Hello from Columbus OH!
March 16th, 2014, 09:02 AM
#1
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Hello from Columbus OH!
Hello, Everyone, My name is Cody, I paint cars for a living, and I have a 1964 Oldsmobile Starfire. I stumbled across the forum, figured I would join. I'm currently in the process of restoring the car, I'm 21 years old and have had the car since i was 16. I have found in the past it's helpful to be able to pick peoples brains for ideas and it also helps to have people to turn to that may know things about the car i never did or could never find. Anyway I look forward to talking to many of you and ill be posting pictures as i progress through it. Thanks everyone!
Cody
Cody
March 16th, 2014, 02:11 PM
#9
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Thanks. Yes I want the car to be the factory blue color, I believe its Wedgewood Mist Metallic. Ive thrown a few other ideas around in my head to compliment the blue, ive contemplated a blue body, white top with blue pearl, also have thought of doing a white marble effect for the top but I definitely want to incorporate the factory color into the car. Right now money is really just a factor at this point lol.
March 16th, 2014, 02:23 PM
#11
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Yes I am very thankful for that lol. My biggest problem is, This is the first car ive ever restored, I know a little here and there from growing up working on cars with my dad, but he always drag raced so it was never anything resto related, every car he had was gutted and had aluminum interior and wheel tubs lol. He raced super gas. But where i get hazy is where to start when it comes to chassis and things like that. I dont have the resources to do a frame off right now so im trying to figure what the best way to attack this is.
March 16th, 2014, 02:29 PM
#12
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Not every car has to be a frame off trailer queen. Theres a lot to be said for a driver. Just start with making sure the body is secured to the frame and replace/repair just what's necessary on the suspension, brakes, and front end, etc to make it safe and road worthy.
March 16th, 2014, 02:34 PM
#13
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Which leads me to a question actually. I haven't really looked into it a whole lot, but from hearing other people talk or whatever do you think finding suspension parts for this car will be a pain. Now as far as brakes go, I used to work at O'Reilly Auto Parts and we could get everything for the brakes except for drums, I imagine I can probably just have the drums turned but Ive yet to pull them off the car.
March 16th, 2014, 02:36 PM
#14
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preventive maint
At some point while the interior is still out you may want to look inside the doors and quarter panels for rust. Example: mine had minor surface rust so cleaned inside the body panels and I got some brush on rust converter and some rust encapsulate from Eastwood.com. Not very expensive and may prevent or slow down rust through after all the paint work.
March 16th, 2014, 02:41 PM
#16
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Oh yeah definitely! Yeah I'll certainly get as much rust taken care of as i can. The car had the lower half of the quarters replaced when I got it and thankfully they were done right. also the body mounts in the back of the car were rusting and those have been repaired and rust proofed as well. My main concerns are really chassis and interior. especially interior because while the seats aren't all that bad, the drivers front definitely needs new foam and a new cover, the passenger could use recovered. luckily the back seats are really unscathed. But I've never recovered a seat nor have i replaced the foam, I don't even know where to start there lol
March 16th, 2014, 02:42 PM
#17
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search
The parts wanted/for sale section of this forum may help with those items or search the internet. Fusick.com has some stuff. enter your year and model in the search pain of the internet. I found lots of places for my car.
March 16th, 2014, 02:46 PM
#19
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Look for a car upholsterer shop in your area. I've had work done in the past in St. Louis. Came out good. Check the better business bureau in your area for complaints before pulling the trigger.
March 16th, 2014, 03:14 PM
#20
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Welcome Fellow Buckeye! It's good to see a young guy interested in Oldsmobiles. Starfires of any year are rare at car shows. Get some lipstick and rouge on her for that Goodguys show. Good luck, Ken
March 16th, 2014, 04:18 PM
#22
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Usapartssupply.com
Just saw this website but never used them. They look like they have covers and other parts you may need. As I said, I never used them. You can probably do seat covers yourself if you can do body work.
March 16th, 2014, 04:21 PM
#23
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Gary, I found a place www.automotiveinteriors.com Looks like they had decent prices on covers and rebuild kits, certainly going to look into them
March 16th, 2014, 05:33 PM
#25
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Welcome Cody. Great looking car, that puppy is going to be great. Nothing has to be done right away. Do not be in a rush, take your time and have fun.
It is all about the journey, not the destination.
It is all about the journey, not the destination.
