I'm getting ready to buy a 1970 cutlass, and the shell on the body needs quite abit of work,. I had just found a 1972 olds 442 shell in descent condition. would I be able to switch out the shells? I'm just wondering if they would be compatible. thanks

 

Yes, just make sure you can get a title to the shell. I believe there are some difference in the sheet metal, so not sure if you can use the front clip, and doors, but the shell will fit on the frame. others will chime in with more accurate info. I imagine if the shell is tough you will need a clip and doors as well anyhow.

 

Fenders and doors work, the hood, core support, grilles and front bumper are different.

 

X2

 

But if the 1970 nose is in good shape you can swap over the core support, hood, grills, headlight assemblies and bolt it on the 1972 body. I made the swap once putting the nose of a 1971 Cutlass S on a 1970 Cutlass Supreme.
John

 

X2 also

 

I knew something was different, but was not sure on specifics.

 

If the 72 442 is in better shape, why not just build that one instead?

 

Here are the cars. I've already bought the 1970 cutlass, I just have to pick it up.

Here is the link to the 70 cutlass I bought:
http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/inde...lbumId=2737043



Here is the link to the 72 442 shell: http://omaha.craigslist.org/pts/1087026857.html



That's what I'm workin with, I know it's quite abit to tackle, but that's fun part

 

One of the hardest thing to do is removing the emergency brake cable through the body(hose clamp and grease)...

I usually bolt chains to the seat belt holes to lift ...

 

Welcome to the site. It looks like you have quite a challenge ahead of you.

 

The pic of the 70 is a 2 door post car. The other car is a 2 door hardtop car. There's some BS differences there. More than just sawpping the hardware . My buddy took a post car and made it a hardtop and the interior trim was different, the main part of the door shells was different and the door jambs were different as well as some smaller things. There's a lotta work involved to change that stuff plus there's extra reinforcements in the hardtop. I'd put the hardtop body on the frame and build from there. Get hardtop doors and try to use the 70 front clip.
There's my .02

 

Thanks for everyones info. Once I actually get the car back to my house, I will be able to better determine what I will need to do. If I can save the 70 shell and not switch, I won't, I just happened to stumble upon it and just thinking about it. The 70 cutlass cost me $250 and is worth the gamble in my eyes. We'll see

 

Looks like the 72 has a 70 rear bumper on it.