starfireelvis

SMS Auto Fabrics in Canby, Oregon (www.smsautofabrics.com) will have the material that is very close in appearance, but much more durable, of course. You'll need to find the plastic bows and the brackets that they clip onto (or use the ones you still hopefully have); do not know of anyone re-popping those bows, and they tend to age (yellow). As far as the cardboard goes, I actually had to improvise by going to an art shop where I live; fortunately the guy who owned it was a Marine (never met one I couldn't trust), and an old-car enthusiast, having owned a '55 Ford Thunderbird. At his recommendation, I bought two 1/16th thick (I believe it was 60" x 60") artboards (cardboards), and the person who did the work for me was able to glue them together back-to-back to achieve a necessary amount of stiffness plus pliability to cut out board that were outlined from a pattern someone had drawn up for me. They worked out very well. Having said all that, I know that the same people who did the work on my sun visors, Acme Auto Headliners in Long Beach, California, were contemplating having some sort of reproduction of the headliner/boards when I last spoke to them about a year ago. The gentleman there named Bob (whom if I'm not mistaken is the proprietor) was extremely helpful. Their contact information I've cut and pasted is: 550 W 16TH ST., LONG BEACH, CA 90813-1510, (562) 432-0281 www.acmeautoheadlining.com I'll try to put some images of the headliner on a following post so you can see how they turned out...

Off the top of my head, I'd try USA Parts Supply in Kearneysville, West Virginia; www.usapartssupply.com as they have quite an inventory. Would have to look further into it if they don't have it; maybe someone else can chime in with a solution...

I obtained my shock absorbers from Fusick Automotive, which is the first place I always look for parts for my '62 Starfire Coupe and my '62 Dynamic 88 wagon. They send the items quickly, and have never had a "wrong" or incorrect item from them. They will be at Fall Carlisle and Fall Hershey if that is of relevance, as you would save on shipping that way; you need to let them know by the Friday before each Meet. I have the pricing and contact information below. As for the transmission, hmmm, I am a stickler for authenticity, so I would stay with the Slim Jim if at all possible, though I know they were the Achilles' Heel of these cars. Whatever you do, if you stick with the Roto HydraMatic 10, as it is known, make SURE the shop has a guy who has ACTUALLY WORKED on them, or you'll end up like me, where a 40-year-in-the-business tranny guy returned the parts to THREE Slim-Jims I had in eight boxes! Luckily I had an old retired guy who knew these inside and out agree to put two good ones together out of them, and he did them both within two weeks, and they are running great. They should give you great service at that point, as long as you're not abusing them like some 17-year-old kid and wanting to do burn-outs... I have heard of people who say that they can mate the 394 with a Olds 700 R4 tranny, but from what I understand (no expert, someone please correct me if I am wrong), it does require some fabrication, and also some cutting of the floor as the tranny tunnel is not large enough to accommodate this switch-out. Ross Lombardi of Ross Racing in Niles, Ohio (near Youngstown/Warren) would know more about this; his number is 330/544-4466. H Hope this helps, keep us posted, and below is the info on the shocks from Fusick's (they have springs, too, which I have also bought and installed on the Starfire)... Gas Shock Absorbers: New tubular type gas shock absorbers are available to give you the quality ride and handling that you expect from your Oldsmobile. 50140G Front Shock Absorber 1961-64 All 88-98-SF 49.50 each 50185G Rear Shock Absorber 1961-62 All 88-98-SF 49.50 each Phone: 1-860-623-1589 Phone: 1-860-623-1583

I appreciate the photographic evidence, Brian! Thanks again...

I'd have to say that those '62-'64 models are one-inchers, even though I believe Buick had 15 inch wheels, as opposed to Oldsmobile having the 14-inchers...even the '65 looks like its the same... Any word on what the '65 full-size models for Oldsmobile would have had, and where they might be available?

For future reference, Is there any place you can find the 5/8 or 3/4 inch whitewall on a radial equivalent (235/75/14--car in question is a '65 Olds Ninety-Eight convertible with A/C)? I could not find such an animal for Coker, Universal, or Lucas. I do see the 1-inch versions at all locations...

