What do you do?

[dar83501]

My name is David, I am 21 years old and living in Lewiston, Idaho. I work almost full time for the retail department chain Shopko, and attend Lewis-Clark State College full time for my Bachelor of Social Work. My family has been an Oldsmobile family forever, my dad used to have a 50's Olds of some kind but he sold it long before I was thought of. My first Olds experience was his 1987 Cutlass Supreme, I loved that car to death. He drove it everywhere, and I always went with him so I could ride in the Olds. My first car was a 91 Delta Eighty-Eight, which I'm selling now. My current vehicles are a 2004 Chevy Impala LS, and now I have my father's '87 Cutlass Supreme, which is getting a 455 swap very soon. I have the motor and transmission for it so far.

My mother also had a few Oldsmobiles, and she loved them all too.

My dad had a 428 Ford Interceptor motor that was completely built up and cammed, and he still says the fastest car he's ever been in was his friend Mike's '68 Ninety-Eight with four on the floor and all tricked out. Land Yacht Power!

[desert442]

welcome david & Jolly green. Glad to have you aboard. the cutlass bug can bite you pretty hard. I should know, dad has had several Olds over the years, most notably a 1966 4-4-2 Post Coupe that had no options on it what-so-ever, basically was ordered to hit the streets running! Every time I talk top him he always says how much he misses that car.

Anyhow, welcome to the forum.

[Oldsguy]

Well it looks like Jolly Green and Dave show us that interests can come from both ends of the spectrum. One never raised with an Oldsmobile interest and the other steeped in it from birth. Welcome to both of you.

[Ironsoul9]

My name is Clint Miller, I live in Charles Town, WV. I first got involved in Oldsmobiles when I was in High School when my sister let one of her Male friends talk her into buying a 1969 442-Galleon Gold and Black scoops. That car was nothing like I had ever driven before. (I was driving a 75 Monte Carlo). The first time that April let me drive the Olds I was hooked. Hooked on the sound of the 455 rumbling thru the trumpets, the dual gate shifter, but most of all the grunt and pure torque of the Big Block. My sister and her friends drove it hard for one summer and then she left the car in the back yard as she went off to college with her Honda CRX. I was in charge of getting the car ready to sell. It had some leaky head gaskets, two flats and had been driven hard and not taken care of. I replaced the gaskets (Which blew about every 2 weeks), Put 2 new rear tires on it and even though I drove it hard that summer, I took good care of it. After maybe the best summer that a 17yr old kid from Kansas could have with a car. My Sister and parents asked me to sell it. I put an ad in the Big Nickel and in about a week a guy from Great Bend who owned a couple other Oldsmobiles bought it for 1500.00. (Hindsight is 20-20). Over the next 15 years I would think about owning my own Oldsmobile and after I moved to Charles Town with my job I found the one I own now (71 Cutlass Convertible) in Northern Virginia. The car I currently own has been one of the highlights of my life and also one of the most frustrating. (As described in the 71 Olds restoration Help posting on this site. I am a member of OCA and I love all things Olds. This site is a great way for me to get advice and guidance from more experienced Olds owners. Thanks and keep up the great work.

[74olds442]

My name is Ernie. I have been nd Olds fan since my Dad bought a Vista Cruiser back in the Mid 70's. I am an Alarm technician, 39 years old.Married to a very understanding woman who let's me pretty much do what I wannt when it comes to my 1974 442. I bought it about 3 years ago. I don't have a lot of experience working on cars, but I did manage to upgrade the cam, timing chain intake manifold a couple years ago. Almost none of my friends are "car guys", so I have been trying to make some new ones.

[Gert3116]

Right now, I am working in a produce department paying for my college. I have loved working on cars since I can remember. I used to go out into the shop with my dad and work on his 81 Z28 gold edition camaro. I restored the body work and the interior of my 69 Cutlass S while I was in high school. My dad painted it for me but I did all the body work and my shop teacher helped my weld on a new quarter panel and a couple of patch panels. My brother turned out to be a mechanic so he helps me out with anything that goes wrong mechanicly, but I am only 18 so I don't have a career yet into anything automotive but one day I hope to open up a shop with my dad and my brothers. I hope I never have to sell my car seeing as how I drive it almost everyday because it is so much fun.

