ABANDONED 1957 Oldsmobile ROCKET first start in 30 years, will it run and drive?

Dad (Rick) and me (Travis) work on our friends Paulie’s 1957 olds that was last registered in 1993. Will it run and drive after sitting in the Arizona sun for many decades ? It is for sale on eBay here
www.ebay.com/i...
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[@SpockvsMcCoy]

This is a 1957 Oldsmobile 88 4-Door Sedan (production of 53,923 units) with a 371 V-8. The paint is Shantung Beige. There were three different Oldsmobile series in 1957: 88, Super 88, Starfire 98. This car is well-optioned: Air conditioning was $430, Hydra-Matic transmission was $215, power steering was $100, Deluxe radio was $96, heater/defroster was $85. Base price on this model was $2,538. An electric clock was a $19 option. G-78 14-inch is the size of the spare (8.50 x 14 was the original tire size).

[@theetravisb]

Thanks for sharing yes it was highly optioned

[@kevingreen20]

In the early eighties, I bought a 1958 Olds 98 holiday hardtop sedan which had been ordered at the 1957 Earls Court (London) Motor Show. It had an amazing list of options - 6-way electric seat, power windows, Safety Sentinel, Autronic Eye, Wonder Bar radio and power antenna, power brakes, power steering, 4-speed auto box, but aircon had not been ordered - England never really got hot enough to justify the extra cost, I suppose. Colour scheme was Rose Mist metallic with Victorian White roof. By the time I came to own it, it had moved from London to South Wales, but had been sitting unused at the back of a car dealer's premises for 17 years. I hired a beavertail and collected the car in the depths of winter. Arriving home 200 miles away in a snowstorm, the car was unloaded and left until the following day. The seller had assured me that the car started and ran, but that it had been some time since it had been tried. I put a battery on, sprayed a bit of petrol into the Rochester 4GC, cranked, and within a few turns the 371 fired up, clattered for a second or two and then settled down to a steady tickover. There was a problem with the trans - I could only get low and reverse, and this was eventually cured by combining the best of the parts from a Cadillac box with some of the original components.. (This being England in pre-internet days, parts were hard to come by !). It was incredible to find that all the electrical systems except the radio worked perfectly, not even any bulbs to change. An old TV and Radio repair specialist managed to get the radio working, so after cleaning out the fuel tank and lines, refurbishing the brakes and fitting a new exhaust system (some of it made up from Bedford truck parts), the car was now usable. I found it to be a very comfortable car with a surprising turn of speed when needed, it would leave many a sports car standing from the lights. It was eventually sold on, moving further north, and was last rumoured to have been cut in half lengthwise and mounted on a pub wall in Newcastle, although I have never seen any evidence. If that was it's fate, what a shame - it was a very fine car. As a memento, I still have the original Oldsmobile ignition key, a lovely thing with the Rocket emblem encircled by the 'Oldsmobile' lettering.

[@North49191]

I assume you are single with cats

[@claztube]

@@kevingreen20 What a great story, thanks for sharing. Indeed a true treasure for you that car had been while you owned her

[@marlobreding7402]

I was lucky to be able to buy a Super 88 J2 371 power, copper paint, cream leather seats with only 56,000 on the odometer. The woman I bought it from was afraid of it even after having a mechanic remove and block off the front and rear carbs. Which I immediately found 2 2G Rochester 2bbl of a 64 GTO 389 . Loved it.

[@jesterr7133]

That is a gorgeous car, even in that condition. General Motors cars from that era were just beautiful cars.

[@garymaynard7562]

My stepfather had one of these '57 Olds with a 371 tri power carbs We drove it to California and back. What a beautiful car and ran like a charm.

[@miketavernier4887]

I’m an olds guy thanks for saving another oldie

[@theetravisb]

Thank you for watching mike !

[@thomasmadden2258]

4dr family car hild families

[@adamweston4152]

Pretty stupid to run it around the yard in this condition, misfires.. possible stuck valves which could have been bent or broken, not the way to do things.

[@m42037]

So now what happens to the car

[@mikenorth534]

Yeah, right after they ran a train on the poor girl.. 😫 I... I... FELT... SO... POWERLESS WATCHING!! I was yelling at the phone, and they just WOULDN'T STOP!! I got the PTSD now!😳

[@kmath50]

A/C would have been rare back then, but very nice to have in Arizona.

[@andron967]

I remember being a small child laying under that big back window. My dad driving across the pan handle of Oklahoma at very high speeds. Watching the Prarie cathedrals glide by and that OLDS engine running hard. Car was pink and blue two tone same model and year.

[@theetravisb]

That’s a cool memory

[@johnwsimpson3153]

The popping could be due to the cylinder firing when a valve is open. Need to double check firing order and make sure all plug wires are connected properly, and take valve covers off and check for stuck valves. The car would be a cool project and the original radio would be also be a cool project. The electrolytic capacitors in it are are sure to be shot. Thanks to the video, and the tool list.

[@theetravisb]

Thanks for watching and yeah could be a bent pushrod or valve

[@mrbrooks9969]

Plus the buffers.

[@Louis-qi1gz]

That's exactly what it sounds like to me 🔧 needs a compression test and timing light check

[@Louis-qi1gz]

IT might have a burnt valve or probably head gasket but! That car is worth it 🔧

[@Mercmad]

The rattling is a sure sign the lifters had collapsed and are probably gummed up,so it will take a while to clear it out. A trick I learned from Aircraft engineers is pour a gallon of jet fuel into the oil and run it up. Works wonders!. Just change the oil and lifters sometimes come back again .

[@SeanStevens24]

Around the 23:00 mark, I was starting to feel really bad for that starter. Incredible that it survived! Also, great improvement on the audio from previous videos, especially when it comes to the engines running. Don't know what you did, but it sounds great!

[@theetravisb]

Thank you Ben working on it

[@supermansuperman9066]

So many of these cars that people act like it's so difficult to start. Any car will start if one works hard to do it.

[@mattmalone524]

@@theetravisb Love your channel.The radio has bad filter caps in it and you can still buy even better ones but you have to take the radio out of the car. It may be a vacuum tube radio where it warms up before it comes on but since you get the hum/buzz right away, it's almost always filter capacitors. For the tuning dial mechanism, you have to just take it apart and clean and regrease the gearing mechanism. I just repaired a Philco that came out of a 67 Lincoln Continental. It was solid state tho.

[@auteurfiddler8706]

I have a "ten second rule" for starters. If it doesn't start in ten seconds, you stop and reconsider if gas, compression, spark timing are correct.

[@randyriggs5463]

I do like the body lines on the 57 Oldsmobile. Glad to see you and your dad working on these old cars. Creating memories!

[@theetravisb]

Yes we are. Half car work half good time.

[@ljkkj2511]

It seems that the car has a problem with the head gasket...

[@davidadkison4702]

A rocker arm is loose and backfiring through the carburetor. My 55 Pontiac did that. When we tightened it up it ran perfectly. Try that to reduce the knocking.

[@thefox7073]

Sounds like the capacitors are toast in that radio. I love the character in these old cars.

[@stevewilke8524]

Guarantee that any aluminum electrolytic caps in that radio died long ago.

[@johndonlon1611]

Great find !! Someone's going to score a terrific project car.

[@THROTTLEPOWER]

I agree John!

[@josealfredocuevas]

Nice 1957 olds rocket 88 really nice original find, and actually 4 doors are making a comeback. Back in the day 2 doors were very popular but nowadays I've been hearing a lot of people are looking for four doors.. great find it's in great shape 👍🏼

[@theetravisb]

Four doors are king 👑

[@Freedomquest08]

A lot of the 4 door car hate went away once pickups became 4 doors and the 2 door car people people figured out how handy they are.

