New Classic Olds Owner
November 12th, 2010, 08:25 PM
#1
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Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 15
New Classic Olds Owner
I just picked up my first classic car a 1940 Oldsmobile 60 series sedan. She still has her original motor, still on 6 volt wiring and she purrs like a kitten (well with a few coughs here and there). The previous owner hadn't driven her more than 45 mph and only within about a 20 mile radius. When I picked her up I drove home over 60 miles, she started out rough and slow but after a few hiccoughs she picked up speed and smoothed out, she just really needed a good run.
My first project on her is definitely brakes, second is exhaust, from there its tune up and make pretty work.
I look forward to talking with many of you and getting advice. And maybe once I get her in shape meeting a few of you at shows.
And OLDSGUY....thank you
My first project on her is definitely brakes, second is exhaust, from there its tune up and make pretty work.
I look forward to talking with many of you and getting advice. And maybe once I get her in shape meeting a few of you at shows.
And OLDSGUY....thank you
November 13th, 2010, 05:19 AM
#2
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Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: southeastern Michigan
Posts: 14,299
Very nice car. We need to see photos!
According to Setting the Pace, there were both 2-door and 4-door sedans in the 1940 Series 60 line-up. Your car is actually a 1940 Series 60 F-40 as Olds used the year in the model name through 1940.
The 2-door sedan sold for $853, and 27,287 were made. The 4-door sedan sold for $899, and 25,652 were made. All Series 60 F-40 models rode on a 116 inch wheelbase and were 197.75 inches long. The 2-door sedan weighed 3,214 lbs while the 4-door weighed slightly more at 3,240 lbs.
All Series 60 cars came with a 6-cylinder, 230 cubic-inch L-head engine rated at 95 hp. That was the only engine available for that series as well as for the next series, up, the Series 70 G-40. The top-of-the-line Series 90 L-40 models came with a 257 cubic inch L-head 8 rated at 110 hp.
According to Setting the Pace, there were both 2-door and 4-door sedans in the 1940 Series 60 line-up. Your car is actually a 1940 Series 60 F-40 as Olds used the year in the model name through 1940.
The 2-door sedan sold for $853, and 27,287 were made. The 4-door sedan sold for $899, and 25,652 were made. All Series 60 F-40 models rode on a 116 inch wheelbase and were 197.75 inches long. The 2-door sedan weighed 3,214 lbs while the 4-door weighed slightly more at 3,240 lbs.
All Series 60 cars came with a 6-cylinder, 230 cubic-inch L-head engine rated at 95 hp. That was the only engine available for that series as well as for the next series, up, the Series 70 G-40. The top-of-the-line Series 90 L-40 models came with a 257 cubic inch L-head 8 rated at 110 hp.
November 13th, 2010, 05:44 AM
#3
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Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 15
Its a four door F-40. I've attached the original sales pictures...they look better than it is, they don't show the bare metal the guy sanded too, the spider webbed paint or the badly worn seats. And now that I have been in the engine I see a hokey wiring job and a few things were done half baked. All she really needs is a little TLC, shes already a beautiful old lady.
There are a few parts I need to find, but I will post those over on the parts forum.
There are a few parts I need to find, but I will post those over on the parts forum.
November 13th, 2010, 09:24 AM
#9
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Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Rathdrum, Idano
Posts: 9,127
Welcome to CO
Shes a grand old dame. Have a soft spot for those old babes. A good friend has a 36 that he has owned since the early 50's had to chop down a tree in front of the garage were it had been stored since it was only a couple of years old.
Great cars
Great cars
July 17th, 2011, 08:22 PM
#12
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Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 15
Haven't posted in a while so I thought I would toss out an update.
Pulled the wheels off and was amazed that I actually drove her home. Only one brake was fully functioning, two brakes were only half working and one was totally seized. The brake components and bleeders were in great shape, only needed to do cylinder rebuilds and some heavy line flushing. I think the last owner changed everything but never flushed it.
I also started doing some cleaning of the interior with my hand held carpet cleaner and straight water. Some nasty stuff was pulled out of the rear seat and door panels, but they now look fantastic and two shades lighter. I still need to tackle the front seat, carpets and header.
I am now working on a quick and dirty cleanup of my chrome (Actually the painted areas between the chrome) I am shedding the loose paint with a kitchen scrubber and repainting it by hand with testor model paint. It is really making the chrome look good. I also found a red that is pretty close to the original olds red and will be repainting the logos on the hubcaps and the striping in the chrome.
I still need new tires and shes not the prettiest, but I'll be putting her in her first local show on the 30th.
A local car guy suggested I use crayons (especially since her colour is so hard to match) to touch up and protect the bare metal until I take her to get stripped and painted. It sort of makes sense and seems to work. Anyone else tried this?
Pulled the wheels off and was amazed that I actually drove her home. Only one brake was fully functioning, two brakes were only half working and one was totally seized. The brake components and bleeders were in great shape, only needed to do cylinder rebuilds and some heavy line flushing. I think the last owner changed everything but never flushed it.
I also started doing some cleaning of the interior with my hand held carpet cleaner and straight water. Some nasty stuff was pulled out of the rear seat and door panels, but they now look fantastic and two shades lighter. I still need to tackle the front seat, carpets and header.
I am now working on a quick and dirty cleanup of my chrome (Actually the painted areas between the chrome) I am shedding the loose paint with a kitchen scrubber and repainting it by hand with testor model paint. It is really making the chrome look good. I also found a red that is pretty close to the original olds red and will be repainting the logos on the hubcaps and the striping in the chrome.
I still need new tires and shes not the prettiest, but I'll be putting her in her first local show on the 30th.
A local car guy suggested I use crayons (especially since her colour is so hard to match) to touch up and protect the bare metal until I take her to get stripped and painted. It sort of makes sense and seems to work. Anyone else tried this?
Good luck at your first show.
July 29th, 2011, 06:50 PM
#14
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 15
While cleaning up the chrome I found that there were traces of red pinstriping...so after doing some research I found a red model car paint that matches perfectly and I have now pinstriped my chrome and repainted the hood badge. Its also the same red that was on the one original hubcap so the other three now match. She goes in her first show tomorrow morning...She still ain't the prettiest girl on the block but she's all original and for a 70 year old she still the moves and the curves.
July 30th, 2011, 04:33 AM
#16
Past Administrator
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Rural Waxahachie Texas
Posts: 10,068
All that you have gone through sounds so familiar. I did the same things on my '46 when I first got it; brake work, interior cleanup, paint stripes and highlights on chrome pieces, etc. I think you have done a fine job. Please take pictures of the car at the show and report to us how it turns out. Since you aren't really a newbie any longer go ahead and start new threads if you wish, and GOOD LUCK at the show!
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