I finally got my digital camera working so I snapped a few pictures of my car for you guys. I did it as a high school shop project that took 2 and a half years. My dad painted it for my, but I did all the body work. Next project is the engine, or suspension. I can't decide which right now. Let me know what ya think about it.

 

That is a pretty car. I suggest you do the suspension and brake work next. Getting into the engine is a big project and alot more expensive than doing suspension work. Unless of course you are looking to put airbags, or rack and pinions steering on it. Steering and suspension work can be expensive too.

 

Welcome to the site, I wish my high school project looked that good! I agree with Olds64, suspension and brakes can be a safety issue so if the engine is running OK now I'd put it second in line. John

 

Nice looking Cutlass!

Brakes is always a must...it's easy to make something go fast, what you need to worry about is stopping.

I'm getting rear discs on the back when I build the rear end...front discs can wait.

 

Wrong answer ! There will be no way in hell you could keep that car from locking up the rear end with a front drum / rear disc set up. Even with a aftermarket proportioning valve, the bias would be set so low to the front, it would be impossible to stop.

 

Aren't the newer Cutlasses all front disc rear drum? I think Dar83501 means he will add rear disc to his Cutlass that already has front disc.

 

Hey, Nice Car and great project. Enjoy.

I'll agree with the other guys, do the suspension and brakes first. Cost will be at least one third of new engine. Besides...you'll be surprised how long your engine can last.

 

I have already redone the brakes. I got a new master cylinder new rotors and pads on the front and new drums and shoes on the back. If I do the suspension next, should I just go with replacing the factory stuff with newer factory stuff or should I try to go with an aftermarket?

 

I used a suspension rebuild kit from PST. I ordered the rubber parts instead of the polyurethane and I was happy with the product I got for my money.

 

Olds64, you chose rubber over polyurethane? Any reason? I was looking at replacing all my bushings with poly.

 

I couldn't really remember for sure what the car had so I just went and checked just now, it does already have front wheel discs, drums on the back. That's why I remembered that I'd add rear discs when I build the rear end, get all the birds with one stone.

 

Poly will make the car handle like it was on rails, but will also create a VERY rough and unforgiving ride. New upgraded rubber will make a lot of difference. I'd use modern stuff. Lot of times old stock rubber parts have dryrotted and will fall apart after installed. And as aggravating as control arm bushings are to R&R, I don't want to do that job more than once. (At 51, I actually don't want to ever do it again.)

Some modern performance springs will make a great difference in ride and handling too, as will TransAM/Z28 swaybars front and rear.

 

I replaced the rear end bushings with poly instead of rubber. Can I do the rest of the bushings with rubber or since I already started with poly, should I just do the rest with poly. Rocketraider is right about the ride. It handles better then before with just the rear end changed but the ride is alot stiffer.

 

Wow! Beautiful job on your automobile. Your time and effort definately paid off!

 

I love the bird dookie on the festiva, 10 times better than one of those **** on ford window decals.

 

I used rubber bushings because my car is a 1964 Olds 98 Luxury Sedan. There is no reason it needs to have stiff steering or suspension. I wanted it to float down the road on a cushion of air, and it does.

 

Thanks for all the feedback. I'm glad you guys like my car. I will definately look into doing the suspenision next.