I found a couple of Oldsmobiles for sale and I'm torn. A '26 2 door sedan and a '49 2 door fastback. The 26 is 95% complete and 95% rust free with a '46 Stude 6 cyl. and is 3500. The 49 has no engine/trans/interior, has a little more rust and is about 2500. Would like to know the goods and bads about these. Some obvious is the amount of wood in the 26. The frame looks much heavier than a T and it's parallel leaf front and back. They're just so different but both are cool.
Easy answer both. For those prices you will be kicking yourself if one gets away. I would build the 49 first . Will
Buy them both, build the 26 and send me the 49 to Ohio, I just had a birthday and nobody got me a damn thing! If that doesn't sound to good to you, buy both and flip to 26 and use the profit to build that 49 with a J-2 Olds and a hydro. Love that Olds body style!
If you can only swing one, get the 49 and give the lead to the 26 to a buddy. Otherwise get both. Posted using a number two pencil on a paper napkin.
i'd be all over the '26. personal preference i guess, ask yourself " do i want a hot rod or a custom?"
The whole front cap to the 49 is rust free, just disassembled....you guys are swaying me that way. Would be a neat cruiser.
I would buy the Olds! I like the idea of the '26,,it's considerably rarer of the two cars and in a sea of Fords and Chevys you don't see many,especially here in the South. HRP
Count yourself lucky,,,My birthday was last week and all I got(from my girlfriend) was a piece and a pair of stretch socks,,,Both to large..
The '26 is a dare to be different choice. The '49 is a traditional hot rodder favorite choice. It is your call. Which one speaks to you? Which one inspires YOU? Which one realistically would you drive and enjoy? Building either will take time, dedication, and $$$. Just pick one and stick with it to the finish.
Tough to call, I'd bet you would enjoy cruising in the '49 esp as the bodywork and paint progress. Even primed it will look killer!
As mentioned above, buy them both and flip one of them. Which depends on how much time you want to spend on the build and what you want to do with it. 26 will take longer and will not be as comfortable if you intend to put any long distance miles on it. 49 sedanettes are also fairly rare, but they make great cruisers. You are also likely to find more knowledge/info on building the 49 here on HAMB and a bigger selection of parts.
You're not going to flip for much of a profit at that buy in. The '49 will be the easier build, it shares the body shell with Chevrolet so rubber, glass, some patch panels exist for it, there are later rearends that will bolt right in, the front suspension and brakes will be a little harder to update but not out of the realm of possibility.
If the wood is solid (easy way to tell is that the doors fit right, don't sag, and close tight) and none of the hard to find stuff is missing off of it, I'd want the '26. Would like to see pics of the Stude 6 swap. That said, the '49 will cost less to build and you can be driving it sooner. Lower center of gravity and more aerodynamic shape will be better for cruising on the Interstate. More boxy shape of a body that was never intended to run 70 plus mph will translate into more wind noise, and a flat vertical windshield will give you lots of glare from the headlights of cars behind you. That's why people used to install those little window shades on the rear window.
I would personally prefer the 26 for myself, but if you are going to rod one, I would think the 49 would be easier, cheaper and cooler when finished. A 26 Olds is more of a restorer's material I think. I fell in love with this one at a recent car show..
There's really nothing missing to speak of. It has a Model A headlight bar and headlights. The wood needs to be at least partly redone and I imagine it would be a major chore to replace it all with steel. What's cool is that it has pull down shades on all 4 side windows...didn't see one for the back window. It's a 67 GTO with an incorrect motor and it's 12 G's.
This is sweet. It looks chopped and I'm not up to that right now...but I like it. I'd definitely do skirts and a louvered hood.
I agree with other people saying it's about what you want. One is hot rod material, the other is custom material.
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