[@nonelost1]

Now THIS is the kind of ancientmobile video that I love to see! I watched the entire video. That glove compartment was HUGE! And if that's THEE original paint, I say buff it and patina it. I clicked on the ebay link to the ad...WHAT?! The ad says that if it doesn't sell, he is going to WHAT?!...part it out?!?! No! You part out something that is a too far gone, that is, a hopeless, hapless, helpless lost cause, because it's wrecked, roasted, or rusted, but not merely racked up in miles, or rested under a tree for 30 years. Anything that straight and complete, with a minimum of cancer, that still can start, and then go forward and backwards, even with no brakes and no interior, after a 30 year sabbatical as a murine hotel, is a prime specimen for at least a driver resto in my book!

[@theetravisb]

I agree!

[@Jodyrides]

1968. I was working in a boron gas station in Western Pennsylvania afterschool, Saturdays and Sundays, and summers. A co worker had the same car, a gun metal gray 57 olds.. he drove it to Pittsburgh international dragway on Sundays and he won his class every time. It was just a $50 beater that he picked up because the transmission leaked pretty bad. He just kept putting transmission fluid in it every day. I think it was the front main seal.. from just being an old car it had sort of a satin finish to the gunmetal gray paint that was the original paint. When we would close up the gas station at night we were both working in at 11 PM. We would go to McDonald’s to get something to eat. Occasionally he would drag race other cars stoplight to stoplight, and he would usually win. The car had a name, the tank. It was very comfortable, very softly sprung. It was totally stock but, a locally famous drag racer named Joe then drag raced to a 63 Pontiac I think it was a Catalina or a Bonneville, successfully. He tuned it. nothing special, just carburetor adjustments, new points distributor cap rotor plug wires and spark plugs. I don’t remember all the cars that he raced with me in the car stoplight to stoplight, I do remember one of them was a fast back mustang. I don’t know if it had a six or a 289, but the 57 olds won.. Bill, a high school student like myself had an unlimited supply of used tires available, since we both worked at a gas station/garage and there was always a pile of used tires. That 57 olds would lay rubber all the way across the gas station parking lot. Easily 150 feet.. if I could have any car from the 50s as my personal street rod. I think I would want the 57 olds. I just love that Front bumper and the three piece rear window

[@theetravisb]

That’s a cool story thank you for sharing and the 3 piece window takes the cake

[@butcher390]

What great find !!!! 🏅🏆🙏 You & your Dad are incredibly lucky , too find that car 🚗 in such great original condition

[@Nothing_to_see_here]

Great video. You made it about the car, not about yourself. Damn rare things these days.

[@theetravisb]

Thanks for the feedback

[@rickeyorrick4029]

Brings back good memories because my dad had a 55 olds 88 that was his daily driver when I was a child in the early to mid 60’s.

[@claztube]

💛💛💛 I'm a few months behind here (4 that is...) but can you tell who loves this 'OLDS 88' ? Also some fond childhood memories came flooding back into my 65 year old brain bank as I watched you mess with the knobs on the radio and A/C controls. When I was just a wee tyke, I recall visiting my mom's father that had fixed/repaired cars out in his garage, so there were many 1940's and maybe even a few early 1950 models just sitting behind his cavernous old garage back in the 1940's in Madera California, where me and my two older brothers had fun pretending we were operating them old relics. Yeah, we pushed all the buttons amd turned all the knobs and dials as well we grabbed with our wee hands and arms them big ol' steering wheels doing a lot of pretend driving round and 'round until it was time to pack it up and head back home to the S.F. Bay Area. I hardly saw my grandparents due to the distance between our home in San Pablo, California and the home my mother grew up in and worked on cars as a teenager in that garage helping her father with various non traditional daughter/girl tasks. Too soon we'd pile into our 1959 Ford Galaxie 500 (two door), pushing the front seats forward, uh huh, to climb into the (the brothers three) back seat to trek 100+ miles to our home just north of Berkely where my pop had begun his career as an autobody refinisher back in the very ealry 1960's. Thanks for taking me back again. 4:50 📸 great mental snaps/images pop up in my aged memory 🏛bank 🛴🚲🛼I could say so much more but I'll leave those memories to myself and my one surviving brother to share as we expect to have a life celebration of our parents this year at our younger sister's place in Yellville Arkansas. Missing my pop heaps as I watch you and your dad work together. Yeah and mom too! 2nd Edit: Hearing your father reminisce on a similar pretend childhood driver memory was ironic. I had told about my story before that portion of the video. Then to see him tooling around and 'round at the end of this episode must have been a really great time for him on this revival.

