dallasite21

I am going to be removing my 1971 Cutlass convertible body from the frame and replacing it with a 1970 fastback body but I have some compatibility questions. I am sure that the frame is not an issue, but will the convertible front fenders work for a fastback? Also what about the front clip and the front and rear bumpers? I see tha the 1970 bumpers and front clip and different than the 71, but will they bolt on? It will be weird to have a 70 vin and 71 bumpers and front grills, but I figure I can replace those later when I get more money. Also, will my rear sets from the convertible fit in the fast back body? This is going to be one bastard of a car, but its what I have to do for now.

ah64pilot

This is my dad's 1970 Vista Cruiser...notice anything? It should all bolt up, but the fenders will be different in that the '70 Fenders don't have the crumple zones in them so a discerning eye will know. Also, the rear seat bottom should work but I don't think the seat back will work...it is lower on the convertible, I think.

bigin1978

my question is why do this . sell the convertible and buy an "S" car and save an original convertible. Or sell/give me the convertible shell/body and top.I like the second option the best.

MDchanic

Fenders, bumpers, etc. should be no problem, unless trimline differences cause trim to not match up.

The back seat is another story. Coupe seats are wider than convertible because of the extra width taken up by the convertible mechanism.

- Eric

Allan R

The vert frame is heavier and more reinforced because the lack of top structure on a vert. I guess you already knew that though.

Front fenders from 70-72 Olds A body are fully compatible. Note AH64Pilots comment.

When you get more money down the road? You must also change the entire front clip if you want to convert the car to appear as a 70. The rad support for 1970 is NOT the same as 71, and the hood tooth/hood for 70 is significantly different than 71. You obviously will have to keep records of your build so it can be titled properly. The rear bumper and taillights on 70 are easy to change from 71.

Seats are seats. If it doesn't matter whether they are a different pattern, no worries.

I also am curious to know why you are changing bodies on these cars. What's wrong with the 70 you're using as a donor?

ah64pilot

Allan, you mentioned titling...lol! I just had Johnny Cash's "One Piece at a Time" run through my mind when I read that..."It's a 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59 automobile"

dallasite21

Thanks for all the info... I am switching bodies because the 71 convertible body I hae is a rust bucket. I can't seem to find a conv shell in my price range that doesn't need as much work as the rust bucket I already have. However I did find a 70 fastback 3 hours away for $600. Only needs quarters and they are provided.

btrbill

This weekend, I made the decision to cut my losses with my convertible that the tree fell on and will be posting it for sale. I have another convertible body to replace the crushed one that needs a right quarter, but the right quarter from the crushed car is usable according to my body man. Have everything needed to complete the car except a deck lid.

If no one bites, I might be willing to sell you just the convertible body I have. Where are you located, though?

gearheads78

He is here in DFW

btrbill

Ahh... My old stomping grounds!! I live near New Orleans now.

dallasite21

Yes. I am in Dallas, and I am not afraid of a road trip. I will PM you. In the meantime, here are some pics of my mess.

dallasite21

These pics show the magnitude of the cowl and pillar rust. It had various spots like this throught the car. Also put a couple of pics of the 455 I had built to put in it but the dream is on hold.

stevengerard

you Southern boys are spoiled, again that's considered near mint in Chicago.

Allan R

That's a great song - and a comparable analogy!

I see your dilemna in the photos - that is uugggly! 600 for a donor car c/w replacement quarters sounds decent. Check the donor to see if it's worth keeping intact. Maybe you could have 2 cars out of this - the shell from btrbill and the 70 fastback!

bigin1978

I had a real bad (rotted floors and frame)72 convertible that i put toghter back in the 90's.It was a bastard the floor and rockers were from a totaled 70 skylark . the frame was a 71 chevelle that i took the reinforcements from the convertible frame and welded them into the chevelle frame. but the quarters were nos as were the fenders. it turned out real nice . I wish I could find pics of it . I still have the dash and wiring from the skylark. I would like to do another convertible , but I am in Cincinnati and dallas is to far I should have bought the one that was by chicago a while back. Good luck with your swap. it shouldn't be to bad if you have a decent way to lift the body with out a lot of hassle. everything will bolt up and work like it was factory from the 71 to the 70 . I wouldn't even worry about changing to 70 front clip . if you run the bumpers from the convertible and use the front clip you have it will be perfect. nobody will ever know unless you sell it than let the buyer know.

MDchanic

I'd rather drive around in a rusty convertible than a clean hardtop.

"Fords 'n' Chevies," I guess.

- Eric

cutlassjim

I still haven't seen this debilitating rust, what has been pictured is completely repairable with a grinder, some steel, a welder, and a little bit of talent.

pcard

There was a post recently from a member in Italy who restored an amazingly rusted out car (cannot remember what - a Camaro maybe?). He would drool over that body.

oldsconv

Seriously. That looks very very repairable. I am in NY and we have rust. You should have seen my 70 sx conv. I did floors, quarters, one rocker, some lower cowl, firewall repair........ I replaced a ton of metal. Now the car is, unfortunately, 80% made in Taiwan due to all the repro sheet metal I added.

dallasite21

More than anything its financially debilitating. I have already had floorpans put in now I need the complete upper and lower cowl reworked as well as some of the areas behind the kick panels on both sides, the rockers need a little attention, the entire windshield frame is trash, and I havent even started on the back of the car. The back seat brace needs replacing and the quarters and outer wheel wells do too. In my opinion its easier and more cost effective to find a new shell since I have to pay somebody to do the work. If I had welding skills maybe I would tackle it. However I will be more than happy to sell the shell to someone who thinks its a salvageable project once I find a replacement.

cdrod

Hey Dallasite21:
Did you do the body swap? I'm curious to know how it worked out.