66 vs. 67 Cutlass Convertible - What would you do?

Old July 29th, 2012, 01:06 PM
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66 vs. 67 Cutlass Convertible - What would you do?

Hey everyone,

I am fairly new to the board here. Picked up a 66 Cutlass Convertible a few weeks back that turned out to need a little more than I had anticipated. I recently put it up for sale but an 2nd guessing my decision to sell.

This past weekend I went to look at a 67 Cutlass Convertible Tub which I figured would make life easier and give me the pieces I need to repair the 66. The fella also threw in tons of 66/67 Cutlass parts (70% 67 parts).

I really like the front and rear look of the 66, but I see tons more 67s out there than I do 66s. Is anymore desirability to a 67 vs 66? Did they make more of them.

Neither car is a 442. I am planning to do a restomod. Some of the 67 parts I received are 442 specific like the front grille and front fenders (emblems at least). Would make a for the start of a neat clone. Both cars need a bit of work to get them where I want them. So if it were just based on style or desirability alone would you go 66 or 67? I know there will be a number of opinions, but am really curious before I dump a bunch of $$.

Thanks,
Scott
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Old July 29th, 2012, 01:17 PM
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There was a significant body style change between '66 and '67, so I'm guessing that most body and trim pieces wouldn't interchange. Engine and drivetrain, on the other hand, are probably pretty interchangeable. For both years, the base V-8 was the 330 with a 400 as an option.

I've never heard anyone claim that one year is more desirable than the other. Both years are prior to the 4-year period ('68 through '71 model year) that the 442 was a separate series, so if you're looking to make a 442 clone, it's probably easier to do with either of these cars than it would be for a later year.


As far as production, 12,154 Cutlass convertibles were made for 1966. For 1967, things get a little more complicated as there were three Cutlass lines produced (Cutlass Six, Cutlass V-8, and Cutlass Supreme), and convertibles were made in each line. Only 567 Cutlass Six convertibles came off the line, so if you have one of those, it's VERY rare. A total of 3,777 Cutlass V-8 convertibles s were produced, and 10,897 Cutlass Supreme convertibles made it out the door. Add them together (567+3,777+10,897), and you get 15,241 total Cutlass convertibles made for 1967. That's about 25% more than were made in 1966.

1967 was the first year for the Cutlass Supreme, by the way. I once saw a guy selling a '64 Cutlass convertible on eBay, and he called it a "1964 Cutlass Supreme." I contacted him to tell him that there was no such thing. He ignored me.
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Old July 29th, 2012, 05:48 PM
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Jaunty, look at photos of 66 and 67s, and then explain how you think there was a major body change between those years, lol.

There were a lot of small changes, trim placement, etc. but the basic body parts interchange (except hood and bumpers due to styling change in headlight and taillights). For example part numbers interchange for fenders (except the cut-out 66 442 fenders), doors, quarters, trunk lid, etc.

Some like the styling of one year over the other; 66 could come with Tri Carbs whereas 67 was restricted to one 2 barrel or quadrajet. Today, on a budget, you will probably see what year you have the most stuff for, and go with that year, particularly the year of the car with a title that you base your build upon.

Last edited by Run to Rund; July 29th, 2012 at 05:56 PM.
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Old July 29th, 2012, 06:09 PM
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My bad. I was thinking more of the '67 to '68 transition, when the body style became more rounded.

But there is quite a bit of difference in front-end appearance from '66 to '67 and then again to '68. Ditto for the rears. But you noted all this.
















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Old July 29th, 2012, 07:06 PM
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[QUOTE=
1967 was the first year for the Cutlass Supreme, by the way. QUOTE]

66 was the first year for the Cutlass Supreme as a 4 dr hdtp.

Henry
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Old July 29th, 2012, 07:29 PM
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[QUOTE=66400;434419]
Originally Posted by
1967 was the first year for the Cutlass Supreme, by the way. QUOTE

66 was the first year for the Cutlass Supreme as a 4 dr hdtp.

Henry

Correct. Strike 2 for Mr Jaunty.
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Old July 29th, 2012, 07:34 PM
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Originally Posted by 66400
66 was the first year for the Cutlass Supreme as a 4 dr hdtp.
Yes, it was a single model then, not its own line.
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Old July 29th, 2012, 07:36 PM
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Originally Posted by TK-65
Correct. Strike 2 for Mr Jaunty.
Oh goody. I can see that Mr. Never-have-a-good-word-to-say-about-anything-or-anyone is back. How did we ever get along without you?