March 17th, 2014, 01:30 PM
#26
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Hey Neighbor
Cody:
I live in Grove City and doing a major body off resto on my 66 Cutlass I have had since 1974, yes that makes me a few days older than you. It is great to see a younger guy into older cars instead of the all too common rice rockets w/ the weird sounding exhaust tone. Wear your Cowtown badge w/ honor when you go to the Good Guy Nats this summer.
Thanks Ron
I live in Grove City and doing a major body off resto on my 66 Cutlass I have had since 1974, yes that makes me a few days older than you. It is great to see a younger guy into older cars instead of the all too common rice rockets w/ the weird sounding exhaust tone. Wear your Cowtown badge w/ honor when you go to the Good Guy Nats this summer.
Thanks Ron
March 18th, 2014, 09:08 AM
#27
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Thank you Pcard. Ron, i appreciate it, hopefully ill see you at goodguys, wether im in my car or just walking around i make it a point to be on 161 and doubletree every year haha. Like i said, if i have to be in primer ill be there
March 18th, 2014, 09:19 AM
#29
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Which leads me to a question actually. I haven't really looked into it a whole lot, but from hearing other people talk or whatever do you think finding suspension parts for this car will be a pain. Now as far as brakes go, I used to work at O'Reilly Auto Parts and we could get everything for the brakes except for drums, I imagine I can probably just have the drums turned but Ive yet to pull them off the car.
March 20th, 2014, 06:25 AM
#33
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Looks like it has the rust common to many 64's, between door and rear wheelhouse. Looks like a good start though and a great color. I'd lean away from a two tone because the Starfire's body lines just don't lend themselves to it.
You've already learned a lot of the trim is Starfire-only and that the rear bumper is near impossible to find in good condition. The brackets are welded to the bar to eliminate bolts showing, and the tiny drain opening at the bottom gets plugged with road crap and the bumper rusts out from behind. 62-67 big Olds bumpers are all bad about it.
There are no 64 Starfire interior kits. It'll be a cut and stitch job. 1964 seats are combination leather bolsters and vinyl skirts and cushions, but the vinyl is common to 60s GM and easy to find. Metallic blue leather will be tough and expensive because to duplicate the color will require buying a whole hide. Many people just find a close smooth-grain vinyl to do the bolsters.
You've already learned a lot of the trim is Starfire-only and that the rear bumper is near impossible to find in good condition. The brackets are welded to the bar to eliminate bolts showing, and the tiny drain opening at the bottom gets plugged with road crap and the bumper rusts out from behind. 62-67 big Olds bumpers are all bad about it.
There are no 64 Starfire interior kits. It'll be a cut and stitch job. 1964 seats are combination leather bolsters and vinyl skirts and cushions, but the vinyl is common to 60s GM and easy to find. Metallic blue leather will be tough and expensive because to duplicate the color will require buying a whole hide. Many people just find a close smooth-grain vinyl to do the bolsters.
March 21st, 2014, 04:48 AM
#35
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Looks like it has the rust common to many 64's, between door and rear wheelhouse. Looks like a good start though and a great color. I'd lean away from a two tone because the Starfire's body lines just don't lend themselves to it.
You've already learned a lot of the trim is Starfire-only and that the rear bumper is near impossible to find in good condition. The brackets are welded to the bar to eliminate bolts showing, and the tiny drain opening at the bottom gets plugged with road crap and the bumper rusts out from behind. 62-67 big Olds bumpers are all bad about it.
There are no 64 Starfire interior kits. It'll be a cut and stitch job. 1964 seats are combination leather bolsters and vinyl skirts and cushions, but the vinyl is common to 60s GM and easy to find. Metallic blue leather will be tough and expensive because to duplicate the color will require buying a whole hide. Many people just find a close smooth-grain vinyl to do the bolsters.
You've already learned a lot of the trim is Starfire-only and that the rear bumper is near impossible to find in good condition. The brackets are welded to the bar to eliminate bolts showing, and the tiny drain opening at the bottom gets plugged with road crap and the bumper rusts out from behind. 62-67 big Olds bumpers are all bad about it.
There are no 64 Starfire interior kits. It'll be a cut and stitch job. 1964 seats are combination leather bolsters and vinyl skirts and cushions, but the vinyl is common to 60s GM and easy to find. Metallic blue leather will be tough and expensive because to duplicate the color will require buying a whole hide. Many people just find a close smooth-grain vinyl to do the bolsters.
March 21st, 2014, 04:51 AM
#37
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March 21st, 2014, 04:52 AM
#38
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