I'm thinking of buying a 70 cutlass hardtop. It has rust on the floors, trunk, and fenders. My friend has a 71 cutlass hardtop he may part out. I was wondering could I swap parts. Or are the part interchangeable.

 

Floors & trunk are the same. '71-'72 fenders have ridges on the inner lip where the hood closes but are 100% interchangeable. It's cosmetic only.

 

Thanks for the info. I don't want to sound like an idiot. I want to make sure I understand clearly before I got started on this project. I know very little about restoring cars. So, are you saying that the 70 and 71 parts are interchangeable but the parts structure are different. ...I guess what I'm trying to say is....once I take the parts off the 71 and put them on the 70....a person who knows cars will know that those parts are not original to the car?

 

Yes to answer your question. The fenders interchange but they are not the same. A knowledgeable Olds person will see it a mile away.

Important note on hoods and core supports and hood latching locks. They are not the same. Don't mix the parts, use one or the other as a set.

Front bumpers interchange but 70 parking lights are rectangle,71 are round and the 70 bumper is a little different in the center.

Rear bumpers interchange but 70 tailights are vertical and 71 are horizontal.

Lots of parts swap over no problem. Here is a couple of post that talk about the difference in fenders.

https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...h400-more.html

https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...-w30-ebay.html

https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...l-quality.html

 

Great advice thanks!