1972 Cutlass S Sports Coupe
November 7th, 2010, 07:57 AM
#1
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Sports Coupe
First I have a question: Is a post car Sport Coupe or SportS coupe? I have seen it spelt both ways.
So here is my '72 Cutlass S Sports Coupe. As far as I can tell it is a lifelong Arizona car. I bought it in Phoenix when I was down there on vacation with my father.
By the VIN and ID plate it is originally a 2-bbl 350, th350 car. The paint was originally Nordic Blue with a blue cloth bench interior.
When I bought it, it was painted red (not sure if it is Matador Red or just some generic, non-Olds red) and the interior was changed to black vinyl. The only thing that was not changed in the interior was the original cracked blue dash. It has 15" rallye wheels on it, but they where originally hand painted pastel green.
Here is the car as it was sitting in the driveway of the previous owner in AZ.
CutlassinAZ2.jpg
Here are the green rims. You can also see some of the original Nordic Blue blue paint where the red is peeling.
CutlassStart1.jpg
I could not believe how much damage the sun causes to red paint.
CutlassStart2.jpg
The interior needs some work, mainly the front seat, dash and door panels. The carpet isn't too bad. The headliner is good and so is the rear seat. The car came with a Pontiac steering wheel.
CutlassStart6.jpg
I could not believe how little rust there is, even on the engine.
CutlassEngine.jpg
When the truck arrived, the Cutlass was on the top level so I figured it was a perfect chance to get some pictures of the underside of the car.
CutlassUnderside2.jpg
CutlassUnderside3.jpg
So here is my '72 Cutlass S Sports Coupe. As far as I can tell it is a lifelong Arizona car. I bought it in Phoenix when I was down there on vacation with my father.
By the VIN and ID plate it is originally a 2-bbl 350, th350 car. The paint was originally Nordic Blue with a blue cloth bench interior.
When I bought it, it was painted red (not sure if it is Matador Red or just some generic, non-Olds red) and the interior was changed to black vinyl. The only thing that was not changed in the interior was the original cracked blue dash. It has 15" rallye wheels on it, but they where originally hand painted pastel green.
Here is the car as it was sitting in the driveway of the previous owner in AZ.
CutlassinAZ2.jpg
Here are the green rims. You can also see some of the original Nordic Blue blue paint where the red is peeling.
CutlassStart1.jpg
I could not believe how much damage the sun causes to red paint.
CutlassStart2.jpg
The interior needs some work, mainly the front seat, dash and door panels. The carpet isn't too bad. The headliner is good and so is the rear seat. The car came with a Pontiac steering wheel.
CutlassStart6.jpg
I could not believe how little rust there is, even on the engine.
CutlassEngine.jpg
When the truck arrived, the Cutlass was on the top level so I figured it was a perfect chance to get some pictures of the underside of the car.
CutlassUnderside2.jpg
CutlassUnderside3.jpg
Last edited by car_designer; November 10th, 2010 at 04:14 PM.
November 7th, 2010, 08:07 AM
#2
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Since the car arrived I have only done the necessities and some basic appearance things.
The first thing was to replace the broken 2-bbl carburetor with a quadrajet. I already had a couple of quadrajets in stock as well as a edelbrock performer intake manifold. That was the first time I had ever swapped a carburetor or intake. I did take pictures, but can't find them at the moment, so I will try to post them when I find them.
Next was to get rid of the green on the rims. Since I did not know what colour I would eventually be painting the car, I decided to go with the Olds argent which should look good with any colour.
CutlassKanata.jpg
I also replaced the Pontiac steering wheel with a g-body 2-spoke sport steering wheel. It is beige, like the pontiac one, but at least it is an Olds wheel.
Another thing I did was to paint the headlight trim black as it should be on a '72. The longest part was masking off the front edge that is to stay silver.
I will try to get some pictures of some of these changes soon.
Next will be sending the car to a body shop for paint. Picking the 1 colour I want to paint the car is proving to be a challenge. There are so many colours out there and I can only pick 1.
The first thing was to replace the broken 2-bbl carburetor with a quadrajet. I already had a couple of quadrajets in stock as well as a edelbrock performer intake manifold. That was the first time I had ever swapped a carburetor or intake. I did take pictures, but can't find them at the moment, so I will try to post them when I find them.
Next was to get rid of the green on the rims. Since I did not know what colour I would eventually be painting the car, I decided to go with the Olds argent which should look good with any colour.
