[illicitstylz]

Genuinely a "cool story bro"


Last winter I bought a 1965 Oldsmobile Jetstar 88 convertible. The car didn't run and the glove box was locked. Well since then I put in a new motor and just recently I got into the glove box where I found the original owners manual. On the older cars they came with a Protect-O-Plate which had the owners information. I cyber stalked him! The owner was originally located in STL, so I ran a white pages search on his name and sure enough he's still there.

I built up the courage to call him, and asked for Gerald, he probably knew I was some young punk trying to sell him something, and I could tell he was about to hang up. Then I asked if he owned a 1965 Oldsmobile Jetstar 88, and the guy about had a heart attack.
He told me He bought it brand new 1 week before his wedding in 1965, just so he could drive away in a convertible. He is going to send me some original pics of the car

We talked for about another 30 minutes, exchanged emails and I sent him pictures of the car. He is located 3hrs from me so I told him I would bring the car by and let him borrow it for a weekend while I go to a cardinals game.




Pictures of the car:
http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm265/mauls1/12.jpg
http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm265/mauls1/3-2.jpg
http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm265/mauls1/9.jpg

Thanks guys, I found the car on craigslist in some town in the middle of no where, it did not run and was covered in dust. The car is in overall good shape but I put a new motor in. This guys is going to love the upgraded motor.

I told him it was still all original, and he asked about the interior color and he said it was the same, but I guess when he bought the car it had it made with a black top, somewhere down the line it was replaced with a white one.

The motor was locked up so I replaced it with a 1966 Delta 88 425ci

Before
http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm265/mauls1/origmotor.jpg

After
http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm265/mauls1/IMAG0054-1-1.jpg

http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm265/mauls1/DSC03594-1.jpg

just fyi, I contacted him yesterday about the car

"Shawn

I can't describe in words how much this means to me, to see this car is still around, and to have a young man so interested in the cars history. As I said on the phone, I sold my 1960 Corvette to purchase this Jetstar one week before marrying my beautiful wife. This car takes me back to the day I bought it......"

Here are some attached original pictures.

http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm265/mauls1/olds4.jpg

Picture of the car decorated for daughters parade
http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm265/mauls1/olds1.jpg

http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm265/mauls1/olds2.jpg

http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm265/mauls1/olds3.jpg

This is the first day I took the car home, I still have the original wheels. I'm thinking about putting the original wheels back on when I take it to the owner. Yay or nay?

http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm265/mauls1/IMAG0084-1.jpg

Top done: I think he'll like it
Original pic
http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm265/mauls1/olds4.jpg

Pic today
http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm265/mauls1/IMAG0334.jpg
http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm265/mauls1/IMAG0333.jpg

Email I sent him yesterday to confirm"

> Hey Gerry, the days are counting down! 9 more days and you'll be
> behind the seat of a brand new 1965 Oldsmobile Jetstar 88, well not
> so much today, but those were the same words you heard 46 years ago.
>
> I'm doing some finishing touches on the car and going to detail it
> all next week. I wish the car could be perfect for you, but sadly
> it wasn't treated to well before it reached my home.
>
> Anyways, I just wanted to touch base and let you know that I'm still
> on for coming over to STL on the 16th.
>
> Take care
> Shawn

His reply
I'm looking forward to it, Shawn. I'm thinking about alerting the
local newspaper - WebsterKirkwood Times - to see if they want to do a
short item on it. Would that be okay with you? I look forward to
seeing you... and the car. Let me know what time on the 16th you're
thinking about when the time gets closer, and how much time you'll
have. We could have lunch here, or dinner, or go out... or just check
out the car if you have to be other places. See you next Saturday. Gerry


Looks like he is a fan of the news idea

Holy crap what an EPIC day to say the least. I pulled in to a lowes about 4 miles away and unloaded the car, and told Gerry i'd be there in about 5 minutes. As soon as I pull down his street, I was surprised to see that he was already out side waiting for me and started taking pictures right when I turned the corner.

The first thing he said when I stopped was that he couldn't believe I put that black top on, it was definitely a big surprise. Even though it was 106 degree heat index out side he couldn't stop walking around the car looking at ever corner in amazement.

We went in side had some water and talked for ever about the car, and got to know each other. His wife was just as shocked as he was. They took me to lunch, (didn't take the Oldsmobile, it was to hot at 3pm) and we talked some more.

Finally when the sun began to set we drove the car 20 miles to the "Loop" in Saint Louis, a historic part of the city and walked around down town and had some dinner and a cold beer. Followed by some ice cream.

Driving home they both sat in the front seat with me so they could be together, and he looked like a kid again, waiving his hands through the air acting like he was flying again. Once we arrived home he sat in the car for at least 10 more minutes not wanting to get out, just admiring the vehicle. He called his kids up to tell them that the "batmobile" was in the driveway and continued taking more pictures.

