I bought my '55 Olds in January of 1995. The car was complete, with 135,387 miles on the odometer and a big dent in the right-rear quarter panel. I can still remember the first words out of my wife's mouth after pulling-up in front of the house with the trailered car. "You paid $1,000 for THAT?"
Although I didn't take the body of the frame, everything was sandblasted and painted black underneath the car and in the engine compartment. The body was taken down to bare metal, a special coating was applied before priming and then it was painted to match the original colors.
I had planned to rebuild the 324 cubic inch engine and transmission until I came across the deal of a lifetime, a '69 Olds 455 Big Block and TH400 transmission that had been completely redone to really go. The engine was balanced and blue printed, with MSD ignition, a nice cam, and dual AFB carburetors atop a nice Offenhauser intake manifold. (As you can see from the photos at the end of the series, I re-did the heads, as a result of a bent push-rod. Look at those big valves in my "C" heads.)
So why the big-block? When I was in college I had a '55 Olds with a J-2 engine and B&M hydro. (Shown towards the end of the photos) This car was definitely a sleeper and provided many happy times. Consequently, the 455 Olds big-block was something I just could not pass up. I was able to acquire W-30 exhaust manifolds, which I paired with Flowmaster 50 series mufflers. I also had cut-outs installed for use during special occasions. Actually, it doesn't seem any faster with the cut-outs open, but it sure is louder.
The upholstery follows the original patterns, using two shades of gray Naugahyde and pleated gray material, which looks better than new. I must say that my latest little sleeper would definitely embarrass my original one.
It took a little over five years to complete the car and I am proud to say it gets plenty of attention. People are used to seeing lots of '55-'57 Chevrolets here in California, but there are not many Oldsmobiles, especially '55s.
The biggest problem I had was trying to stop this behemoth, so about four years ago, I converted to disc brakes on the front. Now it stops fast and straight.
In case you are wondering, my wife loves the car now.
Gary Andresen
Redding, CA
gandresen@gmail.com
PS - If you want to see all the cars I have ever owned, go to http://www.fatherlyadviceandrants.com/category/cars
