Barn Find Dust Returns: 1937 Oldsmobile Coupe
Not so long ago, in a galaxy you currently reside in, barn dust magically added thousands of dollars to the price of any vintage automobile. The trend was so prevalent that more unscrupulous sellers were purposely dirtying up cars to bring bigger money. While that trend has mercifully tapered off, legitimate dusty cars looking for buyers remain. If you are looking for a four-wheel version of “Pig in a Poke,” check out this 1937 Oldsmobile for sale on Facebook Marketplace in Alexandria, Missouri. While desperately needing a bath, the various pictures show a solid coupe that may need a little re-assembly and a lot of cleaning to be presentable. Would it polish up to a level that justifies the $8,000 asking price? Thanks go to Gunther K. for the dingy tip!
With so much dust, it is hard to tell where the work on this car was headed when it was parked. Was it being disassembled to be stripped and painted? Was the original paint just going to be cleaned up? Is this black primer? The seller doesn’t give us much background besides saying that they have owned the car for 12 years and it is powered by a six-cylinder engine. Most of the ad is an angry reaction to all of the scamming and time-wasting that modern-day sellers have to tolerate to find a new owner for their vehicle. While counterproductive in this case, we can all understand the seller’s frustration and outright anger at the current state of affairs.
Fortunately, we have been provided with several pictures to peruse in the ad. A general summary would be that this seems to be a solid prewar coupe with minimal body damage and/or rust. Most of the trim and brightwork has been removed, but whoever did the work made sure to place the items back in the car. Long-term storage of a partially disassembled car is a situation tailor-made for losing an irreplaceable trim piece or two. Thankfully this one may be all there. We certainly have seen worse on Barn Finds.
Looking closely, there is more than just chrome and trim on the removed list. The headlights, taillights, and some of the accouterments associated with them have been disassembled. We can also see that the running board mats are not to be seen. For many cars of this vintage, these were replaceable items rather than material glued on the running board. Most were thin metal trellis with rubber vulcanized on them. If these have deteriorated or are missing, replacing them will be an issue. They are a complicated item to reproduce, and the volume needed to turn a profit just isn’t there for prewar Oldsmobiles.
A look inside reveals a bit of a mess and more spare parts. It also shows that many of the existing surfaces are in useable condition. The insulation pad for the firewall shows some damage where it meets the transmission, but that area was likely covered with a rubber mat at one time. And while the kick panel on the passenger side has left the building like Elvis, the heater is present and accounted for. I am curious about the glove box door. I have seen clocks in glovebox doors, but there are two distinct items in this one. Does anyone have an idea of what we are looking at here?
Opening the hood reveals a rusty block that has all the earmarks of an engine that hasn’t run in a while. It would be helpful to know if it turns over with a breaker bar, but we don’t have that information. The horn and air filter look like they have been cleaned up, but the breather is missing, and mummified masking tape entombs both the breather tube and the end of the water intake hose. Everything else does appear to be present and likely good enough to get the car running.
While barn dust has helped many sellers in the past, a cleaned-up car with a list of parts would probably go a long way toward getting the seller their asking price. This has the look of a mostly original car that was in the early stages of restoration. Sadly, something derailed progress. In today’s world, many folks are perfectly happy with an unrestored car. Hopefully, this one will clean up well and end up back in one rolling piece soon.
What do you think is the true condition of this Oldsmobile? Is it worth the asking price? Please let us know your thoughts in the comments.
Comments
A lot of potential for someone wanting to restore a classic name from a bygone era in its heyday when it struggled after GM bought it following Ransom Eli Olds leaving to start REO, but they were still a quality built car alongside Buick IMHO.
This one could be resurrected though it’s worth will always be more to the one that finishes it than anyone that buys it with the “isn’t this pretty?” mindset.
FWIW, the dial on the glovebox near the passenger door is a clock, but the other dial is curious in its markings and function!
https://www.autoroundup.com/vehicle/1937-oldsmobile-coupe-listing-252594.aspx
Has the look of a sundial but I’m going with Tom. W., seems it’s probably an ashtray. (Hope the image works, my first try on Barn Finds)
R.E. glove box dr.:
Could that second metal encaseditem next to the clock.
Possible be an tilt out ASHTRAY!-? By chance..??
Many possibilities, but restore to stock is always my choice. Could be awesome.
Completely smitten once again, BF.
I’d buy it in an instant if my bank account would cough up
the dough.
Bob
I’d say restore if a true Olds guy,,,,,but a perfect rod starting point….a 57 J-2 engine would be cool…………
This pre war Old business coupe caught my attention because I’ve been nursing a 48 Chrysler L8, 3 window business coupe back to life for the last 4 months. It was supposed to be running and driving but it needed a rebuilt carb and fuel pump before that happened. At least previous owner had done some much needed wiring and other things. Everything on this Olds seems to be there and hopefully it’s flat 6 won’t take more than a carb, fuel pump and cleaned out gas lines and tank to bring her back to running again.
That’s a beauty Heck! Good luck with it.
Looks like Tom W. Is right…I have a picture but not sure how to post it….
I had a friend in high school that had a ‘37 Chevy coupe, straight axle with springs that got the nose up a little, a 302 SBC and a 4-speed. Always liked that car, this could be very similar with a bit of work…
I like what I can see here, but it’s not worth me getting a Facebook account to see more.
I’m reluctant to join Facebook, too, even though the platform occasionally offers something truly worthwhile to consider, like this Olds.
Looking at a partially disassembled car is a lot like looking at a wildly out of focus photograph. You think you see something but you are not really sure…
My father had a ’38 Pontiac sitting in the back barn what seemed like forever. It was a big black 4 door with red plaid interior. As a kid I played in it with my cousins and neighbor kids. The front of this Olds is similar to the front of the Pontiac. Only got to drive it once when I was around 12.
One interesting thing on the Olds are the taillights. Way up high, on each side of the roof. Kind of reminds me of the extra stop lights under the rear glass on late 70s Toronados
$1500? MAX! What is the car hobby turning in to? GEEZ C’mon!
Don’t omit one major plus. It’s a ’38 so NO WOOD!
I think the dial next to the clock could be a switch for the heater fan
I think its a timer like to cook your boiled eggs
First thing I thought. A timer of some sort. Need to look at my ’37 Oldsmobile accessory book. Mom and Dad had a the Pontiac version when they married and through WWII. I’ve never seen one, ever. Photos showed side Mounts. He was a straight eight guy.
Next to the glove box clock is an ash tray.
Pull on the top of the “dial” and it hinges out.
I owned a 1937 Olds of many years.
Thanks for clearing it up Arlo
Straight old car it would appear to lend its self well to restoration, grill in very good condition hard to find a good one nowdays,
$8000 if it was a Buick maybe but Oldsmobile to much,
loupee