kjr442

The 72 Cutlass S that I bought is a great car, BUT when I pulled the old vinyl top the rust was much worse then I had first thought.
I have decided to change out the roof completely, and I have found a 1968 442 shell with a good top. My question is will the 68 top fit the 72, is it the same as the 72 ?

tru-blue 442

I believe the hardtops
are the same, and the post cars
are too. But you cannot interchange
a hardtop with a post or vise-versa.

Allan R

Kevin - yes the 68-72 442, Cutlass and Cutlass Supreme all have the same roof lines. The roof line is cut high on the sail panel for differences in the quarter skins though. From the sounds of it you're not going to put vinyl back on?

There are brand new roof skins for these cars and they're not too expensive ABS Inc Roof Skin

oldspackrat

The only thing I can think of to watch out for is that I believe the drip rails are different? I think '68-'69 are slightly different at the very rear section, the curve is a little different. Not a big deal, but the moldings are different too.

kjr442

LOL no, no vinyl tops for me.

ent72olds

Drip rail, as stated, are different. That being said, the sail panels, without actually looking, may be different......too many commas in one sentence....

kjr442

Thanks guys. I really don't want to cut up a 68 442 body, but it is completely stripped of parts. I really don't know if it would be worth anything to anyone as a builder.

kjr442

I think that the sail panels were my biggest concern about it ,I think the quarter windows are different too. I just wasn't real sure.

dc2x4drvr

If you're in N. Tx, PM me, I know of a small yard that might have a good 70-72 top..

tru-blue 442

Were you going for a skin or were
you going to take the whole top?

If you go for a skin, make sure to
take a few bits and an extra batt.
Oldsmobile had no problem using PLENTY
of spot welds. Good luck with her.

I would have taken a pic of the roof skin
with it's ahgillion drilled out spotwelds, but
it is stored in another place. But you
get the idea.

kjr442

thank you. man that is a bunch of spot welds. Today it would just be glued on.

joe_padavano

Actually, you can. The outer skin panel is the same on all 68-72 Holiday Coupes (xx87 body) and Sport Coupes (xx77 body). Obviously the 70-72 Supreme Holiday Coupe (xx57 body) is different.

I will suggest, however, that if you have a solid 68 Holiday Coupe shell, don't cut it up. It's worth more in one piece (I'd be interested in it, for one). You can buy a repro roof panel for the 68-72 cars now.

tru-blue 442

Thanks, Joe.
You know I enjoy learning
about the greatest automobiles
ever produced by human beings.

I really appricate what you bring
to the Oldsmobile table for us to
gobble up. Am I reading into a sticky
on this roof metal here or...

Lunch is over, back to work.

anthonyP

Very good information everyone.


My friend is planning on restoring an authentic '71 Lime Green 442 that a prior owner installed an aftermarket sunroof in, sort of like the one in the Subaru Brat, and will be replacing the roof's outer skin.


This was a big fad in the day for vans and trucks, which unfortunately made it's way into some muscle cars. I will pass this information to him.


Anthony

Carshinebob

I would also recomend the aftermarket roof skin. I've installed a couple of the tamraz skins (they're cheapest on ebay) and they are much easier than cutting and salvaging a used skin plus you can use panel bonding adhesive for the drip rails and window openings. Therefore you only need to weld the A pillar and the sail panel seam. So much easier than the used ones I've done for years. ~BOB

Allan R

The roof skin I linked in the ABS is much cheaper (359) for the same thing

kjr442

I checked in to this further, and found that the sail panels, along with the drip rails, are different.
The good thing is I have found a 72 close to me. I just hope they don't want my first born.

kjr442

Thank you Bob. I think in my case, the best way is to cut it from a doner.
I need the sail panels, and the back glass channels.
The sail panels are not available.

kjr442

Allan R

Kevin, the sail panel is part of the quarter panel. It's not usually included in just a quarter skin. If the 72 you found closeby is a donor, then take the whole roof and sail panel down as far as you need.

kjr442

Right, that is why I am going this route. The only part available new is the roof skin. Thank you for the information Allan.

kjr442

Problem solved, I did find a nice rust free roof. I bought it with a complete 72 Cutlass S. luckily for me, I bought the car with no title, or I would have a real hard time parting this one out. This one seams to be a rust free car, although I have not looked it over very close yet.
From what I can tell, this one has a 350 4bbl, disk brakes. I don't know the color name right now, but it looks like a cream or off white with dark saddle interior. I was told this car runs good too.

Allan R

Probably code 81 Bamboo.

GAOldsman

I don't know how much $ Tamraz wants for their roof skin, but Eastwood has one for around $413.00 http://www.eastwood.com/autobody/rep...html?make=1246

kjr442

Thank you.
The problem is that I need the roof skin, sail panels, and back glass channel. As far as I know, the sail panel, and glass channels are not reproduced.
The parts car I have found will be perfect for this repair. I have posted the remainder of the car in the parts for sale section.

Koda

Modern cars are welded together now still, but the panels are different. Your finger hanging drip rail is gone, as is the C pillar joint. Things today are stamped in an outer panel called a side member, and include the entire door opening and in a little bit. The roof is flat-ish as in the roof inner, and they are welded in in this strip just inside the doors. It's common to put black plastic strips there to cover it.

I like the old drip rail moldings better, but the new way is cheaper and faster and less welds overall.

nsnarsk65cutlass

Yup, robot welds and plastic covering them nothing like hand built any more.

442murdock

Can anyone help with this issue? On my 69 cutlass convertible, when I turn on the interior light at the head light switch only the 2 rear light come on. Is that normal? When I open the door they all come on. Thanks so much

kjr442

That sounds right to me.

kjr442

I got the car started up today. there was a bunch of rust that came out of the exhaust tail pipe, but she cleared out and ran fine.