The Oldsmobile Connection

73Delta88 · Posted: Sun Jul 02, 2006 11:08 am Post subject: New Metal

The body on my Olds needed some serious repair. When I fixed it up about 7 years ago I did it the cheap way (lots and lots of bondo.) Over the years, the repairs proceeded to blister, etc. Why did I cheap out the first time? Well, I was 15 – 16 years old and basically wanted to get it looking decent and on the road quickly and cheaply, Now that I’ve finished school and have a little more cash flow I decided to do this right. I know a guy who owns a body shop, I brought it down to him last winter and left it, with the understanding that he could take a long time to fix it, in exchange for a lower labor rate.

Both rear quarters and both front fenders had significant rot damage. The floor and driver side door also needed repair. I looked high and low for new or really good used quarters for this car but didn’t come up with much, so new parts for the existing quarters had to be fabricated. I was able to find some solid used front fenders in Oklahoma (seems every fender for this car in the northeast rotted away 20 years ago) :lol:

Here’s some pics of the process…

Left quarter before

Left quarter after

Right quarter before

Right quarter after

The floor…. I knew it had a few holes, but once the seats and carpet were out quite a few bad spots were found. :shock:

Primer / sealer

Finished! The whole job came out really nice, the body is straight as an arrow and the paint is like a mirror. I’m going to take some better pictures of the finished job soon

Don't ask what this all cost... :wacko:

MysterHK · Joined: 15 Apr 2006 Posts: 96 Location: Gardena, CA

Nice job, man! Very solid! Definitely a work of art. I'm very impressed! :)

88delta88 · Joined: 09 Jun 2003 Posts: 2401 Location: Canada

73Delta88 wrote:

Don't ask what this all cost... :wacko:

:-) What did this all cost?

BTW, It looks great man, must be a joy to be seen in now!!!!

Brianritchie21787 · Joined: 08 Feb 2004 Posts: 266 Location: Tolland, CT, USA

looks good :thumbup:

88 Coupe · Posted: Tue Jul 04, 2006 7:28 pm Post subject: Re: New Metal

Hi 73Delta88, hello everyone,

Great job.

Quote: ........ Don't ask what this all cost ........
It's not the about the cost, it's about your love of the car, and the end result.

There is no way to measure the satisfaction in being able to do it right.

Regards, Norm

73Delta88 · Posted: Fri Jul 07, 2006 6:39 pm Post subject:

88delta88 wrote: What did this all cost?
It cost money, time and effort... mostly money on my part though :lol:
I'd do it again in a heartbeat. If I tried to do something like that myself I could have probably saved some cash, but it definitely would not have come out as good. I love tinkering with my car, but I also know when to leave it to the people who do that sort of thing for a living. (i.e. extensive bodywork like my car needed)

88 Coupe wrote: It's not the about the cost, it's about your love of the car, and the end result.

There is no way to measure the satisfaction in being able to do it right.
You hit the nail on the head Norm, It feels great knowing the whole body is solid now, and the repairs won't be falling apart in a couple years. I actually spent some time just lying on the ground under my car admiring how well the rear wheel wells are sealed up, and the bottoms of the rear quarters.

Some people watch TV for entertainment, I lay under my car :lol:

87Delta · Joined: 15 May 2005 Posts: 678 Location: Mississippi

Well, all this work looks familiar. :lol: Nice job! :)

Brando · Joined: 06 Jun 2003 Posts: 3051 Location: Michigan, USA

Aha! It's finally done...looks like a beauty. Looks pretty good in the black sealer... :lol:

TOC Admin
Brando

Coldfire · Joined: 29 Mar 2006 Posts: 65 Location: Minnesota

88 Coupe wrote:
It's not the about the cost, it's about your love of the car, and the end result.

Bingo

Great work! It looks really good

73Delta88 · Posted: Sun Oct 22, 2006 3:01 am Post subject: Re: New Metal

Finally put the first coat of wax on it today after waiting for the paint to completely cure... took these pictures today all within a few miles of my house.

88 Coupe · Posted: Sun Oct 22, 2006 3:43 am Post subject: Re: New Metal

That's a Class Act, no matter how you look at it.

Norm

Brando · Joined: 06 Jun 2003 Posts: 3051 Location: Michigan, USA

Wow...nice view and a nice car! :cool:

Is that your Sirius satellite radio on the driver side windshield? I think you said Sirius before anyways...

I like this pic:

TOC Admin
Brando

73Delta88 · Posted: Sun Oct 22, 2006 4:15 am Post subject: Re: New Metal

Thanks for the compliments
Brando wrote: Is that your Sirius satellite radio on the driver side windshield?
Yes

88delta88 · Joined: 09 Jun 2003 Posts: 2401 Location: Canada

Very nice sir!!! Thats amazing, I am sure the pictures do it no justice, and they look great. Thats a sunday driver now, I am sure!

Brianritchie21787 · Joined: 08 Feb 2004 Posts: 266 Location: Tolland, CT, USA

looks awesome! :thumbup: