1964 Oldsmobile Cutlass AWB Funny Car

[Chuck Most]

Etter's Tree Service has been serving the city of Sickles Michigan since 1988, though it was called Paul's Pruning and was just a side gig until 1992. It was then that Paul Etter went into it full time, and reorganized into Etter's Tree Service.

Today, Paul is retired, and Etter's is in the capable hands of his youngest son, Nick. Nick has continued the tradition of award-winning service and satisfied customers. And he's continued another tradition... Eye catching company vehicles. 

Nick's primary business vehicle is a 1997 GMC Sierra C3500. A former show truck, it has a 2005 Escalade front clip, a 4/6" static drop, and a pastel paint job. He bought it at a police auction and has been using it for years. 

But parked in front of the office you will find a crusty '64 Oldsmobile funny car emblazoned with the Etter's logo. It hasn't moved under its own power in decades, but it grabs people's attention, and basically serves a the sign for the business.

Built by Hope Oldsmobile Company of Sickles in 1964, it was originally raced by the dealership in stock form. By late 1965 it was an altered wheelbase, straight axle, full-on drag car named "Hopeful Hellion". Hope retired it in 1967, and the car changed hands numerous times. At one point it was being bracket raced with a small block Chevrolet, and was a street freak for a brief period before it got parked in 1978. 

The previous owner, inspired by the buildup of the Wilshire Shaker Nova in Hot Rod Magazine, started a restoration. He eventually gave up after buying a finished altered wheelbase Nova. Nick bought it, minus the engine and transmission. He added his logos to the quarters and parked it in the corner of the asphalt in front of his office.

At some point Nick wants to drop a drivetrain in it and take it to shows. But for now, it's busy serving as the business sign and as a landmark.

This is basically the AMT Chevelle funny car chassis and interior with the '64 Olds body stuck on it. I had no real reason to build it other than one day the thought of putting the Oldsmobile body on the funny car chassis crossed my mind and I just had to try it. Neither kit is particularly great but I don't know, I think the finished result looks interesting enough. The dually is an AMT kit with its own post elsewhere on the forum, and the trailer is a box stock Wes's Model Car Corner kit.

[bondo bill]

I like it

[meechum68]

Nice!

Wes has some great stuff for sure!

[Dragline]

Cooler than the other side of the pillow. And the patina is extremely well done.

Bravo Sir!

[papajohn97]

Great job on the rust weathering, perfect example of "less is more".!

[PappyD340]

Very cool build!

[1930fordpickup]

This looks better than the Chevy does. Nice work..

[Zippi]

Oh yeah Chuck...that's lookin the part dude.  Looks like the ole boy pulled it out of the barn and is headed to the local track for some fun.  An Oldsmoble AWB drag car.  Who would have thought.  

[slusher]

Fantastic build and combo!