When's the last time you said something on these boards that wasn't a criticism of someone else? I admit I've made a criticism or two, but I do occasionally post something positive as well. You might give that a try sometime.
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Old July 29th, 2012, 09:07 PM
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Did I read something on this thread about a guy having questions about his 66/67 decision?? I swear I did.
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Old July 30th, 2012, 07:16 AM
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Originally Posted by 70Post
Did I read something on this thread about a guy having questions about his 66/67 decision?? I swear I did.
Nearly all sheetmetal interchanges between the 66 and 67 Cutlii. Differences are the hood/grille/core support/bumper and the rear quarters (due to taillights) and bumper. 67 convert frames have the advantage of having the welded tabs to accommodate a TH400 crossmember location. Steering columns are different (67s are collapsible). 67s have dual-circuit brakes.
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Old July 30th, 2012, 10:07 AM
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66-7 quarters interchange. The tail panel is different due to the taillight changes.
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Old July 30th, 2012, 12:47 PM
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Originally Posted by Run to Rund
66-7 quarters interchange. The tail panel is different due to the taillight changes.
Thanks for setting me straight, Joe. I have to admit, the last time I owned a 67, the car was only ten years old.
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Old July 30th, 2012, 01:50 PM
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Im with you Jaunty
Originally Posted by jaunty75
Oh goody. I can see that Mr. Never-have-a-good-word-to-say-about-anything-or-anyone is back. How did we ever get along without you?


When's the last time you said something on these boards that wasn't a criticism of someone else? I admit I've made a criticism or two, but I do occasionally post something positive as well. You might give that a try sometime.
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Old July 30th, 2012, 02:06 PM
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Originally Posted by jaunty75
Oh goody. I can see that Mr. Never-have-a-good-word-to-say-about-anything-or-anyone is back. How did we ever get along without you?


When's the last time you said something on these boards that wasn't a criticism of someone else? I admit I've made a criticism or two, but I do occasionally post something positive as well. You might give that a try sometime.

I didnt know I left? I help out when I can. Did a search and found a bunch of help out posts.
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Old July 30th, 2012, 08:19 PM
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Thanks everyone for the information and opinions. Very useful.
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Old August 1st, 2012, 01:07 PM
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JMO but all thinks being equal I like the '66 a bit more
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Old August 1st, 2012, 03:52 PM
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I like them both but 66 wins for me.
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Old August 1st, 2012, 05:08 PM
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Scott, if you can stand all the work,
the 66 gets my vote. I had a hardtop 66 442
back in the day. Personally, I like the front and
rear on them as apposed to the 67.
I belive you can use the tub of the 67
and still get the 66 back. Not sure on the very rear of the quarters though.
Good luck with whatever you decide, Adam.
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Old August 1st, 2012, 05:20 PM
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66, but I'm biased
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Old August 1st, 2012, 06:49 PM
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Being this has turned into a vote, sorry guys! I'll take the '67...unless it was Richard's '66.....I would make an exception in that case!
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Old August 1st, 2012, 08:58 PM
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I think the OAI intakes on the 66 enhance the appearance, while the 67s are almost invisible. I prefer the fake fender "louvers" of the 66 over the fake hood louvers of the 67. I also like the Tri-Carbs. Still, both years are very nice.
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Old August 2nd, 2012, 08:39 PM
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Where is the best place to decode the trim tag on the tub?
Looks like it could be car a low production number for 67. Not sure if that is of value or not.
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Old August 3rd, 2012, 09:51 AM
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Do you mean cowl tag? Search this site for a list of 66-7 codes.
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Old August 3rd, 2012, 11:04 AM
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66 All day baby. The one and only year of the Tri Carb, not counting J-2. Plus the 67 has its headlights to far apart, almost looks like my cross eyed siamese cat. lol
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Old August 3rd, 2012, 11:05 AM
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But I will prob be selling my car soon so if anyone is interested let me know
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Old August 3rd, 2012, 11:53 AM
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I like the look of the taillights on the 66. Can't go wrong with either one though.
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Old September 9th, 2012, 10:03 AM
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Originally Posted by L69
66 All day baby. The one and only year of the Tri Carb, not counting J-2. Plus the 67 has its headlights to far apart, almost looks like my cross eyed siamese cat. lol
Hey! I like my cross-eyed '67 cat! The split headlight array have laser beam turn indicators that had to be centered for cooling.
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