gar442

Are the wheel well moldings the same on a 1977 Cutlass s and a 1977 442? Thanks !

Paladin31

yes sir, technically the same car, 442 or more correctly the W-29 was an option on the Cutlass S anyway

Brett

gar442

Thank you....I was 95% sure just wanted to make sure. I finally found some new old stock moldings! 4 years of looking

Paladin31

Good score, pictures of your ride are nearly mandatory!

Regards, Brett

gar442

Lol, you're right! I'm slacking!
...The wheel moldings are much worse than can be seen in the pics, anywhere from 2 to 6 dents in every molding. It stands out in person and ruins how straight the car looks.

Allan R

Brett, technically? You mean absolutely. The 442 package was only available on the Cutlass S in 76/77. 76 was the last year 442 was offered with a 455. Sad day in history.....

gar442

....My cars from the past, wish I still had them all

Allan R

Nice! 66, 69 and 71. I detect a color theme in your life....

BTW, you can use any of the 76/77 Cutlass coupes as donors for the wheelwell stainless. (Not sedans tho as the side panels have different profiles)That should improve your search options. You know that stainless can be repro filed and then sanded/buffed to a better than new condition?

gar442

Thank you
I did think about having them reconditioned. I was worried how they would turn out because the dents along the edge of the moldings are so deep that I didn't think it could be done to look like new. I did talk to one place and they said it depends how bad they are.
Do you know of a reputable place that does this?
I don't think this guy has all 4 moldings so I may go that route for the others.
Thanks again

Allan R

I don't know of any shops. I've seen DIY vids on doing the repairs and it turns out pretty decent. If you have the skills and tools it's probably cost effective. Otherwise it might be better to buy replacements. Have you checked the 73-77 Olds Forums?

Paladin31

Ofttimes my flippancy obfuscates the certitude

B

Paladin31

Did your car originally come from the west side of MI? I ask because I know of 2 people who had mirrors of your car

Thanks, Brett

Allan R

You slay me Brett. I needed a dictionary to understand that one!

Side note to OP: The 77 442 DID have the distinction of retaining the slope back grill all 76 Cutlass S models came with, whereas the 77 Cutlass S incorporated the 'waterfall' grill found on the 76/77 Supremes.





1977 Cutlass S without W29


1977 - Note the slightly different grill design...

gar442

Paladin31....I actually got it out of Chicago about 4 years ago....so it may be one of those you are talking about.

Paladin31

Allan:
Side note to OP: The 77 442 DID have the distinction of retaining the slope back grill all 76 Cutlass S models came with, whereas the 77 Cutlass S incorporated the 'waterfall' grill found on the 76/77 Supremes.

Sorry Allan, the 77 S had its one and only style shared with no other model. The 76/77 supreme's aren't the same beast. I can scan & email you the pages from Webster's to help decipher my verbiage if you like?..

Brett

Allan R

Brett,
I'm not sure what to say. 77 Cutlass 442 does have a slope back grill, basically with mods to the design of the grill that was found on all 76 Cutlass S models..

When I say that the 77 Cutlass S has a similar waterfall grill to those of the 76 (Supreme/Salon) and 77 Supreme I don't infer they were identical. Just that the basic design followed the same waterfall principle of being a squared front header panel.

Shoot me an email if you like showing and telling me where our wires are short circuiting?

Paladin31

Allan, its all good. I was typing while at work. Had a little downtime after lunch waiting for something to upload...I agree with what you were stating, the 77S-442 has slant nose & horizontal bar grilles, 77S does not. Now had I typed what I meant then, I wouldn't need to be eating crow now. I didn't proofread, ergo, my apologies for any discomfiture you may have experienced.

Brett

442fanatic

Awesome car GAR442! I have a 76 442 that is going to paint this week, rear quarter skins replaced, repaired outer wheel houses... Some other rust areas fixed. I am in the same boat, my wheel moldings are in bad shape, a lot of dings. Haven't had luck finding any NOS, have been looking for a while, however there are times when a month or so goes by before I get back to ebay...
on the 73-77 forums, however the site is not fully functioning.


Would you know if your source had more of those moldings? looking for the chrome/plastic hood trim as well. Why didn't they use actual chrome instead of plastic... At least the rear side windows are being reproduced...

allen_442

She looks great. None of mine look that nice yet but hopefully someday. Could you post some interior pictures? Thanks

442fanatic

Wheel well molding reconditioning.

Hey guys just was scanning through the posts at work. I am working on my 1976 442, and had the same issue as most. Dented up wheel well molding trim. I have the set off the car, but on this forum as well as the 73 - 77 forums, finding NOS is a long process.

A googled around on reconditioning stainless steel trim and found Iverson Automotive outside of Minneapolis who has been in the business over 30 years. I sent my set to him, haven't gotten them back yet. But after talking to him and seeing his website believe he will do a great shape!

Will let you know how they turn out.

442fanatic

Awesome 77 442! I am getting close on my 76 442 being done. Have looked off and on for years for NOS wheel well moldings. Don't know if I want to know what you paid...

Tho for those who have a set that is banged up. A place in MN can repair them, they specialize in stainless steel repair. Iverson Automotive.

Sent my set up since didn't come up with NOS.

442fanatic

Hey guys,
I received my reconditioned wheel well moldings back from Iverson Automotive out of Minneapolis. They turned out better than expected. He took out all of the dings and through some process has a mirror finish on them! Fender side and bottom cleaned and shined decently, most importantly the trim to the out - clean and mirror finish ! Was going to post a picture of before and after, but didn't get to it.

I noticed from some pics on the restored 76/77 cutlasses few have put back that plastic rock guard on the front of the rear wheel well quarters door side. Any reason? I bought a new set and was discussing with the paint guy... Figured it was good to keep the wrock chips to them than the paint and new quarter.

What's the prevailing thought about deleting them in your restorations?

Allan R

The rock guard is there to protect the paint from chipping, exactly as you thought. I would be inclined to put them back even though the car is likely now painted with BC/CC. It's an extra layer of protection, and btw - new cars still use this type of film to protect their paint finishes.

Suggestion - If you're happy with the company who refinished your stainless (it's not chrome) start a new thread and give them some exposure. No one except those who are subscribed to this thread will see them here. It might help some of the guys who are looking for good shops in that area.

442fanatic

Decided not to use the rock guards. He has them painted up nice, however form fitting them either behind the moldings or over them doesn't look good.

Today's new cars use a clear teflon plastic in these areas, only noticeable by the line where the teflon ends and of course if you let wax build up. I am going that route.

I will be posting my rock guards for sale in the near future.