Being an automobile builder in 1933 had to be a challenge. Maybe not as much as it had been in ’30 or ’31 but the Great Depression lagged on and many auto manufacturers didn’t make it out of the ’30s as a result. Oldsmobile and GM were able to hang in there in many respects due to the Alfred Sloan inspired GM hierarchy and his “a car for every purse and pocket” merchandising approach. Considering Depression-era automobiles, we have found this 1933 Oldsmobile five-passenger touring coupe, located in Syracuse, New York, and available here on eBay for a current bid of $4,300, reserve not yet met. Thanks to Patrick S. and Ikey H. for this tip!
Oldsmobile had a typically robust model line up in ’33 with a two-door convertible, two-door business coupe, two-door touring sedan (like this example), a five-passenger coupe, a four-door sedan, and a five-passenger touring sedan. But such was the way in that time period, most manufacturers offered a plethora of body styles.
Unfortunately, there is not too much listing detail that accompanies this Olds. It is a 45-year stored barn find that was one family-owned for 50 of its years. The seller claims it to be a rust-free example and I assume he means a “rust-through free” example. There is surface rust in places but it is hard to discern under the dust. Obviously, the chrome has deteriorated with rust showing through and there is something stewing along beneath the rear window where it meets up with the trunk enclosure. The thick, perhaps original, paint is chipping off of the front fenders and revealing underlying rust but the steel is probably still sound.
There is a no-go engine under the hood of this Oldsmobile, and no image included in the listing, the seller states that he has not tried to start it. I don’t know why, there’s a crank in place so you can crank to your heart’s content and see what happens… Research indicates that the motor is a 221 CI, in-line six-cylinder, flat-head variety capable of generating 80 HP, assuming that the original motor is still in place which the seller claims is the case (matching number motor and transmission). This coupe’s mileage is listed as 48K, but no testament is made as to its genuineness. The sole transmission available in ’33 was a three-speed manual gearbox.
The interior, as expected, has issues. The seller states that the original dash and wiring is still in place – that’s a +1 for the dash/instruments and a -1 for the wiring. The gauges actually look pretty good but 87-year-old wiring probably won’t pass a UL stamp of approval. The dangling ignition switch looks like it has a story of some kind to tell.
Where the interior gets really interesting is in the back seat. It has a bit of a “what the H… happened back here?” look about it. Stored for 45 years? Sure but there has been some water/rain intrusion at some point in this Oldsmobile’s past. The last registration certificate reads 1975 so maybe the storage provided prior to that time was less than ideal.
This Oldsmobile does seem like a pretty original specimen with an intact nature about it. The small items like trim, door handles, hood ornament, lights, etc. are all there. The big unknown is the powertrain but that’s where issues usually arise with a car of this age that has slumbered for so long. There are twenty bids pursuing this Olds and the bid amount is still in reasonable territory; the reserve is another matter and hard to gauge. So what do you think, what would be a fair price for a not so young, non-running Oldsmobile?
With. A few more thousands of dollars a person can have a nice car of thirties vintage. My dad had a 35 Olds 4 door sedan back when these cars were fairly new. I’ve seen pictures of it, he really liked that car, but His had a straight eight.
God bless America
Chop it, put a supercharged Chevy 350 in it and put a flame paint job on it. Just kidding. But I worry that someone will….
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……….S E D A N this is not a Coupe
From the 1933 Oldsmobile sales brochure.
“stretch” of imagination.. There ARE automotive Standards that are recognized around the World, and this is not a Coupe at all., it is a Sedan.
Well, Dave, Oldsmobile is out of the picture but I suppose you could send a strongly worded letter to GM and let them know that their former division blew the description 87 years ago.
Like John M. my father in law had a ’34 Olds 8 Coupe that he loved. He lived in Marshall MN and went to the University of Washington in Seattle. This was about 1600 miles on two lane roads. He drove it many times in that Olds, non-stop, including driving home in the winter. The Olds always made it in about 36 hours and never let him down. I still have the radio from the Olds. He said the radio was a life saver during the night leg of the trips. He saved it when he finally retired the car as it was a great friend. :)
Thank you, Dave. Over the years, GM blew a lot more than just that description.
The roof probably leaked, it was built before the solid steel
“turret top” was adopted by GM, no picture but this probably had a fabric insert on wood cross members.
You’re 100% correct ; the Ebay auction has a good shot of the roof , or the lack of a roof .Not surprisingly ,the top has pretty much deteriorated . It still looks to be a very solid car , and a restorer would replace all the interior fabric anyway
How pleasantly NOT Ford or Chevy !!! 👍