Interesting debate between friends at a recent Oldsmobile show. Discussion centered around the proper whitewall width of the early-'60s Oldsmobiles (particularly around 1962-64 full-size cars), also the width of the whitewall starting in 1965. I have always believed that the '62-'64 models had a one-inch whitewall; however the contention was made that it was an inch-and-a-half, which I contend is too wide (there was a transition from the wider-whites for the '61 GM models, or so I had thought). Beginning with the 1965 model year, I had also believed that the whitewall was reduced to 5/8ths of an inch--is this accurate? Thanks for your assistance, Mike

I would take a good look at the program, check out the vendors who fit the categories that they specialize in, and at least plan a "route" to see each one in as logical a manner as possible. From getting to point A to point B, keep your eyes open for what you're looking for along the way, and get a feel for the lay of the land, so to speak. You probably want to do this one "field" at a time (by color, such as Chocolate, Red, etc.). I wore a pedometer last year that was given to me; just for the heck of it I put it on, and averaged walking about 7-8 miles a day!

Just trying to help a friend out here. He recently purchased a Jade Mist 1964 Olds Cutlass Holiday Coupe, with a dark green interior. He found a slip of paper in the springs of the rear seat, that had a bunch of codes on it. I had a similar experience last spring in finding a slip of paper underneath the hinge flap behind the back seat of my '62 Dynamic 88 wagon, and it matched up to the options listed on the Fisher Body Plate under the hood. My friend did note that the "3237" is the code for the Cutlass Holiday Coupe; here's the rest of the codes as he as transcribed them and sent to me: 3-372-19-10 13750 3237-962-2X-5W Again, I am only cutting and pasting these codes exactly as how they were sent to me; do not know if the hyphens are supposed to be in there or not. Will try to find out more... Thanks, Mike

I had recently read somewhere that SMS Auto Fabrics out of Canby, Oregon has recently started in this area--would have to check to see what they have. Largest Selection of Cloth, Vinyl & Leather Automobile Upholstery - SMS Auto Fabrics

Will stop by to say hi!

If you want to see as much as you can and want, yep, you want maps. Would say to prioritize who you want to see, of course, but also try to cover ground in as logical and efficient manner as possible. it is everything I can do to see as much of the swap meet fields as I can, and even with three solid days from Wednesday to Friday it is tough to get it all in. For some idea, I received a cheap little pedometer shortly before Fall Hershey last year, which once I figured out exactly how I was to place it upon my hip, calculated that I walked between 7 and 8 miles a day covering ground.

Another tell-tale sign of a '61-'62 394 engine compared to the '63-'64 version would be the type of fuel pump, and the corresponding location of the fuel filter bowl and bracket. The '61-'62 394's use a dual-action fuel pump, with the fuel filter bowl/bracket located on the neck of the oil filler tube; the '63-'64 location of that bowl/bracket is down next to the fuel pump, and I believe (someone correct me if I am wrong) a single-action fuel pump. Fusick's lists one type for '61-'62, and two types for '63-'64, one for an A/C car, and one without air conditioning (all are listed under the description of being dual-action pumps). As for the water pumps, there is a difference for the '61-'62 models dependent upon if the car has A/C or not; Fusick's catalog says that the '63-'64 ones are "available on an intermittent basis", so be mindful of that for future reference; I would imagine there would also be a difference between A/C and non A/C cars. Fusick's also lists front motor mounts as being the same for all 1961-64 cars. as well as being the same for transmission mounts between '61-'64 (except for '63-'64 convertibles for whatever reason). Hope your Roto HydraMatic (also known as the infamous "Slim Jim") is working well. That really is about the only Achilles' heels with these cars, and we can discuss the trials and tribulations of those as we go along. Congrats on having the Starfire awoken from its quarter-century slumber, and hoping we hear about it being back on the road where it belongs soon!

Yes, since registration officially closed on the 15th of August, it's about time we start pointing our attention a little bit more to Chocolate Town and the first full week of October. I know that there will likely be a compilation list coming up, but for now, I am planning to make my way over on Tuesday 10/8, attend the swap meet from the 9th through the 11th, and for a change of pace this year, am leaving the '62 Olds Starfire at home, and bringing my '62 Olds Dynamic 88 Fiesta Station Wagon to its inaugural Fall Hershey event. I had mentioned it to a few folks last year that I finally have it back and at least running and presentable, and wanted to have a little different of an experience on the show field this time around, and something a little different for people to stop by and check out.

Was able to get out Monday evening to a local cruise-in, and in case the pictures posted before don't quite capture the lowered level (in more ways than one I guess we could say) on this car, here is one that does...

