1951 Oldsmobile Other

303 V8

Automatic

518M39930

1951 OLDSMOBILE SUPER 88 DELUXE 4 DOOR SEDAN This '51 Olds Super 88 is an unmolested survivor. When I bought it, it had been setting in a field since 2004 and has likely sat outside most of its life. I checked the fluid levels and installed a new battery and it started with no engine noise, smoke, or signs of any problems. A previous owner told me the engine and transmission have less than 50,000 miles on them and I believe him. This is a solid car that still has its original Otsego Blue paint and gray upholstery, but as you can see in the photos, it does have some cosmetic rust issues, the paint is thin, and the upholstery is stained, faded, and started to show signs of wear and deterioration. The car still has the 6 volt system, the battery is a year old, and starts easily every day. It runs smoothly and quietly, does not smoke or have any engine noise, has virtually no fluid or oil leaks, and there are no coolant leaks. It also does not overheat, even in the 100+ degree temperatures. The carburetor is somewhat temperamental and could probably use a carb kit. An inline fuel filter has been added and the original heater control valve has been bypassed with a manual water shut off valve. A manual choke has been installed in place of the original automatic choke. The starter, generator, voltage regulator, and horn relay are either originals or rebuilt Delco-Remy units. The battery cables are replacements and are in good condition. The Hydra-Matic transmission is tight and the fluid is clear and odorless, but the downshift linkage needs adjustment. The brake system and exhaust system have less than 5,000 miles on them. The radial tires are worn but safe and the wide whitewalls are an elastomeric white coating applied to the sidewalls. It is equipped with the rare compass in the dash instead of a clock and it works perfectly as does the original rebuilt radio. It has the correct, original Super 88 Deluxe equipment including the fender skirts and they are rust free. It has the owner's manual in the glove box and the luggage compartment has the original mat, bumper jack, lug wrench, and a very old Firestone spare that holds air and is possibly one of the original tires. The engine compartment is unmolested and relatively clean, has the correct battery hold down, but the original glass windshield washer jar is missing. The glove box lock, glove box lamp, dome light, instrument panel switches, heater blower motor, and heater core all function properly. The instrument panel lights aren't working (probably the fuse, I haven't checked, yet) and the right door jamb switch works intermittently. The headlights, tail lights, license plate lights, horn, wipers, turn signals, stop lights, exhaust system, and brakes all work properly and it would pass inspection with a new left tail light lens. However, since it is registered as an antique in Texas, it is exempt from the standard state safety inspection. The paint and interior are original, but tired. It also has the original factory rubber floor covering. The original owners, John and Esther Setterman, bought the car from from Fischer Motor Service in New Ulm, Minnesota in the summer of 1951. Mr. Setterman died in 1963 and it was sold in 1976 with approximately 92,000 miles on it. It was left in the Setterman's barn and not driven until Mrs. Setterman sold it. The 2nd owner made it roadworthy again and only drove it about 3,000 miles between 1980 and 1998 when he sold it. The 3rd owner made it roadworthy again and drove it less than 1,000 miles before he sold it in 2004. The 4th owner bought it to part it out, but thankfully he never did. He also never drove the car and it sat until July 2011 when I brought it to Texas and registered it for the first time in over 12 years. All I had to do was replace the distributor condenser, check the fluid levels, add fresh gasoline, install a new battery, and it started right up with no smoke and no knocks and it ran smoothly. I did install new spark plugs and change the oil and filter soon thereafter. Although the original engine and transmission ran well, the 3rd owner told me he replaced the engine and transmission with those from a '51 Olds 88 (which I now own) that has less than 50,000 miles on it that he was parting out. That explains why the car runs so well and does not have the typical issues of a 61 year old car with nearly 100,000 miles on it. He replaced the fuel pump, cleaned the fuel lines, and cleaned and coated the fuel tank. He overhauled the brake system and replaced the exhaust system. I recently replaced the glass pack muffler with a quieter, stock muffler. I also repaired the RH exhaust manifold that was cracked and replaced the gaskets. The brakes in excellent condition, do not pull, have plenty of pedal height, and are smooth and quiet. I removed a great deal of the surface rust from the paint and put the fender skirts back on it (I had to make and install brackets to hold them in place). The worst rust is in the quarter panels and rocker panels, but should not be difficult to repair. The trunk floor and the front and rear floor pans are in excellent condition due to being undercoated when new. A new pair of inner rocker panels go with the car. There are some small +/- 1/4”-1” rust holes in the front floors near or at the door openings, rust on the bottom of the front fenders near the doors, the rocker panels have holes, and the quarter panels are rusted out around the wheel openings and along the bottom behind the rear wheel openings. The stainless is good, the chrome plated parts and the bumpers are pitted, particularly on the rear bumper above the tail pipe. The sill plates need to be replaced. "Esther", as we call her, is a great driver and a great example of an original 1950's family car that has survived against all odds. Despite its easily repairable cosmetic deficiencies, it is a “head turner” and always gets lots of admiring looks and compliments. Local pick up or buyer is responsible for shipping. Good luck bidding and we hope you will give Esther a good home. If you have any questions, please call me at 903-724-3052. Thank you for looking! On Jun-18-12 at 14:59:06 PDT, seller added the following information: The radial tires are worn and need to be replaced. The wide whitewalls are an elastomeric white coating applied to the sidewalls.