'59 Olds "barn find" in urban NY

Hey everyone!
While on the hunt for a '59 Buick driver I came across an ad in Hemmings for a 1959 Olds 88 4 dr hardtop for $4000 which was close to my house and advertised as being in excellent condition. I tried several times to contact the seller, and after not hearing back from them, I gave up and kept looking.
A week or so later I get a call from an elderly woman who told me the car had been bought new by her father and had been sitting in her garage since the mid '80s. She also told me that she had gotten many calls but didn't want to be bothered with sending photos.
I went and looked at it that night, and there it was sitting on four flat tires and covered in dust. It's a 'Super 88' sporting a 394cid engine, 4 bbl, power steering and power brakes. The car has original paint, original spare tire, even the four T-3 headlights appear original. The garage floor had been painted twice since the car was parked, and they simply painted around it. I left a deposit, and picked it up the next night.
The car is in remarkable shape, I didn't even try talking the woman down, I just paid the $4k. Haven't tried starting it just yet, but I'm not expecting any problems once a few precautions are taken. Anyway, just wanted to share my story. It's by far the nicest most original car I've ever owned, and I'm always a day late when these opportunities come around.

 

Thats quite a car - congratulations. Nice observation on the floor.

 

Very cool - great find

 

Nice find is it running yet? Good luck with it.

 

Great score.

 

Wow, what a pretty car.

 

Score!...

 

Wow - great find!

 

I noted the other day while looking over a parking lot how drab and boring the paint was on nearly all the cars in the lot. Boring earth tones.

That car was from a time when it wasn't important to blend in. Very nice.

 

Nice, post pics when you get it cleaned up.

 

AWESOME !! That baby is cool !!
Check out what I just brought home - its a 59 post 2 door 371 2bbl, but it came with a tri- power intake.
I can't wait for better weather - mine runs and drives, as I am sure yours will also. It is from Oregon and was last licensed in 1996. Lets just say - like you - I got a smokin deal on it
Very Cool !!

 

I love the yellow plates! Try to preserve the old reg and inspection stickers to! Where in NY I just wanna be a lil more jelious

 

Waaay Cool! Congratulations! and...if you figure it out at $/lb,it's cheaper than hamburger

 

Good for you! I like a person who knows what he wants and when he sees it,be happy to pay a reasonable price.

 

Sweet ride. Your one lucky SOB!!!! I wish I would of never sold mine. It strarted to turn out to be one hell of a 60s hot rod.

 

One thing about these cars is that they have more style and soul than some kia.

 

Thats really Cool! I got my '62 Super 88 the same way, last driven in '86. had original belts , hoses, someof the tires. Igot all new brake stuff, water pump, fuel pump, radiator re cored , heater core, shocks. Also have the 394, be mindful if you have the " slim Jim" transmission, they are known to be a little fragile. I've put about 7k miles on my car, turns heads everywhere!

Good luck!

 

WOW...those first couple of photos are amazing. Like a sleeping giant just waiting to be awakened after all those years...what a great find...congratulations!

 

IM not kidding. Mine would lay rubber like no ones bussnis

 

Oh yea post some pics of that nice clean motor. I would love to see it.

 

Wow, that is a clean survivor. It look's like it would buff out nicely.

 

Sweeet!!!

 

cool! nice to find an untouched surviour! now she can finish painting the floor.

 

awesome! And everybody loves A big back seat.

 

4 door hardtops are super cool. How many miles does it have on it?

 

that's a "space-race" car! great find... um, block those casters so your car doesn't roll away...

 

Cl***y car....and yes, great find.
Does that one have the reverse pulling the shift all the way down ??
I always loved that in my '62 Olds.
Good luck and keep us in pics !!

 

petersen43, Drive it. That is so damn cool. Slim

 

The car was in White Plains up the block from that big stupid shopping mall. Come to the Rumblers show this summer, I'm gonna do my best to have the Olds there

Thanks to everyone for the compliments! I'll repost pics periodically

 

Nice find, you did well.......