[@AlejandroRamirez-vl8mr]

You got me at Rocket! Gotta get me one someday. Glad for you.

[@SchnelleKat]

That is so damn cool I hope to see more on this car I was kind of amazed to see the engine Bay complete and no one had robbed any of the AC parts except for the air cleaner which is it's probably gonna be a little bit of a tough one as a side hobby I like to collect vintage valve covers and air cleaners and the best thing I can say is about the 40s and 50s stuff it's getting pretty expensive now but it's a really hard to beat an oil bath air cleaner.

[@benzinfeuer732]

Greeting from a Frenchman (near Paris). Thank you for these very interesting videos. It is a real pleasure to watch them. Have a good Christmas, and a good New Year, and I wish you a long life to your chanel!

[@theetravisb]

Thank you for watching! That’s what grows the channel

[@todddenio3200]

There's nothing wrong with 4 doors in my opinion. In fact I prefer 4 doors for a variety of reasons

[@Gesu_925]

Four doors for more whores of course

[@foxman4932]

Exactly!

[@ronaldcooper7609]

That's a G78 tire size. I remember that sizing system from the 70s, I think. In the 50s the size would be all numbers.

[@barbmalloy7144]

Love those old cars you get started. That Oldsmobile sounds like it has a Rod knocking

[@tomwinkle1597]

Spraying some lube on all the controls before wrenching them around is always a good idea. Awesome ride

[@michaelburns9172]

A friend of mine in high school in the late 60s had a early 50s Pontiac Bonneville. Four door powder blue with black diamond tuck apolstry what a Tuna Boat . Would love to have it now.

[@oldcarsaverjones5124]

I had a 57 and 58 Oldsmobile. One problem I ran into on these cars was the retaining clip on top of the lifters falling off causing the lifter to fall apart-take the valve covers off and watch the rockers. These engines have awesome power and torque once running good.

[@jlockling3663]

Great video. I can’t believe that thing moved after a short time of working on it. I love the body style of this olds rocket 88. Thanks

[@jadattal1776]

Mad respect to you and your dad! Keep it up!! Merry and Happy!!!

[@caddyguy5503]

Every car of the 50s era had crisp lines. I love em.

[@Hanzyscure]

I like how the tailghts are smaller identical versions off the headlights.

[@joehoeing6590]

We had a black 57 just like that, red interior. I had forgotten how cool the instrument panel was. We drove it to Nova Scotia towing a travel trailer on vacation around 1964; lots of power but rather thirsty. Thank you for the memories!!

[@theetravisb]

That’s awesome thanks for sharing

[@Jriche455]

They did come with clocks. Yours has the delete plate. It is at the very front of the dash by the windshield. At the middle. Two screws.

[@craigsiegfried1985]

I tried the same thing over Christmas break to start our 57 that was parked in the yard for years. At the time ( decades ago) I didn't have the slightest clue what to do. But I tried. It wasn't such a great idea to try it with below freezing temps either. Eventually my Dad made me tow it to the junk yard. To this day I never got over losing that car. Since then, I've done frame off restorations, so I know with more experience I could have fired that car. I was close. Great seeing the inside of that girl again.

