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I went big, ‘cause I sure wasn’t going home. Hi! I’m Archer, I’m 23 years old & I bought my first vehicle, a 1984 Oldsmobile 98 Regency. My dad is a mechanic and we’re working on it together. I’m really excited, and once we get her road ready I plan to paint her to resemble Sam Raimi’s ‘74 Delta 88.
Below is my car! She has very obvious issues and I’m making a list on how to tackle each one. Ultimately, she will get a paint job — but again, I wanna make sure I can drive it safely before I go making her mint. Her interior ( save for the headliner ) is absolutely gorgeous!
Welcome aboard! Looks like the car is complete and overall in good condition.
Originally Posted by blahblaharcher
Ultimately, she will get a paint job — but again, I wanna make sure I can drive it safely before I go making her mint. Her interior ( save for the headliner ) is absolutely gorgeous!
That is an excellent plan. Get all the mechanicals sorted out, then enjoy driving it while you work on the other stuff.
Welcome- there are several Olds Club chapters in PA..hopefully you can find one near you. Allegheny Rockets, Blue Gray, and Delaware Valley Olds Club Chapters all have members who are willing to help other Olds owners..
Archer - I realize your father is a mechanic - you should have a genuine original paperback 1974 Oldsmobile Chassis Service Manual (CSM), it is the bible to your car and comes with color-coded wiring diagrams.
I agree that you need the Chassis Service Manuals but you need them for your year of Car. I have a complete set of four Factory Manuals for the 84 Oldsmobile’s if your interested.
I agree that you need the Chassis Service Manuals but you need them for your year of Car. I have a complete set of four Factory Manuals for the 84 Oldsmobile’s if your interested.
I’m catching up a little, but well played on the 2 door 98. I’ve got a 2 98 door too, but its 18 years older. This kind of travel is kind of forgotten (except here at ClassicOlds) in 2020 America. Comfortable, quiet, safe, and smooth were the bywords. Take your friends along and they just might appreciate what Olds was going for back then. Or not. If not, their loss.
Look into gas shocks and sway bars to get it to handle a little tighter if you like that. The 80’s were transitional for Olds - going metric, moving from carburetors to fuel injection, engines getting smaller. Lots of evolution going on.
For un-rusty parts, look to the western US — AZ, CA and so on. You may be able to source good used body panels from there. But surely you & your Dad will be doing some work together. Mechanical, cosmetic, maintenance. It doesn’t matter what the job is, mainly enjoy the time you get to spend working on something together.
Fix this car & you won’t be intimidated by mechanical stuff from here. Replace a light switch? Easy. Put in a new garbage disposal? Just seal it like a radiator hose. Cars can teach you a lot about making mechanical things work. Once you know, you know. Plus your Dad is teaching you. No one’s going to sell you muffler bearings or blinker fluid from now on...
Maybe put a tool kit on your holiday list. Your Dad would love to find those for you knowing you’ll have them a long time.