Will update with pictures

These are all pictures that Gerry took.

Here is the picture that he took as soon as I turned the corner, I had no idea he was there, but he said he could hear me coming.
http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm265/mauls1/IMG_5137.jpg

Me turning into his driveway
http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm265/mauls1/IMG_5139.jpg

Parked, getting out to meet Gerry for the first time:
http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm265/mauls1/IMG_5142.jpg

Car back in Gerry's driveway, 46 year reunion
http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm265/mauls1/IMG_5143_2.jpg

Myself and Gerry, I just showed him his name in the back of the owners manual that he is holding. Without that book this would of never happened.
http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm265/mauls1/IMG_5145.jpg

More pics to come

Another picture of us before we went inside to cool off
http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm265/mauls1/IMG_5146_2.jpg

Once inside, I had another surprise for him. I had replaced the original glove box door with a nicer one that I found online, so I brought the old glove box door with me and I had each of us sign it so he could hang it on the wall in his garage.

Picture of us signing it.
http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm265/mauls1/IMG_5148.jpg

The glovebox door is pretty cool, it says "Jetstar 88" on it, I figured it'd be a great piece to remember it by.
http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm265/mauls1/IMG_5149.jpg

Now it's time to take Gerry to drive his own car
http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm265/mauls1/IMG_5158.jpg

"they don'tmake them like they used to"
http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm265/mauls1/IMG_5162_2.jpg

More pics coming

Thanks for following along guys

Here's some more pictures.

http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm265/mauls1/IMG_5172.jpg

It's time for Gerry and his wife to take the car out, she was just as excited as Gerry, This is the car they drove away in on their wedding day 46 years ago.

http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm265/mauls1/IMG_5167.jpg

http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm265/mauls1/IMG_5168.jpg


This next picture deserves it's own post, it will blow your mind




Here's a picture of Gerry and his Wife on their wedding day in the Jetstar88
http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm265/mauls1/IMG_5179_3.jpg

46 years later...........................
http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm265/mauls1/IMG_5165_3.jpg




Cliffs:
Bought 1965 oldsmobile
Found owners name in glovebox
Called owner
Blew 76yr olds mind
Same car he had when he was getting married
Owner sending pics
Going to show car to owner in person
Met up, had lunch and dinner
Gave him the old glovebox cover, both of us signed it so he can hang it in his garage
Epic pictures of original owner reunited with his car 46 years later

[StylinRed]

:fullofwin:

[Brianrietta]

http://www.gifsforum.com/images/gif/clap%20clap%20clap/grand/the_rock_clap_clap_gif.gif

[tiger_handheld]

imagine the guy took it to Gerry's place on their 47th wedding anniversary -- it would've been a riot!

[BaoTurbo]

Awesome read to see this happy ending.

[yellowpower]

Why did the Gerry dude throw away the car in the first place?

[XplicitLuder]

wow such a great story! Even the before and after pics at the end they have almost the same pose haha :D

[shenmecar]

Why did the Gerry dude throw away the car in the first place?

priorities probably.

[Bouncing Bettys]

Good story. I miss my old cars, even the shitboxes.

My 69 Beetle has been in my family since new. If I want to reunite he car with its original owner, I just have to give my mom a call. Money is tight right now and I'm doing all I can to hold onto it rather than sell. I'd like to one day pass it down to to someone in my family -turn them into a WV nut.

[- kT]

such a great story

[mercyboy]

i would do anything to find my Dad 1969 Nova ss.. he had to sell it in 1981 due to money issues.....my dad would have a heart attack just like this guy

[Ronin]

The kids. They're alright. Good on this guy for doing all this.

My first car was a red Mercedes 190E that didn't run very well and overheated like crazy but I loved that thing...the sort of love you can only have for a halfway busted old car. Others with old cars will know what I'm on about...the way only you know to keep it running and such.

[vitaminG]

great story, i googled the title and found the original thread Found owner of my car 46yrs later (srs thrad) - Page 12 - Bodybuilding.com Forums (http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=135891591&page=12)

as well as a blog post the old man wrote

Hey You Hoser: Travel Down This Road With Me (http://heyyouhoser.blogspot.com/2011/06/travel-down-this-road-with-me.html)



Monday, June 27, 2011

Travel Down This Road With Me

The lives of men can be measured by the cars they once owned. Every guy I know can tell you what kind of car they had in what year and where they lived and who they were dating. They even know the horsepower, the mileage, the cost of gasoline then, and what songs they listened to while cruising down the road. Cars don’t only take you somewhere in space. They travel in time.


A phone call I received a couple of days ago turned out to be a bridge to the past. Here's a bit of back-story to set the scene.


