My love for oldsmobiles was planted...
I'd always loved Oldsmobile. I grew up in Linden, NJ--- a town which had its own GM plant where Oldsmobiles were produced. Lots of folks up there had Oldsmobiles, including my family. We had a station wagon. My first car was a big brown 1983 Olds 98 Regency given to me by my stepdad. It was a tank... I loved that thing and still have many fond memories of it. I knew I'd one day own another one.
I wanted that "special car"
I had always loved the classic Oldsmobiles, especially the Cutlasses and 442's. I always figured one day i'd have one. Years went by, though, and it never happened. School, moving alot, buying a home, bad relationships and bad timing always seemed to crop up. I was actually getting disheartened, thinking I might never get my dream Olds. After Oldsmobile stopped production in 2004, it dawned on me that my chances were slipping on getting a new OR an old Olds.
My stepdad gets sick
Early in 2006, my stepdad's health took a dramatic turn for the worse. He'd been chronically ill for years and we kinda took it for granted that he'd always be sick--- but never die. I told him I was renewing my search for my dream car. Either a Cutlass or 442, preferably between the years of '68-72. I told him that when I found it we'd go riding together. That day never came. He died suddenly in Feb. of 2006.
I find the car
I found my car online while cruising the ads. I don't know why, but I knew it was the one when I saw it: a 1970 Oldsmobile Cutlass "S". I had it looked at, and then had it shipped over. It had some obvious flaws, but overall it was in nice shape. Some very minor rust, a dented door, minor leaks... she ran nicely, though. She was a light green color, which reminded me of a giant Tictac. My grandma probably owned a car this color when she was younger.
Larry gets her name
I christened the Cutlass "Larry" after my stepdad, who gave me my first Oldsmobile and who I still look up to today. Whenever I drive my Oldsmobile, I like to think my dad is near still. I got her painted recently at King's Auto Body in Holiday ( nice work they do there), a rich metallic green called "zephyr green". I probably coulda gotten the same green shade but i honestly couldn't do the seafoam thing any longer. Had her dent and rust taken care of. Stripes added, too. She has a new battery and I'm looking to get new tires within the week. She has the original 350 v8, is automatic, has bench seating (totally great shape), and runs like a top. Eventually i'd like to get her just cleaned up and stuff. Currently she has the ORIGINAL factory AM radio, too. I'd love to be able to play my CD's in 'er but i don't really want to do anything that can't be reversed. So I'm still looking into the stereo thing and what to do/put in there... Here's some pics:
And Here I am in "Larry" the Olds.
*** this past year her brakes were done and "Larry" got 4 new tires. I'll continue to attempt to keep her up and going, with me along for the ride!
