BARN FIND ’59 and ’61 Olds Convertibles!!!

Parked under the OLDS Red Barn for decades, these Olds drop-tops have stories to tell! Does the “Hurst Equipped” window sticker tell us the ’61 Ninety Eight is something extra special?

[@allanharris4281]

I like how Steve brings the excitement of a 'Barrett-Jackson Auction floor piece' to one man's collection of Oldsmobile's.

[@keplermission4947]

Yeah at 3:09 we see that straight scale speedometer but there used to be a curved one too that same year and at 3.30 'Car Life' Magazine shows us that extra wide radiator grille that ran just one year, making these cars very hard to identify on the internet when we're not used to them. There were a lot of models back in those years, Holiday Special, Rocket and all the rest. I mean we'd take for ever finding our favorite style. Awesome video Steve!

[@waynetaylor8082]

George Hurst is also responsible for the HURST JAWS OF LIFE extraction tool. How many people owe a debt to that device? Thank you, George 😊

[@privateprivate1865]

I didn't know that. That is one heck of an invention.. i wonder what motivates him to create them? 🤔

[@kc0lif]

i remember hurst shifter

[@bobhill3941]

Thank you Wayne for sharing this. I triple checked what you said for myself and you're right. I used a pair in the summer of 99, I was 12 doing a junior firefighters program with a friend. I also read that George was found dead in his car in 1986 at 59.

[@bobhill3941]

​@@privateprivate1865 I looked this up three times and George Hurst invented the jaws of life in 1961 to safely and efficiently extract race drivers from their wrecked cars.

[@Iowa599]

The Jaws of Life are a lot of fun to "train" (play) with! If you have a chance, go for it!

[@waynetaylor8082]

That '59 is from a time, when collision repair and bodywork was an ART!!!!

[@jeffreycarleton1535]

Yeah, for whatever unfortunate car was struck by that battle ship! The body lines do lend themselves to extreme artistic form for sure!

[@kdsboosted4954]

Yeah back in those days almost everyone that worked on cars could do bondo less body work (hammer welding) until bondo came along.

[@lilmike2710]

Yes. An art that all the insurance companies would like to forget.

[@kenttalsma7906]

Speaking 'bout art, this guy showcases some mid century modern Detroit iron in his JOYRIDE series in an obnoxiously flamboyant manner. It's worth it just to see the rides. youtube.com/@_charlesphoenixyoutube.com/@_charlesphoenix

[@waynetaylor8082]

@@lilmike2710 YOU'RE RIGHT!

[@ReadTheBible8]

Finally a real barn find and not a staged one. Great work sir.

[@dunebuggy1286]

My brother has a 59 Olds 88. Black. It's been sitting in his barn for the past 40 years. It was our uncles. He bought it brand new. It was the first car I drove when I had my learners permit back in the late 70s.

[@diegosilang4823]

Barns are the treasure chest of car lovers.

[@ultraviolettp3446]

Steve, your channel is just amazing how you bring us vintage vehicles and provide the back story and narrative about them. As we get older and youngsters get to see that there were more to vehicles than the infection of CUV's, SUV's, and over sized expensive pickup trucks, you provide the link to the past in your videos. I hope that some of the youth will catch the fever of hearing actual engines as they roar to life instead of having to endure the whir of overpriced golf carts that are all the rage these days. Keep up the great work with these videos and keep the spark alive one revolution at a time!

[@ddellwo]

Agreed - I can’t envision a day when I will have even the slightest desire to own an EV……….🤔

[@Daniel-fd3wp]

@ddellwo I completely agree. 👍Unfortunately here in California they’re pushing people to buy EV. But the grid is going to take a loooong while.

[@SolamenteVees]

Those vintage stickers are amazing.

[@Freedomquest08]

Engine at 9:20 is definitely a 394. This same deep bell housing went from 1949 until the last 394 was produced in '64. Head casting looks like #20, but it's not, because center of exhaust manifold has 3 bolts- 2 on top, one below. So these would be #23 heads, which are the 'Starfire heads'. Great engines.

[@savedin87ify]

What a find. Some awesome convertibles. someone needs to save them. Keep them coming Steve.

[@tonym50195]

You would never break even restoring these.

