15th Dec 2017, 11:05
I did it both ways. And shared personal first hand experience. Hopefully a new restorer will weigh the advantages and disadvantages of going this direction. Having sufficient legal space, realizing what you are undertaking, realistic completion time, if your outlay was worth it and even knowing when to walk away. Yes you can do it your way, but know completely what you are doing before plunging in.
Here’s another point I would weigh now. Why not sell both, as even the initial one is really a project. And just buy one at a low and reasonably priced finished? Even if you had to take a very small personal loan out for a nice 4 door. You may net out better in the end if you decide to sell. Get your investment back without all the work. Keep it decent, wax and drive it. I have had quite a few break even or better cars over the years this way. Without the time and sweat. Buy it and sell it later for the same. It’s fun, drivable, finished and street legal. Keep it as long as you like. Or sell it tomorrow.
16th Dec 2017, 20:49
Yes, very informative. Too bad they are still missing the point. This is about a 1970 Olds 98; it's not like you can find parts around the corner. The guy bought a donor for good reason.
17th Dec 2017, 13:10
Perhaps you haven’t actually done this process. Did not miss a thing, well thought out from all aspects. What did I miss? Why not wisely invest the added donor value into a well restored, negotiated, single car 4 door purchase? The car is quite inexpensive totally completed. Drive it, care for it and break even without enduring any of the sweat process. Even a more popular mainstream 4 door from this model year could be found. If this is a family heirloom, I agree with you. The comments could be applied to late model restoration as well. If a car has depreciated heavily, weigh out if a rebuild, body, repaint etc covers the effort. For newcomers on here, consider restoring a desirable candidate with broad collector appeal. One that you can literally order ever single part aftermarket or OEM. Meaning a frame if it has one, down to molded battery cable ends. I have a lot of GTO emblems and trim. Original but worn and tarnished. Can’t use the parts for a car show. Aftermarket ones are pristine. Using this as idea. The donor car may not have pristine parts on it.
17th Dec 2017, 23:30
Does anyone else see some validity on any or perhaps all the considerations involved before recommending hauling a second project car on your property. Or is it wise to just haul one home and dismantle. You may not have a week to actually have it removed. It’s a lot easier to discuss a week vs issues involved obtaining one physically. Been there.
18th Dec 2017, 02:53
Another comment going around in circles and unrelated to the Oldsmobile on topic, which again, is a hard vehicle to find parts for. eBay, Craigslist, OPG. Hemmings, Year One or whatever source you want to mention. Good luck finding everything you need to restore the specific Oldsmobile 98 convertible on all of your aftermarket sources. Instead of changing the subject and bringing up rainy day '57 Chevys, C1s, and GTOs (cars you can basically rebuild from the ground up because everything is available), go back and read comments 22nd July 02: 53 and 4th Dec 14:23 and maybe you will finally see the point in buying the donor car. All power to them.
18th Dec 2017, 10:07
What parts does he specifically need to finish this 4 door vehicle? What level of restoration is needed? Is it just a driver or a show car? Are the donor parts pristine or do they need to be sent out. Would it not be feasible to simply buy a very inexpensive 4 door finished? Perhaps the owner vs an armchair observer might shed some more information.
You can rebuild the engine, do body work, have bent trim repaired, bumpers rechromed etc. to show the car. Or live with pits in the chrome etc as a driver. What shape are the quarter panels in; on both cars that's an area prone to rust? I brought up pitfalls to watch out for, especially for someone on here new to this. It’s not just the owners vehicle. A new person could find a car initially appearing cheap, not knowing what to face. Even with a donor car, which I did too, there’s more later. Figure in areas such as a quality repaint stripping off all your trim. That in itself cost wise may make a finished 4 door project a more sensible route to go. You could have 2 donor cars and may not be enough.
I try to steer away from cars like this. When completed you may incur damage and have to look everywhere again for a part. I looked over a year for just vintage convertible power top parts and a correct original switch. Not one from Radio Shack I was forced to use. All I needed. Now parts are easily available. I could see this restoration if it was a 4-4-2 or Toronado. It’s his car and he can weigh this all out. If the time is worth it. With cuts, scrapes, burns etc and hours of your own time spent on a project, there needs to be a reward for the efforts. Not all financial, but it is a part of it.
18th Dec 2017, 13:05
LOL. Very easy to rationalize buying a donor car after you have ALREADY done it. Both of those comments are from the reviewer.
18th Dec 2017, 14:12
Who says it has to be dismantled on your property? There are warehouses, body shops and even climate controlled garages for that.
18th Dec 2017, 18:19
They are not restoring a 4 door. They are restoring a convertible. The 4 door is the donor car!
18th Dec 2017, 18:26
Every part on the four door will interchange with the two door except the doors.
My convertible has many issues even though it has spent most of the last twenty seven years inside. Some people that own cars where after market parts are available don’t understand buying a parts car. The front and back bumpers that I have removed from the parts car made the purchase and trip worthwhile. I still have extra everything available from the donor. The 98 is the car me and my dad built back in the late eighties. I know I could buy one complete for less effort and money, but it would not be the same. Go try and find NOS parts for this car and you will be disappointed. I just posted to this site to share a good story. It must be a good story; look at the interest.
18th Dec 2017, 18:49
Two bumpers, windshield, window motors, window switches, wiper motor, air conditioning lines, radiator, A/C compressor, floorboards, pristine fender skirts, power seat cables, instrument cluster, factory radio, perfect interior trim, glove box, seat belts, and the list goes on. Try your best to find all of these parts with just 39,000 miles on them for 1000.00 dollars. After all this is not a Cutlass and there are not many aftermarket parts available for this car. Thanks for your interest.
14th Dec 2017, 20:42
You do it your way and others will do it their way.