CutlassKanata.jpg
I also replaced the Pontiac steering wheel with a g-body 2-spoke sport steering wheel. It is beige, like the pontiac one, but at least it is an Olds wheel.
Another thing I did was to paint the headlight trim black as it should be on a '72. The longest part was masking off the front edge that is to stay silver.
I will try to get some pictures of some of these changes soon.
Next will be sending the car to a body shop for paint. Picking the 1 colour I want to paint the car is proving to be a challenge. There are so many colours out there and I can only pick 1.
November 7th, 2010, 08:22 AM
#3
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According to Setting the Pace, your car is officially a Cutlass S Sports Coupe. The word "Sports" is plural. In fact, for all the years through that era, when Olds used the name Sports, it was always a plural.
November 10th, 2010, 05:45 PM
#7
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Did a little bit more work on the Cutlass.
Took the door panels off. I know I bought this car in Arizona, but I am still expecting to see some rust somewhere. Must be since the roads around here are already salt covered.
When I took the door panels off, I found more Nordic Blue.
DoorInside1.jpg
Here is an attempt at a picture of the inside of the door.
DoorInside3.jpg
And here is some of the work I did during the summer.
Replaced the steering wheel. I know the steering wheel isn't right for a '72, but at least it is Olds.
CutlassStart8.jpg
And after painting the headlight trim black. The longest part was masking off the edge.
HeadlightPainted.jpg
Took the door panels off. I know I bought this car in Arizona, but I am still expecting to see some rust somewhere. Must be since the roads around here are already salt covered.
When I took the door panels off, I found more Nordic Blue.
DoorInside1.jpg
Here is an attempt at a picture of the inside of the door.
DoorInside3.jpg
And here is some of the work I did during the summer.
Replaced the steering wheel. I know the steering wheel isn't right for a '72, but at least it is Olds.
CutlassStart8.jpg
And after painting the headlight trim black. The longest part was masking off the edge.
HeadlightPainted.jpg
November 25th, 2010, 05:11 PM
#10
Ok, now looking at the pics of the underside of the car, I am curious as to the rear axle assembly. I have 2 72 Cutlasses (Cutlii?). One has the same rear end as that and the other has the 8.5 with the same rear diff cover as the corporate rears all through the 70s. Did both types come in 72?
December 6th, 2010, 09:25 PM
#11
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Ok, now looking at the pics of the underside of the car, I am curious as to the rear axle assembly. I have 2 72 Cutlasses (Cutlii?). One has the same rear end as that and the other has the 8.5 with the same rear diff cover as the corporate rears all through the 70s. Did both types come in 72?
December 11th, 2010, 08:03 AM
#12
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Classes, a project and exams have been keeping me busy, so I haven't had a lot of time to post pics of the progress on my Cutlass.
I took the car to the body shop about 3 weeks ago. Before the car even got into the shop, the guy came out and was looking it over. He pointed out a few spots where he figured there was filler on the car. But agreed it didn't look like there would be much rust on it.
One nice thing at this shop, is we can go and work on the car for other things I want to do, like pulling the engine and painting it. We also helped with the teardown of the car.
Here are a few pics of the teardown.
CutlassAtShop002.jpg
CutlassAtShop003.jpg
CutlassAtShop005.jpg
While they were stripping the paint, it actually looks like the car might have been repainted twice.
I wasn't quite expecting to see as much filler on the car as was found once the paint came off.
CutlassAtShop010.jpg
CutlassAtShop011.jpg
CutlassAtShop014.jpg
CutlassAtShop015.jpg
It looks like the car might have been side-swipped at some point in its life.
CutlassAtShop021.jpg
CutlassAtShop027.jpg
CutlassAtShop025.jpg
The interior is mostly stripped, except for the dash (which still has to come out) and the headliner.
CutlassAtShop030.jpg
More updates to come.
I took the car to the body shop about 3 weeks ago. Before the car even got into the shop, the guy came out and was looking it over. He pointed out a few spots where he figured there was filler on the car. But agreed it didn't look like there would be much rust on it.
One nice thing at this shop, is we can go and work on the car for other things I want to do, like pulling the engine and painting it. We also helped with the teardown of the car.
Here are a few pics of the teardown.
CutlassAtShop002.jpg
CutlassAtShop003.jpg
CutlassAtShop005.jpg
While they were stripping the paint, it actually looks like the car might have been repainted twice.
I wasn't quite expecting to see as much filler on the car as was found once the paint came off.