[@outdoorfreedom9778]

My family was an Olds family. I have had two 50s, my folks started with a 50 and a couple of 55s. All were great cars but they were all gas hog tanks. I drive a 99 Olds Van today. I bought it off the showroom floor in April of 99. A very good ride even today.

[@rightlanehog3151]

Steve, When the cars and parts have all been sold, come back and do a review of that old post and beam barn . 🤩

[@Mr.Death101]

Another great episode! Thanks for making Sunday morning extra special! Nothing like waking up on a beautiful morning drinking my coffee and watching Steve's artistic work!

[@carlbentley80]

That 59 has some crazy good styling. I love it.

[@Daniel-fd3wp]

Really got to like the Nostalgia of that barn and the rock layer fence. That’s so northern east coast. Great Videos Steve

[@steves9905]

That would have been an awesome sight when that 98 ragtop went powershifting down the strip...too cool

[@anibalbabilonia1867]

Man that place is a gold mine!! Definitely a lot of rare treasures in automotive history there! Great video Steve!

[@qawsedrftqawsedrft1015]

I feel so happy learning about the Toronado

[@artjones2498]

Amazing to see 3 olds convertibles in 1 place.....

[@1976Datsun]

7:10 The stonework of the barn behind you is pretty cool. You should talk about that if you get back in there in future videos.

[@waynededmon5912]

My dad had a 59 olds convertible sitting in the back yard for years. Wish I knew about cars back then.

[@logancarter2134]

Man, that 59 Olds convertible needs to be rescued and restored!!!

[@fishgeralding9224]

Oldsmobile was pretty much the experimental division of GM and introduced many innovations. Such as, the 1973 Tornado offering the first passenger side airbag. There was a story going around years ago that a 15 year old girl took her fathers 1972 Oldsmobile which was equipped with an airbag, and wrecked it in a head on. The airbag was credited with saving her life. Supposedly dad was an Oldsmobile executive. How true the story is, I don't know. If true, I wonder if it had an effect on getting the industry on board with the idea of airbags? In previous years, GM and other manufacturers lobbied against airbags. Happy mothers day to all you mom's!

[@drrick8839]

What a great, fun & informative video Steve! Imagine all this attention to detail and it’s not a Chevy?!

[@jeffclark2725]

Oh that convertible sitting in that barn,1959 was a beast, that whole barn is a photographer dream, great video,thanks for bringing us along

[@joeyconservative]

Nice to see Steve on Motortrend TV on Saturday mornings........in reruns

[@noreenbedford7106]

I all ways enjoy your show I always read the comments this is a good way to tap in if you are doing a restoration

[@jeffsmith846]

Thanks for the videos. I was around when these cars were on the street. Neighbor lady drove a 59 Olds. My high school friend had a step dad whose parents owned a 59 Olds also. They had a booklet in the glove box that listed every gas station where they had got gas since the car was new. A little over the top but it was really interesting.

[@SSV-i-c-e]

Another cool video thanks.great to see those toranado. Engine and trans separated i love those cars.hi from New Zealand 🇳🇿

[@brianbloom1799]

Wow Steve, That 59 convertible, Is awesome, What a Great car to restore.

[@ernestfinch1578]

Virgil Exner inspired G M ,s BEST designs .

[@vettekid3326]

Back when I was in the Boy Scouts in 1967 one of the assistant leaders had a 1960 Olds that he used to haul us scouts and equipment the to camp outs in. I thought was interesting how it had a rotating drum speedometer that looked like a line spreading from left to right as you went faster. I liked the color too as it was a deep plum red with a cream color top. Even loaded down with a bunch of Scouts it seemed to move effortlessly, unlike my parents 1962 Plymouth Savoy with a slant six.

[@googleusergp]

"Dad, stop being a skinflint. The Jonses have an Oldsmobile with a V8, not a puny Slant Six". LOL.

[@southerncross3638]

This isn't just a video, it's a learning experience, Thanks.😊

[@kevbev1524]

Oldsmobile is known as your "father's car" But Happy MOTHER'S day to all 😊

[@tonygoulart3693]

Hopefully these cars will be recovered and restored properly. Thanks for the excellent videos

[@jakespeed63]

Cool stuff for us Olds guys and I dig your LL Bean hunting boots. Still have mine from like 35 years ago

[@saddletramp6935]

@jakespeed63 when bean first brought them to market they were called the maine hunting shoe. Another useless bit of info.

