When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
As some of you may know, I recently am finishing up the paint/body work on my '72 Cutlass. I've owned it for around 27 years, and it was stored and moved back n forth from my Mother's garage and my house garage over that timeframe. In those years, less than 20 miles were put on the car. Now, that it's painted and the outside is mostly back together, I have driven it in and around the neighborhood and even a few miles farther out on my last trip. So, far pretty good! I'm trying to shake it down to see if any issues pop up since my previous history driving was very limited. I drive it and watch the gauges and listen to it. It starts up really well and the oil gauge starts at around 50 lbs. and after it warms up it runs between 35 to 40 lbs. so that seems OK. The temp gauge runs at just a tad above 200 degrees on a warm day.
I previously had a problem with the gas gauge but after cleaning a ground connection by the trunk latch, that is cured. I had lights and especially turn signal issues. I put new headlight bulbs in it years ago and messed with connections and they worked....high and low beams. I then replaced all the turn signal bulbs and had trouble with the left front but I messed with a connector and they worked until my last trip yesterday, so I need to take a look at the connector again.
Another issue that I know of is the horn .....it doesn't work. It used to be a muted honk but now nothing. I probably should have looked at it before I put the grilles in, but I hope it's a connector or bad ground.
The last issue is the driver's side door electric window. It's up and won't move. Never, ever worked on electric windows before and I'm not the best electrical trouble shooter. I'll disconnect the plug ant try to see if I can clean it or find a ground problem. I like crank-up windows better. If anyone has a hint/diagram as where the grounds are for these electric windows are I'd appreciate it.
I'll take it to a show next weekend as a “work in progress”(interior). In the meantime, I promised my wife I'd re-tile and put a new commode in the 1/2 bath before I work on the headliner and re-install the interior.
It's exciting to be able to drive the beast around town. It will be better once I get the 8 track installed under the dash! LOL!!
The car has not been washed since I buffed it and painted on the white stripes but there is a smaller car show locally that I have never been to so I called my brother up and he and I went to it. I had a light amount of white over spray on a couple spots on the rocker and the blue new tire coating on the T/A's but it looked OK. Once I wash and buff n wax it, it will be even better. Got a lot of nice comments yesterday.
Nice looking 442 