[Modern Motoring]

I have been here a little while, but for a formal introduction, here goes.
I started out in the auto parts industry and was in it for 12+ years. During that time I also dabbled as an auto mechanic after graduating from a tech college. After getting burned out in the retail trade I decided to dive a big rig. I did that for about 6 years, ended up working for a major LTL freight carrier and through a couple of promotions, I am now a Weights and Inspections analyst.
I have had the old car sickness since I was 14. I bought my first old car when I was 18, a 1965 Volvo 1800S. That car was a hit with the ladies! The other old cars I have owned are a 1956 Buick, 1961 Chevy pick up, 1959 Dodge Coronet, 1964 Lincoln, 1968 Dodge Charger, 1953 Lincoln, 1971 Ford F-250, and my current ride, the 1963 Oldsmobile 98 convertible.

[62f85deluxecutlassconv]

Well, I have been in the auto and parts industry for over twenty years. I curently work for lexus selling parts wholesale to body shops, and repair shops

In 1989 my dad bought this 1962 Olds F85. I was then in school at a voc/tech school to learn to be a mechanic. We (I) did a lot of work on it for a little while, and got it back on the road. Rebuilt the trasmision, and carb, and general a tune up. Then took it to a guy who worked out of his dads garage as his restoration shop to get the body done. That was in about 1992. When we got it back, I then took it out to get estimates on interior and top prices when on the way home a spark plug hole stripped out, so I drove it home where it still sits

Since its been in the garage quite some time without anything happening, dad says its mine if I can get it going again. So after watching the B/J auction on Speed, I kinda got a wild hair and started to do some research on this old beast. It was a lot of fun to drive, when I did, only a couple hundred miles. So I am on a quest to get it going again.

When in high school, and even at the tech school, I wanted to do restorations on old cars. I have always loved cars. Helped dad work on boat engines from about 7 years old. Mostly fetching tools, and getting my little hands where he couldnt. After schooling was done, I found I had fun doing the work, but only as a hobby, not as a full time thing. Something about doing them at home, and all day at work kinda changed my mind. So I stayed in the parts side of it, with dreams of once again someday doing the cars right.

In 1990 I got into mini truckin, and picked up a new king cab. Drove it a couple years, and decided to try my restoration skill out on it. So in 1992 with a little help from some good friends, I took it apart bolt by bolt, and "restored" this two year old truck that already had 78,000 miles on it. Well it took another two years to build it the way I wanted to. I did many shows, and got many trophies for the work we had done. Then things changed ,since I had built it the way many people do, with building a car into a style or current fad, the style of my little truck is quite dated. It now sits in the garage, and again I have dreams of doing it right on it, but will wait for the more important Olds, and another project. A 1953 willys p/u my dad and I worked on when I was in high school.

Kevin

[88 coupe]

Originally Posted by 62f85deluxecutlassconv

........ only as a hobby, not as a full time thing ........

Sounds familiar.

Norm

[DaLump]

Hey All,
I live in Eastern Iowa so the car season can be somewhat "short". Sell packaging machinery and materials for a living. Get to work with a ton of mechanics, PLC's, funky wiring, pneumatics, hydraulics basically anything kind of machinery. I pretty much have the attitude of being able to capably fix anything. Sometimes that gets me in trouble.

My latest project is a 1970 442 convertible, 455 4 spd car. Ive always been a mopar guy and absolutely love my 70 Cuda (500 cubic inch stroker w/ aluminum heads and a kick ass 6-pack intake) The cuda by far is the most powerful car Ive ever owned. The 455 in the olds sounds big, but's it's no comparison. Ive had the Cuda for about 10 years. The 442 for about 2-1/2.

The 442 was bought as a project to make a few bucks. The restoration has pretty much gotten out of control and a few bucks will literally be about what I clear on this car when it's hopefully sold this June.

