Oldsmobile Heaven

[Dave Mellor NJ]

Oldsmobile Heaven it may be but i'd bet 100% of the people here, if they could bring one car forward would take the 33F3WC. Posted on HAMB by Woody1946.

[Hudsy Wudsy]

I know that I would want that '33. It is extra cute. I hope you don't mind my tossing in a '30s Olds that I've always been fond of. Here's a pic of a '35 senior sedan (L series, correct?). I know that not everyone likes sedans, but I've always thought that this all suicide-door sedan has particularly beautiful lines. Not because of the suicide doors, I can take them or leave them, in most cases, but for various reasons including the very pretty arch-like treatment at the tops of the doors. It has always surprised me that neither Buick or Cadillac used this body. I might be wrong on that point perhaps they did, but with different doors. Maybe someone who actually knows what they are talking about will say.

[Dave Mellor NJ]

I think that car in the picture is a 36, the headlights look higher. If you want to see a real big picture of it go to "Vintage shots from days gone by" on the HAMB, page 1621, I think.

[Hudsy Wudsy]

I'm sorry Dave, but '36s wouldn't have the suicide doors in front.

[keiser31]

I want the 1931 Dodge Brothers coupe in the center of the photo under the address.

[Guest]

Yes, Pontiac as well, and with side mounts or without.

Check this out from POCI early Times Chapter;

1935 PONTIAC GENERAL FACTS by Rick Bodziak

GM was by 1935 starting to standardize the use of various bodies throughout their car lines. Most of the bodies were now supplied by Fisher Body. The 1935 and 1936 Pontiac, Oldsmobile, and LaSalle used the exact same body stampings, from the cowl back. The differences between them were what distinguished them from each other. Namely the dash inset, fenders, hoods, bumpers, running boards, etc. The convertibles used the very same top and vent window assemblies. It is possible the vent window and top assemblies used in the Buick and Chevy DeLuxe lines were the same also. I have not been able to verify this.

The 1936 Chevy DeLuxe was not the same body as reported elsewhere. Various pieces of sheet metal such as the lower front cowl, rocker panel, and floor boards were close enough to use in a pinch, but not an exact match. All 1935 and 1936 Pontiac, Master Chevy, Oldsmobile, and LaSalle front and rear fenders can be mounted on any 1935 Pontiac. The only problem is they are visually very different. 1935 Pontiac convertibles used an oval rear window frame in the convertible top, not the common squared-off Chevy replacement that is available today. The difference between the Pontiac six and DeLuxe eight cars is as follows: The DeLuxe eight had a longer chassis. The body used was exactly the same body used on the six models. The extra length of the DeLuxe eight was taken up in longer running boards and the hood assembly. The front fenders were the same in both the eight and six lines. The fenders were mounted farther forward on the cowl on the DeLuxe eight cars.

When these cars were built they proceeded down the assembly line in a random order. That is to say there could be a 2 door Coupe then a 4 door Sedan followed by another 4 door Sedan. It was based on perceived demand by the public and dealers. At the start of the model year the majority of the cars built were probably 2 door and 4 door Sedans as these models were the most in demand. A few Coupes and a very few Convertibles were built probably by dealer order only.

The bodies were built ahead of time anticipating demand . They were stored until needed by Fisher Body in a second floor warehouse above the assembly lines. As orders were received the various bodies were removed from stock and moved to a drop zone, then lowered thru the floor to the assembly line below. This is why you may find a car with a high chassis number but a body with a very low number. As the bodies were pulled from stock in random order. The body could have been built weeks before and just not used, or the demand was low as in the case of the convertibles.

The Convertibles, as far as I have been able to find out, were built in batches of 2 to 10 bodies at a time. They were painted the same color and had the same trim. Body plates were stamped at this time with color, trim, body number, etc. They were then put in storage until needed. Usually they were built to order only as demand for a Convertible of any kind was very low by 1935. The reason for the very high number of 1935 and 1936 GM cars that are painted green is that GM put on a traveling auto show that toured around the country at that time and most of the cars were painted bright green. So when people placed orders for a new car they chose bright green naturally! Al least 50% of the surviving 1935 and 1936 Pontiac’s that I have seen are painted that bright green. Both of mine were originally bright green too!

Edited July 2, 2012 by helfen (see edit history)

[Dave Mellor NJ]

I'm sorry Dave, but '36s wouldn't have the suicide doors in front.

I was talking about the car in the picture as being a 36 Here's the blowup

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=428585&page=1621

Edited July 3, 2012 by Dave Mellor NJ (see edit history)

[zzzzzzz]

i need a rag top

i like the photo

[Hudsy Wudsy]

Helfen, that's a very interesting read. I understand better some of the choices that GM made. I think now that this sedan body likely began as the gorgeous '34 LaSalle. By '35 they changed the front to accomodate two piece windsheilds for senior Ponts, Olds and LaSalle. Meanwhile Buick and Cadillac retained the leaner, somewhat boxy earlier body with the flat, one piece windsheild. Apparently GM wasn't ready to pin all of their hopes on the rounder, more streamlined body for '35.

'35 Cad:

'35 Buick:

[Hudsy Wudsy]

I think that car in the picture is a 36, the headlights look higher. If you want to see a real big picture of it go to "Vintage shots from days gone by" on the HAMB, page 1621, I think.

I'm sorry, Dave, I missed your point the first time around.

[DavidAU]

Nowdays the little 1934 3 window Ford coupe second in from the right with the sad bumper bar is probably more valuable than any of the others.

[X-Frame]

Great old picture... love these old ones of car lots, gas stations, and vintage wrecks. Like to see more posted on the forums.

Eric

Oldsmobile Heaven it may be but i'd bet 100% of the people here, if they could bring one car forward would take the 33F3WC. Posted on HAMB by Woody1946.

[Dave Mellor NJ]

Nowdays the little 1934 3 window Ford coupe second in from the right with the sad bumper bar is probably more valuable than any of the others.

That's actually a 33 which is what I referred to in my original post as 33F3WC