55 Cameo ~survivor--garage find~

[Dave Rosique]

More...
 
 

[Dave Rosique]

More..
 
 

[Dave Rosique]

Wheels / drums off to make a brake parts list..

 

[Bryan67]

 It looks really cool. Some CLR and warm water will take any rust stains on the paint right off.

[Dave Rosique]

Check out the decals in the back window... so cool..

Another interior shot.. if you look through the windshield you can see Sarge's truck parked out back  

This week we order tires from Charlie at Performance Plus (Mr. Bug here on the Lounge). We'll get vintage looking whitewall radials of some sort. Also going to pick up the brake parts, new fuel tank & misc. bs.

Oh yeah, I almost forgot.. the Olds engine runs and sounds good!! Fresh battery & fuel and it fired right up after a 43 year slumber.. I'm pretty sure we'll leave the Olds & Hydro combo in it.

That's it until next week..

  

[Dave Rosique]

It looks really cool. Some CLR and warm water will take any rust stains on the paint right off.

Thanks Bryan, I'll give that a try on wash #2!
 

[speedwell]

look s  clean , and cool
good work dave 

[alfie the monster]

Awesome! And I'm with the guys on keeping the Olds in there 

[roland]

looks awesome! would love a truck like that!

[mr.bug]

  Very Nice Dave (and Marty). Now lets see that Olds Engine! It really cleaned up nice so far. Is it original paint?

[Luftkraft]

love the stickers!!

[Rennsurfer]

WOW! Excellent work on the truck, Dave & Marty. I assume that you're leaving the paint, yes? Really dig that racing association sticker, too.

(edit) Just noticed that the passenger/right side rear bumper corner is missing. Will you be able to locate a replacement? Those trucks aren't exactly plentiful these days. In their day, they were the flagship top of the line vehicle as far as trucks were concerned. Weird that we see so many old trucks still on the road in So Cal, but hardly any Cameos. Also digging on your Oval. Can't wait to get out there. 

[Dave Rosique]

Thanks for the positive comments guys!

Yes Charlie, original paint!!! Looking forward to the new tires too-- thanks.

Mark/Fred, the stickers really add to the whole vibe of the truck.. and yes, we're leaving the original paint and looking for a bumper corner. Repro's are available in limited supply but they're $800/pr plus they look too nice I may have a good used lined up from a guy that has restored several Cameos in the past.
Cameos are top of the line and very hard to find due to limited production plus back in the day trucks were more utility than anything else.

Appreciate the props on the Oval... someday... problem is, that pesky ADOS keeps kicking in

     

[danny gabbard]

Check out the decals in the back window... so cool..

Another interior shot.. if you look through the windshield you can see Sarge's truck parked out back  

This week we order tires from Charlie at Performance Plus (Mr. Bug here on the Lounge). We'll get vintage looking whitewall radials of some sort. Also going to pick up the brake parts, new fuel tank & misc. bs.

Oh yeah, I almost forgot.. the Olds engine runs and sounds good!! Fresh battery & fuel and it fired right up after a 43 year slumber.. I'm pretty sure we'll leave the Olds & Hydro combo in it.

That's it until next week..

  

Just bitchen !  So dave, is the BUD truck next?

[speedwell]

Thanks for the positive comments guys!

Yes Charlie, original paint!!! Looking forward to the new tires too-- thanks.

Mark/Fred, the stickers really add to the whole vibe of the truck.. and yes, we're leaving the original paint and looking for a bumper corner. Repro's are available in limited supply but they're $800/pr plus they look too nice I may have a good used lined up from a guy that has restored several Cameos in the past.
Cameos are top of the line and very hard to find due to limited production plus back in the day trucks were more utility than anything else.

Appreciate the props on the Oval... someday... problem is, that pesky ADOS keeps kicking in

     

maybe ask gregg bunch  to see if he don't have parts

[Dave Rosique]

 
[/quote]Just bitchen !  So dave, is the BUD truck next?
[/quote]



You bet! Need to get-r-done for Sarge
 

[Dave Rosique]

  
maybe ask gregg bunch  to see if he don't have parts
[/quote]


Thanks Fabs-- will do!

