Hopefully this is the right spot to post this:

I recently bought a low-miles ‘72 Cutlass. I was told that it spent 30 years in a barn, and the condition of the body supports that; there are only a few tiny cancerous rust spots starting at the usual wheel well corners, and nothing more than a couple of 1/8” deep dings elsewhere. I’m planning to sand everything down to shiny steel and thoroughly addressing any body issues with the goal of ending up with a paint job I won’t have to think about for many years. I’m also going to redo the full interior.

My question for those who have done restorations is this: since I’m already digging a ways into it, should I go all the way with a frame-off resto? I plan on driving this car a lot; it’s not going to be a show car. I’d also like to keep it going for a long time - this is my dream car, and I’d drive it to my grave if it holds up. Is it worth the time and effort for a frame-off for a daily driver, or is it definitely not worth it?

Looking for any insight from those who have gone either way, with a full frame-off resto or not. Any regrets? What would you have done differently with 20/20 hindsight?

Thanks guys!

 

A frame off restoration is a long and costly process. It will probably win trophies, but that's about it.
You already have a "low miles" car, and you intend on it being a "driver". I would suggest making necessary body repairs .
Then painting it, and replacing the upholstery. Then inspecting all mechanical components and repairing as necessary.
Pay special attention to rubber items, as they deteriorate with time, regardless of use.
Get a copy of the 1972 Oldsmobile Chassis Service Manual as well as the 1972 Fisher Body Manual.
Then you will know what you are doing.

 

Leave it as is. Drive it . You answered your own question, drive it a lot and not a show car. So dont even paint it. Leave it alone and enjoy it

 

Financially speaking, a frame-off on a '72 Cutlass is a losing proposition. Only do it if it'll make you happy.

 

Financially speaking, a frame off restoration on anything less than a certified W-30 442 is probably a losing proposition.

 

What is your budget?Remember a of frame is money$$
How much can you do yourself?
Will you make money the project when you sell?
Answer --NO
Alain

 

Drive it. No need to do a frame off restoration.

 

Anything you buy costs money. The reason you get up everyday and go to work is to earn money to buy stuff. Disposable income means you’re getting rid of it. You can do a body off resto yourself. If you have the right tools, the courage and the time. It’s not hard. Will you see that money returned? Who cares. If your goal is a national show winning car, by all means go for it. If it’s a driver it’s an easy way to restore the frame and fix all the bushings and wear items. The frame may be fine the way it is if you’re going to use the car as daily transportation. Ask yourself all these questions and figure out what your goal is. And stick to that goal. Because it’s real easy to take a car apart. The work is putting it back together.

 

I think this is very much a personal decision based on what you want to achieve, your budget, and what level of the work you can do yourself. I've done several frame off restorations now and allot of nearly frame off restorations for others. If you can do the majority of the work yourself.....I absolutely love it! I just recently finished my 71 Olds 442 and love knowing that everything is new, restored, refurbished, and likely not going to leave me stranded on the road. If you have to pay for someone else to do most of the work...that's a different price tag. You can also make decisions on what to restore, what to replace, and what to keep as the restoration is being done to ensure you work towards your budget. Keeping a restored car and flipping a restored car are also two different paths IMHO. We often spend more money on the cars that are near and dear to us and the ones we intend to keep vice ones that we know are just going to be flipped.

I would just keep these things in mind and then make your decision. Taking the body off the frame allows the work to be done correctly and completely and for you to address everything. Having the right tools, a rack to lift the body and the car are also things that make the job much easier. I have loved the cars that I've restored and intend to restore at least a dozen more before I throw in the towel. I will say that restoring a car from top to bottom is a ton of work and requires allot of stamina, resolve, and time/money to get to the finish line. The first drive around the block though when you get it back on the road and you're working out the bugs and issues is nothing short of PRICELESS! Good luck with your decision. You can click on my thread in my email signature and see some of the things and work you would be signing up for if you do the frame off restoration.

 

With it being a Cutlass I would not do a frame off unless absolutely necessary. Even then, I would sell it if it needed a frame off. A Cutlass is hard to justify the expense of a full body off the frame restoration. Take a look at the body bushings, if they look pretty good and the floor and trunk pans are good, leave it together. Is this original paint? If it is original paint then nothing is hiding under an earlier paint job. If it is original paint, I would not strip it. Just do the body work, sand and paint over it. If you do a color change then you will need to take it much farther apart to get the jambs and stuff but I still not not do a frame off.

EDIT... I said suspension bushings and meant body bushings.

 

I appreciate all the feedback; it’s just what I was hoping for.

In my case, I’m not thinking at all about resale value or recouping expenses; I’m thinking about making the car as resilient as practicable, and finding a balance with a cost that is relatively reasonable. I’m willing to spend a “new car” amount of money on it, if I end up with essentially a “new car” quality car. I just don’t know how much of the frame-off work is really aligned with a priority of longevity, or how much of it is just for looks and car show points.

I’m sure everyone here knows, paint is EXPENSIVE these days, so I don’t want to do a bunch of work, spend five digits on paint, only to have it start rusting out in five years. I’m not planning on regularly driving on salted winter roads, but I’d also like to be able to if I had to without worrying about insta-rust on the underside.

 

The biggest issue will be insurance for a DD. Classic car insurance co's won't insure one. I would do a frame on restoration where you drive and repair whats needed methodically. I've been doing that with mine for the past 15 years. It started as a father and son project that just did not work out. I used it as a daily for the first 5 years and when I retired I put Classic car insurance on it and just drive when I want. I have the better part of $20k in it so far including the $5k initial purchase. I've repaired or replaced all mechanical parts plus a cheap paint job and interior.

 

A frame off resto will still not protect the car from rusting out on salted winter roads.
Get an old Rav-4 or something to drive for a "winter beater" when the roads are slushy and salted.

 

Absolutely. The most important thing you can do to preserve your vehicle is to avoid salty winter conditions at all costs.