OK, I have been a "Car Guy"forever, I mean really, since I was old enough for my first pedal car, I took the pins out of the pedal system to see if I could make it go faster with some of moms Crisco, I was like 7. About 23 years ago I came across a 55 Olds 98 Holiday 2 Door HDTP, I bought it and cleaned/tuned it up. I had a neighbor with a 55 Holiday camp trailer that I bought and had a great time with my young son and that setup cruising and camping. Cost for the Olds: $1200, cost for the camper $150, you know the priceless shit. Well the Olds and camper went away, my son is on his own now (along with 3 younger siblings) and I have the grey in the beard to tell the rest of the story. So a couple of months ago in our local rag is an add for a bunch of stuff someone is cleaning out of their garage. At the top of the list is a 56 Olds Holiday. I called right away and got a very busy owner that said nothig more than "It is'nt mint condition by any means, talk to my wife if you want to see it." He put her on the line. The car was within a mile of my home, so I booked over to check it out. They did'nt say and I did'nt ask much detail, so as the door on the garage went up I was dissapointed to see it was a 4 door HDTP. It had'nt ran in years. But.......It was clean, I mean really clean. Stock re-paint from the 70's or so, mostly straight and original inside and out, it was all there, everything, the original keys hanging out of the ignition. I found out that the car had been her husbands, fathers car. The son, John, had sat in the car on the showroom floor as his dad signed the papers in late 55 or early 56. The Olds had been willed to the son when the father passed away. John being not very mechanical had driven the car very little and it eventually ended up running really poorly, so it was dropped off at the only shop in town that they could find to work on the old car. It sat for a couple of years at the shop, the owner of the shop passed away and the car was towed back to the garage where I found it, not having ran for many years. One valve cover had been pulled and was in the trunk. All kinds of stuff was stored in the car. Cob webs were everywhere, like a Halloween display or something. But I wanted it. They were asking a reasonable price, 3 grand. But without it running and god knows what was wrong, it scared everyone but me away. I called back a week or so later and asked to look at the car again. This time I took some coveralls and tools. I climbed all over the car. Very little rust, the engine was free, brakes stuck, radiator questionable, but what a cool car and basically one owner. I did'nt have the cash, or at least the cash to spare and though I thought the car was worth it, had to pass. Another week and the ad is still in the paper. They still had the car! I went back, I very carefully explained that I would make an offer based on what I could afford and what I thought the car might need. My wife and I had come up with $1500 "extra" to "risk" on the old car. It was all I could do to offer what I thought would be a shot in the dark amount. The owner called the next day and said that he would take $2000 for the car, but I had to say no, we would have to stick to the $1500 offer. I was amazed when he said "Come and get it." I towed it home. The car has sat in my garage mostly untouched until this week. I did all the fluids and filters, cleaned out the gas tank, put a battery in and just to see what would happen, I fired it up. It lives! A bit of lifter noise (I think those are adjustable, but don't have a Motors manual in my collection for that car.) and some minor smoke, probably from the Sea Foam I soaked the carb and cylinders down with. The brakes broke loose and work, but seem to have a bit of a leak from the master, some power steering leakage, but WTF, I drove it around the neighborhood. The radiator is even holding water for now. I'll go through everything to make the car safe and roadworthy, then just cruise the daylights out of her. Including a promised trip to take the former owner for a ride. I gave the car a quick bath and shot some pictures that are attached. Just had to tell the story. It's not a "Barn Find" of some cool old hot rod, but hey, good to know the stuff is still around. This car hobby is the best thing going and I dig the way its heading back to the way it was when I was a kid. Find it, fix it,adapt it, make it cool your own way. If someone else can't relate "The Finger Is Out" H.A.M.B. rocks.
I can tell ya, it's got hydraulic lifters, non adjustable rockers. true 1957 j2 package motors were the only ones to come from the factory with solid lifters and adjustable rockers. cool find though! getting that car for 1500 is a STEAL! you lucky dog.
I read your story and when I got to the pictures an involuntary "HOLY CRAP!" flew out of my mouth! Beautiful, very clean indeed. Congrats on a great find and enjoy driving it.
Hey thanks, for the clue on the lifters. hudsoncustom, you shoulda bought it! Glad I caught you lookin the other way.
very cool score man, sounds like the sellers were decent folks. a lot of people would tell you to get bent
Wow, I personally am not a 4dr kindda guy, but at how clean that thing is, that is so coooool. I would have bought that in a heartbeat. Plus with all the kids, makes a better more enjoyable crusier. Congrats!!!
I have heard alot of olds in that period with noisey lifters. Don't know if they had a oiling problem or just poor lifters. Still a very nice find.
I know where there is a NICE 55 2 door hardtop in Bellingham sitting in someone's yard. I need to go and convice the guy to sell....
Wow. Awesome story man. My father has a '55 Olds 98 Holiday hardtop, like the one you used to have. Green and white, beautiful. It needs a little work, but its 100% original. Not a scratch on the car. It even has the original chains for the tires in the trunk. Sweet ride man, and what a steal! -Rick
real nice car great find in that condition usually when i try the low offer deal i loose the car and then second guess my price i'm great at hindsite good luck with the car john
You know I did'nt go after this car to low-ball the owners, just offered what I could and tried to be as nice as I could to them. The guy was really kinda upset to have to sell her, but just could'nt do the work himself. I just got lucky, or was in the right place at the right time etc. Trust me, things don't always work out for me on these deals either. Nice to know everyone likes the car, I am hoping to have it at Hot-Rod-A-Rama this year. I'll have a cooler full of cold ones in the trunk to share until I run out, so stop and talk cars!
The Jalopy Journal
