A GDYNETS
PUBLICATION
© 2009, G. DAVID
®
Car Collector
Chronicles
YAROS. ALL
RIGHTS RESERVED.
Volume II, Issue 10 Car Collector Chronicles
Exploring:
 Car collecting today
CLASSIC CAR INSPECTION SERVICES
 Classic rides
Last month we talked about
 Reports from the field long-distance buying and inspec-
tions. This month, let’s review
 Oldsmobile the realities of such activity.
 Cadillac
The inspection service I hired
(www.automobileinspections.co
 Corvair m) touts on its web site a 72-
hour turnaround time. “We
begin arranging the inspection
immediately upon your request.
Most reports are completed
and the results back in your
hands within 72 hours!“ Ad-
mittedly, this claim is bracketed
with the weasel word “most.”
Plus, I fully appreciate that
IN THIS ISSUE:
scheduling and completion of
any vehicle inspection is con-
trolled by outside factors; such
as availability of the car owner.
Classic Car 1 readers of CCC®.
Inspection Having said that, here is my
experience: I booked, and paid
Services
for the inspection on the 26th
of the month. On the 28th the
GDYNets® 1 are obtained, you may rest as-
inspection was scheduled to
On the Web
take place on the 31st.
To Do Projects 4
GDYNets® on the Web
Oldsmobile Firsts 4
WHERE YOU WILL FIND
GDYNets (me) on the WWW:
Coming Next 5 ests. Foremost is extensive
Dave’s Den -
Issue http://GDYNets.WEBNG.com
Saved 62 -
http://www.freewebs.com/
jeandaveyaros
The Gray Lady- 55 Cad de Ville
Car Collector Chronicles-scribd
EMAIL:
OldsD88@gmail.com
®
October 2009
The inspection did in fact
transpire on the appointed day.
The owner sent an email telling
me the inspector spent more
than 3 hrs. going over the car;
hopefully, with a fine-toothed
comb. That was both surpris-
ing, and good, news as far as I
was concerned. I suspect it had
to be an excruciating experi-
ence for the owner to have to
spend hours watching the in-
spector ply his trade on his
ride?
It is now the 2d of the month.
As I write, the report has yet to
be received. We are at 148 hrs.
and counting. The lesson to be
learned here, “Don’t believe the
hype, and go for quality, not
quick turnaround time?”
At least that is what I am
Finally, late night on the 2nd, the
saying to myself right now, re- results were ready, online! Someone
peatedly. Whenever the results
must have worked the 4-12 shift to
make it available, as it sure was not
sured they shall be openly, and
there when I logged on at 5 p.m.?
frankly, shared with you, the
CONTINUED ON P. 2
DAVE’S DEN: A website SAVED 62: A website de-
devoted to a myriad of inter- voted to our 1962 Oldsmobile
Dynamic 88 convertible. The
information on the “Steel City” site also has a lot of information
of Gary, IN. There are also on Oldsmobiles and its founder,
offerings on steel making, U.S. Ransom Eli Olds.
Steel-Gary Works, U.S. Marine
Corps, M14 assault rifle, of THE GRAY LADY: This
website features our 1955
course Oldsmobile, and the
tragic story of the murder of Cadillac Coupé de Ville and
Gary, IN Police Lt. Geo. Yaros. Caddy information.
Car Collector Chronicles Page 2

CLASSIC CAR INSPECTION SERVICES—Cont’d.

The report was a mere 18 pages in length. Attached to the report was
a collection of 149 photographs! It also contained, because I specifi-
cally paid an extra 25 bucks for it, a written opinion of value.

So, what did I get for my $404? I learned the windshield had a dime
size rock chip in it (see pics on p. 5). I learned that both the wind-
shield and rear window frames had been amateurishly re-sealed with
clear silicone. That told me both must have been leaking in the past;
never a good sign. Even more disturbing in this regard was the pros-
pect of my paying a handsome sum just to acquire the right/privilege
to remove this silicone myself, without doing any damage to the finish
on the roof.

Interior photographs showed serious chipping of paint on the steer-

“Attached to ing column and dash. Paint chipping around the gauge cluster made
me wonder if the panel had been removed in the past; again by an
the report was amateur.
a collection of
While the Cad looks very nice at street level, the inspector detected
149 and photographed a growing rust condition on the door bottoms. He
photographs! It also commented on smoke coming from the engine.

also contained A particularly interesting conundrum is presented by the grille:

… a written Study these two photos carefully. Do you see it?

opinion of
value. ”

You should note both show a gold Cadillac script on the grille. You
should also detect that they are not in the same place. What is this all
about? The cream colored Caddy, with the script positioned on the
driver side of the grille, is correct. Why was the script placed on the
passenger side on the green Caddy? What necessitated the grille be-
ing worked on in the first place? Who put the script there? What did
they know about Cadillacs when placing it there? Strange?