[@dominickserignese8837]

The 55 Chevy that was in American Graffiti had an Oldsmobile rear end in it. I read an article in a magazine that broke down the specs of that 55. That car was also in two-lane Blacktop before it was in American Graffiti.

[@kennelson3848]

All 59s - mouthwatering delights!

[@jeffg6008]

Great Stuff Steve!! Been following you since your restoration of that 1962 Thunderbird on DYI many years ago 👍

[@vet-7174]

Good Morning Gents ! 🇺🇸

[@THROTTLEPOWER]

Very cool!!!!!!!!!! 👍👍

[@clintonsmith9931]

Love your work, and it is a work of love. Use to work on some of that stuff at a dealer In the early 1970s. Didn’t look like junk then.

[@rescuedandrestoredgarage]

Those are incredible rides and will definitely make incredible cruise machines. Great video, brother.

[@garyspaun5237]

Great information thank you Steve!

[@TrashcanGarage]

59 Convert's master cylinder still under the floor like my 57.

[@dcg748]

Never knew about the Olds shaft rockers or the beehive springs! Too cool!

[@jimbote1968]

Awesome episode! That stickered up rear window should be a museum piece.

[@tedecker3792]

At least a Man Cave decoration.

[@ddellwo]

Yes - what a treasure-trove of automotive history on about a hundred square inches of glass…….!!!!

[@rawbsworld6604]

Underneath ! Of course 🤦‍♂️ 😆 got me! There’s the shop hahaha 🤗😎 ✌️🤙

[@kenschmidt6522]

My family had a '59 Olds 98 four door hardtop. The speedometer indicator was a line that started green, then as speed increased, orange, then red. Also, an automatic headlight dimmer on the dash to the left of the steering wheel.

[@randysinger2673]

Sure Hope Someone steps up and Saves them & Get Well Soon Steve !!!!

[@sodiorne2]

Love these Barn find videos!

[@TrashcanGarage]

Toronado flares... the redesigned Mustang for 2005 reminds me of those 66/67 Toronado flares.

[@samiam5557]

Really cool series on the "OLDS RED BARN".

[@robtiger]

Someone put a lot of time and effort into building that rock wall behind the fenders

[@googleusergp]

I spot a 1979 to 1985 Toronado driver's door behind the 1959 convertible. It looks like someone was in a rush to remove it as those wires should have plugs that connect to the bulkhead under the dash. 1959: No VIN, can't win, but might be something like 59 for 1959 model year, 8 for Super 88, maybe M for Lansing, MI assembly and the rest is the production sequence. Yes, 1958 would have been the last year for the J-2 as you stated in another post. No tag, can't brag, but possible code "R" Bronze Mist exterior paint (going by the back) or maybe it was code "F" Crystal Green going by the inside, with some "Resale Red" as you like to put it thrown in for good measure. 1961: No VIN, can't win, but can be figured out, no doubt: 61 for 1961 model year, 8 for 98 Series, maybe M for Lansing, MI assembly and the rest is the production sequence. The Lansing plant operated from 1901 to 2006 and today's Lansing Grand River has "assumed" the production of the former Lansing Car Assembly plant that might have made both of these cars. No tag, can't brag, but possible code "F" Azure Mist exterior paint. George Hurst also developed the Jaws of Life which were used to remove drivers from crashed race cars, but has been adopted as the standard for the fire and rescue industry. Today, they have "E-Draulic" tools which are battery operated and lighter than their hydraulic counterparts of the past.

[@cmcb7230]

I love that stonework. That’s something you don’t see in the US very often.

[@IndridCool54]

Today’s episode has left me feeling a little Olds… 😁👍🏼

[@Jupitermustangmike]

HAPPY MOMS DAY TO ALL OF OUR AUNT PHYLLIS'S WHO ARE ALWAYS REMEMBERED

[@Slowgroovin]

Some of those old factory breathers go for good money now.

[@forthwithtx5852]

I had a 64 Starfire coupe with the 4bbl 394. That thing could pull for the tank it was.

