Anyone have an 1950 Olds?

[Richard Pope]

Off topic I know but I realize that many of us have more than one car or know others in the hobby with different marques.

I was visiting an old friend in the coutnry that has been buying an selling antiques cars for 25+ years. He used to be all Cadillacs but that well is drying up. Anyway, he purchased a lot of Olds parts that a family had been sitting on for 15+ years. One of the items, now get this is a completely transparent 1950 hood. Not the cut-away model where only portions of the hood were transparent, but the complete hood. It has all the normal mounting places for the emblem and hood ornament. Still in the crate.

He has no idea what to ask for it and is toying with the idea of putting it on Ebay with a high reserve.

So if you know of any Olds guys that may be interested. Email me and I will get them in contact (I dont have the fellows number on hand right now). I am not looking for anything in return, just thought I would give some fellows a heads-up that this exists.

Richard Pope

[Richard Sills - CLC #936]

I have seen the hood with transparent sections (to show off the overhead-valve Rocket V-8) but never a completely transparent hood.  This item must be very rare and should be desirable.  I suggest contacting the Oldsmobile Club of America -- I believe they have a website like this one where messages can be posted.  Also the AACA maintains a collectable automobile discussion forum.  Posting this item on both websites will draw an audience of potentially interested persons at no cost.  

[Doug Houston]

The hood is actually all clear plastic (Plexiglass, I believe). It was used for the introductionn of the new Rocket engine in 1949. Im sure that dealers used the hoods for the 50 cars, too. I remember them when those cars were in the showrooms. Im quite sure that the plex part was not an insert, but I could be wrong

 The hood is painted in body color, with a section in the center left transparent. You might contact the National Antique Olds Club and ask the newsletter editor, Clay Mollman, what he might think its worth. My recollection is: plenty. If the guy is going to put it on the Bay, hed be well advised to not make too high a reserve. If its going to be bid high, he could start with one dollar, and it would be bid up to the proper value, anyway. All too often, too high a reserve or opening bid stalls bidding to none at all. Ive seen a lot of it.

[Richard Pope]

What you describe makes sense; painted rather than trying to cut metal and affix plex to it.

I really need to ask this guy if he is serious. He literally has semis full of old 20, 30, 40, and 50s chrome, and sheet metal many NOS. When I met him he specialized in 50s and 60 Cadillacs. Probably had 8 59s laying around. Few years ago someone from Sweden bought 26 of his Cadillacs and shipped them overseas. the best cars he has are #4s at best; some are basket cases used only for parts.

It always amazes me to see stacks of 50s cadillac hubcaps (no dents) stack 30" tall under a pine tree. Probably has 30 or so early 30s wire wheels strone about. Hood emblems and other insignia is everywhere.

He knows what items are worth and travels the country buying at auctions. His last haul was 18 cars from North Dakota. Sold most of those just by word of mouth. He is really a motivated seller - although his is not rich by any means. Hes an interesting guy (if you like cars). I visit him about once a qaurter.

Iw as going to post on the Olds forum but thought better of it as this is not mine to post in the first place.  Im should give him a call and forwarn him before I do.

Thanks for the clarification on how these were used.

Richard Pope