The plan was to have the car 100% perfect-done so that I could take it on the Hot Rod Magazine Power Tour. The hotels are booked and the car is about 98 % complete now. Im just waiting for an opening at the uphulstry shop to put the new top on. The 2nd week of June, she will be get driven from Eastern Iowa to Little Rock, AR and then to Madison, WI and back to Iowa. Overall about a 3,000 mile round trip. I will be listing the car on EBAY that week listing the venues where it can be seen. If it gets sold along the way, Im hitching a ride with one of my buddies!

It's been a very fun project. Expensive, but fun. Seeing it all come to fruition makes me think seriously about keeping it. Id have to get a new wife at that point, but what the hell.. Ive kept her for 15 years... Nah, the car has to go. She has her heart set on a Smokey & the Bandit Trans AM. That will probably be next when the 442 goes if I can find a good one.

Im also working on acquiring a 62 corvette conv. 4sp with fuel injection. A one owner car with all documentation. 100% original with 34,000 miles. An old friend of mine bought it new at the age of 16 (in 1961) and has kept it ever since. He's retiring and unloading some of his toys. He made me an offer to good to refuse, so we will soon have to make room for another toy! Should know for sure on that by mid next week. Even at a good deal, it's a very expensive car. I'l probably have to sell it. SIm sure I'l make a few bucks on that deal! If not, hang on to it for a while. Who knows.. Never been a real vette guy, but I might get attached!

During the off months, I spend a lot of time in the garage. It's fully furnished so there's plenty of room and it's comfortable to work in.

Summer months I try to fish and boat on the Mississippi River as often as possible. It's about 200 yards from my house so it's closeness is always appealing. Catfishing is a blast. It's mostly beer drinking between catching so it works out well for me.
Weekends are usually booked up with car shows. We try to get out about 150 miles or so to mix things up.

Enough about me.
Gotta go 4 now

Todd

[Oldsprepp]

Working as a tech/service guy in sweden with office machine's. i have dragraced cars for the last 5-6years or so.... (on the street here in sweden) or like u call it "streetracing". I started with turbo engine cars... but got tired of the turbo engines with no power at low rpm's.. and bought my self a camaro -70 with a small block 400.
it was really fast and had 500hp +250 spray But then i became a father and desided it was time to buy a more family friendly car so i sold my camaro with great sorrow :P


and now iam restoring a cutlass supreme 69. but iam planing to get some power in to the cutlass at sometime... So i have mostly been a speed crazy guy..
and iam restoring my austin mini clubman - 73 to...

not that good at anything but i like to give almost anything a try..

[Omicron]

I'm an engineering and IT manager in Internet Security technologies. I've been hooked on Oldsmobiles ever since getting a ride in a friend's 1971 Olds 98 convertible. That thing would smoke the tires all day long, and shove you back in the seat if at speed...

Anyway, always envied the guys with the 442's and especially the convertibles. Lifelong dream to have, restore, and soup one up; now I do and am.

[47 Coupe]

Hello all. My name is Rich. Retired Air Force of 24 yrs, working at Intel Corp for 12 yrs. Work as a Facilities Tech on HVAC equipment. Have over the years so far had a few cars. One of the first 37 Chevy truck; 50 Dodge Business Coupe ( I drove it out of Junk yard ); 54 Buick Special, drove this from Abilene Tx.to Langley in Va.; 72 Chevy 1/2ton pickup; various VW's; 62& 67 Tempest Lamans; 84 Cadiliac Sedan deVille; 73 MG midget; 66 Fastback Mustang; 73 SS Nova,& a 77 Nova, that I had while stationed in the UK and Germany. I showed how a Nova could go around a roundabout the wrong way, and out acclerate the Big Beamers and Mercedes, in 1/8 to 1/4 miles, Then katty bar the door, I could feel the paint being lifted off the Nova. It was great fun. Had some Subarus'; a Lincoln, and now my first Oldsmobile. A 1947 Series 66 coupe Hydra-matic drive, flathead 6. All 100 HP. I just got it this past December. It is a driver, I haven't been to far from the house yet. It is in need of a little Carb and Transmission work, but it is still drivable. I took it out this past weekend and stretched its legs of about 10 miles and it did OK. Had it all the way up to about 55 miles per hour. Some pictures of the 47 are in the Gallery, not sure how to attached them here . I remember when I was about 15 the first experiences of a Oldsmobile was a 1966 Delta. I cleaned the car for a lady and for the pay, a chance to drive it. Just in a large parking lot, but I got to drive it. Alot of power and Big Brake Peddle. I thought that I was going to put us all through the windshield . We survied. My Sister had a 1950 Oldsmobile as well . There is just something about the Oldsmobile. They have alot of Heart, and ready to tear up the Road. Wish all a good day.