[@smithgroove945]

Way cool Steve. My high school car was a Dynamic 88. My dad welded a railroad track on the back. It had 2 batteries and i knocked over many mailboxes. lol.

[@bobbyz1964]

Amazing how much is packed into that barn! All I've ever found in old barns is manure. 😅

[@ddellwo]

So I’m curious if this guy actually restored and finished cars as well, or if he just hoarded unique components that he came across in his daily travels? It would be neat to see some of his finished vehicles if they do, in fact, exist! Whenever I see an old silo on a farm property, my mind immediately goes to how I could used that wasted space for storage! Like building tiers inside it, along with a pass-through lift that would allow you to move heavy items up-and-down through the various tiers of storage! There’s no telling how much crap I would accumulate if I only had the storage space……😂 I was more interested in those Ford pickup fenders that were shuffled in along with all that Oldsmobile sheet metal…….!!!!!

[@googleusergp]

There's nothing more satisfying than organizing. I find it extremely satisfying when I make space. I've started to "thin the herd" of small engines, so I put one of my many snow blowers up for sale. I wound up getting rid of it last year before Christmas. It was a curbside find in 2010 and I wound up with ones in better shape and better features so, this one (a 1971 Gilson 8 HP) went. The guy that bought it has it on FB for double what he paid for it. Problem is that he's clueless about repairing them. LOL.

[@aa64912]

Someone needs to restore these cars. This was back when you could tell cars apart.

[@speedfreak8200]

Better have deep pockets... they're parts car pretty much, but if you are rich

[@aa64912]

@@speedfreak8200 a friend and I once took three cars from the junk yard and made one car. Someone could do that

[@duanefleener5909]

Man I love this whole barn storming premise. There’s several horse barns here in Kentucky I would love to sneak a peek in. I know of one close to Lexington that’s loaded with every year of MG stuff. It’s packed to the rafters. MTrend should bring you back just for the education alone!!

[@timothybernardin9379]

I put a Muncie 4 speed and Gear Vendor OD behind my 61Olds 394. The Hydromatic was much better suited for the 394 but the 4 speed OD is alot of fun.

[@Hyrev1]

Interesting video Steve! 👍👍💯🇺🇸

[@edmonk4912]

two great cars needing restoring

[@chevken1831]

This keeps me sane

[@xfactorautomotive1496]

The one sticker Steve didn't acknowledge on that '61 rag top was the little round one in the upper right corner. I recognized it from my childhood. If I'm not mistaken, that's an early Iskenderian racing cams sticker. I remember that my dad had that little round sticker on the rear quarter window of his '62 nova after he put a seriously pissed off 283 In it in 1963. I own that car now, but the sticker is long gone. This brought back alot of memories for me though. As I recall, the sticker said "5 cycle" on it. I wonder what that referred to. If someone knows... please reply.

[@ddellwo]

Yep - I was shocked he didn’t mention the “Isky”…….!!!!!

[@leebarker539]

Thanks. I didn't recognize it, just thought it looked like a planetary gear which made it a serious puzzlement

[@googleusergp]

One version of that sticker said "Iskenderian Racing Cams 5 Cycle" and had a clown pedaling a bicycle holding an NHRA trophy. They are reproduced and can be found online for $5 or so. Might be worth adding back. "5 Cycle" refers to the overlap period of the cam timing as the fifth cycle.

[@xfactorautomotive1496]

@@googleusergp interesting! And you're right! That's exactly how I remember that sticker. I am going to have to try and find the repop. It would be great to re-add that to the old deuce. Thank you so much.

[@SteveMagnante]

@@googleusergp I think the "clown" decal was a "piss take" on Isky from a competing cam manufacturer having some fun at the expense of Ed "Cam Father" Iskenderian's ad team. The "great cam wars" were raging in the early sixties and cam maker ad copy went to extremes to grab eyes. Still, extra overlap (where I and E valves are open at the same time) can certainly be a benefit. But the "5th cycle" bit was stretching things with regard to the Otto Cycle engine principle. Anyhoo, good stuff! Thanks for watching and writing. -Steve Magnante

[@leebarker539]

Ahh, you sneaked in the glorious word "tumblehome." I learnt it from a boatbuilder and now I know it has a place in Magnanteology.

