Hello all,

Just posting a quick introductory message here to say 'hi'. I have been browsing your forum after being interested in a car for sale locally in Australia.

A bit about me: I have owned 4 door Chevys 55 and 57 and enjoy the cruising and being able to do weddings etc. I have just sold my 55 and am on the lookout for a project that is a bit different.
I think I have stumbled upon that in a 1958 Super 88 imported from Canada.
It was last registered in Australia in 1967 and has been stored with numerous owners all over the country before being advertised for sale recently.
I have been scouring the 'net to see what sort of parts and aftermarket support is available, and what other contact people in Australia may have for the older Oldsmobiles.
Any Aussies, feel free to speak up!

I am hoping to find some more info on it from those more experienced in Oldsmobiles than myself. You can see that thread under the Vintage Oldsmobile Section.

Providing the current owner is negotiable and it all works out to be as described (all going by photos so far, the car is 2000kms away) then I will be become a lot more regular.

Thanks,
OLDSCL

 

Welcome to the site, good luck in your quest. There are a lot of members on here from down under. Thanks for sharing pictures.

 

Welcome aboard. You have selected the king of chrome for your next project hopefully it's all there. Not many if any body and trim parts are reproduced for the 58 but your car looks very straight and complete.There can't be many running around OZ ether so you will stand out in the crowd. Let us know your problems and help can be just a post away.... Luck with your build..... Tedd

 

I have to agree that the car looks fairly solid and complete. Second the statement: Make sure all the trim is in place. It will be hard to find, if it is not. Enjoy!

 

Thanks for the welcome guys. I know I have been spoiled for choice in the land of tri-fives. The reproduction and aftermarket support is amazing.

The only piece of trim missing (that I can see, and matches what the owner is saying ) is the bottom strip on the guard.

Otherwise, it is missing the radio and panel, also missing an indicator/turn signal stalk, which as a worst case I could fab up at work or may be close to a 58 Chevy item?

The interior looks great for its age and I'm hopeful a cleanup will get me by for now so I can concentrate on the suspension and brakes before sourcing a drivetrain.

I am worried about the floors and chassis which I have not seen yet, but I will have a family friend look over the car.

A mate of mine has a couple of 58 Chevys and recognizes a lot of similarities so can help find the trouble rust spots. Is there anything unique to the Olds I should know about for rust?

Oh, and last but not least: the engine and gearbox and radiator are missing. From the photos, everything else in the engine bay looks to be there. I was wondering about the brakes as I could not see a booster or MC anywhere. Thanks to your forum, I found that they were hidden away. One less question to bother you with.

Thanks again,
OLDSCL

 

The master and booster, they are called a Treadle Vac and they are a unique system, though found on many other cars of the fifties they are seldom encountered these days. Fisick Automotive Products Inc. has rebuild kits and a rebuilt boosters should you need them .

I'm almost afraid to ask but what are your plans on the engine and transmission?....Tedd

 

Ideally, I would be on the look out for a replacement engine and box, as I think this car would be a great project for me. I intend to get her running and driving and on the road to enjoy, before considering pulling it down for a full rebuild.

I am realistic in that as I am located in Australia, complete engines and boxes will be hard to come by. That's part of this research side of things: see what contacts I can make to source a motor and box locally etc.

I have messaged an Aussie user on the forum already and he has given a great head start on US suppliers and wrecking yards familiar with the curse of living in the land down under.

I would be looking to get this beauty on the road sooner rather than later as I don't think she deserves to be cooped up any longer. Worst case: that may mean something like an LS1 etc. from a donor car if all else fails.

From what I have been told, the motor and box went to a local 58 Olds wagon. Now THAT would be something to see.

Thanks,
OLDSCL