My first car was a brand-new 1956 Chevy Bel-Aire convertible. My dad bought it for me at Barford Chevrolet two years before I graduated college. This beauty was white with a black top, white sidewalls, automatic transmission, and an AM radio with buttons. It was - and still is - one of the sharpest looking cars to ever grace the road. At least in my eyes.


Since that first car, I had never been without a convertible. Until now. The Chevy was followed by a ‘60 Corvette, then a ‘65 Olds Jetstar, an ‘84 Dodge Dart - an embarrassment - and finally an ‘88 Mazda RX-7. All convertibles. I sold the RX-7 two years ago, which ended my mobile time in the sun.


Those old cars have the same power over me as old girlfriends and beloved dogs. A fleeting image, a scent, a setting, a song - wham, I am back in the past. Which is where I ended up when I got that call. A young man’s voice inquired, “Gerald Mandel?”


“Gerald?”, I thought. He must be making cold calls, reading my name from some purchased list of potential suckers. He’s going to try to sell me a weekend on Arkansas lakefront property, or season tickets to the Rep. “Yes,” I said, just seconds away from adding, “I don’t buy anything over the phone” and hanging up.


The voice continued. “Did you used to own a 1965 Olds Jetstar convertible?”


Whatever he was selling, I was ready to buy. “Yes, I did.” He couldn’t see the smile of wonder on my face. “Why?”


“I own it now, Gerald.”


“Gerry. Please.”


“Gerry. And I just wanted to talk about it.”


Which we did. For the next half hour. His name is Shawn. He lives outside Kansas City. He found the car through Craigslist, covered in dust in some guy’s barn. It didn’t run. Shawn bought it, towed it to his house, replaced the engine with a Delta-88 425 hp rebuilt job. The car now runs. Pretty well. He’s still working on it.


I, in turn, told him some of my Olds’ stories. How my daughter drove it in high school, called it her Bat Car. (It was dark blue). How I put our two Golden Retrievers, Chelsea and Abbey, in the back seat and went to Ted Drews almost weekly (“cholesterol” wasn’t in my vocabulary yet). How I had to add a can of some STP chemical to the gas tank when they stopped making leaded gas. How I got married in 1965, so the car and my marriage are both 46 years old. And still running. How I still feel the pain of separation when I think about the day I sold it to some guy from Illinois and watched him drive away. It was the last time I ever saw my Olds.


Until the day Shawn called. He emailed me some photos of the way it looks now. It’s gorgeous. I wish I still owned it. Great body, smooth lines, exquisite detail, no dents, bruises, rips or rust. Here’s the clincher. Shawn gets into St. Louis occasionally.


“I’d love to see it,” I said quickly.


“I’d love for you to see it,” he said, “and have you drive it. And get a picture. You and me. The first owner and the last. And the Olds.”


I’m ready to roll. I’ll even buy Shawn a large concrete at Ted Drews.
Now if only someone would call about that white '56 Chevy.

[Ronin]

Seriously awesome. The guy is lucky the kid that bought his car is a cool dude but at the same time, the kid is lucky the old man is a character too. Great story...it just sounds like a classic guy tale.

[JV6]

Great story and pictures! Thanks

[fliptuner]

and he looked like a kid again, waiving his hands through the air acting like he was flying again

:fullofwin:

I wish I could find the current owner of my '67 Parisienne 'Vert. I bought it, used, from the original owner, when I was 17, for $2200. The guy was cool enough to let me make payments for 2 months before I took possesion. If there was google and auto forums back then or I knew what I know now, I wouldn't have had to sell it when the frame cracked.

[underscore]

That's an epic story, I once ran into the original owner of my 1987 Celica GT-S when I worked at Superstore which seemed like a pretty big fluke. I should try looking up the original owner of my 1992 GT-S (found a "Toyota Premium Owners" card and some other stuff in the glovebox), although something tells me a woman from Regina won't care as much.

[Culture_Vulture]

Great read,
+1 for the car community

[nlo]

Amazing story and great pictures to go along with it.

[Great68]

I've got the original owner's registration card in my Mustang... After reading this thread I should look him up.

[drunkrussian]

lol ive got the original insurance papers etc of every owner of my car. maybe ill wait 20 years and itll matter lol
Posted via RS Mobile (http://www.revscene.net/forums/announcement.php?a=228)

[hotjoint]

awesome story

[InvisibleSoul]

That is seriously cool beans.

[Vansterdam]

epic story

[LsquareD]

wow..... what an a amazing story

[1exotic]

I've got the original owner's registration card in my Mustang... After reading this thread I should look him up.

find him

[dark0821]

fuckin BAWs... man i am still young enough to own my first car... haha great story!

damn....

[Tim Budong]

http://27.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lk72ug4uzx1qz8c6bo1_500.gif