CutlassAtShop010.jpg
CutlassAtShop011.jpg
CutlassAtShop014.jpg
CutlassAtShop015.jpg
It looks like the car might have been side-swipped at some point in its life.
CutlassAtShop021.jpg
CutlassAtShop027.jpg
CutlassAtShop025.jpg
The interior is mostly stripped, except for the dash (which still has to come out) and the headliner.
CutlassAtShop030.jpg
More updates to come.
December 23rd, 2010, 10:26 PM
#14
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I know it has been 2 weeks since I last posted an update. But end of semester exams and project have kept me busy for that time, and sleepless for a couple of days.
But yesterday as soon as my final project was submitted I headed straight out to the Cutlass.
The fenders are off.
CutlassAtShop042.jpg
442_Mustang, funny you should mention rust. When they were taking off the old paint and filler they noticed a few rust pin holes and then flipped the fenders. I think this was the worst of the two. This is still nothing by Ontario standards.
CutlassAtShop033.jpg
The windshield and the rear glass both came out, and neither broke in the process.
The rear of the car stripped.
CutlassAtShop039.jpg
Next step was to take the engine out of the car so that we can paint it Olds Gold and paint the firewall as well.
CutlassAtShop045.jpg
And here is the engine.
CutlassAtShop046.jpg
One of the fenders bare. I was actually surprised to see the original fender script and emblem holes in the fender when everything was stripped.
CutlassAtShop050.jpg
I have more pictures of the latest progress that I will try to post tomorrow.
But yesterday as soon as my final project was submitted I headed straight out to the Cutlass.
The fenders are off.
CutlassAtShop042.jpg
442_Mustang, funny you should mention rust. When they were taking off the old paint and filler they noticed a few rust pin holes and then flipped the fenders. I think this was the worst of the two. This is still nothing by Ontario standards.
CutlassAtShop033.jpg
The windshield and the rear glass both came out, and neither broke in the process.
The rear of the car stripped.
CutlassAtShop039.jpg
Next step was to take the engine out of the car so that we can paint it Olds Gold and paint the firewall as well.
CutlassAtShop045.jpg
And here is the engine.
CutlassAtShop046.jpg
One of the fenders bare. I was actually surprised to see the original fender script and emblem holes in the fender when everything was stripped.
CutlassAtShop050.jpg
I have more pictures of the latest progress that I will try to post tomorrow.
December 24th, 2010, 03:55 AM
#15
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Location: Ottawa ON. Canada
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Looks like you picked up a great car from the south. Is that a shop in Kempville you are at or in Ottawa??? Keep the pictures comming it will help me to get started on tare down once my garage is finished - bad time to pour a slab!!!!
Keep up the work
Glen
Keep up the work
Glen
December 25th, 2010, 07:31 PM
#23
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Econow, winter will be over soon enough (only 3 or 4 months left? 
).
Yes the original colour of the car was Nordic blue. It was one of the many colours I had considered. I also considered Aegean Aqua and Matador Red. In the end I chose not to go with any of those colours.
).Yes the original colour of the car was Nordic blue. It was one of the many colours I had considered. I also considered Aegean Aqua and Matador Red. In the end I chose not to go with any of those colours.
December 25th, 2010, 07:55 PM
#24
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[QUOTE=car_designer;223434
Next will be sending the car to a body shop for paint. Picking the 1 colour I want to paint the car is proving to be a challenge. There are so many colours out there and I can only pick 1.[/QUOTE]
Au contraire mon frere!
cool-car-paint-job-15-med.jpg
jeff-koons-bmw-art-car_1.jpg
Seriously though, I think you should take another look at the Nordic Blue.
Next will be sending the car to a body shop for paint. Picking the 1 colour I want to paint the car is proving to be a challenge. There are so many colours out there and I can only pick 1.[/QUOTE]
Au contraire mon frere!
cool-car-paint-job-15-med.jpg
jeff-koons-bmw-art-car_1.jpg
Seriously though, I think you should take another look at the Nordic Blue.
December 25th, 2010, 08:04 PM
#25
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The further the body guy went the more rust he found on the car. This is from behind both rear wheels. Still nothing serious though.
CutlassAtShop059.jpg
CutlassAtShop066.jpg
Most of the parts have been primered.
CutlassAtShop036.jpg
CutlassAtShop038.jpg
CutlassAtShop037.jpg
CutlassAtShop063.jpg
CutlassAtShop067.jpg
CutlassAtShop069.jpg
Obviously there is still more body work required before the paint.
