Might be getting a 71 Cutlass...need info on body parts..

[WesB.]

I am looking at getting my uncles 71 Cutlass (gold with a creme vinyl top) in exchange for me doin some dirt work for him. My cousin ran the car into a pole at a gas station and bent the right front corner. I need a good place to buy passenger front fender, the grill, bumper and a new hood (wanting a ram air) also price is an issue considering I have a baby on the way, but want to get the car done first. Car needs a few other things:motor (which i have a sbc that i built for my 35 chevy copue) and I want to get rid of the creme interior

Thanks for your help in advance
Wes

[troys2222]

allright another olds saved!

It sounds like yearone will have what u are looking for unless u want nos or used, any way good luck !!!

[Chumley]

There's always parts on Ebay as well. There are some used fenders on there right now, I don't recall , but I believe they are 70-72 . Also don't recall the location, probably midwest or back east. Good bumpers are harder to come by used. Ram air hoods you almost have to get aftermarket and they are pricey, around $750. I hardly ever see any of these used for sale, although they show up once in awhile.
Chumley

[WesB.]

I'm thinking about goin w/ a fiberglass frontend (minus bumper). I am planning on goin "g-machine" style (lowered big wheels, tires, brakes etc.) so the less weight is better.
Wes

[joe_padavano]

Originally Posted by WesB.

I'm thinking about goin w/ a fiberglass frontend (minus bumper). I am planning on goin "g-machine" style (lowered big wheels, tires, brakes etc.) so the less weight is better.
Wes

And...

...i have a sbc that i built for my 35 chevy copue...

And...

...I want to get rid of the creme interior...

But...

...also price is an issue considering I have a baby on the way...

Please don't take this the wrong way, but your goals appear to be inconsistent with your budget. Olds parts are nowhere near as available as Chevy parts and thus priced somewhat higher when you cand find them. Repro metal front fenders are $300 each and are thinner grade than OEM. Rust-free original fenders are priced accordingly. Cutlass grilles (as opposed to 442) are pretty easy to find on ebay. I've done the one-piece VFN 'glass front end on a 71 Cutlass and it is a LOT of work to make it fit right. The 'glass parts are race parts and don't have near the fit and finish necessary for a good looking street car. You'll also need to fabricate a lot of front end parts to get the grilles and headlights to fit and operate. I'm not saying it can't be done, just that it's a lot of work.

The frame and suspension are identical to Chevelle parts, so that stuff is easy to get, but last time I checked the Hotchkis/Global West control arm, springs, shocks, and sway bars will set you back a few grand.

I'll also discourage the SBC swap for several reasons. First, it's been done...and done...and done. ZZZZZZZZZZZZ.....boring.

Second, everything is different - motor and frame mounts, exhaust, trans bellhousing pattern, accessory brackets, etc, etc. Sell the SBC, get a 455, and go for it.

A complete interior swap is also expensive and time consuming. Most of the interior parts are available for the Olds, but again, there's a lot to buy and it won't be cheap.

Now, if this is a long-term plan where you want to make mods over time as money is available, I say great. Just set realistic expectations, because what you've laid out likely won't get done in nine months.

Congrats on the baby, by the way. When my son was small (5 or 6), I'd let him shift my 442 from the passenger seat while I pressed the clutch. He got a real kick out of that. Now he's got two inches and 20 lbs on me...

[WesB.]

Thanks for the comments Joe. First I'm not planning on anything getting done right now. IF I get it first I just want to fix the frontend (get new fender, hood, bumper and grille) and put the the 350 in it for now. I don't really care if it has been done, it's what I have available. Yes I want to find an olds engine to put back in there. I will either rebuild the motor in it (not sure what it is right now) or get another one from a friend who is into olds.
I
don't want a one piece front end, just fiberglass fenders and ram air hood.

As far as the motor swap, shouldn't chevelle motor mounts, manifolds. What i didn't mention is that I have a turbo 400 trans aswell (I bought with the motor).

My wife can deal with the interior until I can get the interior redone.

Yes this is a long term project (along with the 35 Coupe) and I dream big dreams, but I also like to have a plan or goals.

Thanks for the reply I really do appriciate it.
Wes

[Oldsguy]

OAI hood like this one?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1971-...spagenameZWDVW

You will still need to buy all the guts to make it work. Pins, Air Cleaner housing, screens, etc...

[WesB.]

Was really wanting a bolt on instead of pin on but yeah that style.
Wes

[dholmes898]

Originally Posted by Oldsguy

OAI hood like this one?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1971-...spagenameZWDVW

You will still need to buy all the guts to make it work. Pins, Air Cleaner housing, screens, etc...

Hello guys I was thinking about getting a pin on hood like that! Are they secure because I will be the highway while I go to school?

[Eightupman]

Your location is always is always helpful when asking for help locating parts. Sometimes they can be found right around the corner.

John

[Eightupman]

Originally Posted by joe_padavano

And...
Olds parts are nowhere near as available as Chevy parts and thus priced somewhat higher when you cand find them.

Amen to that. I just spend three days at Lowes Motor Speedway at the Food Lion Auto Fair. out of 10,000 vendors I found no more than TEN folks selling Olds parts (myself inclulded) and TWO of them were the high dollar reproductions, the GM restoration parts line.)

Originally Posted by joe_padavano

Repro metal front fenders are $300 each and are thinner grade than OEM.

I thought Good mark stuff was the EXACT OEM specs to include metal thickness?? I have seel the made in Taiwan stuff for about $200

Originally Posted by joe_padavano

Cutlass grilles (as opposed to 442) are pretty easy to find on ebay.

Been looking for a good used daily driver pair of 72 Supreme grills for about two years and all I find is $300 NOS ones. just proving Joes thoughts on hard to find parts and cost.

Originally Posted by joe_padavano

I'll also discourage the SBC swap for several reasons. First, it's been done...and done...and done. ZZZZZZZZZZZZ.....boring.

I second the sentiment... If you find the right buyer for the SBC, you can use that cash for the Olds motor. (which I have found CORE Olds motors to be slightly cheaper than SBC lumps around where I live.)

Have fun, and soon you too will be an Oldsaholic!

John