I've got a biiiig problem... MAJOR CANCER on the 71

jchargu3 · February 7th, 2007, 12:18 PM

Hello all, I'm Jonathan and I just want to introduce myself, my car and my experiences with vehicles.

I'm 22, and have been working on bodywork and rebuilding vehicles since I was 16.

My dad has had this 71 cutlass since he was 18, he did a basic restore back in 1993-1994 and repainted it to cherry, we shortly moved to florida, where the brakes went out in the car and dad let it sit, unable to work on it due to a broken back, I chose the truck over the car... Which was a stupid choice

Dad can't work on the car, and I am the only person left that can change his mind on junking it.... There's a major problem though.

Cancer... to the extreme.

Problem areas:
1. Drivers side battery tray area, the body mount rusted off of the fender, so the fender sags making it hard to open the drivers door.
2. The roof has holes ALLLL through it, more so on the passenger side, the biggest one being about a half dollar in size.
3. both quarter panels right behind the doors are rotted to the point where they are opened
4. The Rear window area is rotted out, and where roof meets body, is all hole-y
5. The trunk lid is majorly bubbled

That's all I've been able to majorly find so far......

I can weld and smooth pretty dang good, but I've NEVER taken on contours of a roof so I have NO idea how to attack this properly... Can anyone suggest anything short of cutting the roof off and grafting it?? (I'm having a very hard time finding a donor roof)

Here are pictures of the car and the carnage

The roof holes

The bubbled trunk

Rotted Quarters behind the doors

The rotted rear window area

I have my work cut out for me, I know that *sad face*

It's a 71 Cutlass Supreme, hardly has anything original left on it. I love the car.

Ranzan · February 7th, 2007, 06:03 PM

WOW did that thing sit in the salt chuck for awhile?

you could try and put a new roof on it but that thing is really nasty ...quarters and trunk aren`t a major but I know for sure your package tray and everything in it will need to be replaced from that last shot of the back corner

sorry man but I would take what you can off it and scrap the rest JMO

texasred · February 7th, 2007, 06:21 PM

I admire your spirit, but HOLY MOLEY!

I'm with Ranzan on this one. You still haven't seen the floorboards or the frame yet... It may hurt, but for your sanity (AND YOUR POCKETBOOK) buy one just like it and "recreate" your dad's car. That one is a goner.

IMHO.

C.J.

jchargu3 · February 8th, 2007, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by texasred

I admire your spirit, but HOLY MOLEY!

I'm with Ranzan on this one. You still haven't seen the floorboards or the frame yet... It may hurt, but for your sanity (AND YOUR POCKETBOOK) buy one just like it and "recreate" your dad's car. That one is a goner.

IMHO.

C.J.

The only bad spot on the frame is where battery acid etched into it on the drivers side.

The floor isn't bad EXCEPT for on the drivers side foot area, where there is some mold on the carpet (mouse at the rubber stripping and it had gotten a little wet so i sealed it off)

The inside of the car stays dry

I'm going ot put it up on the lift here at work again and re-inspect it

American Lead · February 8th, 2007, 03:48 PM

I have to dis agree wit texasred and ranzan, you cannot put a price on sentamental value, where there is a will there is a way, if the frame is good, that is a start.

Eightupman · February 8th, 2007, 09:20 PM

I have seen more done with less. However there were deep pockets there too. The metal repairs on that body alone are hundreds of hours to get it right. Then to find the parts. They are out there. I would CONSIDER getting a parts car sit them side by side and take the best of both to make one. Your gonna have to work either way.

John

Oldsguy · February 9th, 2007, 06:01 AM

I agree with John that you would need a parts car to donate the stuff you would need. I have never done a frame-off restoration but it looks like that is what you would need in this case. And it would be big bucks as Ranjan and C.J. said. Lots of work but if you are determined it could be done.

American Lead · February 9th, 2007, 03:12 PM

I think that this car is a great project, it will need alot of parts but will be an enjoyable project every step of the way.

