chrisn0883

Hi there all!! My name is Chris - seriously thinking of importing a 1970 Olds convertible (to the UK) from sunny California. 49,000 miles and looks in v.good condition inside & out. Is there anything you experienced guys can tell me to watch out for with this model/year etc. I have been told the timing belt is the single most important thing but then i'm also concerned about sourcing possible replacement parts in the future. All help appreciated. Great forum by the way!! Cheers. Chris

cfair

Great car, rare, but many mechnicals work or swap from 65-70. Yet others work up yo '76. Get a Chassis service manual. Invaluable. Garage it, since they all leaked a bit. Which means look for rust too. Gas will be pricey, but you know that. Lots of swappable bits among GM "C" bodies of the period too. Have fun!

chrisn0883

Thanks for the reply cfair - appreciate you taking the time. 1970 Olds 98 convertible - white/black hood - unmodified, very original and very clean inside & out - 49,000 miles any idea on what would be a fair $ mid-price on that? Cheers. Chris

cfair

In USD 8-14,000 for good, maybe $18-20,000 for perfect. In Sterling, heaven knows: rare car, nearly impossible to find parts, but there's surely _someone_ out there looking for a yank tank. Usually when I'm in Uk I just pay the price for things I would in $, so perhaps the numeric ranges are the same, even if currencies mean something different.

chrisn0883

Thanks again cfair. I'll be paying $13,500 inc. shipping so from what I know of the car and condition i'm happy with that. Expecting delivery end September so will let you know how things went.

oldcutlass

Welcome to the site and congrats on your future car. The timing chain is probably a good idea. Mechanical parts are not very hard to find in the US + shipping cost. Body, trim, and interior are not so easy.

chrisn0883

Thanks oldcutlass - Timing chain has been mentioned to me before - I will def. get this sorted when I get the car. I 'think' I have managed to put a couple of pics in my gallery here: https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...83-albums.html thanks for all your advices. Cheers. Chris

oldcutlass

Car looks awesome.

chrisn0883

Thanks Eric. Hopefully the pics will relate to reality. I'll finally know when it arrives! Only wish we had your weather. I'll keep in touch via this forum about how it goes as its a really useful place - glad I found it. Cheers. Chris

Redog

Welcome to the site. Be sure to post pics when it arrives.

And all Olds motors have timing chains, which are much better than belts. With only 49,000 miles, the chain is more than likely still good

chrisn0883

Cheers Redog - all paid for now so no going back! Planned to arrive in the UK around end September so will def. post some pics then! See you all again then. Chris