Hey Everyone,

I searched for an Oldsmobile enthusiast forum to hopefully answer some questions I may have.

My father purchased the '49 olds a few years before I was born(I was born in 1983.) He found the car sitting in a field in a south Suburb of Chicago with a for sale sign. Before even seeing the interior and the engine, he fell in love with it on site.

I believe my father paid around $300 for the car in the late 70s/early 80s. The mileage said "44,000"ish miles and based on my father's evaluation of the engine and undercarriage it appeared accurate.

Prior to my father's purchase the car sat in the field for some time and as a result, hoodlums pillaged the interior of the car, taking anything that easily unscrewed or ripped out with little force. The car lacked door handles, a radio(i believe although there is a radio in it now) and interior lock nubs and well, most importantly, a backseat(there are other things missing but I honestly forget.)

My father still purchased the vehicle because the body shape stood out to him.

For nearly 30 years, my father cared for the car, maintaining the engine, bondo'ing it, sanding and painting it, and charging the battery as often as he felt necessary and taking it out for a spin. Aside from exterior car door handles, my father did not bother replacing the innards unless necessary as that was not what interested him. He cared about the engine, the rarity of the car and the distinctness it holds.

When I was 18, my dad let me drive the Olds. Just around the block and he sat in the passenger seat watching my every move, afraid that I'd break the car.

I only remember two things about the car. The first thing is the power from pressing the accelerator. GEEZ! The second, and many may laugh, is how difficult it was to turn and I was not nor am i now, a timid young man. Power steering is a luxury now.

I would assist him in much maintenance of whatever vintage auto he had at the time (i wish i could list off the top of my head what cars he had but I can't other than a 61 chevy he took me to grade school in every day.)

So in September 09, my father passed away and his Olds is...well it's mine.

So I am at a crossroads with this car; do we(my surviving family) sell the automobile or keep it running, and with what little money we have maintain and perhaps restore pieces of it?

Personally, it is a rhetorical question. I nearly feel obligated to keep the car and continue the legacy and be responsible for the maintenance, which I feel I am more than capable of.

Anyways, from what I remember my father saying about the Olds, it needs a waterpump and a new battery. The battery is easy; there is a battery store near my family that sells 6-volt batteries. the waterpump is easy enough as well.

If anyone is in the Chicago area and can suggest a reasonable vintage auto parts store i would greatly appreciate that. I remember my father frequently visiting one place but I can't for the life of me remember the name or how to get there.

Anyways, I'm just starting the process and I hope that you all are welcoming and as interested in the process as I am.

Thanks,

Eric

P.S. I don't have any pictures right now but when I do i'll post them; it's a little rough!