[Eddie Hansen]

Well I work for the UN, in Peace-Keeping, I have been to lots of "different" places, and done a lot of different things, when I was young ( a long long time ago in what seemed like a galaxy far far away LOL) I did work in a garage/gas station as I am sure many of us did, but left that I guess when all the electronic ignitions etc came out.
I have loved cars forever, I have built a few cars, I had a 62 ford econoline pick up and I put a 327 chevy/turbo 400 in the bed, sort of a poormans lil red wagon, used a big ol gas pedal out of a skiboat, and it only had a 9 inch drive shaft, yeah it was pretty much useless, but as a kid I thought it was cool LOL... I have had a lot of ponchos, 64 & 69 goat, 67 ctalina convertible, hideaway lights w/4 speed, 68 firebird, a few chevy's 67 nova ss 350, with a poorman's lenco ( powerglide and I think it was a vega converter) 68 camaro 396 power glide, etc etc. But the car I have had the longest is my 69 cutlass s convertible , I found out it was a cutlass s much later ( I thought it was 442) but I have had it probably 25 years now, it has a 350 2v, 4 speed and posi rear ( 3.08's) I drove it into the garage to "restore it" 10 years ago, then went overseas for 7 years came back lifted the body off the frame, pulled the motor etc, and so far have rebuilt the front end, stripped the frame, por 15, gm chasis black etc and then had to go back out to the field so the project languished. well a kid, house, work, etc etc have come along, and only now I feel if I don't get started this baby will end up in the parts heap. So I started looking for information on sooooooo many questions I have, do I restore it back to original?, Do I restomod? as it is just a cutlass s, I collected some parts, I bought a 69 455, it has c heads, good crank, the motor Looks great, but I am no real expert, and know my limitations, it was suppose to have 80,000 miles on her etc etc, anyway I figured the time is now or for ever hold my pieces...
what I am thinking is a sort of restomod/clone thing making a H/O convertible out if it, but a little different, it has the gold interior, to me that would look a whole lot better then the black interior with the white and gold stripes, I also thought about doing it in black w/gold stripes etc,
I just want to get her back on the road before I get to old to push in the clutch, I hope you folks can help, I can offer very little expertise in return I afraid, I have painted whole cars, I have done a lot of shade tree crap, I just wouldn't want to talk out my azz and offer any advice that might screw up your ride... anyway glad I found this place, if I can help in any way I will, but I still remember my dad telling me god made you with 1 mouth and 2 ears, that is because your to listen twice as much as speaking. ok sign I am getting old I am rambling now,
well let's see if we can get my ride going before I turn 50 ( 2 years from now)

speed on bruthas... and thanks for having this place..

Eddie

[Oldsguy]

First off, welcome to all the members that have posted here recently and shared with us. I really enjoy reading this thread. Rich, I viewed your pictures and the "47 looks very nice, I have an extra carb, in fact an extra inline six, from my '46 project. If you need any parts let me know. I love the colors on that thing, white wheels and all! Eddie, first I want to thank you for your service overseas, Iv'e been there and being absent from home isn't a cake walk. Second, I think your idea of a resto-mod is a good one going with the black/gold idea of a Hurst theme. Go for it! Oldsprepp, I guess a little late in responding but good to see one more enthusiast from Sweden, I think you are about our third member from your country. The '69 Cutlass has a very nice clean body style with, I think, one of the best tail light treatments.

