A few weeks ago I picked up this super nice 1951 Oldsmobile Rocket 88 4 door sedan, plans are to turn it into a very mild custom/highway cruiser. It is basically stock with the exception of being lowered by the p.o., front has had a coil and a half cut from the front springs but as far as I can tell nothing has been done to the rear. Once I get the carb back from the rebuilders and a few other odds and ends taken care of, I'll start on the slight modifications that I have in mind for it. It already has dual exhaust but I want to get a set of nice sounding mufflers on it, Porters or Smithy's, and some chrome tips out the back. I'm also trying to find a set of Jeffrey Allen headlight visors but so far everybody has them on back order. These are the ones that mount on the headlight rings and resembles the '56 Cadillac rings. 12 volt conversion is something that I will be doing fairly soon so that I can get a/c in it to add to the comfort factor, the summers in the south are a bitch! I'm not crazy about the green tweed interior but it'll have to do for now. Lake pipes are also planned and perhaps a set of dummy spots. I would like to nose and deck it but the paint job is just too nice to mess with, we'll see.
The interior looks okay, digging the center on the steering wheel. Looks like a real nice complete car.
Looks like a fun project. I am not a fan of tweed interiors either. Upholstery is a huge expense if you don't to any of that type of work. It is in good shape so I could live with it until other things get taken care of. the car looks super solid and will look great as a mild custom.
Here's some advice, most likely unsolicited. When the 2GC Rottenchester gives up the ghost, find a 324 4bbl manifold and get an Edelbrock 450cfm AFB carb. The engine will love it. My West Coast Bias says to dump the sun visor unless you're going for the Bomba look. Oldsmobiles are great road cars. I sure miss having one, now.
Please replace the fuel filter with a metal one! The one that is on there have been known to be dangerous and have broken or leaked and started fires! Awesome Olds, have many happy miles in it! KK
A real beauty you found yourself! Sounds like a good plan of making it a mild custom driver and there aren't many groups of cars I like more than late 40s/ early 50s GM. Agreed on the interior, but i think it would be tolerable for a bit since it looks to be in good shape
I love me an Olds 88! Nice car Grumpy!! Good luck with it. Ya know, they do make some good dye for that interior if you can remove the covers from the seats. You just put it in the washing machine and it comes out a different color.
Actually it's a Rochester BB. I have thought about putting a 4 bbl on it along with a set 1.8 rockers.
I think that is an Arkansas thing Phil. Guys from that area have always thought bolting on extra fru fru was customizing. Junky looking on otherwise really nice cars but that is their thing.
O.k.! I don't know exactly where all that is coming from but you are entitled to your opinion and we all know about opinions!!
1stGrumpy probably carries some West Coast bias, hisself. Let's wait and see what he does with that visor. Sites like the HAMB are sort of erasing many regional differences.
Boobies!! Love it.... I would put a roof rack on it an throw vintage artifacts up there an roll!!! Note avatar...)
Beautiful! I wouldn't change anything except minor stuff, fuel filter. I like the green inside, something you don't see that much and matches the motor. A true survivor. Sent from my SM-S320VL using Tapatalk
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