1967 Cutlass Restoration
#1
1967 Cutlass Restoration
Well, folks, here is the skinny. I bought this car last year and slowly have been taking it apart to assess repairs etc. Looks like I am into a full restoration at this point. Body off, to boot... The interior is pretty much gutted, trunk cut out, quarters off, power train out, and last night I cut the drivers rear quarter out. There was about a quarter inch of bondo on the quarter. (is that common?)
I picked up a new 7pc trunk kit and inner wheelhouses and rear quarter patches. I am in need of outer wheelhouses and I can't find them for a 66-67 Cutlass. Does anyone know if the outer wheelhouses for a 67 GTO will fit? I am attaching some pics of the progress. Take a look at the last couple pics that show the quarter panel and the amount of bondo that I am talking about. The last one shows a cross section view of how thick the bondo is on the panel I cut out.
I picked up a new 7pc trunk kit and inner wheelhouses and rear quarter patches. I am in need of outer wheelhouses and I can't find them for a 66-67 Cutlass. Does anyone know if the outer wheelhouses for a 67 GTO will fit? I am attaching some pics of the progress. Take a look at the last couple pics that show the quarter panel and the amount of bondo that I am talking about. The last one shows a cross section view of how thick the bondo is on the panel I cut out.
Last edited by sterling_michaels; December 29th, 2008 at 05:10 PM. Reason: mistake
#3
Have you tried calling The Parts Place for the outer wheel housing?
http://www.thepartsplaceinc.com. I dont know if the GTO will fit or not but I have a 72 and was sent an outer wheel housing for a Chevelle and it most certainly did not fit my quarter panel and had to sent back. They told me the inner housing were the same but not the outer.
http://www.thepartsplaceinc.com. I dont know if the GTO will fit or not but I have a 72 and was sent an outer wheel housing for a Chevelle and it most certainly did not fit my quarter panel and had to sent back. They told me the inner housing were the same but not the outer.
#4
#5
Thanks for the inputs. Is there any chance at modifying another A body outer wheel house to work in a Cutlass? I am in the Boston area if anyone has parts they are off-loading.
Well, the fun continues. As I was inspecting underneath the dash, I noticed that a repair had been made up by the windshield / dash area. The globs of fiberglass and epoxy were quite telling. I removed the windshield and back glass. I used a scraper to clean out the windshield channel and the layers of fiberglass just started coming off. I am looking at some serious body work here. The previous repair work was limited to fiberglass and bondo. I think the pictures tell the story:
So far, I am looking at trunk repair, quarters, wheel houses, floor pan. front and rear window channel and other misc stuff...
Any ideas on the window channel job?
I had the channel on my GMC redone by a 75 year old body guy. He leaded the whole thing for me. He said he wouldn't do it with "plastic".
Well, the fun continues. As I was inspecting underneath the dash, I noticed that a repair had been made up by the windshield / dash area. The globs of fiberglass and epoxy were quite telling. I removed the windshield and back glass. I used a scraper to clean out the windshield channel and the layers of fiberglass just started coming off. I am looking at some serious body work here. The previous repair work was limited to fiberglass and bondo. I think the pictures tell the story:
So far, I am looking at trunk repair, quarters, wheel houses, floor pan. front and rear window channel and other misc stuff...
Any ideas on the window channel job?
I had the channel on my GMC redone by a 75 year old body guy. He leaded the whole thing for me. He said he wouldn't do it with "plastic".
#6
1967 Restoration
Wow, your obviously comfortable doing sheet metal work! I've got some 1966 and 67 stuff but I'm in Oregon, the other side of the country. I would create a post in the parts wanted section if I were you. Good luck with your car!
John
John
#8
Just an Olds Guy
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Edmonton, AB. And "I am Can 'eh' jun - eh"
Posts: 24,525
Thanks for the inputs. Is there any chance at modifying another A body outer wheel house to work in a Cutlass? I am in the Boston area if anyone has parts they are off-loading.
