New guy from Wisconsin
June 15th, 2013, 09:32 PM
#1
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Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Menomonee Falls, WI.
Posts: 46
New guy from Wisconsin
Hi all,
By my user name, you can see that a '65 Vistacruiser is my classic car interest. It's a 3 seat custom model, made in Fremont CA. and was moved from AZ to WI some time in the late 80's. I've owned it since 1990.
The car needed cooler lines when it was brought in for service to the trans shop where I worked at the time. And the rear diff needed bearings as did the column. I dug the car right away and the customer ended up trading it to us for a newer wagon.
The engine and trans were from a '71, 455/T-400, and the car has power windows.
Being a rust free car, (a first for me) the body was soon stripped of all trim and paint, a few minor dents worked out and fresh paint in the orig Laurel Mist applied. Re-chromed bumpers and some other minor stuff done, including the fore mentioned bearings, and it's a nice looking/driving car.
Still a few details need attention such as headliner and uhpolstry, (any one have an extra drivers door arm rest, in dark green?).
Engine compartment detailing, performance work, tires/rims, 12 bolt posi, are on the to-do list. The car looks totally stock and besides tires, I plan to keep it that way. But the big V8 needs to rumble and make some power, and the diff will need to handle it.
If possible I will post some pics.
Thanks for having a great Olds forum.
See ya round, Brad.
By my user name, you can see that a '65 Vistacruiser is my classic car interest. It's a 3 seat custom model, made in Fremont CA. and was moved from AZ to WI some time in the late 80's. I've owned it since 1990.
The car needed cooler lines when it was brought in for service to the trans shop where I worked at the time. And the rear diff needed bearings as did the column. I dug the car right away and the customer ended up trading it to us for a newer wagon.
The engine and trans were from a '71, 455/T-400, and the car has power windows.
Being a rust free car, (a first for me) the body was soon stripped of all trim and paint, a few minor dents worked out and fresh paint in the orig Laurel Mist applied. Re-chromed bumpers and some other minor stuff done, including the fore mentioned bearings, and it's a nice looking/driving car.
Still a few details need attention such as headliner and uhpolstry, (any one have an extra drivers door arm rest, in dark green?).
Engine compartment detailing, performance work, tires/rims, 12 bolt posi, are on the to-do list. The car looks totally stock and besides tires, I plan to keep it that way. But the big V8 needs to rumble and make some power, and the diff will need to handle it.
If possible I will post some pics.
Thanks for having a great Olds forum.
See ya round, Brad.
June 16th, 2013, 09:26 AM
#7
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Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Menomonee Falls, WI.
Posts: 46
Hey Scotty, I can say the same about your 442. May be we can swap cars for the week end!
Dave I'm in Milwaukee pretty often, just live a couple miles west in the Falls. Did I see you in Butler last year at their big car show? Checked out your web, Nice 88!
Dave I'm in Milwaukee pretty often, just live a couple miles west in the Falls. Did I see you in Butler last year at their big car show? Checked out your web, Nice 88!
June 16th, 2013, 10:26 AM
#10
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Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Menomonee Falls, WI.
Posts: 46
Pat, your '57 is a beauty. And that '48 is really cool, can't wait to see how that progresses.
If you don't mind my asking...how are your 455's set up? Mine is totally stock, 1971 ultra low compression. Always interested in what others have done to theirs
Thanks,
Brad.
If you don't mind my asking...how are your 455's set up? Mine is totally stock, 1971 ultra low compression. Always interested in what others have done to theirs
Thanks,
Brad.
June 17th, 2013, 05:29 PM
#12
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Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Menomonee Falls, WI.
Posts: 46
Thanks for all the compliments! I see some of you also have wagons, even some '65's. I still have not seen another '65 VC in my neck of the woods. Glad to see there are more of them around. After checking out some of your resto threads I some how feel a little cheated in that I didn't need to do much of that body work. And in Wisconsin it feels pretty good to be able to say that. In fact my part of the body resto only involved R&R of all the stainless and chrome, R&R the doors and gate, prep the jams, block and buff the entire car to get the finish I desired. I hired a pair of body men to do all the skilled work from strip to clear coat. They did a fantastic job of straitening panels to better than new, and application of all the PPG DP40 and Deltron finishing products. It's hard to believe it's been over 20 years since the paint was done.
Last edited by 65vistacruiser; June 17th, 2013 at 05:31 PM.
June 18th, 2013, 06:14 AM
#13
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Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: SE Wisconsin
Posts: 1,915
Enjoy that ride, and I am sure our paths shall cross.
June 18th, 2013, 07:07 PM
#14
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Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Menomonee Falls, WI.
Posts: 46
I'm sure you're right Dave. I met some Olds folks there and wondered if you were among them. They called it "Hot rods on Hampton". Several blocks of Hampton Ave were closed Sept. 9th 2012. It was an impressive show with a variety of street machines that I don't see at most casual events. Last year the town was testing the waters with the show. Not sure yet if it's going on again this year, but if they made out o.k it will.
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