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Hello everyone. My name is Manuel in Western South Dakota. I hope this is the right Forum for this vintage. Not many 40 Oldsmobiles around and I hope to meet other owners with interest in the pre-war cars. Found this 41 Olds 78 Series 4 door sedan with Hydramatic transmission and brought it home last week. It was restored to stock in the late 80s and then parked in a barn since 1990 until now when I got it from the restorer's daughter. It is remarkably complete with a body and interior in excellent condition. It needs some mechanical attention but it is so complete and non stuck engine that I am very optimistic it will run and drive well in a short time. I am not precisely a skillful mechanic and my limited experience comes from a 5 year restoration project of a 33 Ford that I did with the help of several Pros. This time, however, budget constraints require I do it myself with my son's help. I will need advise often and hope this Forum will be a good source of information. Good to be involved with the Olds crowd!
I helped my best friend retrieve a 40 Old's two door sedan and get it back on the road and running it was more of a survivor than a restorer but we managed to work on many of the issues that you might encounter. Not my area of expertise for sure but maybe be of help in some areas... Welcome aboard, love the prewar Old's..... Lost in the fifties..... Tedd
Thank you all for the welcoming answers. We started working on the mechanical issues and will post in the right section in the next few days asking for your advice. These are a few additional current photos of the car (sorry, pictures come too large. Will figure out how to size them better shortly). The interior looks basically "original" (done in the 80s and had aged since then without any damage). It is just what I have looked for during the last 12 months, a car with no body or interior issues and with need for mechanical attention, so I can learn hands-on how to become a weenkend mechanic. Although I am at an age at which very soon will enjoy the Senior menu discount at our local Family Restaurant, it is never late to learn if one develops a passion.
One of the biggest issues with these models is the cloth covered wiring. Hopefully that had been addressed by the previous owner/s. Watch for left and right hand threads at lugnuts, spindles, etc...
That's is VERY nice example to "work on whats needed-restore" old car. Amazing condition! I'm doing the same with a 1963 Starfire that shows to be only a 36K mile car, "work on whats needed-restore". Believing that your only original once..
There is a recent thread on here about the nostalgic smell of old cars. Looking at the interior pictures, I'll bet your car has a wonderful old car smell.
There is a recent thread on here about the nostalgic smell of old cars. Looking at the interior pictures, I'll bet your car has a wonderful old car smell.
That's my fault...
Last edited by no1oldsfan; Jan 21, 2021 at 06:27 PM.
