I'm way behind on spreading the news...sorry!
First off, I'd like to thank everyone here for all the help over the last year getting my car together. I've owned many Oldsmobiles over the years and no where is there info and support like this forum!!

OK, here's the big surprise...I don't have my '56 Olds anymore.

My parents recently celebrated their 50th Anniversary. When they were married, my dad had a '56 Olds 88. All my life, whenever I talked cars with my dad, his 56 was the one to beat. Nothing any of us came home with was better or faster than his Olds. He always regretted selling it...The car that got away...

So, last summer I got the crazy idea to find a '56 88.
I found one a couple hours drive from my house (which is amazing considering I live on an island!) I went to look at it and it was no where near the condition that was described, and the pictures weren't from any recent time. It was completely rotted inside thanks to being parked in a field with no drivers glass. It also had water in the oil...and a tell tale sign...a set of heads in the trunk...
As much as I wanted it, I had to pass...so much for the idea.

Well, I'm searching on "search all craigslist" and came across a '56 Super 88...turns out it's a half hour from my house.
After several nervous days trying to contact the seller I finally went to see it. This car I could work with!! A deal was struck and thus began 9 months of work.

So, without anyone in my family knowing, I worked on that car right up to a month before the anniversary, and then shipped it coast to coast (Vancouver BC to Moncton New Brunswick) I flew out and drove the car to my parents and surprised them!

The car is now in good hands. I miss having it around, but I know it will be in even better shape the next time I see it. It's already got a new exhaust, and the first quote on restoring the body and paint.

I'll post a video soon of the journey!
Thanks again for all the help...I'll still be around asking questions, but now they'll be for my father's Oldsmobile.

Now I'm Olds-less
I still have my own projects that I can resume work on now, including my 1956 Cadillac Sedan de Ville...but I think I'll keep my eye out for my next Olds...my dad owned a 57 convertible at one point

 

Cool Story! Congrats on finding a car for your Dad!
John

 

Wow - what a cool thing to do!
What was your dad's reaction? You didn't say.....
I bet it was a kodak moment for sure.

 

Well done, You're a great son to do such a fine thing.

 

Jayman: TERRIFIC STORY! What a great thing for you to do for your Father. Congratulations to you, and to him!

 

COOL! I bet your father was stunned.

 

What a nice thoughtful thing you did!!! That's great!

 

Here's a link to a youtube video I made about the whole ordeal

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HnBee9J4Cok

My dad's reaction was pretty funny to me. I gave him the keys and said happy anniversary! He said "you left the lights on" LOL
He was pretty choked up.
My mom was in shock that we were there, let alone that we had a car with us.
Mom says dad didn't sleep that night. He kept going out to the garage all night and staring at it.(my mom's brand new Chevy Trailblazer got kicked out of the garage)
Said he never thought he'd even sit in a '56 Olds again , let alone own one.

He was up and cruising the town at about 5am!!
BTW, his first parts order from USA Parts showed up today...didn't take him long to start working on it!

 

That is awesome.

 

That video is way cool

 

Nice story and so glad that our members were able to help you make it possible. Keep in touch and here's hoping you end up with an Oldsmobile to call your own soon.

 

That's a wonderfull story. I think I will have to talk to my son more about the 1969 4-4-2 Convert I had when he was young.

 

I've always wanted to do something of the sort for my dad. Problem is, he wants a pre-war Packard...

 

Man, That is a very solid thing to do for your dad. I bet the gesture meant more than the car...I only hope my kids are half as thoughtful. I did talk to a guy that was 20 when I was traveling to get my convertible and he was looking for a car for his dad as he had sold it before he was born and always wanted to do one for him... Time to get you the 57 convertible

 

I don't have it that bad. the car my FIL had when he was first married.. is sitting in MY Garage.. and has been there for 2 years.. the car has not been used since 1982. I would love to figure out how to get it restored.. but budget says NO at this time.. and then have him come over and surprise him with a finished car in the Garage..

 

Love it. Well done. Also, what a fantastic automobile.

 

That's pretty cool!

 

What a great thing you did for your folks. Thanks for sharing the excellent video for us. Man that car sounds sweet. Don't be a stranger on this board and tell your dad about us.

 

Dude you are the man!!!!! You we're already cool in my book(you owned a 56 ) but this is an awesome thing you did for your pops btw nice vid

 

Wow! what can i say, mate,your a top bloke.

 

I would like to adopt you. What a great thing you did and it is cool about how much he likes it.

 

Just both thumbs up!
First for the idea, then for the video! I can at least partly imagine what went thru your dad's head!

Ralph

 

Great Job.I gotta get rid of this lump in my throte....Tedd

 

Thanks everyone!
It's great to have some fellow enthusiasts to share the story with.
I'll still be hanging around asking questions and helping where I can. (and looking for my next Olds!) The driveway looks empty (and no where near as good)with only 3 Pontiacs, a Cadillac and a GMC in it.
Although the positive side is people have stopped knocking on my door asking if they can check out the Olds!!

Maybe whoever is in charge of Karma will go pick on someone else now...

 

So I'm still cool without the car?
Still got that parts car? I've been meaning to ask you about a few parts

 

Your still cool strictly based on what you did but unless you have an Olds in the driveway or garage at home you not AS cool!!!!

 

So that's how it is!
I have various Olds parts around including a disassembled 403 motor, Valve covers off a 350, some emblems off the Cutlass S I use to own, a quadrajet and a bunch of other things for cars I don't own anymore that my wife wonders why I keep...
So I'm a little more cool than the average Chevy & Ford owners

I think they'll be another Olds in my future real soon, although the deal with the wife is, one car has to go before another one shows up. She hasn't caught on yet that I always keep a junker around to get rid of when I find a car I want!

 

Very Nice, I am sure you , your parents and friends are very blessed.. What can we say..
Take Care,
Fletch

 

Great job! That was awesome!

 

Good story, nice car, cool video, and thanks for sharing.

Tom

 

Jaymann I know the car saw it up for sale down the road.. great to see it went to a good home and a great gift from a kid... want to talk with mine lol

 

Ya I got it in Parksville! I thought it was meant to be because the house number was 324 and the engine is a 324 V8!
I made a deal that if the car could make it to my house in Nanaimo, under it's own power, I'd have cash waiting.

There's a lot of great looking cars up your way. There's something about that Oceanside area that makes people want to live there and collect cars!!

 

What a great story! That was a fantastic thing you did, one helluva thoughtful present. :

 

Yes I do, PM me with whatever you need

 

You know there's a lot of bad on this planet but for the last 12+ minutes that I watched your video it all went away. You are a legend mate. I felt your Father's pride as I watched and it choked me up.

 

Great video. Cheers to you, and your folks are way cool. The best to ya.

Btw: Every five years or so we save enough time and cash to travel from Chitown to Vancouver Island for vacation. Best time of our lives.

 

Wow,

Great story and well done video.

 

Awsome story. I want to do something similar for my dad one day with a 40 Ford coupe

Thats classic

 

I'm going to send this story to my three grown boys. Sure could use a little help with the 48, hint, hint