Prefacing this post by saying that, for the first 49 years of this car's half-century of existence, it was a completely stock and apparently well-cared-for original with 19,000 miles on it, as this car had been up for auction and for sale locally in the fall of 2012. And, I will also add that the young men I talked to about this car as it is today were nice, pleasant, and cooperative enough to answer any of my questions about it, for which I am appreciative, so I do not mean to cast aspersions toward them. I realize that, like it or not, whoever owns a vehicle can do whatever they want to it. Having said that, it does not prevent me from having an opinion about it, which I will do my best to hold in check here. I have a lead for someone interested in a 1963 Oldsmobile Dynamic 88 Holiday Coupe, in Provincial White, still sporting its original red/maroon vinyl ("morroceen") seats, with the low-compression "economy" green-block 394 Rocket V-8 engine with 2bbl carburetor (the original one has been replaced with ?), 8.75:1 compression, and have been told it has a solid shifting original Slim-Jim transmission, and correct hubcaps with one-inch whitewall radials. UNFORTUNATELY, the most recent owner saw fit to slam/lower the car with some sort of hydraulic system to become a low-rider, and apparently used the sizeable trunk room to house the tank, along with a woofer that IMHO should only be used in stadiums with five-figure attendance capacities.. The only other modification appears to be two round modern speakers installed in the rear deck, which may not have been original to begin with, but can be reversed in any case.. I did not make a note about the radio; reason would stand that the original one has been replaced. I know of no other modifications. I am cautiously optimistic that any new owner could, if so desired, stem the tide of any more ill-chosen "improvements", and reverse further ignominy that has already been perpetrated upon this otherwise fine vehicle, and bring it back to its once-grand original state and proper from-the-factory suspension. I do have pictures of this car from last year, as it had appeared prior to its current incarnation; however, the tale of the tape as it stands is illustrated with these pictures posted. The buyer is asking $12,500; and can be reached at 330/309-3870. The vehicle is located in the Canton, Ohio area. If I had the means by which to save this vehicle from becoming anything more bastardized, I would have done so to begin with and bought it before any of this happened; hopefully someone out there of like mind and philiosophy as I will rescue it from becoming just another urban plaything for someone with little sense of the history folks like us have reverence for. **********************

OK Joe, found it in the big car catalog after all--was at the bottom of the listing of the engine block paints. Don't know why everyone calls it red when it's obviously orange. Maybe they're Steelers fans like me and don't like the Browns, either!

Thanks Joe--I will order some of that right away! Was that in the Cutlass/442 catalog? I should have thought to look there as well. Or, was it indeed in the "big car" '61-'75 catalog? Also Joe, are you making it to Fall Hershey this year? I will have the wagon there instead of the Starfire this time around...

Need to refurbish an air cleaner for a mid-'60s 425 c.i. engine; I believe the '65-'67 Super Rocket/Starfire (not Toronado, of course) air cleaners were an orange or reddish orange (don't want to hear about how it's "red"--it's orange!). It is not the same red as the engine block paint. Any recommendations for where you can get a proper color match for this (I always check Fusick's first, but did not see any paints in their catalog outside of engine block colors. Thanks! Mike

Yes, and I found one; was trying to hunt down the exact part number that I used; while I will go ahead and post this link for the one that I needed (no tilt, and with cornering lamps), turns out I ended up buying one that had a different number (as this one was deemed too expensive) but worked the same; want to say it was for a '66-'67 full-size/Toronado, but can't swear to it. Here's that link... Oldsobsolete | 1965 – 1966 Oldsmobile Turn Signal Switch NOS # 910813

Also, wiper switch, is it a one or two speed and does it have the washer button? Should be easier to find on eBay, or in other old boneyard sources that aren't NOS.

There will be a difference in the turn signal switch depending on whether or not the car has cornering lamps. I found one last year for a '65 98 with cornering lamps; I know there were some a available at that time, but for a pretty price. Far as I know, neither Fusick not USA Parts Supply would have one...

Good news from Virginia--she just called me to say that the Roadster has been sold, and has a new owner and home. Thanks again to everyone for spreading the word to ensure that that the 97-year-old vehicle will have its restoration completed, and to help Viriginia out as well. I am sure that Jack is smiling that one of his fellow old car enthusiasts will finish up what he started...