Well, the fun continues. As I was inspecting underneath the dash, I noticed that a repair had been made up by the windshield / dash area. The globs of fiberglass and epoxy were quite telling. I removed the windshield and back glass. I used a scraper to clean out the windshield channel and the layers of fiberglass just started coming off. I am looking at some serious body work here. The previous repair work was limited to fiberglass and bondo. I think the pictures tell the story:
So far, I am looking at trunk repair, quarters, wheel houses, floor pan. front and rear window channel and other misc stuff...
Any ideas on the window channel job?
I had the channel on my GMC redone by a 75 year old body guy. He leaded the whole thing for me. He said he wouldn't do it with "plastic".
Well, the fun continues. As I was inspecting underneath the dash, I noticed that a repair had been made up by the windshield / dash area. The globs of fiberglass and epoxy were quite telling. I removed the windshield and back glass. I used a scraper to clean out the windshield channel and the layers of fiberglass just started coming off. I am looking at some serious body work here. The previous repair work was limited to fiberglass and bondo. I think the pictures tell the story:
So far, I am looking at trunk repair, quarters, wheel houses, floor pan. front and rear window channel and other misc stuff...
Any ideas on the window channel job?
I had the channel on my GMC redone by a 75 year old body guy. He leaded the whole thing for me. He said he wouldn't do it with "plastic".
In regards to the question about bondo on the rear quarter? Only if it had been in an accident. But 1/4 inch is a lot thicker than a pro would use. Its basically only for redefining shape, so I'm guessing the original repair must have been pretty easy to spot once the bondo was gone.
#9
I appreciate the feedback. As far as being comfortable doing sheetmetal work, I would say I don't know. My sheetmetal expereince is nill; however, I learn pretty quick and on the job training works wonders.
Getting a clean 66 / 67 body nowadays is real tough. On the east coast; they are non existent and if you do find one, it is big bucks. This car looked halfway decent when I got it; however, the more I take it apart, the more I see that there is more bondo and fiberglass than anything. I think that I am going to go the route of fabricating pieces as I go along. I will continue to update you guys on the progress with plenty of pictures.
Getting a clean 66 / 67 body nowadays is real tough. On the east coast; they are non existent and if you do find one, it is big bucks. This car looked halfway decent when I got it; however, the more I take it apart, the more I see that there is more bondo and fiberglass than anything. I think that I am going to go the route of fabricating pieces as I go along. I will continue to update you guys on the progress with plenty of pictures.
#10
Just an Olds Guy
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Edmonton, AB. And "I am Can 'eh' jun - eh"
Posts: 24,525
here is a link you might find useful for getting some of your sheet metal. Its for Paddock restorations and they have lots of metal for 64-72 Cutlass models. I noted that you need pretty much a full interior floor pan, probably trunk pans too. They've got this stuff. Have fun shopping.
http://www.paddockparts.com/Paddock/...988D8D35ADDB73
#12
Sterling, your car reminds me exactly of my '72. But my '72 had a vinyl roof and when I pulled the windshield, the upper channel was so rotted, I could take my hand stick it in and pull up on the roof. The roof would flop. The top of the cowl/dash was so rotted, I got a dry, used section from out west. I had them cut it past the factory joints so I could trim back as necessary to the factory seams. I then spot welded it back in and butt welded across the dash structure(bars behind the gague bezels) for an undetectable replacement. No need for patches. Thr top though is a different story. Just cut a long length sheet metal L-bracket approx to the depth of the channel, make a couple of relief cuts, and spot weld and hammer form it into the prepped channel. Of course , cut the old rot out beyond where you think it ends and use plenty of weld-thru primer. Or just get another body!
#13
I have a rust free 67 3807 (2 door sedan) "parts car" but haven't tried to sell it because if I say it is worth a few thou' people think I'm insane. Yet, try paying to get all that rust fixed so it won't rust again in a year. I had a similar 66, but went ahead and fully restored/built it. It sure was a lot easier dealing with only minor dents instead of terminal cancer.
Good luck with your project. It won't be easy but the results are worth it. In my admittedly biased opinion, the 66-7 442s are the best looking cars ever.
