interchangeable body parts.

[cutlassjack]

Gents : I am restoring a '68 cutlass convertible. I also have a rust-free '69 convertible shell for parts. My question is this. Will the '68 doors, hood, and trunk fit on the '69 shell? I also am going to cut and re-weld the tail-light section of the '68 on to the '69. Thank-you in advance for any in-put or advise.

cutlassjack.

[2blu442]

The hoods different, as is the trunk. If it's rust free I'd consider selling the trunk lid and looking for a 1968 one that's clean. They're small enough to ship through common carriers, the hoods a different story. On a hardtop the doors are different due to the wing window, but otherwise they'll bolt on. I once had a 1968 parts car that had a drivers door from a 1969 and pass from a 1968. I don't know about the convertible. I can share that the 4 door trunk lid also called a deck lid, will interchange with the convertible. So that's a source that's a little more common to find. Have fun with your project! John

[joe_padavano]

Originally Posted by cutlassjack

Gents : I am restoring a '68 cutlass convertible. I also have a rust-free '69 convertible shell for parts. My question is this. Will the '68 doors, hood, and trunk fit on the '69 shell? I also am going to cut and re-weld the tail-light section of the '68 on to the '69. Thank-you in advance for any in-put or advise.

cutlassjack.

I'm not sure I'm following here. You're restoring the 68 by swapping 69 sheet metal onto it?

You can interchange the entire nose of the 69 onto the 68 and vice versa, but only as a complete assembly. Everything is different (hood, bumper, grille, core support, etc.). Even the fenders are different where the hood hinges attach. The doors are different because 68s use vent windows and 69s do not. The trunklid and rear quarters are different due to the taillights.

Here's a question. If the 69 is rust free, why not build that one?