[@theetravisb]

Wow. Sorry to hear that but thank You for sharing that’s cool

[@jimcabezola3051]

I miss living in Arizona where one could encounter cars like these. Just discovered your channel today. Mele Kalikimaka from Hawai'i...where great cars go to die...

[@theetravisb]

Merry Christmas thanks for watching from Hawaii

[@jimtomassetti8928]

Great vidio.....Pls keep'em coming love when a car been sitting for yrs and you try and it going! Like Oldsmobile. Thank You!!!

[@chaosdemonwolf1]

A 100% survivor worth the time to make her run like Rolex. (or at least like a Timex) Do the basics like carpeting try to get the AC working cause that's a very rare option. Good catch mate. Keep it up mate. Cheers from Ashford.🍺🍺🍹🍸🍷

[@theetravisb]

Thanks for watching from Ashford

[@kenschmidt6522]

The first car I remember growing up was a 1957 Holiday 88, white over yellow. Wish I had it now.

[@djdoo]

Cheers from Greece, beautiful huge car, head gaskets are almost certainly blown fumes pass to the cooling circuit, carb needs rebuild otherwise it is a very complete car great find. Keep up the interesting content!

[@jacquesmontague2477]

My grandfather had an '88 2 door sedan, he put a custom paint job on it, dropped in a 383 with a blower and NOS and had loads of fun with it. That car could haul! (All work done by himself, including the paint.)

[@brettmiller9609]

As you predicted, I love everything about this car except the 2 extra doors. Great find, great save.

[@jesterr7133]

Nothing beats a 50s era GM. My first car was a '57 Bel Air. My father bought it from a sucker that did not know how to put gas in it. It was some podunk auto lot. They took it out for a joyride and ran it out of gas. Apparently they were imbeciles that did not know how to find the gas tank and follow the filler neck. It sat in their parking lot for several years, and my father just walked up and made them an offer. He gave them $500 for it in 1996. He had it towed to a gas station, aired the tires up, put a battery in it, filled it up, and limped it home. It had 44K original miles on it. We replaced the tires, braking system, and fuel pump, and that was it. It was his everyday driver for a couple of years. He told me it would be my 16th birthday present. I drove it a few times and drag raced a Corvette in it (I won). He decided three weeks before my birthday that he didn't feel like paying child support anymore, sold it for $800 so he could skip town, and I didn't see him for nine years after that. I loved that car.

[@danswartwood4580]

Thank you for sharing and your APPRECIATION to your subscribers

[@theetravisb]

Couldn’t keep doing it without your views thank you!

[@tman4915]

I have a huge appreciation for classic cars like this. They had style and every car brand had its marquee signature. Wish they made cars like this still. Of course with added safety features.

[@static_Tricolor_camry]

I would love to have this car it's a beautiful car. I can just imagine how nice it looked when it had it's paint on the car and the interior was mint.

[@jebsails2837]

We Had the 98, 371 cu in w/ J2 tri-carb. Believe the clock was in the center of the dash "waterfall", just under the wind screen. To set the stations, manually tune to station, pull out the desired per-select button and then push the button al the way in. Press on the "deluxe" radio badge. Some models had the Signal seek (scan) feature called a wonder-bar, and may have had a second high beam floor switch to activate the radio tuning. '98 had a bullet center in the center of the taillight bezel. Engines had bad valve guides and were prone to failing at about 60K miles. 14 in factory rayon tires were crapola. Good Luck. Narragansett Bay

[@theetravisb]

That’s really cool thanks for sharing

[@JONSDIYM]

A few months ago one sold for 19.5k in North Royalton, OH. It was a Mint example silver/black stock super 88. It sold for 5500 less than when I originally seen it for sale. Beautiful ride!

[@caddyman7725]

That three piece rear window treatment really catch my eye on these Buick, Olds and Pontiacs!

