Hey there! Chalk up another old fart with an Olds - a mild custom-rodded 1949 88 Club Coupe. Frankly, if it had not already become a mild custom when I found it, I would not have changed much, if anything - there are just very few gennies left. But I am adding a few personal touches. This is going to be a nice driver, not a dragster or a trailer queen. It already had a Camaro front clip and rear end, and a custom Camaro based rear suspension, a rebuilt TH400 and a thrashed 403. I'm not much of a wrench myself, but I have a sympatico restorer/mechanic who is installing a rebuilt 400 from a 1967 442. (I'm keeping it mainly Olds from here on.) It has a period style Naugahyde tuck & roll interior, Ididit column with Grant wheel. The dash has been smoothed with hidden added gauges, CD stereo, and A/C controls. (Nothing hanging off the bottom.) A/C ducts have been tastefully integrated into the dash. The aim is to keep the dash clean but distinctive and OLDS. The exterior has been smoothed and will be further, while still retaining easily recognizable Olds character. Believing the grille, bumpers and lights are the styling cues that say "Olds" the most, they will remain essentially unchanged. Beyond the usual shaved hood, trunk and side moulding/gravel shields (but retaining window stainless) the new subtleties will include: bumpers smoothed after removing guards ...custom rear license light (single) flush-mounted in top of bumper ...front license area grafted from center of 98 model taillight bezel tops reshaped after removal of top "fin" gas filler panel molded ...access now ala '49 Caddy behind left taillight rear wheel well openings slightly modified to remove rectangular shape and more closely follow fender line (NOT radiused) As you probably can see, I regard this car not only as a rod, but as a piece of classic automotive sculpture, which I want to retain and enhance, not mod for the sake of mod. (Do I dare contrast with the Barris approach? Sacrilege! )
Sounds cool to me, keep up the upgrades & post a few pics when you can. I like Olds, myself. Just something different about 'em. Glad to have you on board, make sure you get a chance to look at the ArtShow when you can. It's very inspiring for art & mods. Good stuff. Don't forget to post some pics when you can.
HEY YOU GOT TO LOVE THE OLDS'IES ! MY TWO 50 88 CLUB COUPE'S. THE CADDY-LaSALLE GEAR BOX & 4 BARREL, OFF A LATER OLDS. THE HYDRO, STOCK CARB. GRAY PRIMER, RED RIMS,W/ SMITTY'S ! I'LL DIG ONE UP SHORTLY? AFTER INVENTORY REDUCTION.
Great. I'd love to see pics of everyone's 49/50s. Been thru the other threads. I'm intrigued by the red one with the front license/guard area completely smoothed out. Did you notice he added a small grille bar at the bottom of the opening? Choice. Been looking at these cars for a lo-o-ong time, and have never seen anything nicer. (However, in CA we need to run a front plate if we're going to drive much.)
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