Hello all. Just thought I'd swing in and say hello ad I've been lurking and reading for a while.

I've got a '52 98 that was passed along to me by my uncle. It's been sitting in his driveway in NM for the last 40 years. Not the prettiest beast but the plan is to make a runner out of her.

So far we've stripped and replaced the whole of the electrical system (Was converted to 12V at some time in the past) as all of the insulation was disintegrating. Given the engine a once over, has decent compression, not too gunky under the valve covers. Rebuilt the carb, repaired the steering wheel (evening project requiring copious amounts of beer). and are currently flushing the fuel system. Planning on cranking over the engine this week. After that: Brakes, Tires and go driving!

Now, the big question. I know that the '52's are a bit of a low production oddball due to the Korean War and I'm having a devil of a time finding a floor pan replacement panel, specifically for the left front. Fortunately that's the only place on the interior with cancer. Anyone have an idea of where to search? Or possibly another floor pan that might be close enough to scab in with a little modification?

Cheers!

Drew

 

Welcome to the site, its always a great feeling resurrecting one from the dead.

 

Good looking car!

 

Cool sled!
Nor-Cal clean.

 

For a outside car it has weathered well. Love the steering wheel inside nicking **** you don't see many anymore.
Should you need help on anything there there are many knowledgeable here to help you out....Tedd

 

Welcome to the group... Looks like you have got yourself a nice project...

 

There are several vendors selling floor repair panels on E-Bay ;
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_fro...963+oldsmobile

I see that you had a steering wheel clock . That's what belonged in the big hole under the center of the wheel . Your's has gone missing .
I guess the idea was that the turning of the steering wheel would wind the clock . Don't know how well that worked .
This is only the second '52 Olds that I have seen in my lifetime that was so equipped .

 

When you are ready to do the brakes, I have everything for you Brand New ....
Master Cylinder, Wheel Cylinders, Brake Hoses, Brake Shoes, Wheel Bearings & Seals,
Emergency Brake Cables, and BRAKE DRUMS !!!!!

Always best to simply call me --- Craig --- 516 - 485 - 1935.....

Congrats on the new toy !!!!!

 

Great Car. Checkout the Oldsmobile page on https://www.vintagepartsource.com , a good list of antique Oldsmobile parts suppliers. Also Don’s Auto Parts www.donsautoparts.com might have one of those steering wheel clocks.

 

That steering wheel clock design is outstanding!!


You can actually find them on ebay for not much money.

 

I was wrong, I thought it was a steering wheel internal **** device for turning. I've seen them on 40's Chevys. Learn something everyday here on Classic Oldsmobile this is what I was remembering.... Tedd

 

I actually have the clock for it. Its still in working condition but the crystals were spidered and cracked so it's out at a watchmaker right now being refurbished. Cranked it over tonight and it fired right up....until it ran out of the gas that I poured down the carb. Float bowls and pump filter bowl are completely dry. I see a fuel pump rebuilding night in my future....time to go order more parts.

 

That steering wheel clock was a pretty rare option and I think was only available for 1952. I guess it didn't work too well since they didn't continue it. In pristine condition they can go for 4 figures.

 

Steering wheel watch was offered as a package with the dash compass replacing clock above radio in 1951-52. You will need the special turn signal lever which has a bend to clear the back of the clock as the steering wheel is turned. Be careful, there are three types of those, 88 with a male attachment, Fisher body 98 with female such as your car has, and Fleetwood body 98 for 1951 which has a attachment screw eyelet. The lever is the hardest part to find if missing. Fortunately your interior colors are the most common aside from black.

 

What the heck is an "inside nicking ****"?

This steering wheel has the housing for a clock.


And as it should in this configuration, the housing on the dash holds a compass.

 

Dave I can't get the image to load but if you do a google image search for 40's Chevy steering wheel internal spinner you will see it.. If you do see if you can get it to down load for you so others can see it....Tedd

 

Here's a youtube video, I grabbed a still.

 

Thanks Kota..... Tedd

 

I have seen the Olds Clock steering wheel but I have never even seen a picture of the Chevy inside knicking ****. It just proves you never see all this stuff. Thanks for sharing guys.

 

I agree. I've never seen that before either.

 

It's a NECKING ****, not a "nicking" **** LOL.
Made it easy to drive while holding onto your gal, JC Whitney sold 'em by the millions!
Am I the only old guy around here? ;-)

 

I am 74 and I know there are some others not too far behind me. The one in the picture is obviously factory and did not come from JC Whitney. I used to study the JC Whitney catalog but do not remember them. Thanks for the input.

 

Oh Whitney had them all right, back in the day I got one from them... verrry popular accessory. Some jurisdictions even banned them as unsafe. They generally clamped to the outside of the rim. The hole pictured here would have been an awkward place to try to steer from unless you had Chrysler Full Time Power Steering lol..

 

I'm past prime also (72) and my neighbor had a 41 Chevy I believe that was so equipped. I'm sure it was a factory unit. My spelling may suck but my memory hasn't left me yet, I don't think..... Tedd

 

holidaysedan I think we may be talking about similar items. Are you talking about the kind that went on the steering wheel and had a picture of Marilyn Monroe in it? I remember plenty of those. I remember it being debatable whether they went on the outside of the steering wheel or the inside.

 

Got Betty Boob on my 55 steering wheel, matches my Betty Boop floor mats. Not concourse approved as yet Tedd