I have a complete 72 Cutlass Supreme convertible that is numbers matching and all original. Other than rear quarters rusting and a floor pan with some rust through it is in good running shape. Everything is working fine but does need things like a little brake work, new shocks and a general tune up but I have been thinking about doing a few upgrades like Disc brakes, headers, and maybe tubular control arms for the front and rear. I have never had ANY vehicle that was original and would not do anything that could not be reversed. Just interested in seeing what the general Oldsmobile community thinks.

 

The 72 Supreme convertible is a nice cruising car. I wouldn't do anything radical. Factory type power front discs would be good. I wouldn't bother with headers. Just go with a factory dual exhaust system with maybe a little louder mufflers. A factory rear sway bar would help the handling a bit. Back in the day we just used spacers inside the open control arms. With a 350 engine a set of 3:08 0r 3:23 rears would help. It is not a 442 muscle car or a race car. Don't try to make it one. JMHO

 

I would do what ever makes you happy and not worry about resale value. Anything that bolts on can easily be returned to stock if you save the old parts.

 

I would do exactly as Eric said. I have the identical car and have owned it for 20 years. It was my driver for several years. It has not been on the road for about 8 years because the brakes are out. It has drum brakes and I have a disk brake setup. I have a lots of other parts that I have accumulated over the years that I was going to put on the car. Since I have the 54 and only a double garage, I had pretty much decided to fix the brakes and sell it. It only has 85,000 original miles on it and it is fully documented with me as the 3rd owner. The rear main is leaking and the front pump seal is leaking. I have decided to do the disk brakes and rebuild the front end and all the other MAW's that go with it. I will pull the engine and transmission, fix the leaks and put a shift kit in the transmission and detail them while they are out. After all the mechanical work is done, it will be time for some minor rust repairs and paint and new set of torque thrust wheels and tires. I have gotten off talking about my car but it is identical to yours and I just thought I would share my plans with you.

 

well my plans never included anything major. at most once all of the body work was repaired I was going to change the color, yellow isn't bad just not my favorite. we talked about upgrading the wheels to a set of torque thrust as well. thanks for the advice on the rear gears too as that was on the list.

 

Do it! You'll enjoy driving it much more.....it's not rare or overly valuable. No harm no foul.

 

Love that tone of yellow. looks great!

 

X3 (actually, X4 because both Eric and Erik said the same thing )