1961 Olds 88 2 Dr Sedan sneak preview

**62-impala-ss** · February 24, 2009, 05:52 PM

Re: 1961 Olds 88 2 Dr Sedan sneak preview

Originally posted by NAS Backyard

A word to the wise: when penny pinching on a car project it's not always a good idea to comprimise safety. I knew these tires were old, some of the tires I've run in the past would make this one look new. So I will be shopping for some good used tires today. New ones aren't in the budget at this time.

Looks like that is a radial TA. I know many here prefer them, but I had one disintegrate at 80 mph on I90 during powertour 08. There was a big rig riding my ass and I though he was gonna eat me right there. Was lucky enough to keep it straight and hit the shoulder. No more TA's for me.

**NAS Backyard** · February 25, 2009, 05:09 AM

Re: 1961 Olds 88 2 Dr Sedan sneak preview

That tire was 7 years old and just a roller from the JY, I had it on the rear but switched it. I was going about 25 when it happen about 3 blocks from the house. I got my frame mounting area cleaned and painted and got the coupler ready to go , just have to spotweld the nuts. Still have to flush the pump. The box was too bad to adjust. The rest of the steering parts are pretty tight. I'm am slowly collecting parts for a future rebuild. I got lower bushings and ball joints on ebay for dirt cheap. The parts I sold were some 455 Olds MT valve covers i got with the car and some NOS GM lifters and springs that I got at a yard sale. This is the first big ticket item I've bought so far. But it's a saftey related part. (But you wouldn't believe that if you saw my old tires and breathed my leaky exhaust) I'm going to make a you tube video in the future so you can take a ride in this heap.

**DanStokes** · February 25, 2009, 06:25 AM

Re: 1961 Olds 88 2 Dr Sedan sneak preview

Just a word of encouragement - You're Doing GREAT!!! This is a cool project and you can and do actually DRIVE it. I think your choices have been spot-on.

Dan

**383S-10** · February 25, 2009, 08:39 AM

Re: 1961 Olds 88 2 Dr Sedan sneak preview

Yeah like Dan said a drivable project is just idea and more encouraging because not only do you see what your doing but you feel results of what you are doing.

**dragula426** · February 25, 2009, 07:03 PM

Re: 1961 Olds 88 2 Dr Sedan sneak preview

i've been quietly following this build, and have to agree with most that it is a cool project! it reminds me that i miss my old 68 valiant 4 door driver/ tinkering project. i had alot of enjoyment fixing little things for little money... as they needed to be fixed, all while actually using the car and not having it as a garage ornament. keep up the good work, and keep the details coming!

**antmnte** · February 25, 2009, 08:35 PM

Re: 1961 Olds 88 2 Dr Sedan sneak preview

Seeing your tire a reading the comments about the BFG's I remember the same thing happened on my uncles Caddy years ago with TA tires (whitewalls w/the TA embossed in them) the exact same thing and they held air as well I wonder if there is something to it ? Cool car by the way I like seeing the progress and its kind of inspirational.

**NAS Backyard** · February 26, 2009, 04:06 AM

Re: 1961 Olds 88 2 Dr Sedan sneak preview

WOW! All I can say is money well spent! This thing drives like new, zero play. Although I did find a tiny bit in the centerlink, it doesn't affect the steering at all. I drove it around and then to work and it is just what Dr. Olds ordered. Lets see, whats next? Drive it!

This is a shot of it at my old "wrecking yard" I had from 87-91 It was Nostalgic Auto Surplus, hence NAS, then I moved it to my backyard when i bought a house. Then my friend Bret had it and it was Vintage Car & Truck but he moved to Idaho. My friend Charlie has it now, (he's the landlord) He's a parts guru. He specializes in water and fuel pumps but can find almost anything. Had alot of good times there. It's in an old winery building.

**TheSilverBuick** · February 26, 2009, 06:24 AM

Re: 1961 Olds 88 2 Dr Sedan sneak preview

Looking good. This is how I like to do projects, drive it a while, fix/improve something, drive it some more, fix/improve something. Just a bunch of small things. I think it makes the project more enjoyable over a longer period of time. Plus it's a car with good body lines. Nice work.

**NAS Backyard** · March 1, 2009, 03:29 PM

Re: 1961 Olds 88 2 Dr Sedan sneak preview

Well I got to try out my little trailer today to deliver my Honda CR 250 to a buddy of mine to work on. No problems towing at all, however I sure could use the inside review mirror that i just won on ebay. Rain-ex is the best when your wipers don't work. I guess I need to trobleshoot those also. But it really doesn't leak and the heater keeps the chill off. The drivability is like 0 effort compared to before.

**427belair** · March 9, 2009, 04:49 PM

Re: 1961 Olds 88 2 Dr Sedan sneak preview

love this stuff! :D
please keep the progress pictures comin!
check out this other 2dr post 88 i saw on ebay...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...m=220374661189

**NAS Backyard** · March 10, 2009, 04:10 AM

Re: 1961 Olds 88 2 Dr Sedan sneak preview

I saw that last night! Isn't that a sweet a$$ ride! It was listed last year with some gangster wheels, said it was all original, went to 20K, then it was relisted, went to 15K, relisted again and i think it went to 12K. Now it looks WAY better. Heres what it looked like before:

And since I have nothing new to report on my Olds, here is my gallery of 61 Olds 2 dr sedan pictures that I've collected so far.

This beater sold on ebay for 780.00 34K original miles

**NAS Backyard** · March 10, 2009, 04:23 AM

Re: 1961 Olds 88 2 Dr Sedan sneak preview

The red and black ones belong to members at classicoldsmobile.com. The Cotner Bevington hearse is my favorite, it was on ebay last year, it went to 10K but didn't sell. Another version, the Seville, sold for 6500 though. Everyone so far has been an automatic. I talked to a guy who knew of one with a 3 speed. Manual transmissions were only installed in about 4% of total production. I saw a 64 Olds 88 on ebay with a 3 speed that sold for 500.00 in MN. Even if you find a car with a 3 speed, all the parts are totally obsolete and I think the crank is even different. I did find out that some 64 Olds Jetstars(old style 61 frame) had the 330 in them (same as 455) So I need to see how the engine was mounted. Other than that, my quest to unravel the mysteries of the 61 Olds 2 dr sedan continues. I got my rear view mirror mounted and just got an NOS brake light switch for 10.00 off ebay, need that for sure.

**Blazerteam** · March 10, 2009, 10:09 AM

Re: 1961 Olds 88 2 Dr Sedan sneak preview

It looked good in black too ;).

**Scott Liggett** · March 10, 2009, 10:22 AM

Re: 1961 Olds 88 2 Dr Sedan sneak preview

I like your new signature picture. Very cool.

**62-impala-ss** · March 10, 2009, 11:45 AM

Re: 1961 Olds 88 2 Dr Sedan sneak preview

That is definitely a diverse bunch of cars.

1961 Olds 88 2 Dr Sedan sneak preview

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