Newbie, 70 cutlass question...

AdrenalinSS · April 18th, 2009, 04:18 PM

I'm getting ready to buy a 1970 cutlass, and the shell on the body needs quite abit of work,. I had just found a 1972 olds 442 shell in descent condition. would I be able to switch out the shells? I'm just wondering if they would be compatible. thanks

csstrux · April 18th, 2009, 04:24 PM

Yes, just make sure you can get a title to the shell. I believe there are some difference in the sheet metal, so not sure if you can use the front clip, and doors, but the shell will fit on the frame. others will chime in with more accurate info. I imagine if the shell is tough you will need a clip and doors as well anyhow.

Eric Anderson · April 18th, 2009, 04:42 PM

Fenders and doors work, the hood, core support, grilles and front bumper are different.

jensenracing77 · April 18th, 2009, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eric Anderson

Fenders and doors work, the hood, core support, grilles and front bumper are different.

X2

2blu442 · April 18th, 2009, 07:37 PM

But if the 1970 nose is in good shape you can swap over the core support, hood, grills, headlight assemblies and bolt it on the 1972 body. I made the swap once putting the nose of a 1971 Cutlass S on a 1970 Cutlass Supreme.
John

jensenracing77 · April 18th, 2009, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2blu442

But if the 1970 nose is in good shape you can swap over the core support, hood, grills, headlight assemblies and bolt it on the 1972 body. I made the swap once putting the nose of a 1971 Cutlass S on a 1970 Cutlass Supreme.
John

X2 also

csstrux · April 18th, 2009, 07:57 PM

I knew something was different, but was not sure on specifics.

joe_padavano · April 18th, 2009, 08:25 PM

If the 72 442 is in better shape, why not just build that one instead?

AdrenalinSS · April 18th, 2009, 09:07 PM

Here are the cars. I've already bought the 1970 cutlass, I just have to pick it up.

Here is the link to the 70 cutlass I bought:
http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/inde...lbumId=2737043

Here is the link to the 72 442 shell: http://omaha.craigslist.org/pts/1087026857.html

That's what I'm workin with, I know it's quite abit to tackle, but that's fun part

mugzilla · April 18th, 2009, 09:59 PM

One of the hardest thing to do is removing the emergency brake cable through the body(hose clamp and grease)...

I usually bolt chains to the seat belt holes to lift ...

Oldsguy · April 19th, 2009, 08:48 AM

Welcome to the site. It looks like you have quite a challenge ahead of you.

442_Mustang · April 19th, 2009, 02:00 PM

The pic of the 70 is a 2 door post car. The other car is a 2 door hardtop car. There's some BS differences there. More than just sawpping the hardware . My buddy took a post car and made it a hardtop and the interior trim was different, the main part of the door shells was different and the door jambs were different as well as some smaller things. There's a lotta work involved to change that stuff plus there's extra reinforcements in the hardtop. I'd put the hardtop body on the frame and build from there. Get hardtop doors and try to use the 70 front clip.
There's my .02

AdrenalinSS · April 19th, 2009, 02:16 PM

Thanks for everyones info. Once I actually get the car back to my house, I will be able to better determine what I will need to do. If I can save the 70 shell and not switch, I won't, I just happened to stumble upon it and just thinking about it. The 70 cutlass cost me $250 and is worth the gamble in my eyes. We'll see

oldjunk · April 19th, 2009, 07:40 PM

Looks like the 72 has a 70 rear bumper on it.

April 18th, 2009, 04:18 PM	#1 (permalink)
AdrenalinSS Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 32	Newbie, 70 cutlass question... I'm getting ready to buy a 1970 cutlass, and the shell on the body needs quite abit of work,. I had just found a 1972 olds 442 shell in descent condition. would I be able to switch out the shells? I'm just wondering if they would be compatible. thanks

April 18th, 2009, 04:24 PM	#2 (permalink)
csstrux Super Moderator Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Janesville wisconsin Posts: 1,659	Yes, just make sure you can get a title to the shell. I believe there are some difference in the sheet metal, so not sure if you can use the front clip, and doors, but the shell will fit on the frame. others will chime in with more accurate info. I imagine if the shell is tough you will need a clip and doors as well anyhow. __________________ Chad Greed: in psychology is an excessive desire to acquire or possess more than what one needs or deserves, especially with respect to material wealth

