Hello all,

I haven't officially introduced myself yet but have been on the boards now for a month or so as I search for a Cutlass to own. Well today I think it has finally happened. Earlier today I agreed on a deal for the Cutlass pictured below for $2750. It is a one-owner car with full documentation and I believe a 350 2-bbl engine which runs really well and sold me on the car.

The negatives are unfortunately there as well...it has a large area of rust on the drivers rear fender and some dings on the driver door. Will also need new bumpers (or at least have them repaired) and ultimately a respray of the entire vehicle.

I would really appreciate any/all feedback on whether you feel this was a savvy purchase or too risky. My goal was to acquire an honest original car (with some paperwork) which I could slowly work on to bring back to good driver quality.

The seller has the original protect-o-plate, bill of sale, thank you letter from dealer, owners manual and warranty booklet. The gentleman who I bought it from has kept it in his family and maintained it well. He's driven it back and forth from Boston to Queens, NY regularly the last few years but no longer has the time to take care of the car and deal with the storage fees. First order of business is a tune-up, addressing the rust, finding some rally wheels, a sport steering wheel and then eventually having it repainted.

Finally, the car is registered in Massachusetts where the man lives (he spends time here to take care of his mother) and I need to register the car here in NY. He has no title cause I don't think they were available then, but what should I get from him to be able to get the car registered? He has a dmv document saying the car is exempt from needing a title, but I will also need a copy of his Mass registration, correct? Look forward to all your expert feedback.

Thanks!
Bill

 

Super buy ! I know nothing about Mass. titles but you done good, my friend. I love the color, the lines and the overall condition. Even the hubcaps look perfect . Is that 32,000 showing on odometer ?...assuming it rolled over. Damn, I'm jealous. Post more pics...we love car **** here.

 

Thanks for the feedback! Yes the mileage is now up to 134,300...the interior upholstery will also need to be redone (ugh). I apparently can only attach up to 5 images per post so here is the good (engine) and the bad (rear fender).

I've heard some scary things about how costly body work can be so I am still a bit nervous about the sale, but at the end of the day its a good healthy engine at a reasonable price with historical documentation. If there are any rust experts out there I'd really appreciate a "give it to me straight" diagnosis

Bill

 

Massachusetts has been a title state for a long time (back to at least the late 70's, I think. I don't believe the car is exempt. If you were registering it there you'd be SOL. I lived in MA for 16 years before moving to NY. In order to register it there the owner would have to apply for a title and pay all the back excise taxes. I'm not sure why he wouldn't have a title for the car even if it's from a previous owner. I'd make absolutely sure you don't think there's anything fishy about it (ie: stolen).

Fortunately NY is not a title state before (I think) 1980. There's a NYS RMV form that has to be filled out by the seller stating that they certify they are the owner of the car blah blah blah. You'll should be able to register it after he fills that out. I had a valid MA title for mine and I still had to get that NYS RMV form filled out by the seller.

 

I have owned and registered my Cutlass in Mass since 1981, never needed a title. I dont know about NY laws but would guess they would require a copy of his registration so you can prove to them that the person you bought it from owned it.

 

I did some research and should be all set provided we create a signed bill of sale and I arrive at the DMV with it along with a copy of his MA registration and original sales receipt since that covers the entire history of the car.

How about insurance? Do I just call my current agent asking him to add the car to my policy for say 10 days and then I apply for classic car insurance elsewhere?

Thanks

 

If you sold your Cutlass now it would be definitely be titled in the new owner's name.

New York RMV requires a DTF 802 which is basically a bill of sale. It has to be signed by the Buyer and the Seller. New York does not accept a hand written bill of sale like MA does. When registered, the car will not get a title in NY. New York only gives titles for 1973 and later. You'll get a transferable registration

 

looks like you made a nice deal. is that original paint or can you tell?

 

Thanks - I will have him sign the DTF-802 form as well. Hopefully I won't run into any hassles and they just give me a transferable registration...

 

The rust probably goes way deeper than can be seen. You will find that when you tear her down. However, it's a very nice buy.

 

No its not the original paint - was repainted in 1997 and its time again...

 

Thanks, I appreciate it. I am pretty sure it goes deeper than I can see, but as long as I can preserve the car as a driver I'll be happy.

 

Thats a pretty good looking old car. Has some rust issues that seems confined to the rear quarters, but hey they're gonna look like that after 40 yrs. Rust repair isn't cheap but I think you did all right. Door dings nothing to be worried about. I feel the price you paid is fair, for both you and the seller.

If you were to restore this car with intentions of flipping it for profit, thats not gonna happen. The value is in the fun and pride of owning an old car.

