Hello all,
So I am fixing up a 76 442 I rolled the dice on. First restoration job I've ever really done, and I'm just looking to make a nice driver out of it, don't have the budget for a full up restore or a restomod or anything crazy.

If anyone has any specific advice on the mid-70s Cutlass, I'd be grateful to hear it. I picked up the shop manuals and the illustrated catalog (thanks, Rocketraider and Bill G!).

Looks like the motor is original, so the plan is to keep it. I plan to do all the mechanical I can handle and have the tools for, but I'm an amateur mechanic at best. Pretty sure I can handle almost all the interior, the body work and paint I will have to farm out, though.

Thanks in advance!

 

I do safety first, brakes and front wheel bearings/races. Then check Ujoints, suspension, and steering. Then engine, transmission, rear end, cooling, and electrical. Lastly, body, paint, and interior. You can change the order as you see fit.

 

Well, you already asked for parts suppliers. Thats pretty much it.

Car is a car is a car. Repairing or restoring it dont differ from any other car. Take your time, read the service manual at part your focusing, it may sometimes reveal out something not so obvious.

Most importantly, remember to have fun. This is only a hobby.

 

I don't want to overthink it, do I? I read one of your other threads and saw your 442. I was in Finland a few years ago and was pleasantly surprised by how many old American cars I saw there.