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It only took 36 years. The journey of my 70 Cutlass.
My story begins in 1983. My 73 Grand Prix was stolen and I was broke. Went on a call in the tow truck for the gas station I worked at in Oak Park MI. Lady in a beat up 1970 Cutlass Convertible needs a jump start. Started the car, white smoke pouring out of the exhaust. Had her shut it down, checked the oil. Told her "Lady you got antifreeze in your oil!". She said there's only water in there. I told her the engine was shot and had a bad head gasket or cracked block. The front end was smashed, top torn, rusted badly. Told her I needed wheels and I would give her $50, and pay for the tow. She agreed and I took her home. My friends laughed and said I got ripped off. Started working long nights on the car while I borrowed my future wife's Nova to get around. Tore the engine down, cracked block. Told a buddy that I sold a 70 Delta 88 to, that I needed the car back. I found him a Plymouth Duster for $350, and got the delta for $200. Took the motor from the delta to my bosses dad, he did rings and bearings. Had the heads redone, man did that motor run smooth. Next we started on the body. Found a front clip for a 71 on 8 mile road for $125. Wrong year, but it would fit. Sanded down the body, fiberglassed the rust, and did a lot of bondo. Lots of wrinkles, but hey, we were learning as we went. Painted it in my moms garage, with the breaker kicking out due to the compressor. Painted her a 1978 Ford Jade green, with white racing stripes. Redid the green interior. The front bench seat was trashed. Found a pair of green bucket seats from a 71 Mustang. The color match is perfect. Got her on the road, and boy we were proud. Got rear ended in downtown Detroit a couple of years later, and had the rear quarters replaced at that time for $900. Drove the car for a few more years, then she quit running. I decided at that time I wanted a big block, and pulled the 350. I got a 72 Olds 98 from a buddy and pulled the 455 and put it on a stand. The car and motor sat for the next 10 years while being a new dad took up all of my time. In 1999, I put the motor in and got her running again. I almost sold her for $3k, but my buddy talked me out of it. Decided to get her safe for the family. The brakes were shot, and I hated front drums. Bought a 72 Lemans from the Duster buddy and removed all of the power disk brake parts. Installed them on the Cutlass, along w new ball joints and brake lines front to back. Replaced all of the fuel lines, gas tank and sending unit.
Reborn with 455 power and front disk brakes. Sooo much better, and my young sons loved it. Fast forward to 2019. Went to change the carpet, major holes in the floor. That's it I thought, time to make this car the way I dreamed it to be back in 1982. Had a shop replace the floor pan. All new from firewall to trunk. Found a rust free driver's door in Cali, and ordered new fenders from OPGI. Took to a shop and started the work. The windshield still had wiper marks from the lady I bought it from. Header was badly rusted, as well as the cowl at the bottom. All replaced. They also repaired rust behind the drivers fender and fixed lingering damage from being rear ended. New bumpers front and back, and convertible top. Other than a future trunk pan replacement, and engine rebuild, she is the way I envisioned her to be. Runs like a dream.
Yes she has Ford bucket seats, a 71 front end, and Ford Jade green paint, but I don't care.
When my Grand Prix was stolen, I was living on my own at 18. I had no money and was at a low point in my life. Nobody could believe how good of a job my garage dwelling buddies and me did on this car. When mine was done, we did others. It made us believe in ourselves and our abilities. That's why the car is not stock. It's exactly the way our rag tag group did it the first time. It has been 42 years, and this car will stay in my family forever. 1970 Cutlass with our back alley paint job done in 1983. Back from the shop after 2019 restoration Windshield header and cowl repairs . New floor pan and cross mounts My wife and I go for weekly Sunday drives. She still remembers date nights in the garage sanding down body panels.
Great story! It looks good. Have lots of fun driving it. Maybe in another 10 years I will get mine painted, but driving it is great. Had it out tonight took it out for a drive and dinner with the wife.
Very nice story and your Cutlass looks FINE. That green is what I had in mind when at age 9 mom asked me to pick a color to paint my bedroom and I told her "Prell Shampoo". She got close enough with "Putting Green".