Good luck with your project. It won't be easy but the results are worth it. In my admittedly biased opinion, the 66-7 442s are the best looking cars ever.
#15
Just an Olds Guy
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Edmonton, AB. And "I am Can 'eh' jun - eh"
Posts: 24,525
Happy New Year Wes!
Had a look at your web page. Car looks really nice. Can't believe it is in such good shape. Nice work patching in the floor pans. Is that your shop??? Niiicce! I think a lot of guys here would be envious of that setup, me included. Are you going to badge this as a Cutlass Supreme when it's done?
Keep up the great work. I have to say that 66/7s hold a special place in my heart, but so do other model years. So, I'm leaning towards agreeing that "66/67 are among the best looking Cutlasses ever".
Where is Parksville close to? Cheers!
Had a look at your web page. Car looks really nice. Can't believe it is in such good shape. Nice work patching in the floor pans. Is that your shop??? Niiicce! I think a lot of guys here would be envious of that setup, me included. Are you going to badge this as a Cutlass Supreme when it's done?
Keep up the great work. I have to say that 66/7s hold a special place in my heart, but so do other model years. So, I'm leaning towards agreeing that "66/67 are among the best looking Cutlasses ever".
Where is Parksville close to? Cheers!
#16
hey Allen
happy new year to you as well
the only real reason I bought the 67 was because it was so clean I really wanted another 66 but couldn`t find one that was solid. the 67 has very minor body work on the car.. big draw back was it pretty much came as a shell its taken me 2 1/2 years to get all the parts I needed for it. assembly is in the plans starting this spring ..fingers crossed. we have had a nasty winter this year think we ended up with about 4 feet of snow in the last 3 weeks
I`m actually working out of a 2 car garage with the car but right now it is jammed with all my work stuff so no room to get anything done at the moment
I`m actually thinking of stripping the lower mouldings off the car without badges except for the C/S emblems on the sail panels and the reveal trim around the doors. It should look good I think with a 2 inch drop in the front with disc brakes
I`m about 15 minutes north of Nanaimo on Vancouver Island
happy new year to you as well
the only real reason I bought the 67 was because it was so clean I really wanted another 66 but couldn`t find one that was solid. the 67 has very minor body work on the car.. big draw back was it pretty much came as a shell its taken me 2 1/2 years to get all the parts I needed for it. assembly is in the plans starting this spring ..fingers crossed. we have had a nasty winter this year think we ended up with about 4 feet of snow in the last 3 weeks
I`m actually working out of a 2 car garage with the car but right now it is jammed with all my work stuff so no room to get anything done at the moment
I`m actually thinking of stripping the lower mouldings off the car without badges except for the C/S emblems on the sail panels and the reveal trim around the doors. It should look good I think with a 2 inch drop in the front with disc brakes
I`m about 15 minutes north of Nanaimo on Vancouver Island
#17
Guys,
I have found this window channel on the OPGI website;
http://www.opgi.com/product.asp?topc...3442&yearrange=
I am thinking that this may help out some of my rot issues on the lower part of the channel. Has anyone used one of these replacement pieces?
I have found this window channel on the OPGI website;
http://www.opgi.com/product.asp?topc...3442&yearrange=
I am thinking that this may help out some of my rot issues on the lower part of the channel. Has anyone used one of these replacement pieces?
#18
I put one on a 67 CS project car. It fit better than I expected. But the contours on the corners/edges wasn't right. Also the outside corners set a little high. Would have taken a lot to make it look right. And I would have had to replace 2" of the dash all the way across. I found a better project while looking for parts. So I won't have to deal with it.
All that said it would have looked Ok with a little work. But to get it to look correct would have taken a lot! I'm a little picky, it would of bugged me to death if it didn't look right. If I had to do it again I'd go for a low rust original. If I remember right I price one at around $150. To me it would be worth the extra to save all that work!
Oh yeah, I started a few small fires under the dash when I cut out the old stuff. So you might want to have some water around when you do this.
