56dunemobile

solly

I Rode in one of them !!!!!!
When I was a kid living in Chicago one thing my parents believed in was that they take the kids on a yearly vacation, sometimes a cabin in Wisconsin or in Akansas
one year we did a Michigan Vacation we took a ferry called the Milwaukee Clipper from Waukegan Il. to Fruit Port MI. unloaded the car from the Ferry and did a Mi. tour,
Travers City Mi, Cadillac Mi. Mackinac Island MI. one of the things we did was the Dunes Ride !! I remember Those cars they had a fleet of them, Dad sat in the front seat Mom My sister and I in the back, I don't know if you have ever been to the Dunes there but they are Gently rolling giant mounds of sand for as far as you can see
what I remember, the top was down and this guy was flying and I mean flying over those dunes in the Olds !!!! now I was young and probably easily impressed but it was a blast !!!!!! Thanks for that memory !! omg I remember that Olds !!!
Ted maybe you could pick up some extra $$$ take your Olds To the Mi. dunes and have at it !!

Greg Rogers

Yep there are some of these cars still around. I knew of one of them. Someone here on the site has one I think. The dunes are still there and I took a ride about 10 years ago though not in a 56 88, I think it was a specially built buggy made from a pick up. Saguatuck has dunes and so does Silver Lake , I think or maybe Big Bear Dunes- it's been a while....Oops just noticed your user name, I ll bet you own one?

Weezer

Silver Lake dunes are great because you can take your own vehicles in there and drive around, or rent from one of several local providers of side by sides, Jeeps, etc. I was looking this past summer, and they seem to have done away with the "sand rail" style dune buggies in favor of side by sides. I was lucky enough to have rented one of the sand rails about 7 or 8 years ago, it was a 4 seater. Took the wife and kids driving and jumping dunes for a couple of hours, some of the best fun I've had behind the wheel!

To the OP: if that is your car, that is fantastic that you have preserved the Dunesmobile graphics on the side. Sleeping Bear Dunes are a national treasure, and part of what makes Michigan such a beautiful tourism option.

Tedd Thompson

Ah , don't think I'll be doing much dune hopping in my Old's but it is a great story. Seems a shame now to take a pretty rare car and go blasting through the dunes but back in the day they were just good second hand cars....Tedd

56dunemobile

Thanks for the great comments on the history of the Sleeping Bear Sands Dunes and these wonderful cars. The Warnes started with early 30’s Fords, the 48 Ford convertibles, 1956 Olds came in next and finally the Ford pickups in 1964. The rides ran from 1935 to 1978 when the dunes became a National Park. As a former resident of the area in Northern Michigan, this will remain as is, a piece of history and a family heirloom.

Rod5013

This Dunesmobile is at the REOLDS Museum. I believe this was the Owner's car. Notice the doors.

56dunemobile

The Owner’s personal car was a tan & white 1956 98 that he gave tours to VIP’s and Family. This was the only 1956 Oldsmobile that wasn’t red & white.

56dunemobile

This is the Owner’s 98.

junkyardjeff

I was there around 1986 and they had modified International trucks then.

56dunemobile

JY Jeff, They shutdown operations in 1978 due to environmental concerns after the National Park took over. It’s possible you visited one of the rides farther south along Lake Michigan.

56dunemobile

Are the two top ports on a duel diaphragm fuel pump need to be plugged if not using for the wipers?

Yellowstatue

Mine are wide open on my '57. No problems.

56dunemobile

Thank you.

bobs72

It looks to me that the tires on the owner's 98 are taller and wider than those on the 56 or do my eyes deceive me

56dunemobile

They ran 900x15 Sand Tires on modified rims. I have one of the original tires I use for show & tell at local car shows. Thanks for the interest in Dunesmobiles.