IMO...it would be sacrilege to put a 350 turbo transmission in that true survivor or modify it in any way other than stock! The interior looks to be near perfect for a 55 year old muscle car. I hope you saved the cast iron intake and q jet carb which can be rebuilt. Get the brakes, drive train, suspension, electricals, etc in shape, along with a nice detail and then present it to your wife! It is original only once!
Agree, you can rebuild a car a million times but it is only original once.
I have the cast iron intake (very heavy as the Olds is a wide angle V8) and Rochester 4-Jet carb. The 4-Jet was used just before the QuadraJet and was a completely different carb. My old friend Lars Grimsrud (name dropping!) won't rebuild it for me. This setup will be reinstalled if and when I tear the engine apart.
The original transmission has parts that are no longer available; the switch pitch stall unit. The Jetaway 2 speed is a lousy transmission by all accounts. I had it rebuilt when I got the car; it is leaking and doesn't downshift now. Of course I will keep it but the Trubo 350 will make the car a perfect driver and does not require any modifications.
I have replaced the entire brake system; I had the single master cylinder rebuilt and cad plated. Replaced all the wheel cylinders, linings and hardware. The wiring is perfect, not cut into at all.
The suspension is all good; it was professionallly worked on when Dr. Uyeda owned the car. The body mount cushions are collapsed so it sits a little lower than stock. I have F70 Firestone tires; I want a thin whitewall to make it look right.
It drives very well, with zero steering wheel play. No shakes, wandering, nothing. Pretty close to new in many ways.
This car has to be one of the most original '65 4-4-2s in existance. I love my Oldsey. I like it more than the '68 Vette.
Thanks for the kind words. The 2 tone pale blue and white top is really nice. GM sprayed laquer in those days...
Here's a shot of the 1968 Corvette, aka Wasted $$. Mostly original, L36 427, 4 speed, 3:36 Posi. Only option is the AM/FM Stereo, pretty rare and expensive in 1968. Doesn't work though.