[@stephengauthier8146]

Great video, as usual. I agree (sadly), with an earlier comment that the 59 & 61 are likely beyond restoration…absent an tidal wave-outlay of cash. Still. I hope that happens…especially for that 59!

[@lilmike2710]

Clearly there's many who have no business deciding the fate of vintage American automobiles. Obviously have no idea what they're looking at. I haven't seen the first floor pan or rocker panel rusted through in any of these cars shown here. "Restoration" can mean different things. You want it "saved" as in up and running with functional parts or do you want a show car that only gets taken off a trailer at a world of wheels expo? I've dragged cars out of tree rows that I bought from people saying that exact thing "too far gone". Paid them junk prices, got the things driving with brakes working then sold them for thousands of dollars. Those who cannot do any of the work themselves, have no business deciding their fate. They simply have no clue.

[@stephengauthier8146]

Actually, restoration generally means returning something to its original condition. Preservation generally means stabilizing something in its current state or perhaps a state that is functioning, but other than restoration. As Steve M often states, you can restore anything if you throw enough money at it. I didn’t see any of the comments ominously “deciding the fate” of these automobiles…simply opinions on the potential condition of automobiles sitting for decades on dirt floors.

[@jamespell8526]

Re that Toro bell housing, you said chain, but wasn't it a fiberglass belt drive? Great show!

[@4speed3pedals]

Yes, Olds did use a spring similar to the beehive. I looked into putting them on my small block Chevy back in the '60;s and it would have been more of a hassle than a benefit. The valve springs were called conical, not beehive. The wire wire used to make them was round whereas the beehive uses ovate wire (oval shaped). The taper spring that Comp Cams is pushing for high performance is nothing new either. Most ideas are old that have been upgraded. Cord was supercharged in 1967. Chevy produced a V-8 back in 1918 and the block bolted together - Speedway's Bill Smith museum in Lincoln Nebraska actually has one. In fact, they possess many desirable items from Smokey Yunick, Edelbrock, Chevrolet, Ford, Chrysler and others. They have the largest intake manifold collection for flathead Fords anywhere in the world. If you get time, look the museum up. I would travel there but, I live on the east coast and at my age, I am not interested in driving that far. Thanks for posting the video.

[@jeffreycarleton1535]

98 with a four on the floor? That’s cool beyond words better hang on too your neck when clutch is dumped! I bet that car surprised a lot of people! Thanks Steve for all you do! Motor Trend, made a BIG MISTAKE, canceling your show! Keep on trucking! Get that guy a light for his camera! LOL!😂

[@speedfreak8200]

I have owned a few large cars with big blocks and between being heavy and tall geared ⚙️ they are not impressive off the line 😐

[@jeffreycarleton1535]

@@speedfreak8200 I’m kinda thinking that car had some alterations to the rear end as well ,no point in putting in a four speed otherwise! But you are correct, those tall gears were meant for top end go for sure! I’ve been in many Oldsmobile 98’s and 88’s and Buick rivieras all sporting the 455, you are right they were highway rockets! But, I have been in, 66 and ,67 Grand Prix, with the 421 and 425 with a 4 spd,that would sit you back in the seat ,as well as, completely melt the tires off the rims, if you so desired! My grandfather, had both a ,62 and, a 70 Grand Prix, the 62 had the 389 4bbl, and the 70 had the 400 or the 455 they would glue you to the seat! Of course, I was just a little kid but , nothing slammed you back like my Dads 63 SS 4 spd 409, Impala with two 4bbl from the factory and 4:11 gears it was no small car. That car got my attention! Ember red, was the color! Black interior! Sorry for babbling! LoL! The cars, and the people, are gone now! I miss them all!

[@emojiking8580]

👑 😮WoW !!!

[@iceburg254]

The 61 looks like it only has a brake peddle. maybe the hole was for an automatic floor shifter.

[@willhorting5317]

Those blue Ford bed sides @ :45 just don't go together well with the Oldsmobile motif.😂

[@sammolloy1]

Body dies wear out. Even VW made slight changes. Old body dies are now sent to Taiwan, who sells their ill fitting replacement sheet metal back to us.

[@renchjeep]

The 61 looks to have an automatic-style brake pedal, nice and wide. Maybe a 4 speed project that never happened?

[@tkflanagan4449]

Man oh man Steve!!!