The inspection report narrative used terms like “driver, 20-footer and
know that more checks may need to be written in the not too distant
Car Collector Chronicles Page 3

CLASSIC CAR INSPECTION SERVICES – Cont’ d. from p. 2

future to keep it in ‘reliable driver’ condition.” Use of the phrases

“signs of deferred maintenance” and “the appearance of an older cos-
metic refurbishment that is degrading” also caught my attention.
These were not things I was particularly pleased to learn!

After all is said and done, the prospective buyer (me) wants, and
needs, to know just how much is the car worth in the market of today.
Because I shelled out the money for this opinion, I got it. The current
value assessment was prefaced with the notation the ride falls in the
condition rating category of “minus three (-3), leaning slightly perhaps
to 3.” With that caveat, the value was assessed at $22K-$24K.

Not unexpectedly, the opinion of value came in lower than the

seller’s asking price of $24.9K. Based on all I now knew about the car
from the inspection report, coupled with my prior email contacts with “After all is said
the seller, I concluded the seller was not exactly forthcoming when an- and done, the
swering my questions about the condition of the Cad. Additionally, it
was obvious his view of how much the car is worth differs significantly prospective
from mine. The question is whether this price gap will be able to be buyer (me)
bridged by us?
wants, and
To be truthful, as of this moment in time, I have yet to decide needs , to know
whether or not to even make an offer on the car. I do not want to in-
sult him with my offer. At the same time, I am not equipped to paint just how much
the dash and steering column. Yes, I can remove the steering wheel is the car worth
and column. But my idea of addressing the paint defects is not one of
redoing it with a rattle can. What would be the cost of doing it right? in the market of
today.”
Likewise, I do not know that I can remove the silicone sealant from
around the front and back window frames without doing damage to
the roof paint. If not, then what I have bought is the time and expense
of having the roof refinished professionally.

Then there is the matter of the engine smoking. At least here is a

repair I am equipped, and able, to handle. However, doing so would
be costly, both in terms of my time and dollars. Do I want to take that
on, is the question?

Given all of the above, my thinking is to offer $19K for the car. If it is
rejected, c’est la vie. Whether I even make that offer is yet to be de-
termined. Stay tuned! —
Car Collector Chronicles Page 4;;

TO DO PROJECTS

On my proverbial “To-Do List” is a safety upgrade for the Corvair. It relates to improv-
ing braking visibility. The Corvair taillights are pretty small, and the bulbs are not exactly
blinding; especially during the daylight hours. To rectify this problem, it is my intent to
replace the existing backup lights with brake lights. Doing so will give me two operating
brake lights on each side of the car. At the same time, such a conversion will not drasti-
cally alter the stock appearance of the car. Additionally, should a subsequent owner so
desire, it will be relatively simple to return the ride to stock appearance.

I have already purchased the necessary set of extra NORS taillight lenses. I still need
to acquire two of the proper taillight sockets and bulbs. These are readily available
items at any local auto parts supplier. As envisioned, this project should not be exceed-
ingly difficult.

The first step is to remove and store the backup light lenses. Next, the backup light
bulbs and sockets must be removed from the housings. Once removed, they should be
left on the vehicle, by bagging, tagging and wire tying them in place inside the rear fend-
ers. This will permit their reinstallation at a later date.

New taillight sockets, with pigtails, will be wired into the existing brake light circuitry.
Once wired in and tested, the new sockets go into the existing lamp housings. Then, the
new brake light lenses are installed in place of the old backup lamps.

As a precaution, I shall up the amperage of the fuse in the brake light circuit. I can’t
imagine that adding two extra bulbs to the circuit will overload it, but better safe than
sorry is the wiser course to follow here. It is at an inopportune moment, having the
brake lights go out, no matter when it happens!

OLDSMOBILE FIRSTS

The first speedometer to be offered on a car was on an a 1901 Oldsmobile.

That same year, Olds became the first supplier of fleet vehicles (to the U.S. Post Office).

Olds was the first auto manufacturer to use chrome plating on cars, in 1926.

The first automatic choke on a car appeared on a 1932 Oldsmobile.

Ok, I have had my say for this month. Now it is your turn! I invite/encourage submis-
sion of your comments, opinions and contributions, and ask that you help spread the
word about our pub. Everything sent shall indeed be reviewed by me. Submissions
should be sent to: OldsD88@gmail.com
_______________________________________
-- RESTORE 'EM, AND DRIVE 'EM!
Car Collector Chronicles Page 5;

COMING NEXT ISSUE:

 Winter Storage
 Lessons Learned
 Year 1 in Review
 Photos—Car Barn Projects