When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Putting The Finishing Touches on My '64 Cutlass Convertible
It's been 6 weeks since I got my '64 Cutlass Convertible. I'm having fun (and some frustration) putting the finishing touches on this car and making it mine.
It already came with some modernized upgrades like:
Throttle body fuel Injection
Electronic Ignition
2 Speed Transmission replaced with 3 Speed
Single exhaust converted to Dual Exhaust
Front Disk Brakes
Aftermarket AC
New Top & Hydraulics
Since I've had it I have
Replaced The Spark Plugs and Gapped for TBI
Had a set of Bilstein Shocks installed in The Front
Had an exhaust leak fixed
Fixed a leaky power steering unit
Changed the fuel filter
Replaced the non working John W. Hobbes Trunk light,
Added an original Hood light
Repaired the courtesy light above the ashtray
Put in a stereo system, Pioneer head unit, JL Audio 6.5 speakers which I was able to put in the front vents,
JL Audio 6X9 Speakers in boxes on back seat which can go in the well behind the seat if I have extra riders.
I just bought a JL Audio Subwoofer and now need an amp to complete the stereo.
It also needed an antenna replacement but since you have to take half the front end off to do it.
I ran a wire from the antenna wire extension cord I had hooked up to so the cord would reach the glove box,
out to the molding in the door jam up to top of the jam. Can't see it and works great.
I am currently waiting for a mint condition Bullet Tach I bought, A sun visor repair kit to fix the droopy visors, and a new windshield washer tank.
Today I am going to to some touch up paint and recharge the AC with Freon. Getting close to being done.
Nice car.
I am an experienced car stereo installer for years. Keep in mind that you will not get the same amount of bass out of a sub in a convertible as a hardtop. Just a little FYI.
Nice car.
I am an experienced car stereo installer for years. Keep in mind that you will not get the same amount of bass out of a sub in a convertible as a hardtop. Just a little FYI.
Hi,
Thanks for your response. I have an Acura with a kicker box in the trunk. To test out the Subwoofer I plugged it in and it was thumping pretty good, I think I will be OK with the right amp(s)
Since you are experienced in stereo installation what would you recommend. The Acura has 2 amps, one for the speakers and one for the Kicker box.
I know I can get a 5 channel amp or the same setup as the Acura, I have decided I want an amp for the speakers as well.
Also what wattage do you think I need? I am using JL audio C2 speakers. Any help is appreciated
Thanks
Hi,
Thanks for your response. I have an Acura with a kicker box in the trunk. To test out the Subwoofer I plugged it in and it was thumping pretty good, I think I will be OK with the right amp(s)
Since you are experienced in stereo installation what would you recommend. The Acura has 2 amps, one for the speakers and one for the Kicker box.
I know I can get a 5 channel amp or the same setup as the Acura, I have decided I want an amp for the speakers as well.
Also what wattage do you think I need? I am using JL audio C2 speakers. Any help is appreciated
Thanks
Boy the wattage is entirely up to you. I would say minimum 75-100. The reason that a sub in the trunk of a convertible doesn't resonate like a hard top is because of the amount of steel behind the seat in a convertible. I am sure it sounds good in your Acura. I have seen so many instances where people were bummed out at the lack of bass in a convertible. Really not much you do about it. I would get decent speakers for your interior. I am not familiar with what your car came with factory as far as speaker sizes etc. Get a quality amp. Get quality speakers. Don't buy garbage.
I am also looking for the Automatic console that came with some of these cars, but haven't found one I like yet.
In the meantime I was thinking of mounting the tach right where it would be if the console was there. On the hump
between and in front of the front seats. That is the idea for now Anyway. This seller is taking his time getting it to me.
Still about a week till I get it. Here it is. Got a great deal.
Boy the wattage is entirely up to you. I would say minimum 75-100. The reason that a sub in the trunk of a convertible doesn't resonate like a hard top is because of the amount of steel behind the seat in a convertible. I am sure it sounds good in your Acura. I have seen so many instances where people were bummed out at the lack of bass in a convertible. Really not much you do about it. I would get decent speakers for your interior. I am not familiar with what your car came with factory as far as speaker sizes etc. Get a quality amp. Get quality speakers. Don't buy garbage.
Really like your car.
Thanks for the advice and compliment on the car.
I made an offer on a MB Quart FA1-900.5, it's 900 watt 5 channel. A guy at a stereo shop recommended it.
So far no response on the offer.
What I have:
Pioneer MVH-S322BT Head unit
JL Audio C2 Evolution 6.5" speakers up front
JL Audio C2 690 TX 6X9s in the back
JL Audio 12" Subwoofer in box, that is not hooked up yet.
This is more than I originaly planned on doing with the stereo, but, you know how it is.
Yep. I got this particular one because it had everything I wanted including the color.
I see from your picture you speak from experience. Looking good, what year? 66?
Thank you, they are kind of rare. I owned one in the 90's and have been looking at them on and off since.
Most times I could only find one or two (or none) for sale in the entire country, usually in the midwest or Texas.
But weirdly before I bought mine there were as many as 6 for sale all at the same time.
2 of them in L.A. where I live, but they wanted way too much for them.
I got this one (the best looking one of the group) in Phoenix. Flew out and drove it home.
Last edited by rickrock999; May 8th, 2021 at 03:46 PM.
Yep. I got this particular one because it had everything I wanted including the color.
I see from your picture you speak from experience. Looking good, what year? 66?
It is a 65. Just finished installing new weather stripping and adjusting the top and windows. Hopefully it seals better now and is quieter.
It is a 65. Just finished installing new weather stripping and adjusting the top and windows. Hopefully it seals better now and is quieter.
I am having a bit of a problem with my top. Every time I put it up it doesn't come quite to the windsheild where the latches are. I have to spend 10 minutes wrestling it into place every time.
Is that the problem you were having? Matter of fact I am also having an issue with one of my windows not going quite to the top. Did you have that problem?
Do you have the service and body manuals? If not you need to get them as adjusting the roof and windows is complicated and one affects the other. The instructions are somewhat confusing and I had to reread them several times but couldn't have figured out how to make the adjustments without them.
I went through the entire adjustment procedure after replacing the weather stripping.
The top not going far enough forward needs to be adjusted at the main hinge attachment point. You should be able to close the latches to the windshield header just by pushing on the levers. Of course adjusting this will probably mean that the hinge point at the front bow (first bow behind front header) will need to be readjusted. This will most likely require adjusting the rear quarter windows, which may lead to readjusting the front windows. It's time consuming but doable.
I had me wondering why I ever bought a convert, lol. Good luck with it.
May 5th, 2021, 09:07 AM