[@henrybourdon6712]

One day i will fix them up until they are rust buckets and way too expensive to restore because no one makes or has the parts for them. Perfect!

[@vintage76vipergreenBeetle]

A lot of those parts will end up in the scrapyard dumper.

[@joelbrower6547]

Those convertibles need saving, gonna take some deep pockets to restore them, especially all that pitted chrome.

[@73ac39]

Steve, sad we can't buy a new cool Olds. The blue fender is 70 only, the brown one is 68 or 9.

[@loualiberti4781]

Thank U 🙏 Steve !!!

[@lilmike2710]

Are those Torinado engines versatile? That is, can they be fitted for use in a rear wheel drive application?

[@UberLummox]

Sure. Some people put them in Corvairs, pickups, etc.

[@UberLummox]

Sure. Some people put them in Corvairs, pickups, etc.

[@UberLummox]

Sure. Some people put them in Corvairs, pickups, etc.

[@lilmike2710]

@@UberLummox You're having serious connection issues. I got a funny story about faulty cell towers and roaming... About 6 years ago while I was out of state, my wife decided it was a great time for a heated text argument. She had been spamming nasty messages for about 20-30 minutes until I finally had enough. I finally snapped and sent a barrage of firm retorts, giving her the "what's for" and reading her the riot act. When afterwards I noticed that she had stopped giving me a hard time. And I figured that I had set her straight and went on about my business... Now here's the funny part (wasn't funny at the time).. About 4 months later while I was on the same out of state trip as before, as I was in the exact location where the heated argument had taken place, my wife calls me literally crying asking me what she did wrong... "Why did you just send me all those angry texts and yelling at me?" I insisted firmly that I did no such thing, so she read me a few of them. I immediately recognized them as the messages that I had sent months ago while she and I were having a bad argument. It took me quite some time to not only figure out what happened, but explain it to my not-so tech savvy spouse. I was roaming and there was a faulty cell tower in that area that didn't send any of my messages, held all those messages for FOUR MONTHS until I got in range of that same tower again, then it sent all the messages all at one time... 😁 Anyways, I recognize your repeating comment as a malfunctioning router, bad provider or data service. ✌️ 😁 Be sure to tell your mother or wife "Happy mother's day" 🌺

[@PelicanIslandLabs]

Those cars look reallllllly rough! At best, these are parts cars. IMO!

[@brianandglendaharkin9457]

Steering wheel is😵‍💫🤦🏼.

[@andrefiset3569]

I feel the humidity under this barn through my screen.😬

[@timothybernardin9379]

Actually Oldsmobile added a top-tier model in 1961 called the Starfire it was released in January and was a convertible only I actually owned one. Now I own the bottom tier 1961 Oldsmobile dynamic 88 two-door sedan. 61 and 2 shared engine & suspension.

[@clintonsmith9931]

They were starting to install collapsible steering wheels about then.

[@MrsJustinWilkerson]

❤🙏

[@DanEBoyd]

In 1974 my Dad said F Fords, and drove Oldsmobiles and Buicks for the rest of his life!

[@genephilips822]

That's an 59 ..88 model convertible..371 v8..the 59 had a 394 v8

[@ernielaw]

Two for the price of one. I have models of '60 and '61, but not '59.

[@timothyharrison8953]

That '59 Olds in it's original green shade and then someone resprayed the exterior red but left the interior green and white WWTT?

[@kenttalsma7906]

I know. It's like WWJD?

[@ddellwo]

🫣

[@googleusergp]

It could also have parts from a few cars as well.

[@impalachris7261]

I want to buy those car's

[@marccosentino8659]

Hi Steve, you referred to " preventing drumming" what does that mean?

[@SteveMagnante]

Hi Marc Cosentino, Thanks for watching and writing. The term "drumming" refers to how certain panels made of sheet metal can vibrate during use and create annoying sound waves and / or vibrations. If the panel is formed (pressed usually) with some surface detail in the form of ribs, ridges, rails, etc, they add stiffness that can reduce or eliminate the dreaded "drumming". Automotive body structure engineers call drumming part of the "noise, vibration and harshness" problem that they spend millions tuning out of new cars before (hopefully) they reach market. Thanks again for watching and writing. -Steve Magnante