So now the thread is up to date with the car.
CutlassAtShop059.jpg
CutlassAtShop066.jpg
Most of the parts have been primered.
CutlassAtShop036.jpg
CutlassAtShop038.jpg
CutlassAtShop037.jpg
CutlassAtShop063.jpg
CutlassAtShop067.jpg
CutlassAtShop069.jpg
Obviously there is still more body work required before the paint.
So now the thread is up to date with the car.
December 25th, 2010, 08:06 PM
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December 26th, 2010, 07:40 AM
#27
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Here is a good question - what is the difference from the cutlass S, and the supreme????? - and the other body types are the 442 and f85 - is there a thread with the differences or a web site?????
Asking because I found a 71 Cutlass S for some parts but I have a Supreme. I will be stripping the remaining parts and see what I can use and if not compatible then up for sale.
Asking because I found a 71 Cutlass S for some parts but I have a Supreme. I will be stripping the remaining parts and see what I can use and if not compatible then up for sale.
December 26th, 2010, 07:54 AM
#28
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Here is a good question - what is the difference from the cutlass S, and the supreme????? - and the other body types are the 442 and f85 - is there a thread with the differences or a web site?????
Asking because I found a 71 Cutlass S for some parts but I have a Supreme. I will be stripping the remaining parts and see what I can use and if not compatible then up for sale.
Asking because I found a 71 Cutlass S for some parts but I have a Supreme. I will be stripping the remaining parts and see what I can use and if not compatible then up for sale.
December 26th, 2010, 08:30 AM
#29
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Hey, Car Designer, looks like you're having fun now!
LOL! I met you at Sturbridge with your '83. What a fun time was had by all, except for all the rain Friday and Saturday! Was your car displayed in that low spot on the Show Field where about a foot of water ended up on Saturday? Great thread on the re-do on the Cutlaii (as Joe P. calls 'em, and sounds right). Keep the pictures coming. Looks like it's going to be a great Oldsmobile!
LOL! I met you at Sturbridge with your '83. What a fun time was had by all, except for all the rain Friday and Saturday! Was your car displayed in that low spot on the Show Field where about a foot of water ended up on Saturday? Great thread on the re-do on the Cutlaii (as Joe P. calls 'em, and sounds right). Keep the pictures coming. Looks like it's going to be a great Oldsmobile!
December 26th, 2010, 10:12 AM
#30
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Great resto - I am doing the same car now myself - will have to get some pics uploaded. Are you going to stay with the drums all around or convert the fronts or all to disc brakes?
I had the exact same rust on the fenders and in the rear that area had been patched. Looks like a really great car! unfortunately unlike your nordic blue mine was really bad brown.. with two tone stripes down the hood. Being changed to either full black or tungsten metallic grey with black race stripes front to back.
I had the exact same rust on the fenders and in the rear that area had been patched. Looks like a really great car! unfortunately unlike your nordic blue mine was really bad brown.. with two tone stripes down the hood. Being changed to either full black or tungsten metallic grey with black race stripes front to back.
December 26th, 2010, 12:49 PM
#31
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lvelocci, I think the tungsten with black stripes would look nice.
Aron, I remember meeting you this summer. It was fun at Sturbridge this summer. I do not know if I was in the flooded area or not. I left for the day when judging was finished. I heard about all the flooding but don't know if that was where my car was parked or not.
I am really having fun with the Cutlass and learning a lot along the way as well.
Aron, I remember meeting you this summer. It was fun at Sturbridge this summer. I do not know if I was in the flooded area or not. I left for the day when judging was finished. I heard about all the flooding but don't know if that was where my car was parked or not.
I am really having fun with the Cutlass and learning a lot along the way as well.
December 27th, 2010, 02:54 PM
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January 5th, 2011, 07:22 PM
#34
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I spent time Monday and Tuesday doing some painting myself. Obviously not on the car itself.
I painted the exhaust manifolds on Monday.
CutlassAtShop071.jpg
Tuesday was engine painting day. Put the primer on it in the morning.
CutlassAtShop074.jpg
CutlassAtShop075.jpg
After letting it dry for a few hours it was time to put the gold on it.
CutlassAtShop076.jpg
CutlassAtShop077.jpg
CutlassAtShop078.jpg
So far I was painting with a brush. The valve covers and oil pan will be painted later, but the paint will be sprayed on for a better finish. I will probably have to redo the oil fill tube as well.
I painted the exhaust manifolds on Monday.
