In 1939 and 1940, Oldsmobile offered three flavors of its automobiles: the Series 60, 70, and 90. The level of trim was what differentiated the first two which also carried six-cylinder power (the 90 came with an eight). The seller’s 5-passenger coupe had a restoration started in 2016, but the car changed hands and little has been done to further the effort. Located in Norco, California, this work-in-progress is available here on eBay where $11,500 is the current bid. Thanks for the Olds tip, T.J.!
During the 1940s, Oldsmobile was in an unusual spot in the GM lineup (come to think of it, maybe it was always that way). Chevrolet and Pontiac were positioned below it, and Buick and Cadillac above it. So it had to appeal to buyers who were looking at a price range and trim level that was middle-of-the-road. From 1938 to 1950, the Series 70 was the midrange car within a midrange brand. Under the hoods of these cars resided a 230 cubic inch straight-six which we assume the seller’s car has (no photos). The new clutch-less Hydra-Matic transmission debuted in 1940 and this car appears to have it, although the shift lever seems to have been broken and poorly welded back on.
During the 1940 model year, Oldsmobile came close to building 200,000 cars of which 40% carried Series 70 badging. And within that mix, nearly a third were the 5-passenger, 2-door sedan like the one here. As the story goes, this Olds originated in New York State and a friend of the seller bought it from the original owner’s family in 2014. Two years later, it got new paint, reworked chrome trim, and new rubber donuts. The car is said to have been running at that stage, but not in the last four years.
The seller acquired the 70 from the estate of his/her friend in 2019 (that twice, if you’re keeping score), and it carries a title from New Hampshire, though clear and unincumbered. The auto may have lived outdoors given its perch on top of jack stands as the clear coat on the seven-year-old paint job has started to peel in several spots. The seller bought a few things that will go with the car, such as a sun visor, fender skirts, and a spotlight which will be up to the buyer to install. Oh, and new running boards, too. The interior is original, and it will need to be reworked. Perhaps the third time is the charm for this 83-year-old classic.
That is one ugly weld!⚒️
Even JB Weld would’ve looked better
Lol, true. But are we sure it’s not JB Weld just poorly applied?
call it like you see it .
Thats a turd on the shifter!
To me it’s not a weld but a paper wasp nest. Why would they cover the ignition switch with key? Otherwise it looks cool. Maybe a Drivetrain with a Olds 350-4 or 455-4 with a 4 speed automatic? Nice looking Olds. 🐻🇺🇸
Yes A Olds big block with 2 4’s on it!
Sheesh! It’s not a weld, but it could be paper mache, plasticine, even aged JBWeld, might even be caulking or silly putty. It’s not on the key, it’s just the camera angle, as the shift lever is just behind the steering wheel, while the key is in the dash. It’s a looker, and I don’t care what GM called it, it’s a COUPE! Cut it out, already. Coupe. Yup. Don’t make me come after you. :>))
I’m about the same age as this, and, growing up after the war, everybody had money, and wanted a car. If they couldn’t get the one they wanted, then they talked about the one they wanted, and the one their buddy, brother, sister, cousin, total strangers, and what just anyone wanted, and, since my family were in the used auto sales & service, all I heard about were cars, and it happened I was very interested in cars, and I have never, in my life, ever herd anyone refer to a car, with this body style, as anything other than a coupe, or coupay. Now I’m chuckling, but it is irritating. Happy Easter to each and all of you, on my favorite site, and especially the writers.
being about the same age myself yes it’s a coupe best way to tell is rear windows sedan’s windows cranked or rolled down coupes if they opened pushed out like the front vent windows and if a business coupe no back seat those where the good old days
Oh my… talk about “kid memories” … I was about 6 when I saw a car like this one… but what the heck is that “weld”?? I’d be afraid to touch that weld… lol
It’s not actually a weld…there was a kind of boot or cover over the joint there and it melted and deteriorated over time.
The wasp nest could be “zinc pest” where die cast material just turns to brittle crap. Not a big deal, but the parts would have to be replaced. We had a ’41 coupe n the 70’s, when I was in high school. I learned a lot of mechanical stuff from that car.
This car has a 4 speed automatic transmission, the first year that the “Hydramatic Drive” was offered. A good transmission, but heavy, with a clunky 2 to 3 shift. The car got amazing mileage with that transmission, about 20 mpg. The heavy trans caused the front springs to sag. The knee shocks were incorporated into the front a-arms.
The interior appears to have the fantastic faux wood painted steel dash and trim. I bet the plastic steering wheel is cracked, since nobody would expect plastic to last for 83 years. I just might have to bid!
I don’t believe that is JB weld on the shift lever. My 54 hydramatic had a rubber boot at that location which allowed the lever to move when changing gears. The rubber had deteriorated to the point where it looked similar to that.
Exactly what I was thinking bruh!
Man if this was a 90 series it would be in my driveway tomorrow, but I’m gonna have to think about this one.