48 Years and Still a Project: 1928 Oakland Coupe

The Oakland Motor Car Co. launched in 1907 but was part of General Motors from 1909 to 1931. It was positioned just above Chevrolet in the GM pecking order. A variety of models were produced over the years, including this 5-window coupe from 1928. The seller has owned it for nearly five decades, finally admitting that a restoration will not come under his watch. Located in Cortland, Ohio, this piece of rusty gold is available here on Facebook Marketplace for $3,500 or trades.

Oakland operated out of Pontiac, Michigan, and was instrumental in bringing the Pontiac brand to market. Since the seller’s car is a 1928 edition, we assume it has/had the then-new 212 cubic inch inline-six that was sold as the “All-American Six.” Apparently, the cars sold well enough to retain their separate identity until 1929 came along and the financial markets crashed. Looking to consolidate and save money, GM dropped the Oakland marque in 1931. The seller took possession of this automobile in the late 1970s with plans of doing a restoration. But reality has no doubt set it, and this project is better left to someone else to undertake as the car approaches its 100^th birthday.

Of course, it doesn’t run thanks to a cracked head, but the engine at least turns freely. A total restoration is needed, but how many of these old Oaklands could still be left? Almost anything would make the seller’s trade list, from a dune buggy to an excavator. If it’s worth $3,500, why not reach out to the seller? He started at $3,700, but the price is coming down as potential buyers don’t seem to be materializing. The company marketed their products in those days as “True Blue Oaklands,” and you have the chance to make one of them yours. Kudos to “JDC” for the tip!