Dwight Romberger Posted February 16, 2014 Share Posted February 16, 2014 (edited) Hi All,Bill Hoffert (vacbill)is a Senior member and frequent poster on the AACA Oldsmobile Forum where I have had the privilege to meet him. Bill has a 1932 Oldsmobile Patrician he began restoring in July. He has made incredible progress as you can see in the attached photos. All that is left is final assembly. Therein lies the problem. Bill was diagnosed with lung cancer a couple of months ago. He will not be able to finish his project. His wish is that the car could be reassembled.I put the Northern California Oldsmobile Club in contact with Bill, and they are willing to take up the challenge, but they are more familiar with cars of the 50's and 60's and could use our help.They have five members who are going to start reassembling Bill's car on Monday February 17. I am hoping you will consider bringing some wrenches and helping out.Bill lives in Fairfield, California about 45 minutes from San Francisco and Sacramento.His brother has arranged a special rate at the nearby Hilton for anyone who has traveled a distance and wants to stay overnight.I have always said that car enthusiasts are the greatest people I have ever met, and are most generous with their time to help another car guy in need.If you would like to participate, please post here that you are coming to encourage others! PM me, or email me at drr@psu.edu or email Larry Ewing, the president of the Nor Cal Olsmobile Club at rkt88ll@earthlink.net for Bill's address.Thanks,Dwight Edited February 18, 2014 by Dwight Romberger (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Mellor NJ Posted February 16, 2014 Share Posted February 16, 2014 It's so sad when you hear about people going down the final stretch. It's always too soon and we're always helpless. I hope his friends can finish it in time for him to see it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keiser31 Posted February 16, 2014 Share Posted February 16, 2014 I would be there to help if I could get there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dwight Romberger Posted February 18, 2014 Author Share Posted February 18, 2014 UPDATE: The Northern California Oldsmobile Club showed up at Bill's today. Here is Larry Ewing's email and some pics. The first one is a "before."Hi Guys,We made significant progress today. Great work, thanks. I know Bill and his wife are so happy something is being done with the car and maybe they can get their living room back after we install the front fender, hood and trunk.I can go back tomorrow Tuesday at the same time. Any takers? I can't do Wed or Fri but maybe a Thursday.I know Harv has to work.Larry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Bruce aka First Born Posted February 18, 2014 Share Posted February 18, 2014 NEATO!!! I think I would enjoy being in on that job. I will be pulling for them. Ben Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dwight Romberger Posted February 18, 2014 Author Share Posted February 18, 2014 Next day for Bill's Olds is Thursday Feb 20!If anyone wants to help, PM me.Thanks,Dwight Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dan at larescorp Posted February 18, 2014 Share Posted February 18, 2014 Great work guys! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbirchmire Posted February 18, 2014 Share Posted February 18, 2014 What a GREAT job you guys are doing. This is what the hobby is all about. :cool: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dandy Dave Posted February 18, 2014 Share Posted February 18, 2014 Glad to see things are coming together. Too far of a ride for me or I would be there also. Dandy Dave! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rocketraider Posted February 19, 2014 Share Posted February 19, 2014 West Coast is a little far for me too. I'm glad these guys are pulling together to get this grand old Oldsmobile back to where it once was. And hope Bill pulls thru to see the finished job and drive his Olds! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dwight Romberger Posted February 22, 2014 Author Share Posted February 22, 2014 Thanks for the offer Dave. That is very generous of you.I speak for Bill in this case. He is not looking for any money, just guys with wrenches! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest vacabill Posted February 24, 2014 Share Posted February 24, 2014 (edited) Update, the great gentlemen from the northern california oldsmobile club, came over and started helping me put the car together, i guess not so much me, it was all them. It is driving me crazy that I cant get in there and get my hands dirty, they came over twice, got the engine together, all the parts put on, after the engine gets running will put front fenders on and a special thanks to Dwight Romberger, for getting it started, My wife and I cant thank you guys enough, what a wonderful bunch of people all of you on here are, this is keeping me motivated to beat my condition, so i can in the future, give back for all the good that has been bestowed on my family Edited March 5, 2014 by vacabill (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dwight Romberger Posted February 24, 2014 Author Share Posted February 24, 2014 Way to go Bill!Stay motivated!You can beat this!Dwight Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nickelroadster Posted February 25, 2014 Share Posted February 25, 2014 What I would like to hear is that you are driving it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HarryJ Posted February 25, 2014 Share Posted February 25, 2014 The true efforts of a true CLUB! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeC5 Posted February 25, 2014 Share Posted February 25, 2014 What a great thing to do. I wish I were nearby. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest kaycee Posted February 25, 2014 Share Posted February 25, 2014 I can't wait to see you driving it, and pray for you! kaycee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R W Burgess Posted February 25, 2014 Share Posted February 25, 2014 UPDATE: The Northern California Oldsmobile Club showed up at Bill's today. Could someone tell us what town in Northern California this is located in? There are other AACA interested persons concerned about this gentleman!!Thanks,Wayne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ply33 Posted February 25, 2014 Share Posted February 25, 2014 (edited) Could someone tell us what town in Northern California this is located in? There are other AACA interested persons concerned about this gentleman!!Thanks,WayneFirst post said Fairfield which is a town on I-80 just on the east side of the SF Bay Area. Looks like the California Region with its president in Pleasant Hill might be the closest AACA region.Hadn't noticed this thread until just now and Fairfield is only about 90 miles from me. I'll have to keep a watch for the next scheduled wrench turning day. . . Edited February 25, 2014 by ply33 (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dwight Romberger Posted February 25, 2014 Author Share Posted February 25, 2014 Sorry Wayne.Bill Hoffert lives in Fairfield, CA.His alias on this forum is vacabill. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R W Burgess Posted February 25, 2014 Share Posted February 25, 2014 Thanks Dwight!Wayne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dwight Romberger Posted February 28, 2014 Author Share Posted February 28, 2014 (edited) UPDATE:http://www.dailyrepublic.com/news/fairfield/oldsmobile-fans-pitch-in-to-help-local-man/http://www.dailyrepublic.com/media-post/photos-car-club-helps-local-man-restore-1932-oldsmobile/attachment/car-3/ Edited February 28, 2014 by Dwight Romberger added pics (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dwight Romberger Posted March 9, 2014 Author Share Posted March 9, 2014 (edited) LATEST UPDATE FROM OUR FRIEND BILL:They got it started after sitting for so long, this is a short video of it, the only thing left, up to this point is rebuild fuel pump, for the engine and need new tie rod ends. Then the electrical, roof and upholstery and its ready to take to the street, but thats still down the road http://youtu.be/OQKVvL6ANV8 AND FROM LARRY EWING:Hi All,We had a good day Thursday getting on all the sheetmetal, bumpers, wheels and tires and fired it up!A visit from Avery Greene, a longtime Vallejo Oldsmobile Dealer and former member of Nor Cal Club, presented Bill and his wife a framed antique recording of Merry Oldsmobile.Back to the fire up. Found a minor water leak and appears the fuel pump is not working. The engine sounded good. Bill took pictures and I hope some video.LarryBelow, From left,Bill Hoffert, Bob Wise, Avery Greene, Jon Manji, Dave Kennedy, Sandra Hoffert and Larry Ewing. Last picture is Jon Manji again with John Kennedy.Awesome Bill. Awesome! Edited March 9, 2014 by Dwight Romberger (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Janouskovec Posted March 9, 2014 Share Posted March 9, 2014 GREAT JOB GUYS. WE ALL SHOULD BE VERY PROUD OF WHAT YOU GUYS ARE DOING. THIS IS WHAT AMERICA SHOULD BE LIKE ALL THE TIME. THANKS TO ALL OF YOU AND GOD BLESS. BILL I HOPE YOU GET TO RIDE IN IT SOON. RICH Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest vacabill Posted June 6, 2014 Share Posted June 6, 2014 Just an update, I am still hanging in there, good days and bad days. More of a strain on my family than me. Anyway, the car is in limbo, the great guys from the Northern California Olds club were a fantastic help,can't say enough about them. Right now trying to find parts for the clutch, the tranny guy put the transmission and clutch in, but I think he forgot something or put it in wrong. Hopefully within the next couple weeks I can get it back to him, but dont have any real confidence in him. I wish I was able to take it out and look at it myself, but that ain't gonna happen. The little problems with the car, keeps my mind off the bigger stuff, it helps keep me going.Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dwight Romberger Posted September 9, 2014 Author Share Posted September 9, 2014 (edited) Hi All,For those of you that have been following this thread, Bill has taken a turn for the worse.He has asked me to list the car for sale in the Buy/Sell forum for him.I put it in with LOTS of pictures taken last week and two Youtube videos that show the car started for the first time in 40 years:http://forums.aaca.org/f119/bill-hof...an-379227.htmlI hope it goes without saying, but please only call if you are serious about purchasing the Olds.Thanks,Dwight Edited September 9, 2014 by Dwight Romberger (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackofalltrades70 Posted September 10, 2014 Share Posted September 10, 2014 Sorry to hear. Prayers out to Vacabill. Get better.Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest AlCapone Posted September 10, 2014 Share Posted September 10, 2014 Let us hope and pray that he takes a turn for the better ! It's been a long haul for our fellow collector.in my prayers from Canada !Wayne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Janouskovec Posted September 10, 2014 Share Posted September 10, 2014 Dwight,Thanks for taking the time to post pictures for Bill and Sandy. I hope we can do them some good in this sad situation. She sent me the pictures but I didn't get the time to post them I'm glad you got them on here. I know we are all praying for both Bill and Sandy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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