[nlvtinman]

I see it has optional "Up Skirt" chrome glove box door.     Certainly an item that is a period piece.

[Dave Rosique]

I see it has optional "Up Skirt" chrome glove box door.     Certainly an item that is a period piece.

Ha! Good one!!
We were just talking about that very thing this past weekend

[Worm]

Just found this thread..... UNREAL FIND! 

I had the pleasure of seeing Greg Bunch's Cameo right after Bug In and I have to say that is one bitchin truck.  Totally uncommon and as I recall fiberglass panels on the bed.  Wild.  Yeah, like Fabs says talk to Greg, his truck was immaculate.

ANY old truck with a big rear window rocks!  This is the corvette of trucks.  Great find.  Wax it/drive it/done.

[Zach Gomulka]

Wax it/drive it/done.

I agree. Don't change a thing!

[Dave Rosique]

Wax it/drive it/done.

I agree. Don't change a thing!

^^^That's the plan now.^^^
Got all the brake parts and new tires this week.. should be a busy weekend.. hope to drive it Saturday
 

[Dave Rosique]

OK, the post weekend update...

Got a lot done. Started with the DMV lady stopping by to verify the VIN numbers, lic plates and fill out all paperwork to currently register / title the truck complete with re-issue of the black CA plates-- all went well there.

Next up, we installed all new brake hydraulics, hoses, brake linings, rear drums, converted the front ball bearings to Timken type needle rollers, seals, bleed brakes, etc... brakes turned out great.

Installed the new whitewall tires and got ready for the first try to see if it would move under it's own power. As I stated before, the Olds engine sounds great.. the only wildcard really was the transmission.

We started it up, clicked it in to gear, and nothing.. revved it up and it slowly started to creep. This old Hydra-Matic trans has a pump in the tailshaft along with a fluid coupling whatever sumbitch that has issues. We did get the truck to drive on it's own, but the transmission has problems.

After some phone calls to trusted sources and extensive research, we've decided it's best to choose your battles and that transmission is not one of them. We're looking at $2K minimum to go through the trans and to be honest, it's just not worth it.

With that said, and honestly with great relief we've decided to re-power it with something GM. Not sure just yet what it's going to be but it'll be done right.

Some photos below up for review..

   

[Dave Rosique]

Never owned a set of white wall tires before.. never really liked them, but IMHO they look good on this truck.
I'm on the lookout for some original hubcaps now..
 

[Fiatdude]

Very Nice Dave -- The grass in the front yard is really starting to fill in

[Zach Gomulka]

Looks great! And I have to agree about the white walls. What about swapping in a turbo 350?

[Dave Rosique]

Very Nice Dave -- The grass in the front yard is really stating to fill in

Thanks Harold... I cut it a little short this time 
 

[Dave Rosique]

Looks great! And I have to agree about the white walls. What about swapping in a turbo 350?

Hi Zach,
There's a guy that does a 700R4 conversion to the Olds engine but it's very expen$ive... and you still have a 50+ year old Olsmobile engine.
Truth is, the truck is being built to drive.. most likely it will end up with a modern 350 dressed up to look old and a 700R4 automatic.. of course any of this is subject to change 
 

[javabug]

Nice job so far.  At least you can work on it mostly uninterrupted, Dave!   

What would the truck have originally come with?  Straight-6?  Nice little period-looking 265 would be a treat.  Or a 2276 with IDAs...um, nevermind.

[Dave Rosique]

Hi Mike,
This particular truck came with a 235-6 w/ three on the tree stick shift. If it were all mine, I'd probably go that way and add an Offy dual carb intake, valve cover & tappet cover along with some Fenton headers and dual exhaust (A1 of course). For a transmission, I'd do a three speed w/ electronic overdrive (I have one in the shop). It would look period perfect and not just be another SBC / 700R4 blah blah conversion.. trouble is, the call is not all mine.. I do have some influence though..