[@michaelnevanssr206]

Sounds like you definitely need to check the timing and for stuck valves. My Granddaddy had a Rocket 88 that he drove from Elkhart, Indiana to Selma, Al., back in 1957 0r 1958 for Christmas. It was a tank.

[@Cam-sm1iz]

Sounds like stuck valves or timing. Good video guys.

[@916commons]

This was my brother’s first car he had in 1966. He was 16 and I was 11. Great time hearing that throaty carb sucking gas like no other. You could push start this if you got it going around 30 mph. I remember the rear springs were shot and car bottomed out all the time. Like I said, great memories!!

[@jamesmcdonald5868]

I hope you and Dad have a great holiday season this year, and that you have a good start to the new year as well. Stay safe guys!

[@theetravisb]

Thanks man You to merry Christmas

[@somerandomguy3868]

That was a well to do ladies car back in the day and a very nice one at that

[@That_AMC_Guy]

The Clock in a '57 Olds would mount on top of the dash, right below the windshield right in the center. You can see where there's sort of an extra piece of trim in the center below the windshield. That's where the clock would mount. Some would argue that Packard had the first A/C units but those required the removal of the belt to be "turned off". GM A/C units of the early 50's used to mount big units behind the back seat and have little air vents on the quarters. Being the AMC guy, I would argue that AMC/Nash Kelvinator came up with the first "Modern" under dash, all-in-one A/C & Heat unit in Detroit. That was in 1954. It would take GM a few more years to get rid of those bulky, behind the seat units.

[@stephenmoxley3004]

Cool video. That popping in the intake system is most likely the result of sticking intake valves. With all of the valve clatter in the engine, the lifters are probably suspect too. No matter. The car is pretty cool and worth doing a complete restoration on. Maybe even a resto-mod?

[@m42037]

Yes make it a street and strip car! Hot rod, but keep the interior and body original

[@BillySBC]

Popping through the carburetor is usually timing, could have loosened the distributor and given it a little turn in either direction to see where it steadied out. Alternatively, it could just be the lifters aren't completely pumped up with oil yet (I'm assuming these Old's had hydraulic lifters.

[@interlinkplus8236]

More likely stuck intake valve.

[@daveedson8607]

When I started college in 1969, a fellow student had this exact car in blue that his grandfather bought new. The 4 speed Hydra-Matic is a beast.

[@theetravisb]

The hydramatic is awesome

[@Briansmusic-]

The later Impala SS in the 90s were 4 door and they are cool.

[@jeffshadow2407]

Just like my 2011 Buick Wildcat (it was a Lucerne before!).

[@williamstamper442]

Nice car, great find! I've been looking for a clean driver 57 olds for 30 years...either too late or just never the right time. Maybe someday.

[@williamstamper442]

Around 22:10 hey it's a factory 4/7 swap! I forgot that about the olds 371!

[@theetravisb]

If you are interested in buying Paulie’s car it’s o eBay here www.ebay.com/itm/325459045907?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=SpiT8eA6Q2m&sssrc=2349624&ssuid=epjSmXm6QEq&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

[@bobfurman862]

Nice work all the way around! I enjoyed this one, and it would be great if someone bought it near you so you could follow-up on it in the future.

[@theetravisb]

Yeah I’d do a follow up if someone did buy it

[@steverobinson1693]

I saw a short you posted on Facebook. I’m looking forward to catching up on your videos here.

[@theetravisb]

Thanks for coming from Facebook!

[@anibalbabilonia1867]

Great looking car! Definitely need some tlc. I love them late 50s-50s car design’s! Great video!👌😎👍

[@kingoftape]

That emergency brake light may also have doubled as a warning light for hydraulic pressure. 6:01 6:01 GM would use that circuit and attach it to a switch on the master cylinder so if you lost brake pressure, the light would turn on. Handy if you have a wheel cylinder leak and you get out in the morning and start the engine and all the brake fluid leaked out overnight. I know my 69 Buick set up that way and so was my 91 GMC.

