I have a '69 Cutlass convertible that needs TLC. It seems that parts are much more readily available for other years. There also doesn't appear to be much info available about production numbers, etc. 1969 front bumpers are almost non-existant! So, Is it jusy my bad luck, lack of skills, or is 1969 somewhat of an odd year for Cutlass and 442s???

 

It's the greatest year of all but some parts are harder to find. Make a list and put it in the parts wanted section. I may have some of what your loooking for.

 

The 1970-72 cars are more popular, thus there are more repro parts for them. In addition, there was a lot of commonality between the 70-72 cars for body parts. In other years, most of the body parts were one-year-only.

 

'69 bad? '68 seems worse to me. But then again I have a '68 so I am biased.

Adam

 

I believe the 69 and 70 front Bumper are the same, but thats about it.

 

The 68 is worse to find anything for without breaking the bank.

1969 was one of GM's absolute best years. It was one of those years every Division had it all together- styling, performance, affordability and reliability. Any kid bagging groceries could afford to buy and insure a GM car and look good while doing it.
Coincidentally 1969 was one of the last years before government meddling took hold in the car industry.

 

Nope----unique to the '69....yet another part that is going to be harder to find.

 

Try getting parts for a 73-77. Some parts are just now becoming available. Before now it's been junkyards and parts cars for eveything except drivetrain.

 

My 1968 goat is way harder to find anything for than any GTO before or after except maybe the 70's models nobody wants.
It was a transition year from the old body style and they still used a lot of the earlier interior parts, in '69 plastic started taking over big time and little to nothing interchanges, thankfully. I don't know how '68-'69 A body Olds interiors are but the '68 goat looks like an old car inside and has some class, the '69's look like plastic.

 

Thanks for the replies guys! I'm a fan of 1969 models of all GM cars. It was a great year. I'm curious about production numbers. How 1969 compares to other A body (68-72) years. I have found numbers for 442, but not for Cutlass. My engine is in the shop now for a complete rebuild. I'm looking forward to a few rides before the snow flies.

 

Damn I didnt know that. They look very similar!

I would love to see the 2 side by side.

 

Xs3 on the hard to get parts = '68! Now, try and find a rear driver's 1/4 on a Longtop wagon...........ain't there. Always felt the '68 series was sort of like a red-headed step child...........

 

1968: 336,427
1969: 299,350
1970: 310,273
1971: 264,091
1972: 334,582


The above include all Cutlass production, including those made in Canada, as well as anything that looked like a Cutlass (F-85, 442, and wagons).

I think 1971 was unusually low because that was the big GM strike year that began towards the end of 1970 (when 1970 model year production would have been getting underway), extended into 1971, and is actually the reason that the A-body restyling that took place in 1973 didn't take place in 1972 as originally planned (one year after the B/C body restyling). We actually have that strike to thank for the extra year of "collectible" Cutlasses, including an extra year of Cutlass convertibles. That's also the reason that the '72s did not differ much from the '71s.

 

Can anyone post the front Bumper of the 69 and 70? Thanks

 

Just do a google image search. You'll get 'em by the dozens!


1969:

http://www.google.com/images?hl=en&s...smobi&gs_rfai=


1970:

http://www.google.com/images?hl=en&b...=&oq=&gs_rfai=

 

And from those links, here's 1969:



Here's 1970:



Note how the 1970 bumper drops down below the grilles. The center tooth doesn't stick up as far, either.

 

yeah thats it. its just a little different. Thanks guys. I love that 70