Some of you have been very helpful so far...Thanks for that.

For those of you who haven't seen my posts: I have a 1971 Cutlass Supreme that is my daily driver, I bought it about a month ago. It needs some work to get inspected. I took it to my mechanic and he pointed out rust and separation of the rear quarter panels and a massive exhaust leak at the manifold.

I have an appointment to get a new custom exhaust system from the manifolds back installed on Monday. New gaskets, 2 1/4" piping into Magnaflow mufflers, turned down at the bumper to keep the stock look. Its gonna be $500+ tax, I thought that was a fair price.

I also talked to a body shop about patching the rust. He told me $400-500. I know it would be much cheaper to do it myself, but i don't have the time or patience for bodywork.

Once I get these two jobs done hopefully the '71 will pass inspection. It has no reason not to.

This is what I have done to get it ready:

1. New Water Pump (huge difference)
2. New sidemarkers
3. Fixed speedo cable.
4. Fixed horn

Still need:

1. Tag light housing and bulb
2. Fix exhaust (tomorrow)
3. Fix rust (next week)


From there: You guys tell me. I should still be under my original budget by about $500. I am thinking about investing in shocks. I would also like to get some gauges going. I think if I get these two things done this car will be a more than solid daily driver. Open to other suggestions for spending that $500; Front and rear sway? Posi rear (I only got the 1-leggers). New gears? Rubber Floors?

 

Ball joints , control arm bushings or updated arms front and rear , springs , with a old car I would start with steering and suspension then brakes then performance after

 

How about just going with a blower and say forget all that other good stuff

 

Lol there is one for sale 1100 I think used lol


What rust needs fixed to pass safety ? Floor boards ?

I guess as a driver I would pick all safety items and move from there .
This is one of my favorite years post some pics when you can

 

The rust is on the quarter panels right above the exhaust tips. The reason it didn't pass was because the fumes are getting sucked right back in the trunk and into the cabin.

Pics are posted on my older thread from earlier this month

 

Just keep plugging away until it's like you want it.

 

Good looking car for the most part should clean up very well !

As I been reading in your other threads I would start with the basic like you have been. She will turn into a dimind one day !!

 

Here is a punch list you can check as time and money permits.
All fluids: You may have already replaced cooling and oil. There is also power-steering, transmission and rear-end fluids. Brake fluid and lines.

Fuel lines. The old hoses are not designed for ethanol. Check all hoses for moisture and soft spots.
There are about a dozen different hoses used to carry fuel and fuel vapors that will need to be check.
You may want to take a peek under your fuel tank and check all of the vapor-return hoses at the back of the tank and vapor canister.

Vacuum Hoses: Check all hoses, for hard and cracked hoses. Use a hand held vacuum gauge to find and replace bad hoses.

Gauges: A Rally pack gauges set with gauges, sensor and wires will cost in the range of $700.
You can use after market under dash bolt-on, triple gauge sets for less than $150 (parts, wires, etc).

https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums/electrical/55341-equus-gauge-set.html

Looking good, Enjoy.