February 7th, 2007, 12:18 PM	#1 (permalink)
jchargu3 Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 3	I've got a biiiig problem... MAJOR CANCER on the 71 Hello all, I'm Jonathan and I just want to introduce myself, my car and my experiences with vehicles. I'm 22, and have been working on bodywork and rebuilding vehicles since I was 16. My dad has had this 71 cutlass since he was 18, he did a basic restore back in 1993-1994 and repainted it to cherry, we shortly moved to florida, where the brakes went out in the car and dad let it sit, unable to work on it due to a broken back, I chose the truck over the car... Which was a stupid choice Dad can't work on the car, and I am the only person left that can change his mind on junking it.... There's a major problem though. Cancer... to the extreme. Problem areas: 1. Drivers side battery tray area, the body mount rusted off of the fender, so the fender sags making it hard to open the drivers door. 2. The roof has holes ALLLL through it, more so on the passenger side, the biggest one being about a half dollar in size. 3. both quarter panels right behind the doors are rotted to the point where they are opened 4. The Rear window area is rotted out, and where roof meets body, is all hole-y 5. The trunk lid is majorly bubbled That's all I've been able to majorly find so far...... I can weld and smooth pretty dang good, but I've NEVER taken on contours of a roof so I have NO idea how to attack this properly... Can anyone suggest anything short of cutting the roof off and grafting it?? (I'm having a very hard time finding a donor roof) Here are pictures of the car and the carnage The roof holes The bubbled trunk Rotted Quarters behind the doors The rotted rear window area I have my work cut out for me, I know that sad face It's a 71 Cutlass Supreme, hardly has anything original left on it. I love the car.

February 7th, 2007, 06:03 PM	#2 (permalink)
Ranzan Parksville B.C. Canada Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 262	WOW did that thing sit in the salt chuck for awhile? you could try and put a new roof on it but that thing is really nasty ...quarters and trunk aren`t a major but I know for sure your package tray and everything in it will need to be replaced from that last shot of the back corner sorry man but I would take what you can off it and scrap the rest JMO __________________ Wes 67 C/S Sports Coupe http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2447183

February 7th, 2007, 06:21 PM	#3 (permalink)
texasred Tom Servo's Stunt Double Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 824	I admire your spirit, but HOLY MOLEY! I'm with Ranzan on this one. You still haven't seen the floorboards or the frame yet... It may hurt, but for your sanity (AND YOUR POCKETBOOK) buy one just like it and "recreate" your dad's car. That one is a goner. IMHO. C.J. __________________ Dad said, "Sometimes you read Job...sometimes you ARE Job!"

February 8th, 2007, 03:48 PM	#5 (permalink)
American Lead 2Blue 55 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Nova Scotia, Canada Posts: 455	I have to dis agree wit texasred and ranzan, you cannot put a price on sentamental value, where there is a will there is a way, if the frame is good, that is a start. __________________ Classic cars are my drug of choice

February 9th, 2007, 06:01 AM	#7 (permalink)
Oldsguy Hot Rodder at heart Administrator Join Date: May 2004 Location: Lees Summit MO Posts: 5,360	I agree with John that you would need a parts car to donate the stuff you would need. I have never done a frame-off restoration but it looks like that is what you would need in this case. And it would be big bucks as Ranjan and C.J. said. Lots of work but if you are determined it could be done. __________________ Dan '77 Cutlass Supreme '46 2 door "The rocket 455.....it's a sledgehammer approach to a thumbtack world" LuxBlue of HAMB.

February 8th, 2007, 09:20 PM	#6 (permalink)
Eightupman Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Ladson, SC Posts: 495	I have seen more done with less. However there were deep pockets there too. The metal repairs on that body alone are hundreds of hours to get it right. Then to find the parts. They are out there. I would CONSIDER getting a parts car sit them side by side and take the best of both to make one. Your gonna have to work either way. John

February 9th, 2007, 03:12 PM	#8 (permalink)
American Lead 2Blue 55 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Nova Scotia, Canada Posts: 455	I think that this car is a great project, it will need alot of parts but will be an enjoyable project every step of the way. __________________ Classic cars are my drug of choice

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