After losing my Dad in the summer of 2004 I wanted to restore one of his last projects a 50 Olds 88 2 door sedan. But it did not take long to find out that I did not have the money to fully restore it.
After a little planning I thought I could do the drive train. With a ruff paint job I would make the theme a Saturday Night Dirt Track Racer. Oldsmobile, with its new Rocket Engine, (Some Say the First Muscle Car) won over half the NASCAR races in the first 3 years 49-51. The cars are rare because of all the racing professional & amateur. So, a dedication to the racing history of Oldsmobile would make sense and be fun. Heck that’s what credit cards are for.
My goal was the up coming L.A. Roadster Show held on Father’s Day each year. I went a lot with my Dad. I found an Edmunds 2-Deuce Manifold with 2 stock Rochester Back Draft Carbs. Eddie Edmund made these in 1949 for the new Oldsmobile Rocket Engine. The Brakes, Radiator, Carbs, Shocks, Gas tank, Front End, Steering & Column all have been rebuilt and the exhaust out the side with glasspacks. I painted it over 2 weeks with a couple of dozen Rust-oleum rattlers & a one very sore finger.
The car gets a lot of action at car shows. Some ask when I am going to finish it. Some ask how the Carbs get air. Some just shake their heads and walk away. But the car guys get it & enjoy the look.
|