Big Day for Big Olds.......He's Topless No Longer

December 2001/January 2002 I took the convertible top ***embly off Big Olds and since I don't have heat in my garage I put a sheet down on my living room carpet and proceeded to take apart each and every piece. My goal was to fix all the rusty holes on the header bow, fill in all the pits on the other pieces and paint everything shiny black and put it back together with all new shiny stainless nuts and bolts.

Only took 5 1/2 years!

Here's some photos from the last three weekends......and this week at the top dudes place.

Thankfully two years ago I ran across a guy at the GG DesMoines show with a fat fender Chevy convert who was kind enough to allow me to take mega photos of his top ***embly put together. I printed those photos to use as references.


Most of the holes had to be tapped out. OldBobSign bought me a complete tap and die set AND showed me how to use it


A carpeted garage floor does have it's advantages


One LONG day and evening and the majority is put together




Completely forgot about these pieces till the top installer asked if I had them.....oops... thankfully Earl Schieb had given me about a gallon of extra paint so Larry took them home, painted them, then brought them back the next weekend so they could get installed just one day before Big Olds went to the top guy.




The top installer also mention at the last minute that the wooden bow needed to be routered out in the center so a rubber tack strip could go in there, so......I used a router for the first time. Only two goofs but no one will ever see them.


The last ride *******


Mark had Big Olds for 4 days. I stopped each day either before work or after and took photos....surprise, surprise

I wasn't sure what color boot to have him make cuz I'm not sure what color interior Fat Lucky is going to do so he just did a black one. It can be changed if needed I hope.


Wooden bow with tack strip in place


Header bow with all the tack strips in place

 

Today when I picked him up. Me and Biggie Mark, the uy who installed the top


Once home and washed






I'm happy, not thrilled, just happy. I know this gets me one step closer to my Fat Lucky interior. It's not the most perfect jobI realize that There are a few things I'm not real pleased with but I knew going in that I was going to get what I paid for. I had ALOT of quotes for over twice what I paid BUT I wanted to spend more on my interior therefore I only had so much left for the top. Did I compomise? No, I don't think so. Not too many people will even see the top. It's not an important feature of the car to me. Mark should have been alittle neater with a few things but maybe that's just the perfectionist coming out in me.

It felt very, very strange driving home with a roof over my head. I have 65,000 miles on Big Olds now and they have all been ******* miles. It's a weird feeling, kinda enclosed. I don't know whether I'm going to put the top down or leave it up for my ride to work in the morning.

There are a few people that I really would like to thank the first being OldBobSign. Without his help and guidence in the ***embly, I know it would not have gotten done. Thanks so much sweetie.

I'd also like to thank Roadster. He worked his *** off helping me get the bows fixed, filled, sanded, primed and painted. They are pieces that most people will not see yet I can honestly tell you these pieces are all TENS! Thanks for all your help over the years. Means alot.

I'd like to that Enjenjo for fabbing a new piece for one of the arms that broke off. It was made of br*** and I was at a loss for what to do. He's a good pal and I appreciate his help.

Big day for Big Olds and a HUGE couple of weeks ahead of us. LAST sleep tonight before we leave for B'ville tomorrow. Big Olds and the little red roadster are packed and sitting in the garage waiting. I just had to share before I headed to bed although I'm so excited I probably won't sleep

 

lookin' good! that'll be better for the occasional bad weather on trips

 

Sellout
Time to change your sig line, unless your a different kind of *******

 

Woo hoo...finally...it hasn't had a roof for so long i forgot it was supposed to have one...

 

Thats lookin real sharp!

 

Now yer gonna hafta change yer sig line!

 

Congrats Sweetie.

Its looking great and I know you've worked your *** off getting ready for the trip.

Hope you have a great time.

I'll see you soon.

- RBR

 

You did a great job. Do you feel cramped and closed in driving it now after being ******* for so long?

 

Only 5 1/2 years!! We took the top apart on a 46 Cad, sandblasted and powercoated it........What a nightmare, took for ever tappin holes and tryin to figure how to put it together. I'm proud of you, been there......OLDBEET

 

leave it out in the sun, those wrinkles should settle a bit. Looks good Denise. When is the FatLucky interior getting done?

 

You ain't going to know how to act when you're dry on the highway...

Lookin' good...

R-

 

Very nice Denise, I like the top,

Rusty

 

The White looks great! Really sets off the paint.

 

Very nice job, congrats but you will always be my favorite ******* gal

Now bring on Fat Lucky

 

Congrats.

I never really stopped and looked at that car. It's a very cool car. I really dig the white. Good call.

It'll tighten up a little when the sun gets to it. It'll be down most of the time anyways, don't sweat the small stuff.

Besides, ******* is always an option.

Rob.

 

Congrats Denise! Great job to all involved. The top just adds to Big Olds's handsome looks...Well done... celibrate with a batch of cookies!!

 

I like it Denise, white was a good color choice. Reeeaaally sorry I'm gonna miss you at your Omaha stop. Have a safe trip. See Ya, Gary

 

Denise, you are one cool chick! You put up some great posts.Look forward to meeting you one day.

 

Looling good there Denise!! And no I wont be making it to Bonneville.

 

Lookin' good Denise, long time comin'...

 

Glad I got to see it at the Cinematic on one of its last ******* trips. I'll have to check out the new top at Scarry Larry's show in September.

 

She looks great Denise. So happy for you. No more bugs in that pretty smile........

 

looks good. have a safe B'ville trip. send pics.

 

still *******...just wears a hat evey once in a while right?

 

One year at the Nats, Steve H. and I talked about that top (I was doing one on a '48 Buick) - he'd be glad (amazed?) to know it's finally on there - congrats. Sun will help - so will leaving it down and forgetting about it. It's a win-win deal. Will be at Omaha and B-ville in spirit (will be at B-ville in person for World of Speed). Enjoy the shade,
Scotty

 

Nice looking roof... 5 1/2 years... thats an awesome wait!

 

Looks great Denise, Prolly feels like a whole different car now. Great choice for the color. B-ville sun will stretch out those wrinkles. Drive safe and have a great time. Will be looking forward to some great posts from the trip.
You won't have to change your user name. As for myself and I am sure a few others, have and always will, think about you "*******".

 

looks good denise,
i know the feeling of having a top after, not.
i had my first roadster for 2 years before i bought one with a top...it was very strange driving with it on the new car
just doesnt feel like the same car as without.....

remember....they're just as easy to put down or unbolt!
have fun at bonneville!
Zach

 

I've thought about him alot the last couple of weeks and especially yesterday as it would have been a day when I called him on the phone and told him about another of Big Olds milestones. I would always call him when they occured. It feels strange not to. He would have been so proud of the way HIS car is turing out.