My 71 is finally done! well almost
November 25th, 2007, 04:51 AM
#1
Michigan frostbyte
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Gladwin, Mi
Posts: 19
My 71 is finally done! well almost
After better than 2 years and a lot of cash I finally got finished 71 cutlass. I need to get the bumpers re-chromed, air conditioning hooked back up and a few minor items re-done but I couldn't be happier with the results. Took it for a cruise on Labor day weekend and got lots of thumbs up.
I need to locate an aftermarket radio that I can get a CD player hooked up to as I don't have a radio but, when i am cruisin' it doesn't matter to me (the kids complain).
Let me know what ya think. The first on, obviously was the beginning and the next two showcase the finished project.
I need to locate an aftermarket radio that I can get a CD player hooked up to as I don't have a radio but, when i am cruisin' it doesn't matter to me (the kids complain).
Let me know what ya think. The first on, obviously was the beginning and the next two showcase the finished project.
November 25th, 2007, 01:13 PM
#9
Michigan frostbyte
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Gladwin, Mi
Posts: 19
Black
The car is black with gold stripes, I was a bench seat car and I switched to buckets and a console. The entire interior is black and for comfort I had all of the seats recovered in black CLOTH, much nicer to cruise in. I need to get the bumpers re-chromed this winter at some point but I need to find a local shop to re-do them any suggestions (central Michigan)?
November 25th, 2007, 06:05 PM
#10
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Pittsburgh
Posts: 102
cloth eh? That's a great idea. My front bench is torn up and I was thinking of doing the entire seat is cowhide leather, because I hate that vinyl crap...but cloth is way cheaper and easier to work with. This gives me something to think about over the winter. Well, it's a great paint job, I'm pretty sure I'm going with an emerald green with two white stripes down the middle though. Well, congratulations on you car once again.
November 30th, 2007, 03:32 AM
#16
Michigan frostbyte
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Gladwin, Mi
Posts: 19
Oldsguy, I actually picked the hood (repro) up on ebay for about 800.00, the pins cost me 160.00 so it wasn't too bad I guess but between the hood and the tail fin I think they really dressed up the car, and both ebay purchases.
November 30th, 2007, 05:27 AM
#17
Past Administrator
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Rural Waxahachie Texas
Posts: 10,008
I had to spend $600 on a toilet once but then, I don't really need my project car to live but I DO need the toilet.......
December 10th, 2007, 03:02 AM
#21
Michigan frostbyte
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Gladwin, Mi
Posts: 19
They are not real bad and I thought they would be ok, but once the car was painted and i got em' on they really don't look as good as I would like em' to so I really just want to get them re-chromed.
I am not looking for a show car I will drive this thing everywhere. I found myself volunteering to go to the store for milk this summer just so I could drive my car there.
I am not looking for a show car I will drive this thing everywhere. I found myself volunteering to go to the store for milk this summer just so I could drive my car there.
December 11th, 2007, 05:57 PM
#23
Seasoned beater pilot.
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Chicago
Posts: 5,468
FrostBytes bumpers
FROSTBYTE.
A local fellow has 2 rechromed 71 rear bumpers for 100 bucks..... want me to grab em?
Too bad Gladwin is so far.
My buddy has a place up near there. I like the big soft needle pines, sandy soil and millions of little lakes to go out on.
A local fellow has 2 rechromed 71 rear bumpers for 100 bucks..... want me to grab em?
Too bad Gladwin is so far.
My buddy has a place up near there. I like the big soft needle pines, sandy soil and millions of little lakes to go out on.
December 12th, 2007, 09:07 PM
#25
Seasoned beater pilot.
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Chicago
Posts: 5,468
Check out this bad ****.
http://item.express.ebay.com/NOS-GM-...mdZExpressItem
I picked up a pretty nice front one for you and an O.K. rear.
http://item.express.ebay.com/NOS-GM-...mdZExpressItem
I picked up a pretty nice front one for you and an O.K. rear.
December 17th, 2007, 05:27 PM
#28
Seasoned beater pilot.
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Chicago
Posts: 5,468
The car will hopefully look even better with that rechromed front bumper. It's on its way to MI right now for you bud. And will be a LOT cheaper than that nice hood and pins setup you have there.
Did you take the plunge and blow the $500 bucks and $125 shipping for that NOS rear bumper?
Did you take the plunge and blow the $500 bucks and $125 shipping for that NOS rear bumper?
Last edited by J-(Chicago); December 17th, 2007 at 05:30 PM.
December 17th, 2007, 05:43 PM
#29
Seasoned beater pilot.
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Chicago
Posts: 5,468
A few folks have recommended this shop for excellent rechroming.
http://www.tricityplating.com/
http://www.tricityplating.com/
December 19th, 2007, 09:18 AM
#30
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: San Diego
Posts: 13
Great job!
WOW!! U totally turned that car around!! That is way too cool!! I'm excited about getting mine finished just looking at urs! I bet it rides nice! I started about 2 months ago and I plan on finishing in about 6 months, my brother is in a hurry more than I am! LOL! Anywayz, great job- I am definitely impressed!!!!
December 20th, 2007, 06:08 PM
#37
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: west
Posts: 211
Buy vintage classic antique old car parts of quality online at Classic Motor W
Last edited by kevinkpk; December 20th, 2007 at 06:15 PM.
December 21st, 2007, 12:05 PM
#38
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 12
Cutlass 69 convertible
I was curious how much money you put into restoring your vehicle? If you dont' mind. I just spent close to 40k and I still haven't done the interior yet. The guy I used, I believe he's good but he charged hourly and I think I got screwed on it. He has 650 into the vehicle and that's just on body/metal work, engine and paint. What do you think?
Thanks for your help.
Thanks for your help.
December 21st, 2007, 12:55 PM
#39
Past Administrator
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Rural Waxahachie Texas
Posts: 10,008
Here is my take on this, and I don't think I am alone. If you have the money, trust the individual you hired, and have the time to wait, then find someone to do the whole thing. But then you are basically giving them a blank check to finish it. If you don't have the money (like me) then I would be looking for quotes for individual jobs and find people to do them. One person to rebuild the engine, one person to do the frame/rolling chassis work, one person to do the interior, etc. And still you end up spending a lot of money. I don't think there are many people that can do it all on their own. Even the best end up "farming out" part of the work. Or, if you are really poor (really like me) then you try to do it yourself and settle for sub-standard work. But hey, I learn a lot that way.
My good friend use to work at a foreign car repair shop. Many of their customers would bring the car in and describe the trouble and leave a phone number and a credit card and say "call me when it's done". If you can afford that it's great.
My good friend use to work at a foreign car repair shop. Many of their customers would bring the car in and describe the trouble and leave a phone number and a credit card and say "call me when it's done". If you can afford that it's great.
Last edited by Oldsguy; December 21st, 2007 at 12:58 PM.
December 21st, 2007, 10:00 PM
#40
Seasoned beater pilot.
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Chicago
Posts: 5,468
I can build you one out of Great Stuff, old license plates, and Body filler.
As far as the motors go, they never die, so no worries there.
