obsolete for this car and there are many sources.
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