Don
All that said it would have looked Ok with a little work. But to get it to look correct would have taken a lot! I'm a little picky, it would of bugged me to death if it didn't look right. If I had to do it again I'd go for a low rust original. If I remember right I price one at around $150. To me it would be worth the extra to save all that work!
Oh yeah, I started a few small fires under the dash when I cut out the old stuff. So you might want to have some water around when you do this.
Don
#19
I think that I will give that window channel piece a try since it is not too expensive and it will be easier than trying to fabricate one myself.
Any folks here have experience with media blasting their car? I am thinking that at this point, I will get the body and frame sandblasted to remove all the rust and bondo. I should get a better idea of what I am working with once all the cancer is removed. Any thoughts on pricing to get a body and frame blasted? I want to get a rough idea on what it may cost before I start talking to to some local blasting outfits.
Any folks here have experience with media blasting their car? I am thinking that at this point, I will get the body and frame sandblasted to remove all the rust and bondo. I should get a better idea of what I am working with once all the cancer is removed. Any thoughts on pricing to get a body and frame blasted? I want to get a rough idea on what it may cost before I start talking to to some local blasting outfits.
#20
I was giving a price of over 1600.00 to soda blast my whole car. I decided to by a sandblaster and do it myself. If you do decide to do it yourself,make sure you blast outside because that sand goes everywhere.Also make sure you get a really good respirator if you do it yourself. If you have a compressor a sand blaster is a very useful and helpful tool.I used sugar sand to blast with.
#21
my cost for frame and body was 750 that included my a-arms trans cross member and rear end. just make sure you take it someone that has blasted cars before!! seen some really warped panels in the past
#22
my cost for frame and body was 750 that included my a-arms trans cross member and rea
I agree with you,because I am told the pressure sandblasters will get the metal very hot and could warp the metal. I bought a siphon feed blaster which takes a longer time to use,but it will effectively remove paint and rusk and it wont warp your metal.
#24
Sterling I think I got a fairly cheap deal.... the thing I liked best is my blaster is completely mobile I used a friends field and he brought his truck up to me. It was great otherwise it would have been a 1 1/2 hour drive to get the car to him. I had a couple of quotes of 12 to 15 hundred.
#25
Just read your post. Looking good so far. New England can be a PIA on car bodies.
How's the project coming along? Any updates to post? Looking forward to seeing more of your project.
I'm also in Massachusetts just outside of Fall River. If you're ever looking for something give me a shout and I'll see what I have and try to help.
I just ordered a rear deck filler panel from this place...
http://www.autobodyspecialt.com/
The rear window channel is shot so its gotta go.
How's the project coming along? Any updates to post? Looking forward to seeing more of your project.
I'm also in Massachusetts just outside of Fall River. If you're ever looking for something give me a shout and I'll see what I have and try to help.
I just ordered a rear deck filler panel from this place...
http://www.autobodyspecialt.com/
The rear window channel is shot so its gotta go.
#27
Yeah, wonder what happened to him on the build. Seems he stopped posting. I wonder if he got it blasted and found a complete mess like I did on the 442. Hopefully for his sake, not. In any event, if he's on the east coast, $750 for blasting the car isn't bad at all. And it needed to be done. I would have recommended he do it at the start of the thread based on how rusty everything else was on the car.
#28
Ruster rear windshield cell
Hi everybody
Looks like you are doing a serious restoration job on this cutlass , i am just starting mine ,and having difficulty finding patches for the rear windshield cell ( around the windshield and the filler panel to the trunk , mine is completely rusted and particularly the wings interior ( corner of the glass , dont know what to do about them , any advise , link , photos will be very appreciated, good luck with your great job
Looks like you are doing a serious restoration job on this cutlass , i am just starting mine ,and having difficulty finding patches for the rear windshield cell ( around the windshield and the filler panel to the trunk , mine is completely rusted and particularly the wings interior ( corner of the glass , dont know what to do about them , any advise , link , photos will be very appreciated, good luck with your great job
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