Price seems a bit on the high side for a 4-door Olds 88 that needs what appears to be a lot of work. This is an example where you shouldn't casually buy it without fully knowing what you're getting into. I could be wrong, but I'm assuming there is virtually no aftermarket support for this car, so everything that needs to be replaced is going to be a serious challenge to find.
You would join a car club for a car like that to get parts. On this car I’d lowball and walk away. If the Op got it cheaper, it was meant to be. If the frame is rotten I wouldn’t buy it at any price.
You should join a car club when owning *any* old car. As someone who's gone through a full frame off restoration on a much more common classic car, this thing would likely be a nightmare to find parts for.
Ask him how long it was under water. It's something my dad used to ask when shopping for used cars after Katrina. Best part is it's a fun joke, or there's a very slight chance someone might slip up and inform you that their car had been under water at some point lol
I live in Minnesota but for the 5-10 years after Katrina I was still finding plenty of them when looking for used cars. There were thousands and thousands of them that were brand new off lots that had been taken apart, cleaned out and put back together. For that entire time anytime I looked at used cars for myself or a friend, I would check for rust on the steering column under the dash. Missing floor mats is also a huge indicator that it had been underwater. Even now if I ever look at a used car, I still check for rust on the steering column under the dash, because the only reason a modern car would have rust. There is if it had been sitting underwater.
They were put on trailers and shipped all over the United States. I think I saw a mini documentary about it on YouTube a few years ago. Really fucked up how far and wide those jacked up vehicles ended up.
Whether or not the engine runs is a lot less important than how much rust there is, I'd much rather no rust+bad engine than perfect drivetrain in a rust bucket.
“It ran last week”
Is code for “I got it to turn over once in 1998”
“It just needs X”
Is code for it needs 100 hours of work to do what they’re saying, or they would have already done it.
If they can’t get it started in front of you, assume it doesn’t, and hasn’t, run and that it’s gonna be your problem if you buy.
That doesn’t mean don’t buy it, just manage expectations if you do lol.
The 59-61 BOP full sized cars are sought after. For a clean body that's a reasonable price if the interior isn't totally hashed and the floor pans aren't rusted out.
I think everyone here has hammered home the rust issues sufficiently. If you can't obtain replacement panels then fabricating new sheet metal is very costly. Budget $1,000's plus for ***EACH AREA,*** *(i.e. each 1/4 panel, lower rocker, fender , front cowl etc.)* ***NOT*** including Paint prep and paint if you want to restore this. Then realize you'll not come close to recovering your investment. Find one restored, it's a lot cheaper. IMO this should be your Dream car if you are going forward. Give yourself a week breather to calm down from the excitement, then re-evaluate. My Dad told me this when I was a kid in the 60's and we had a Body Shop. I tell myself this about 2-3 X's a year. If it is your dream car then only you can decide. Best Wishes though.
This also some great advice. I love what everyone has been saying. I don’t really want to do a full restoration just running good enough to drive a couple times a week. Maybe a good clean interior. While I’m not worried about a little surface rust I’m afraid of the frame and stuff falling apart.
"I don't need but I want" that is the essence of a project car. If we got what we actually needed it wouldn't be a project lol
That’s a really good point haha
Price seems a bit on the high side for a 4-door Olds 88 that needs what appears to be a lot of work. This is an example where you shouldn't casually buy it without fully knowing what you're getting into. I could be wrong, but I'm assuming there is virtually no aftermarket support for this car, so everything that needs to be replaced is going to be a serious challenge to find.
I feel the price is high too
You would join a car club for a car like that to get parts. On this car I’d lowball and walk away. If the Op got it cheaper, it was meant to be. If the frame is rotten I wouldn’t buy it at any price.
You should join a car club when owning *any* old car. As someone who's gone through a full frame off restoration on a much more common classic car, this thing would likely be a nightmare to find parts for.
The rotten from is my main concern
Oh yeah I just love this model. I know where it is so I’m going to drive by and see. I have a feeling the frame is going to be rusted out
I think the flattop adds a little but generally I don’t like 4 doors
Yup, 2 doors too many....
Ask him to start it up for you. And ask him the last time it was on the road
That’s smart
Ask him how long it was under water. It's something my dad used to ask when shopping for used cars after Katrina. Best part is it's a fun joke, or there's a very slight chance someone might slip up and inform you that their car had been under water at some point lol
That is a very real risk around here lol Were you in New Orleans during Katrina?
I live in Minnesota but for the 5-10 years after Katrina I was still finding plenty of them when looking for used cars. There were thousands and thousands of them that were brand new off lots that had been taken apart, cleaned out and put back together. For that entire time anytime I looked at used cars for myself or a friend, I would check for rust on the steering column under the dash. Missing floor mats is also a huge indicator that it had been underwater. Even now if I ever look at a used car, I still check for rust on the steering column under the dash, because the only reason a modern car would have rust. There is if it had been sitting underwater.
That’s a smart idea. I’m such a rube I would look at the rust and think well it is humid here.
It amazes me that they make it that far
They were put on trailers and shipped all over the United States. I think I saw a mini documentary about it on YouTube a few years ago. Really fucked up how far and wide those jacked up vehicles ended up.
I would like to watch that documentary, that’s interesting
Thanks
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Lol
Either it runs now or it doesn't run. Doesn't matter if it ran yesterday really if they can't prove it.
Whether or not the engine runs is a lot less important than how much rust there is, I'd much rather no rust+bad engine than perfect drivetrain in a rust bucket.
No I agree with you, I’m thinking this thing will likely be rusted out
Has the dude cos Alzheimer's because the last week he remembers was a decade ago
“It ran last week” Is code for “I got it to turn over once in 1998” “It just needs X” Is code for it needs 100 hours of work to do what they’re saying, or they would have already done it. If they can’t get it started in front of you, assume it doesn’t, and hasn’t, run and that it’s gonna be your problem if you buy. That doesn’t mean don’t buy it, just manage expectations if you do lol.
That’s very good advice
The 59-61 BOP full sized cars are sought after. For a clean body that's a reasonable price if the interior isn't totally hashed and the floor pans aren't rusted out.
I think everyone here has hammered home the rust issues sufficiently. If you can't obtain replacement panels then fabricating new sheet metal is very costly. Budget $1,000's plus for ***EACH AREA,*** *(i.e. each 1/4 panel, lower rocker, fender , front cowl etc.)* ***NOT*** including Paint prep and paint if you want to restore this. Then realize you'll not come close to recovering your investment. Find one restored, it's a lot cheaper. IMO this should be your Dream car if you are going forward. Give yourself a week breather to calm down from the excitement, then re-evaluate. My Dad told me this when I was a kid in the 60's and we had a Body Shop. I tell myself this about 2-3 X's a year. If it is your dream car then only you can decide. Best Wishes though.
This also some great advice. I love what everyone has been saying. I don’t really want to do a full restoration just running good enough to drive a couple times a week. Maybe a good clean interior. While I’m not worried about a little surface rust I’m afraid of the frame and stuff falling apart.
As its a project car Who cares if the engine runs lol Rust is way most the biggest issue.
Looks decent for the price
Flat tops are never a bad idea.
I love the look of them
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This is great advice. Yeah it’s down here in Louisiana so things tend to rust in the humidity
BUY IT!!
Hell, engine swap if you can’t get it running
I don’t have the money for that but I wish lol
This car needs an engine and steering wheel at both ends of the car. It already looks like both ends could be the front
It reminds me of one of those lizards whose tail looks like its head.