[@Freedomquest08]

Always a good thing to see another 50's Olds get dragged out of the weeds and breathing fire again.

[@Louis-qi1gz]

That's the oldest A 6 compressor I've ever seen I didn't know they had An A6 way back then 🤔🔧

[@jesterr7133]

You definitely gotta get rid of that flexie hose. New ones are junk, so I can only imagine how bad a 30 year old one would be.

[@tyhogue8316]

It’s all about the curves!👍 😊she needs a lot of personal attention for sure! I love it too Travis! I would paint it the original colors and do the interior original as well, if I could afford to. I love watching you work with your dad! I miss mine.😊

[@rogermasse864]

Great job!

[@mudduck754]

The one thing I always liked about 57 Oldsmobiles and I've had 32 of them since 1975 when I've got my first one because Dad wouldn't let me have the 63 Impala super sport I wanted and made me buy what I thought was the ugliest thing I had ever seen at the time because it wasn't an Impala super sport. My favorite thing is when you're an 18 year old kid sitting at the stoplight racing from light to light never ever ever ever ever slap the thing into low. Gently position it into low. For those of you that know, you know exactly what I'm saying. For those that don't you don't want to find out. And that isn't the deluxe radio I don't see a foot pedal. Thanks for the memories. I have had 88's, holiday 88's, super 88's 98's in two door, four door, station wagon and convertible. Why? Because nobody else was collecting them. And any 57 Oldsmobile would walk away from a 57 Chevy like it was standing still. Thanks for the memories. I gave up to 57 Oldsmobile collection years ago when I did the stupidest thing I ever did in my life and got married and the woman made me get rid of my collection. Before I ended up getting rid of her.

[@geraldmarcus947]

the popping is due to a intake valve not seating and as it runs it will get better The carb needs a complete clean out to make it idle better

[@michelmendoza1769]

Never ceases to amaze me how you guys don’t look into the fuel tank to check for rust. That rust gets into your fuel pump and lines very BAD.

[@mznxb9872]

You probably already figured it out but the firing order is wrong. It should be 1 8 4 3 6 5 7 2. Also the AC compressor is a 5 cyl Frigidaire used by GM from 1955-61. The much improved A6 took its place in 1962.

[@auteurfiddler8706]

My googling suggests that 1949-1964 Firing Order: 1-8-7-3-6-5-4-2 is different from newer Olds. 1 8 4 3 6 5 7 2.

[@josephaguiar9003]

Awesome video my uncle had one like that 😀 merry Christmas 🎅

[@davidcurlee5085]

Its going to run better when you replace the timing chain set and overhaul the rare carburetor

[@errorsofmodernism7331]

Beautiful car, I agree 4 doors are fine, I prefer them as well, I can open the back doors and put packages on the seat

[@1boatsailor]

Advanced knock nothing wrong with that engine, carb and ignition problems just needs TLC sweet

[@tandem8]

Oldsmobiles had ENGINES, not a Motor.

[@robertspeicher5047]

Fifth and sixth grade and on, We kids would watch out for the new cars of the year. The 58, the 59 etc. Of Ford, GM and Chrysler.

[@GuyLeDouche84]

Just bought one with the clock. It’s on the upper dash close to the windshield. You can see the delete plate on yours.

[@rickarndt3895]

That radio works the buttons only to preset your favorite channels

[@gotrust4741]

Wish I had 4800 happy holidays guys!

[@frankready5371]

How old are you guys anyway don't you know to check all the fluids and something especially after it's been sitting as long as it has come on man that's an oldie you're tearing it up you're killing it

[@frankready5371]

@Theetravisb. I wasn't trying to be smart-alecky with my comments thank you

[@friguy4444]

Something most people don't know is the the very first full on Rock N Roll song of known recordings and hits was "1951 Jackie Brenston Rocket "88" Check it out it is the real deal and it's GREAT!