April 18th, 2009, 04:42 PM	#3 (permalink)
Eric Anderson Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: North East PA Posts: 362	Fenders and doors work, the hood, core support, grilles and front bumper are different. __________________ My70Cutlasshe who has the most toys when he dies...wins

April 18th, 2009, 07:37 PM	#5 (permalink)
2blu442 Moderator Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Medford, Oregon Posts: 2,256	But if the 1970 nose is in good shape you can swap over the core support, hood, grills, headlight assemblies and bolt it on the 1972 body. I made the swap once putting the nose of a 1971 Cutlass S on a 1970 Cutlass Supreme. John __________________ 1964 Cutlass Factory 4spd 1965 442 4spd 1967 442 Auto 1967 Cutlass Convertible 1967 Cutlass four door daily driver 1968 442 Auto 1969 442 W30 Auto 1970 442 4spd 1971 Cutlass Flat Top Wagon 1973 Che*vy 3/4 Ton 454/TH400 Tow Vehicle Only the tow vehicle is finished!

April 18th, 2009, 07:57 PM	#7 (permalink)
csstrux Super Moderator Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Janesville wisconsin Posts: 1,659	I knew something was different, but was not sure on specifics. __________________ Chad Greed: in psychology is an excessive desire to acquire or possess more than what one needs or deserves, especially with respect to material wealth

April 18th, 2009, 08:25 PM	#8 (permalink)
joe_padavano Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Northern VA Posts: 4,396	If the 72 442 is in better shape, why not just build that one instead? __________________ Joe Padavano 64 Jetstar 88 Conv 66 442 L-69 Conv 68 W-30 69 H/O 69 442 70 W-30 72 442 84 Custom Cruiser 86 Caprice wagon (w/307 Olds)

April 18th, 2009, 09:07 PM	#9 (permalink)
AdrenalinSS Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 32	Here are the cars. I've already bought the 1970 cutlass, I just have to pick it up. Here is the link to the 70 cutlass I bought: http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/inde...lbumId=2737043 Here is the link to the 72 442 shell: http://omaha.craigslist.org/pts/1087026857.html That's what I'm workin with, I know it's quite abit to tackle, but that's fun part

April 18th, 2009, 09:59 PM	#10 (permalink)
mugzilla is Fast Enough ... Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: dogtown Posts: 848	One of the hardest thing to do is removing the emergency brake cable through the body(hose clamp and grease)... I usually bolt chains to the seat belt holes to lift ...

April 19th, 2009, 08:48 AM	#11 (permalink)
Oldsguy Hot Rodder at heart Administrator Join Date: May 2004 Location: Lees Summit MO Posts: 5,360	Welcome to the site. It looks like you have quite a challenge ahead of you. __________________ Dan '77 Cutlass Supreme '46 2 door "The rocket 455.....it's a sledgehammer approach to a thumbtack world" LuxBlue of HAMB.

April 19th, 2009, 02:00 PM	#12 (permalink)
442_Mustang Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 135	The pic of the 70 is a 2 door post car. The other car is a 2 door hardtop car. There's some BS differences there. More than just sawpping the hardware . My buddy took a post car and made it a hardtop and the interior trim was different, the main part of the door shells was different and the door jambs were different as well as some smaller things. There's a lotta work involved to change that stuff plus there's extra reinforcements in the hardtop. I'd put the hardtop body on the frame and build from there. Get hardtop doors and try to use the 70 front clip. There's my .02 __________________ Before, it was "Made in America With Pride!" Now Made in China with poison or any other crap they can dump on us. Piss on China! Buy American!

April 19th, 2009, 02:16 PM	#13 (permalink)
AdrenalinSS Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 32	Thanks for everyones info. Once I actually get the car back to my house, I will be able to better determine what I will need to do. If I can save the 70 shell and not switch, I won't, I just happened to stumble upon it and just thinking about it. The 70 cutlass cost me $250 and is worth the gamble in my eyes. We'll see

April 19th, 2009, 07:40 PM	#14 (permalink)
oldjunk Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 16	bumper Looks like the 72 has a 70 rear bumper on it.

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