Customs Impulsive purchase of the day - '49 Olds Sedanette

So lately I've been getting the bug to build something again. I mean, I've never totally lost it, but I've been sidetracked with a new job, odds and ends around the house, hanging out with my girl, and just enjoying my '57, which has been getting a lot of miles lately. That's all well and good, and I love my '57, but it's just sort of...done. I mean, it could always be better, but for the time being I just put gas and oil in it and go. So it's as done as it's going to be for a long while.

So while en route to my cousin's graduation party last week, I stumbled across a sweet garage sale with this sitting outside. After talking to the owner, the wheels started churning. Should I or shouldn't I. This is a bit more of a project than I was looking for, but screw it. The price was right, and I decided it needed to happen. I called my girl's dad (alaskaal) to see if I could borrow his truck and trailer, and he offered to take the drive.

So here it is. 1949 Olds 2 door fast back.



It looks pretty good as long as you don't get too close, haha. Seriously, it's a mostly complete car. No motor or trans, though he did offer me a '57 371 for an additional $300, which I declined. No windshield or side glass either. But everything else, was painstakingly disassembled, boxed, and labeled accordingly. Here's the entire bed of the truck filled to the top with Olds erector set.



Obviously it's not without issues. Floor pans are pretty rotted, especially the passenger side which is rotten to the point that it's no longer connected and the door is sagging. It has no latches or window regulators. Some pretty marginal repair work was attempted and needs to be redone.





But the car looks pretty virgin otherwise, including the hood and fenders, decklid, and the roof.




The previous owner also spent a small fortune with EMS buying all the floor pans, floor braces, inner and outer rockers. They all came with the car.



I'm still mulling over what the ultimate plan is going to be, but it's going to be done, and it's going to be custom. Either way, it's mine now.

 

Enjoy!!!!!!!!!!!

 

its a good start! keep the updates coming

 

Now you've done it.

 

Go resto-rod!!!! Keep it mostly original, but stuff a big-ass motor in there with a 4 speed (PUH-LEEZE don't go slushbox!!!).

Will be a sweet ride.

Chris

 

Being an olds freak, I hope you opt to find a 303/324 Olds motor. I know there are some very anal folks that would like to see that done too. But whatever power you decide on it will be great just to see the old girl back on the road. Great start.

 

cool it will make a nice looking ride

 

We can all use just 1 more. Good luck

 

nice score ive been looking for just such a ride and with goodies to boot....cant wait to see what ya do with it.

 

Good score. Those are cool cars and there aren't that many of them around. Please keep us posted as you build it.

 

Nice find. I'd stay with an Olds engine no matter what. If you don't want to spring for an early engine a 350R 400 or 455 would all work great in that car.

I saw a fresh resto rod 52 Pontiac hardtop today that was stock color and had wide whites and stock caps on it but had a V8 under the hood with lots of shiny stuff. Close the hood and it looked showroom fresh.

If I had found that car before you did it would be chopped with the 350R, turbo 400 and 76 Seville rear axle that I have stashed back to push it down the road.

 

I really do like the early OHV Olds motors, and if he was offering a 303 or 324 I prob would have taken it. As far as the immediate future, I can say that a SBC/TH350 will go in. My town has historically given me crap about having old cars around, so if it runs and is registered and insured, there is nothing the town can say and it's all legit. That may not be what ultimately ends up in there, but it's the cheap effective route in the short term.

 

Sweet!

 

good luck and have fun

the ems guy

 

Awesome that you'd chime in on this thread. I counted 12 patch panels from EMS included. I look forward to using them!

 

Get the Photo shop guru's some ideas, and see what they can do....Neat old ride...

 

Envy being the big sin and all, may I just say congratulations on a magnificent find may
it give you many happy returns!

 

Major league score! So many option's. I hear you on getting road worthy, quickly. You can save up for the 'just right' combo (what ever that may be) from cheater slicks/zoomie's to Lowrider custom. Bravo.

 

I totally agree, this car does give you lots of options. I'm a kustom guy through and through, so that will be the direction of this build. Mid-50s custom, tail down, but not entirely sure as to the total combo. Definitely chopped. Been batting around the idea of cadillac quarters, Packard lights... who the hell knows? I have plenty of time to think about it, get the plan in place, then execute it. In the mean time I still have my 57 so I'm not missing out on cruising.

 

Congrats, Joe! Glad you decided to build another car. It looks pretty good, better than most Jersey cars, it shouldn't be a hard build. I'm sure you'll make the right decisions as to style and era of the build, too. And as usual, if you need any help.......

 

Way to go Joe! Being an Olds guy, I'm all for keeping what's left of them alive too. Near same situation when I found a 55 with only 34k on it, but with an empty engine bay. Jumped up to the 350/350 combo, but kept it all Oldsmobile.

But you do whatever it takes to put that orphan back on the playing field again and please keep us informed during the build.

Thanks for giving into your passion and for sharing the right impulse decision.................

 

Ilove those cars. IT has a good home, am looking forward to what you do.

 

I like your era custom ideas, the car is in good hands.

 

Wish I could find garage sales like that!
My brother and I went together and bought a complete 49 Olds 98 back in 74 for $125. And it ran (sort of)
We worked on it for awhile,he lost interest and his wife didn't like looking at it in the yard. I wanted to keep it,but didn't have a place for it,so it had to go. Always loved that car.
Here's some pics for you. Good luck Joe!

 

Very nice start !!!!! BUT go back and get that 57 motor !!!!!

 

X2! What am I missing here?

 

Yeah looks like you really screwed up big time. Looks like a great project to me. Love those fastbacks.

48 Poncho

 

Just like we talked about! That young Lady is gonna look great driving that! Oops, you still think it's yours!!!

 

Good find and you saved it from a crappy street rod treatment I'm sure. I would do a period custom job on it, mid 50s. Keep the pics of your progress coming.

 

X3 on the 371 !! It's a great engine, really better than the 303 or 324 and will bolt right in. $300.00 is a pretty good deal.