CutlassAtShop071.jpg
Tuesday was engine painting day. Put the primer on it in the morning.
CutlassAtShop074.jpg
CutlassAtShop075.jpg
After letting it dry for a few hours it was time to put the gold on it.
CutlassAtShop076.jpg
CutlassAtShop077.jpg
CutlassAtShop078.jpg
So far I was painting with a brush. The valve covers and oil pan will be painted later, but the paint will be sprayed on for a better finish. I will probably have to redo the oil fill tube as well.
January 29th, 2011, 06:55 PM
#35
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Spent the afternoon at the shop working on the Cutlass. Got the oil pan off to prepare it for paint, but unfortunately found a bunch of broken plastic pieces in the bottom of it. Time for a new oil pump.
The dash is out (earlier in the week).
CutlassAtShop080.jpg
CutlassAtShop081.jpg
The painter did the firewall and brake booster and master cylinder this week.
CutlassAtShop082.jpg
CutlassAtShop083.jpg
CutlassAtShop084.jpg
The dash is out (earlier in the week).
CutlassAtShop080.jpg
CutlassAtShop081.jpg
The painter did the firewall and brake booster and master cylinder this week.
CutlassAtShop082.jpg
CutlassAtShop083.jpg
CutlassAtShop084.jpg
February 5th, 2011, 07:41 PM
#36
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I took the timing cover off today to check the timing gear, to see if it was the source of the plastic bits.
Here is what I found.
CutlassAtShop085.jpg
CutlassAtShop087.jpg
CutlassAtShop086.jpg
CutlassAtShop088.jpg
Here is what I found.
CutlassAtShop085.jpg
CutlassAtShop087.jpg
CutlassAtShop086.jpg
CutlassAtShop088.jpg
July 31st, 2011, 11:21 AM
#40
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What has happened since February? A lot.
It has been a long time since I posted an update on the Cutlass project. Some things happened with the body guy and it ended with me taking the Cutlass away on a flatbed. I kind of lost interest in the project for a bit. But it didn't take long for me to get back into it. And I am again anxious about getting the car finished and I can't wait to see it painted and to drive it.
The body work was almost finished and he started to paint the door jambs and under the hood and trunk.
Since February me and my Dad have been working on non-body/paint items.
The timing gear and chain have been replaced. The engine and transmission have been put back in the car.
The front suspension is back together.
Finally, after some good help from members here, got all the pulleys aligned properly. It took a new water pump (turns out the one I got, and the one on the car when I got it, weren't even for an A-body) and power steering bracket spacers from a 307.
All of the engine wiring is connected again, but took a while to figure some of it out, since we didn't take it off.
We put the old, torn seat back in to make it easier to do some things.
Reconnected all the brake lines. Bled the brakes this morning.
Our next goal is to reinstall the drive shaft. After that it is time to fill the fluids then it will be time to prime the oil pump. And I hope once that is done the car will start.
Any suggestions for priming the oil pump? Neither me or my Dad have done that before.
Also, when we try starting the car, I was planning on not connecting any of the dash components or exterior lights. As long as there are no bare wires, should this be ok to do? I think the steering column wiring is still connected.
It has been a long time since I posted an update on the Cutlass project. Some things happened with the body guy and it ended with me taking the Cutlass away on a flatbed. I kind of lost interest in the project for a bit. But it didn't take long for me to get back into it. And I am again anxious about getting the car finished and I can't wait to see it painted and to drive it.
The body work was almost finished and he started to paint the door jambs and under the hood and trunk.
Since February me and my Dad have been working on non-body/paint items.
The timing gear and chain have been replaced. The engine and transmission have been put back in the car.
The front suspension is back together.
Finally, after some good help from members here, got all the pulleys aligned properly. It took a new water pump (turns out the one I got, and the one on the car when I got it, weren't even for an A-body) and power steering bracket spacers from a 307.
All of the engine wiring is connected again, but took a while to figure some of it out, since we didn't take it off.
We put the old, torn seat back in to make it easier to do some things.
Reconnected all the brake lines. Bled the brakes this morning.
Our next goal is to reinstall the drive shaft. After that it is time to fill the fluids then it will be time to prime the oil pump. And I hope once that is done the car will start.
Any suggestions for priming the oil pump? Neither me or my Dad have done that before.
Also, when we try starting the car, I was planning on not connecting any of the dash components or exterior lights. As long as there are no bare wires, should this be ok to do? I think the steering column wiring is still connected.