[@jdpinbaytown]

Great Video!, Sounds like it might have a bad camshaft the way it's popping back through the Carb, Also the Radio is a Tube type that has a component called a " Vibrator " that goes bad making it have that humming sound, Pretty sure the Tranny is a Powerglide. Merry Christmas to you and your family Travis!

[@theetravisb]

Merry Christmas to you too

[@BillofRights1951]

The shift quadrant indicates a 3-speed so maybe an early turbohydramatic.

[@frankwurth5375]

More likely a stuck valve from sitting, that or a plug wire misplaced. All of that year Olds had the 3 sp hydromatic trans. We had 5 of them over the years, a 54, a pair of 56s and a pair of 57s. The big 57 wagon had the 3 carb J2 motor, still have the 57 2 door, but the bottom is gone. They all came here from a parked condition. We managed to get a few more miles from them till the motors finally got so bad that even we gave up. Back then you could get lots of runnable cars for under 500, so cheaper to find another than spend money on a total rebuild. Were up here in the rust belt so the body rusted away first, the transmissions never gave issues.

[@Freedomquest08]

Dual Coupling (a.k.a Jetaway) Hydramatic in this year. It was actually a 4 speed (non overdrive) that shifted on the principle of a fluid coupling filling that would then activate a sprag (instead of clutchpacks) which in turn shifted to the next gear, then the coupling would dump it's fluid and start filling again for the next shift. The primary Fluid coupling was still in use from the earlier Hydramatics, which was in place of a torque converter. The difference is unlike a torque converter, a fluid coupling operates more like a fluid clutch that is either on or off. The higher the rpm, the tighter it gets. A fluid coupling is much more efficient than a torque converter because almost no power is lost through slippage. Starting from a stop is where a torque converter has the advantage, because a fluid coupling does not slip there either like a torque converter does. That is what the 4 speeds is about, as first is super low, for 0 to about 10 MPH. On the shift indicator you'll notice it says S before D. That is not second, it's Super (Super 88), In the S position, it reroutes the valving which raises the shift points...basically the performance setting. Earlier Hydramatics had this as well. Fascinating transmissions, super smooth and durable.

[@farmfinds]

That’s Olds has some great lines. I love the fender emblems. It’s amazing that both are still with the car!

[@theetravisb]

I agree

[@rogerhurtubise2150]

Cool to see that Rocket leaving the launchpad. That's a beautiful car.

[@TroyRosenbaugh]

Radiator repair seal pushing out through cap? Nasty, probably still bunch in block. Hope freeze plugs are good.

[@ReaperRestorations]

the radiator shop told me one day explicitly NOT to use distilled water and to use regular hard tap water. according to them distilled water can damage the block and radiator as it seek Ph balance. he called it "hungry water". apparently it strips what it needs from the metal

[@samueledwardsjr2045]

Love the content 👍

[@punkinsgarageandpaint8299]

Some folks love the 50s chevys..,, I like them but I also like the Buick, Pontiac and Oldsmobile more...

[@pauldilorenzo5530]

Not a bad ride hopefully stays together and gets back on the road

[@jorgeposadas1192]

Nice video big guy.

[@robleary3353]

Love it!. Another old bit of kit bought back from the brink!. 🙂 They knew how to make sh*t back in the day!. Try that with a car made today in thirty years time!. Good luck on that one!. 🤣

[@Hanzyscure]

I recommend using 2 stroke gas instead of starting fluid. The oil helps bring up the compression were the starting fluid removes any traces of oil causing no compression.

[@jbb8382]

Great job boys!

[@krisdrinkwine6045]

Lol, sorry for the end. She's pumped. But definitely a builder ,thanks boy's made my day. 👍👍👍

[@jeffdorman6667]

I live just down the road from you, just saw this car sitting out front of your shop tonight and then it shows up on my KZbin screen. Small world!