I see no reason you can't enjoy that ride for years to come. Reminds me of my car...not so long ago.

Can't help with any of your registration questions but good luck and welcome to the hobby of Oldsmobiles.

 

I saw that car on CList a few times & always thought it looked like a decent buy & you got it for quite a bit off the ask. Well bought I'd say. Congrats.

 

Congrats!! Great buy!!!

 

Thanks again guys, I'm really psyched...its a longtime dream come true!

@droptopron - yes I also saw it on craigslist. The seller didn't want to bring it back up to Mass so he was keen to get rid of it, which helped in the negotiating. Where are you on Long Island? I live in Melville.

 

Nice buy since your making it a driver it should cost you considerably less to repair it how you want it, but be sure to check the underside the floor pans and front rear inner fenders should get a good looking at. Congratulations I love that exciting feeling of getting the car you want.

 

Well, I don't think you'll get a lot of love if you tell him to put it on your account for ten days...

Just ask your agent to add the car, probably with liability coverage only, as their valuation of the car for anything else will be minuscule, but they'll still charge you plenty.

Getting antique insurance usually takes a bit more than ten days, and if you're planning to use it as a daily driver, you can't get antique insurance anyway, so your broker may be your best bet regardless.

Nice car! I like it.

- Eric

 

You have 30 days to get insurance for the car (at least here in IL) I'd definitely get collectors insurance on it as it is always cheaper, good news is you didn't pay much so getting 3-5k agreed coverage will be easy. I and many other folks use a place out of the Chicago area Ralley Insurance

 

I am in Massapequa Park.

In NY you need insurance from Day 1. For classic car coverage you need to document that its not a primary vehicle and that it will be garaged.

 

I'd try to imagine the look on the NYS DMV lady's face if you went to the window to register the car with no insurance card, but I know it would be completely expressionless, like usual. She'd say, "Come back with an insurance card," and hit the "Next" button. Some geep in a track suit would be muscling you out of the way before you could pick up your papers.

Oh, and if you get antique plates, the insurance card has to have the words "Antique Vehicle" on it. Ask me how I know.

- Eric

 

Well I got some disappointing news today...took the Cutlass to a few local body shops to get an estimate on the rust repair to the drivers rear panel. Of the three, two of them refused to touch it. One guy basically kicked me out of his shop saying it was a can of worms he wanted nothing to do with unless I have an open pocketbook. The other guy gave me a lecture about just leaving it as is and not wasting anymore money on a non-collectible Cutlass and the last guy said he would fix it for $700.

I wasn't shocked by what these guys were saying, but I did expect a more positive interaction. In fact they said too many people are watching these car shows and buying cars that don't warrant the repairs they need. I love the car and have to think there is a happy medium for a non-rich guy like myself to enjoy a driver. Perhaps that isn't the mindset here on Long Island, NY but it has taken some of the wind out of my sails...

Sorry to ramble but I needed to vent that somewhere.

Thanks,
Bill

 

Wow beautiful car and a really great price! I paid $2700 for my '60 88 and I can't even drive it on the road yet until the trans is rebuit and the body isnt in as good a shape as your cutlass. very nice deal!

 

Man it sounds like you've been talking to some DICK's, congrats on your new money pit, you got a good deal on it to start with so do with it what you wish. I don't think any 40 year old car is a waste to invest some money into.

 

Stevengerard - try telling that to a cop!
In Ill. you have to have insurance the minute you're driving it!
Used to be 30 days, but they changed it a couple years ago!!

$700 is a bit stiff, IMO, and I used to manage a couple body shops.
I made a patch in the same place on my '69, including the trunk drop.
A 'fair' price would be closer to $500, for a patch.

 

Don't let people like that mess with your mind. I had my Olds for about 11 years before I did anything major to it. Clean it up, drive it, enjoy it. Save your pennies and join a car club if they have one in your area. The more shows and cruise nights you go to you will start to find people who love to restore cars and will work with you. Very nice car!

 

Congrats on your new ride. Im in the process of restoring my cutlass. Like you, I have incurred many body shops that won't touch a car unless its a chevelle, corvette, camaro, mustang, etc. Apparently their idea of a hot classic car is different from mine and anyone else on this forum. Guess that's why the car shows are loaded with them too. Don't let them frustrate you or discourage you. As cutlassjoe stated, do what you can and drive the crap out of it! Enjoy it! Let us know how it progresses.

 

Thanks guys...not going to let a few body shops discourage me. I will keep shopping around until I can find someone who is reasonable and will work with me to improve the car without all the arrogance.