6219_Rules

My son is the one interested in this kind of a project. He has done a little garage work but really just wanted to know what the business was like. Since he is just going into college I suspect that is all it was...interest. I would not do this kind of business since I am a. a terrible mechanic, and b. low on capital! I have read through the forum and watched the club news. Being shy in group situations, I tend to get lost in the shuffle but I love my cars. I guess it is all in how you approach things. For me business and hobbies are best kept separate. I do appreciate your responses a great deal. Thanks so much, guys. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Congratulations, Claire! What wonderful news! I would love to see a curved dash in person. I have a 1969 98 Holiday Coupe and Love it (naturally). But I think I can understand your excitement a little better having just rebuilt the Carter carb on my 1947 Cadillac. Imagine my surprise when I put it back on the manifold and it started right up!!! <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> I look forward to hearing more about your experiences. Randy

Thank you for you experience and suggestions. I really had no illusions as to the difficulty of such a startup, but I think it could be done over time using the buying and selling of cars as the basis for financing and learning the most efficient means to design a shop complex for the restoration process. I really appreciate your suggestions! My son will too. He and I have been playing with classic cars for some time now. Randall

I am looking into the efficacy of starting a business in classic car restoration. I am looking for information on how many such businesses exist in a given market, where those strong markets are located and other business case data that would help in this initial investigation. The kind of restoration business would be a professional Frame Off Restoration as well as work for the less involved collector to help finance the operation without getting into the kinds of projects that become a mire of cost and time. Any suggestions, links and information would be greatly appreciated. Randall lykeios@lykeios.com

Hi everyone! I have a 1969 Oldsmobile 98 Holiday Coupe and have had some trouble getting parts, though with all of the resources out on the web I have found what I have needed. The part I cannot seem to find is the front rotors for the power disc brakes. I found one in a junk yard in Florida but it has a minimal surface. One source I have found and can recommend is Fusick Oldsmobile Parts. You can reach them at www.fusick.com and they have PDF manuals. The prices seem to be reasonable too. Randy

Thank you, Shane. I saw a couple of pictures of the Hollywood and was curious.

Please could someone tell me about the 1940 Graham? Was it a Cord? Who made it and what other information can you tell me about this car? Tnank you!!

Thanks so much! This is very exciting. I loved my first car which was a 1969 Oldsmobile Cutlass Sport, white with Black vinyl roof / interior, and now the 98. It has been a marvelous car to drive and just ride in (my son drives it mostly since I am disabled). I am looking forward to meeting the group at the OCA Rocky Mountain chapter and will extend your warm greetings. I have heard that the Rocky Mountain groups all preform marvelously in producing wonderful shows. I am also a memebr of the Rocky Mountain Cadillac LaSalle Club which is an outstanding group. I am looking forward to making more friends in the OCA! Regards, Randy

Hey Thanks! That sounds great, and will look good for an article I will be writing on my car (I need your basic info so I can site you if its ok) lykeios@lykeios.com One thing though...I totally agree on vinyl ( hate the stuff myself) but sadly my car has it. It is a three toned affair, dark metallic blue body, with light blue on the molding around the vinyl top and a medium to light blue vinyl roof. It also has white pinstriping, all of which looks very elegant actually! He does have the split bench with arm rest, light group (on the mirror and above the radio) carpeted trunk and full wheel covers. However, it only has an AM radio and a spring mounted antenna...I doubt the latter is original but could be. The whole car is supposed to be original with all its pieces. It has the decals on the air cleaner and the two on the trunk lid still for operating the jack. Nowhere does it SAY Holiday Coupe...that is what the owner told me it was. But needless to say it is one hot ride and a great car! The engine is in perfect trim and the interior, with a few minor scratches or bobbles, is nearly perfect including the ice blue satin seats. I hope to be going to the OCA regional meeting on Dec 14th in Arvada next month. Thanks for the info!! Randy

No I'm sorry. There is no website for this company. However, this is the information I got out of the Journey with Olds: Originality Plus 8043 Montara Ave. Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730 909-945-5466 9-5:30 Mon - Fri <img src="/ubbthreads/images/icons/wink.gif" alt="" />

I love to drive the '47. I agree totally. No car should be put up and expected to run normally. I was afraid of hurting the engine until I could get to it. I had my '69 Olds in for front end work so I put the Caddy in the garage for the time. We are getting it out today. I have thought my old mechanic was going too far saying the engine needed overhauling. A ring and valve job sounds about right. So we are taking it in to the garage this morning. My son will give it a compression check tomorrow and we will go from there. I cannot imagine what fun it would be to tool around in a '31 Duesenberg! As you can tell I am new to the car collecting and enjoyment. I got into it as I became disabled in 2000. I had a sudden opportunity to get the 1947 Cadillac and took the leap. I have never regretted it.

Excellant answer! Thank you. I have had the radiator cored and the engine flushed. So at least that much is done. I was hoping it wasn't the rings since that will cost a lot of money to do. I will have to do a compression test and then pull the heads to really know what is going on then. Thanks again. At least I know what to expect. Randall

I have a 1947 Cadillac Series 62, with 34000 original miles on the 347cid flat head V-8. The car originated in Kansas and moved to Houston, TX afer 53 years to be restored. The engine ran perfectly, even having sat for 45 years in a barn. It never burned oil. I moved to the mountains of Colorado this year and naturally brought my Caddy with me. Within a month, it started to blow smoke (oil) on startup and when you excellerate. The mechanic told me I had to rebuild the engine, bore it out, etc. But I don't think that is right. I am interested in all opinions. I know that the 10% ethanol in the 93 octane gas may be at some fault here. Also this started right after I cleaned the carborator. So I may have blown a seal. What do you think?

GREAT NEWS! I found the part through Originality Plus in California. The part is being shipped next day air to me. To clarify : The part is the left front hub dust cap. In it is an anti-static coil and a female part that attaches to the speedometer cable in the spindle. Many thanks to you for all your help!!! My 98 should be up and on the road tomorrow. Yours in Colorado! Randy

Thank you so much! I have sent a note to the president of the Rocky Mountain chapter. My son found a part of the bail cap in the dust cap which the mechanic had shifted to the right wheel. I am hoping we will have the part very soon!

K0he bearings on my 1969 Olds 98 Holiday Coupe, the mechanic (now fired) lost a critical part. I am desperately looking for the retainer on the left front spindle that holds the castle nut and attaches to the speedometer cable that feeds through the knuckle joint and into the spindle. My car is in pristine shape and is now useless without this part! Can anyone help me?