restoration 1947 olds

[Guest]

looking for comments on how to restore ,would like to keep completely orginal if possible

[ronbarn]

bcstucky, welcome to one of the most active and helpful antique auto forums. You will find a wealth of information to help your restoration project. However, you will have to get a lot more specific to get much help. Not knowing the condition of the car (is it complete, is it running, how long has it been sitting in some abandoned barn just waiting for you, how equipped are you to handle the various tasks, etc) prevents us from being very specific in out response.<P>So first piece of advice, don't think of this as "restoration of a '47 Olds" as a total project. Start breaking out the separate tasks and asking detail questions where you are unsure what to do. Think small individual tasks and accomplish them one at a time. Check out some of the other threads where this approach has worked very well, for example Rich's posts on restoration of his Chrysler. We will be glad to help.

[Steve Moskowitz]

Good luck with your restoration! You will find a lot of help by joining one or both Oldsmobile national clubs. OCA has a link on this site and the National Antique Oldsmobile Club can be reached via <A HREF="http://www.antiqueolds.org." TARGET=_blank>www.antiqueolds.org.</A> Ron isright that you will find lots of folks who will help you with specific questions, sometimes we all might even agree! Authentication should be no problem at all since there is a wealth of information available for purchase or you can get copies of much of what you need from the Oldsmobile History Center.

[ronbarn]

Oldscarnut made probably the best point (how dumb of me of all people to forget) - join a good club or clubs and start meeting with others who share your interest. Check the home page of this web site under local clubs and see if there is an AACA region or chapter in your area.<P>Start gathering as much literature, like shop manuals, owners manuals, parts books, etc. as you can get your hands on. Originals might be pricey, but repros are available for some cars. Check eBay for literature.<P>Get a decent camera and take lots of pictures when you are taking things apart - also detailed notes. You will really appreciate this bit of advice later.

[Guest]

hi thanks for answer, the car is a 47 olds ,has 47,000 orginal miles on it also stored for the past 4 years in a garage and there is a 6cyl.flat head cant tell yoiu what size yet l am a heavy duty mechanic so l can handle any power train promblems . The car is all orginal right down to the spare . Missing 2 chrome radio knobs andthe material on the front seat has a hole aabout 2 in. round in it would like to have front seat redone to match back seat looks like new except dirty .There is 1 hole on each front fender from rust and a little surface rust on odd scratchesbut that i8s a we can tell so far .the rust holes are maybe 3in.round thanks for all your help again really enjoy this site Have order a body book from e-bay <BR> bcstucky

[ronbarn]

Now Bstucky, comes another important question that only you can answer - what is your goal with this car? It appears from your previous posts that you would like to make it into a comfortable driver and do some important, but relatively minor repairs and cosmetics and then enjoy driving the old tin. That's a lot different, but just as noble in many of our minds, than a full-blown, ground up restoration.<P>Even when you get the book, don't hesitate to come back here with you questions and comments. Repairing a donut (not a KK) size hole in sheetmetal is something that many of us has had to do.

[Bill Stoneberg]

Bstucky,<BR>Even though I asked a lot of questions before starting the restoration of my Buick, I wished I would have found this site.<BR>Take a look at it, it explains some of the work and details to restoring a car.<BR><A HREF="http://www.theguildofautomotiverestorers.com/restoration_articles.htm" TARGET=_blank>Restoring Cars</A><BR>If I can say one thing I have learned over the years, it is to keep your original vision in front of all else. Know what you want, whether it is a show car or a driver or even a (gasp) modified if thats what you are into and stay true to that. Keeping that vision in mind will help you in the multitudes of decisions you will face when doing work or getting the work done.

[Steve Moskowitz]

Your engine is 238 cu.inches developing 100 h.p. However, Olds made two six-cylinder series in '47. Four door models came in the series 66 and 76. If you send $25.00 along with your VIN and/or a pencil rubbing from your firewall data plate to Oldsmobile History Center, 920 Townsend Ave., Lansing, Mi 48921 Mail Stop 489-111-040 they can send you a wealth of info on your car. There are quite a few owners in the Olds club with '47 models who would be happy to help you. In addition, all the Olds Clubs are meeting in Lansing, Michigan on July31-August 4th with upwards of 1500 cars expected. There will be a car show as well as vendors selling Olds related parts, memorabilia, etc. No charge for coming to show and just a nominal charge to show your car. I do not believe you will find a problem matching the interior or finding your needed radio knobs if you perservere a little and take advantage of the resources out there. Do not be afraid to ask for help because the old car hobby is full of people willing to give you a hand.