88fan

Hello everybody. New guy from South Dakota with a fresh project. I picked up a '55 Holiday 88 4DR about a week ago.

My 13 year old daughter and I plan to tackle this together. I had my doubts about this plan since she is such a girly girl but she climbed in the engine compartment last weekend to scrape the gunky frame. I was impressed.

Anyway, the car is mostly complete. The 324 is locked up with very rusted/pitted cylinders so it will be replaced(haven't decided what to replace it with yet). Interior is trashed and a few rust areas on the car but overall not a bad start to a very cool ride.

This forum is a great source of knowledge. I've been reading a lot and finding answers to most of my questions. I'm sure I'll be asking many more as I get deeper into the car.

Let's see if I can get these pics to show up.



March10004.jpg

MN71W30

Welcome,
It looks like you got some work ahead of you. Sometimes cars look worse than they really are and some look better than they really are. I think this car may be better. Keep us updated on the progress. I get out to the Redfield area every year. I like it out there in SD.

Jamesbo

Welcome aboard

Looks like a cool project

2blu442

Welcome to the site! It looks like you've got a fun project ahead of you. Father/daughter project, that's too cool!!!
John

Tedd Thompson

Welcome 88fan, I also have a 55 olds so if you need help please give a holler. My car looked a lot like yours when I first started. Just pick an area, finish it then move on to the next problem, otherwise it seems over whelming. Your 324 may be salvagable if the cylinders arn't to far gone and the crank isn't toast. You can find core motors around if you have patience or change out to somthing like a 371 or 394. not so much of an adaption problem and plenty of horse power. Anyway just a few thoughts.....Tedd

cutlassgal

Welcome to our site!! What a cool project, and another Olds Gal in the making - I love it!!! This is the best place to be for help and info! My guys are the best!!!

citcapp

Nice 55 hardtop. It will make a cool ride. You daughter sounds like she is getting right with it. Thats great, I will follow this build with interest. Any questions just ask away there are several 55 to 57 Olds owners on the site and the cars are very similar.

70 cutlass s

Hi welcome to the site. Very cool car to restore.

Oldsguy

Welcome to CO. I too agree that a father-daughter project is way cool. Revive that 324 or find yourself another Oldsmobile engine for the car, keep it all Olds!

88fan

Thanks to all for the kind welcome.

I think the project appeared a little overwhelming to my daughter at first. She seems to be wrapping her mind around it now though. We'll be taking our time and just enjoy the small accomplishments as they come.

The 324 cylinder walls look pretty rough but it may be salvageable. I'm just not sure I want to go that route. We are thinking of dropping a 455 in it, so I've been reading up on citcapp's '57 engine swap. Lots of good info there.

I know better than to come to an Olds site and talk about a SBC/BBC swap, so I wont.

In any case, our plan is to update the drivetrain and have fun while doing it.

Thanks again for the welcome.