70ish

Somewhat new to the site but been reading some great posts, thanks!

I have a 1970 Cutlass Supreme Convertible and have owned it for 22yrs. The car sat for the last 10 years in a remote garage (oldest kid is 10..go figure....8) ). I have it back on the road and now want to restore it. Just reviewed the cowl tag and surprisingly it's all matches (GM 10-White, Green Dash, White interior, 350-4brl, TH350, A/C, cruise). I read that the 70 convertibles command a higher value, but I did want to put a W25 hood w/stripes, remove side chrome for stripes and dual exhaust (new cutout rear bumper). Question is, is this car worth much more if i keep it original? i know it's a subjective question but if I'm dropping $$$ on the restoration i wanted to get an idea of the value of "original".

Thanks again,EW

oldcutlass

Welcome to the site, post some pics of your car. As far as making changes to your car vs value, the mods you describe are pretty much in line with want most do to their cars. I think they will add value. The real question is do you plan on selling it soon after the restoration or hanging on to it and enjoy the car? If your just planning on getting rid of it, then just sell it now. If your planning on keeping it, then you also need to consider the entertainment value of driving an old car. Most do not restore a Cutlass as an investment, they do it for love.

zeeke

Ditto. Next upgrade will be 15X7's with BF Goodrich's and a posi rear and sport mirrors.



Before



After

Fun71

I doubt there would be much difference in value. Be aware that you will likely put more money into the restoration than you will be able to sell the car for afterwards.

BangScreech4-4-2

Might be worth a little more if you try to keep it all factory as you hardly ever see one that hasn't been screwed with anymore.

VikingBlue

Adding OAI and cutouts probably won't add enough value to offset the costs, but it will be a nicer looking car and you'll enjoy it more (which is why you are considering it).

Just keep the old bumper and hood for future resale. if you want to recoup your upgrade costs, sell the OAI stuff separately.

Allan R

^^^ This.
Remember Kenny Rogers "Gambler"? This is one of those times. If it's still a good driver and that's what you want, just do the basic maintenance and maybe some detail work to make it a 5' car instead of a 15 footer. You can talk to any number of guys on this site who will tell you the same thing. Old car projects will never return the $$$ you put into restoring them. I'm one of them.

stevengerard

Good advice so far,
#1 It is your car do what you want with it
#2 It is a Cutlass and unfortunately most likely will never be worth a lot of money - at least in our times
#3 I for one love the OAI hoods, might not do it to my Cutlass but completely understand why someone would do it to theirs whether it came that way or not
#4 I really agree with not going overboard with the resto, enjoy the dang thing

droptopron

You didn't mention emblems. Did you plan on making a 442 clone or leaving the Cutlass badges? I've seen well done clone convertibles bringing good coin, but that usually includes a 455.

70ish

Thanks gang! I have the devil and the angle on my shoulders, each telling me to customize or keep original. At this point a friend advised me to get 2 hoods & trunks painted to swap in case i wanted one over the other (W25 & original Supreme hoods, plain jane trunk and one with stripes). No rebadging, just spicing up the ole girl. Definitely going dual exhaust with cutout bumper for many reasons. Question is now the side chrome, keep or chuck. Agree that the money will not be recouped to it's fullest, just didn't want to make a $30k car a $15k car with minor customizations. I'll post some pictures and thanks again for the thoughts.

EW

70ish

70ish

Fun71

Why do you want to make your Cutlass look like a Chevelle?
The only Cutlass versions with trunk stripes were the Hurst Olds, so unless you are doing a H/O clone, why put stripes on the trunk?

VikingBlue

I remember that car....Boonton Fri cruise nights. I haven't been in a few years.

BangScreech4-4-2

^^^ This.

droptopron

x3 on the trunk stripes, but its your car. Re the side trim, I don't mind it but since you are already missing pieces I'd get rid of it. If you do side stripes DON'T DO THE WIDER W30 ONES!
I used to have a 70 convertible that I did an OAI hood with stripes, cut out rear bumper with the trumpets and left the side molding on. It was a nice looking car.

classicmuscle442

Been down this road before, I would keep it original, would even offer the side trim that came off a Cutlass, long as your not in a hurry for it, heading south tomorrow.

70ish

...and this is why i asked this team about my restoration. Fun71 corrected me as i was looking at the Hurst 70 stripes but noticed the 442 in 70 didn't have trunk stripes. so now i just need to have 2 hoods.. 8). Thanks Fun71.

EW

70ish

.. and now a few other... no stipes on the trunk. 8). next time i will have my homework completed...

droptopron

Don't worry about that last part. This is your HW. Good call on two hoods. When I had my convertible my flat hood had some previously done shoddy rust repairs. I tossed it when I got the OAI. The hood was an original restored by Thorntons with a new steel frame. It was a really nice hood. I wish I could have kept it when I sold it. A few years later I got another 70 (my current car) and had to find another hood.