This is your father’s Oldsmobile – built in a time when the brand was not only relevant, but one of the best performing cars on the road. If you were a young man lucky enough to own one of these in the 1950’s, the goal was pure and simple – clean it up, lower it, and cruise it. With this ’53, all of the hard work is done and all that remains is some patina and the potential for a whole lot of cruising.
The owner bought this car from a gentleman in New Hampshire who bought it out of the midwest. The car now resides on Long Island. In any case, the Olds was painted before he took ownership, but after he shaved the handles, decked the trunk lid, removed the gas door, and added rear skirts, he repainted the relevant areas to match the old paint. He claims it’s a 15-footer – nice enough not to dip your chin, but not so nice you have to worry about it at all.
As for the interior, the owner did replace the carpets and cover the seats with new vinyl, but what’s left is mostly original – presentable, functional, and correct. The only real “modern” touch here is a an AM/FM radio from Custom Auto Sound.
Mechanically, the car is powered by the original 303-inch V8. The odometer reads around 23,000 miles, so the owner estimates it had around 123,000 miles on it before he cleaned up the heads and installed the Fenton headers, Edelbrock 500cfm carb, recored radiator, and a Powermaster Alternator. To back it all, the owner installed a 2004R transmission (Lokar shifted) and a 3:42 rear end out of a G-body.
To stop the thing, there are drums out back and discs up front – all controlled by way of a Wilwood master cylinder with remote reservoir. Stance is achieved with a mild drop – 2″ front and rear as well as a set of 225/75/15 Diamond Back Classic White Walls.
Questions From The Jalopy Journal:
What’s the worst aspect of the Olds?
”Paint is where I would go next with this car. It’s good from 15 feet, but shows patina.”
What’s the best aspect of the pickup?
”It runs and drives really well.”
Thoughts From The Jalopy Journal:
This is my kind of car. An honest car with flexibility. You can drive this old thing just about anywhere, but not be filled with anxiety while doing it. It’s a casual custom… and I’m a casual guy.
Thanks Bubbletop 2000