38 Olds restoration

Larry J · July 3rd, 2009

Here is my first attempt at a restoration - just starting the process with this 38. It sat in my wife's uncle's backyard for at least 35 years and it has its share of rust issues. He bought it in 1942. Anyway it had been an education to this point. I am at the point where I need to fill the brake master cylinder and bleed them - hoping that they will hold pressure. The straight eight is in the process of being rebuilt by a friend of a friend. My wife gave me five years to complete it and I am two years into that. I hope that the pics uploaded......

July 3rd, 2009

Hats off to your efforts. I went through the same process several years ago with my 38 Dodge sedan and completed most of the restoration in 2007 (although I question whether one is ever finished with these marvels of the past). As a suggestion, while the body is off the frame and once the motor is installed, make a seat and drive the car to test the mechanicals. It is so easy to work on the mechanicals without the body, now is the time to assure everything is in perfect working (i.e., brakes, transmission, rear axle, etc.). Good luck with your work. Thom

keiser31 · July 3rd, 2009

A friend of mine had a '38 Olds 4 door like yours when I was in high school back in 1969/70. I can hardly wait to see your progress.

Dave Fields · July 3rd, 2009

Looks like you are doing a Ghia too. Is your Olds a 6 or an 8? If I remember, the 38 Olds had a reeal neat instrument panel.

Larry J · July 4th, 2009

No - the Ghia is not mine. I was fortunate to find a good body guy who is cutting out the rusted floor pans/body panels and welding in new pans and patch panels. The pic was taken in his shop. I am working out of my garage and don't have the equipment to deal with the massive rust issues. Kemps Rod and Custom in Michigan made the floor pans and patch panels for me. The engine is an 8. I am having hardened valve seats put in it so unleaded gasoline won't be a problem. One neat thing about the car is that it has dual side mount spare tires. I think 38 was the last year they were available. Here is a pic of the rolling chassis pre sandblast and epoxy coat. If I can dig up a pic of the car the day I pulled it out of the weeds I will post it as well.

Larry J · July 4th, 2009

By the way - I had a 1950 DeSoto for a while when I was in high school. It wasn't a woody but but the fluid drive was kind of neat and it was huge inside. We could load a ton of people in it to go to the drive in. My dad paid $50 for it and we (my brother and I) drove it for several years. Dad finally sold it for $25.

abh3usn · July 5th, 2009

Larry, nice to see an Olds on its way to the road again. You're making good progress. I love the dash on these cars. Keep us updated.

imouttahere · July 5th, 2009

"My wife gave me five years to complete it..."

LarryJ, don't you know how unbecoming such a statement is to you? If this is really true, then you need to let your wife know who's boss, in no uncertain terms. And under no circumstances should you admit it on an internet forum!

Larry J · July 5th, 2009

If she knew how much money I am spending she would shoot me - even after 36 years of marriage. Her exact words were "if its not done in five years it is going to the dump." She has mellowed some after seeing it without all of the rust. I finished forming the last of the new brake lines today and filled the master cylinder. Numerous leaks but I got them all tightened up and now have brakes.

keiser31 · July 5th, 2009

Man, you are ON it! You do great work!!!