[Brett4777]

Hi My name is Brett and i live in Melbourne Australia
I am a motor mechanic for a ford dealer
I have just become the owner of a partly restored 1959 oldsmobile dynamic 88 holiday coupe(at least thats what i think it is)it is a 2 door pillarless car.it has been painted but just needs reassembly and interior and chrome work repaired

Im led to believe this particular car came to Australia when it was new and was converted to right hand drive before being sold here.

i found this fantastic site one night whilst looking for info on this car.
so if any one else has info on this model of car id love to see it

[pobi442]

Hello. I´m working in medical area. I´m responsible for service for dental, x-ray and eye surgery equipment in Baltic states (eastern part of Europe). More or less spetcialised for eximer lasers. I´d like hands on work. The first car I had from russia-Lada, second from England-Rover, few from Germany and the first from US- 86 Mercury Cougar (sold 2005). Now I have two 69 442-s (FL and CAN). Just my favorite car.

[Oldsguy]

Brett, it sounds like you found yourself a nice car to play with, there a quite a few members here with '55 - 59 Oldsmobiles, you should get quite a bit of support.

Pobi, I am familiar with the Lada, which model did you have? A co-worker of mine used to be in the U.S. Army and was stationed over in East Berlin before the wall came down. He told of a story about one time when he was driving a bus on a "Chaplain's Tour" over into the eastern sector. The regular procedure was for the Stazi to follow in a vehicle and watch the entire time. At one stop, after doing some shopping or something they loaded the bus back up and he started out. A passenger in the rear hollered up front to wait. The Trabant the Stazi were in had died. There were four of them and he said is was so funny to see three big Stazi push starting this little Trabi. It started, the three goons jumped in and my friend put the bus in gear and continued on. He said it would have been more trouble to continue on without the escort than to wait on them. Anyway, welcome to our site.

[maskinen]

Hi all! my name is Filip and im 24 years old, i am a caravan mechanic since a year, before that i worked with Scania trucks about 6 years, my hobbys is offcourse my 1962 olds and to play on my guitars,i am made and born in a 1969 corvette stingray in a town called umeå in sweden, my father was a streetracer at that time, btw some of you guys maybe recodnize this man "bagarn" http://www.autoshopracingengines.com/ , my father and him had some tunings together for a long time ago, sadly he died in cancer 2006.
well enough to talk about my life,

im happy to find this helpfull forum, thanks all for your help

Filip

[Oldsguy]

Wow, what a way to be "made". Stingrays are awefully sexy cars.

[The_Jeremiah]

Started wrenching on cars as a kid in my dads garage with him, always had to go with my dad when he would work on our family friends' race car because he didnt want a babysitter. Spent a lot of time on the floor of a shop my uncle worked in. Started messing around with my own cars before i had my license, bought my first car, 78 lincoln for 75 bucks, drove it all week, fixed it all weekend. Dont know how I know so much about cars, just have been working on them for a long time, have done lots of research, and have had even more hands on expierence. Maybe it just comes naturally : ) Im only 17 so i havent even started my journey through the world yet, Im hoping to enroll in Perry Tech here in june.

[Oldsguy]

Originally Posted by The_Jeremiah

Started wrenching on cars as a kid in my dads garage with him...

I spent many hours holding a flashlight for my dad, I think my son did the same for me as well when I started him out.

[pobi442]

I had LADA 21051 what I get from my grandfather. Also I had 55´ Gaz 20 `Pobeda` and 52´Moskvich 401. All cars are sold.


There are few links to get some imagination about these cars (not mine, just from net).

Pobi
http://www.zone.ee/pobeda/pildid/M20...to-session.jpg
http://www.zone.ee/pobeda/pildid/M20...M20%20reas.jpg

Moskvich
http://gallery.blastnet.ee/karla/Moskvich/

Both looks similar to US or Germany products. As far as I remember Gaz 20 has meter scaled Fireball engine from twenty´s. L6 on the prototype and "cutted" L4 in production.

Trabi is really small car. Seems to be same size as Fiat 600.

Tim

[Oldsguy]

I really like that Moskvich. You say it was a 1952 model? I sure looks similar to the pre-WWII western models with the divorced headlight buckets (Although it looks like they were sort of blended into the engine covers on the Moskvich). I like it a lot!