| In 2001, this vehicle was found and purchased in Nevada; the purchase prices? $600.00. The color was Provincial White, with a Red Interior. The Data Plate confirms that these are the original colors. |
| Showing only 29K miles on the odometer, the vehicle was brought to Michigan where the deconstruction process was begun. After the deconstruction and removal of all components, and old paint, the body was found to be in exceptional condition. |
| The body and floor boards were absolutely pristine; no rust, no dings, no dents. Here is the Front Dash area and window channels are being prepped from primer and paint. |
| The dark spots on the floor were from the Tar backing on sections of the felt underlay. |
Of the majority of 1965 Olds I've owned almost always,
they have some problem or damage on the rear tail
panel area and or bumpers.
As seen in this photo, the metal behind the rear tail
panel is nearly perfect.
they have some problem or damage on the rear tail
panel area and or bumpers.
As seen in this photo, the metal behind the rear tail
panel is nearly perfect.
| The doors, nearly flawless, required no body, or metal work. I've rarely seen doors is such nice condition. |
| Now, the paint process begins. Here the firewall has been painted Black and the body has received it's Prowler Silver Metallic finish. "Prowler Silver" is a PPG paint and was used for the 2001 Chrysler Prowler. |
At the time of this restoration, most of the original suspension
components were retained.
The exception was with springs and shocks.
The tired old L6 was replaced with a 455, taken from a Jet boat.
components were retained.
The exception was with springs and shocks.
The tired old L6 was replaced with a 455, taken from a Jet boat.
Although the 455 sounded great, it was purchased and
installed as a used unit. The 455 had a short life.
After tearing down the motor, I discovered that the Water
Jackets were completely filled with sand, and had significant
heat related damage to the rod and main bearings.
This explains why the engine continuously ran Hot.
installed as a used unit. The 455 had a short life.
After tearing down the motor, I discovered that the Water
Jackets were completely filled with sand, and had significant
heat related damage to the rod and main bearings.
This explains why the engine continuously ran Hot.
| Here the Dash has been reassembled and the Original wiring being repaired and spliced. In 2007, I had the wiring completely redone, due to poor splicing, dead shorts, sparks and the worry of a possible fire. |
Here the original rewire was still
going on, but a Seat and Shifter were
temporarily installed to test run the
vehicle and check to ensure that all
electrical was functioning.
going on, but a Seat and Shifter were
temporarily installed to test run the
vehicle and check to ensure that all
electrical was functioning.
The paint now finished and all glass
in place, the final stages of
reassembly are taking place.
The Side Trim has been installed
from the doors back.
Those are original R code wheels,
and I let them go, can't believe it!
in place, the final stages of
reassembly are taking place.
The Side Trim has been installed
from the doors back.
Those are original R code wheels,
and I let them go, can't believe it!
All Side Trim now on, and as noted,
this vehicle was so clean, that even
chrome was in near perfect
condition.
The Side Trim is completely original
with virtually no degradation of
chrome or pitting. Even the front
Grill and Hood Spear are near perfect.
this vehicle was so clean, that even
chrome was in near perfect
condition.
The Side Trim is completely original
with virtually no degradation of
chrome or pitting. Even the front
Grill and Hood Spear are near perfect.
Nearing completion, the Bumpers
are now on. Although the Bumpers
were in great shape, Both were
re-chromed. They are absolutely
beautiful.
The exhaust can now be seen
hanging.
are now on. Although the Bumpers
were in great shape, Both were
re-chromed. They are absolutely
beautiful.
The exhaust can now be seen
hanging.
The vehicle is now done. These next
photos are of the finalized
Restoration.
The photos were taken at the
Lazzaro Estate near Midland,
Michigan.
photos are of the finalized
Restoration.
The photos were taken at the
Lazzaro Estate near Midland,
Michigan.
In June of 2002, the original
restoration was completed just in
time for the annual St. Ignace Car
Show, in St. Ignace, Michigan.
This is a large annual event year.
This vehicle showed very well,
attracting a lot of attention from
Spectators, Car Enthusiast and
even a few Automotive Magazines.
This vehicle took a top 40 in the
Judging.
restoration was completed just in
time for the annual St. Ignace Car
Show, in St. Ignace, Michigan.
This is a large annual event year.
This vehicle showed very well,
attracting a lot of attention from
Spectators, Car Enthusiast and
even a few Automotive Magazines.
This vehicle took a top 40 in the
Judging.
| This is the 455, which was taken from a Jet Boat and installed as a used unit. I'll never make that mistake again! This motor only lived a short while, as heat related problems ultimately resulted in its unexpected demise. As noted above, after the motor was removed and torn down, the discovery of sand and silt in the water jackets was identified as the culprit. |