71 Cutlass project for dad
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 15
From: Bobcaygeon, ON Canada
71 Cutlass project for dad
Hello everyone,
My name is Ed, and I live in Bobcaygeon Ontario Canada.
I own and have restored a few cars, mostly of the rear engine air cooled variety.
My father and I restored a '52 Chevy 2 door hard top for him, but he had a knee surgery that prevents him from driving the 3 on the tree.
So that car has since been sold.
His dream for a long time has been to have a Cutlass convertible, automatic.
We found one for him, but it leaves me with much work for the winter.
The Car;
1971 Cutlass Supreme Convertible, has been frame off restored, and I would guess it's approximately 80% complete.
It runs, and moves under it's own power. The interior and the convertible top are probably the biggest challenges.
Front fender on the driver side is not aligned correctly, and the drivers door is not complete and does not close properly.
It does have a slight coolant leak from the intake manifold, on the exterior of the engine block. Nothing in the oil.
It seems like overall nothing is really complete. I'm sure I will have lots of questions along the way.
I've included pictures, your opinions are welcome!
20131020_194935_zpscc6fb763.jpg
20131020_194845_zpse108dd0b.jpg
20131020_194807_zps585df90c.jpg
20131020_194751_zps744884ae.jpg
My name is Ed, and I live in Bobcaygeon Ontario Canada.
I own and have restored a few cars, mostly of the rear engine air cooled variety.
My father and I restored a '52 Chevy 2 door hard top for him, but he had a knee surgery that prevents him from driving the 3 on the tree.
So that car has since been sold.
His dream for a long time has been to have a Cutlass convertible, automatic.
We found one for him, but it leaves me with much work for the winter.
The Car;
1971 Cutlass Supreme Convertible, has been frame off restored, and I would guess it's approximately 80% complete.
It runs, and moves under it's own power. The interior and the convertible top are probably the biggest challenges.
Front fender on the driver side is not aligned correctly, and the drivers door is not complete and does not close properly.
It does have a slight coolant leak from the intake manifold, on the exterior of the engine block. Nothing in the oil.
It seems like overall nothing is really complete. I'm sure I will have lots of questions along the way.
I've included pictures, your opinions are welcome!
20131020_194935_zpscc6fb763.jpg
20131020_194845_zpse108dd0b.jpg
20131020_194807_zps585df90c.jpg
20131020_194751_zps744884ae.jpg
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 15
From: Bobcaygeon, ON Canada
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 15
From: Bobcaygeon, ON Canada
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 15
From: Bobcaygeon, ON Canada
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 15
From: Bobcaygeon, ON Canada
Moderator
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 14,244
From: Medford, Oregon
Welcome to the site! Well, it may not be complete but it looks like an excellent car to finish restoring. Lots of experienced people here so as questions come up feel free to post them. If your in need of parts there's several members here with extra stuff or we can help you find companies that reproduce parts for your car.
Huh, I was expecting to see a German built air cooled car. But was surprised to see the 'vair in your collection. Over the years I've seen a couple of them with Toronado engines in the back seat.
John
Huh, I was expecting to see a German built air cooled car. But was surprised to see the 'vair in your collection. Over the years I've seen a couple of them with Toronado engines in the back seat.
John
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 15
From: Bobcaygeon, ON Canada
Thanks for the positive comments.
Where is everyone buying they're parts?
The previous owner spent most of his money at brother automotive. They look to have lots of goodies, but not everything.
Fortunately, most of the pieces are there, just little stuff missing so far.
As for my vairs, thanks for noticing.
I have 4 and they are all complete and relatively drive anywhere cars.
61 Corvair Rampside truck, 64 convertible, 65 coupe, 66 turbo convertible.
Where is everyone buying they're parts?
The previous owner spent most of his money at brother automotive. They look to have lots of goodies, but not everything.
Fortunately, most of the pieces are there, just little stuff missing so far.
As for my vairs, thanks for noticing.
I have 4 and they are all complete and relatively drive anywhere cars.
61 Corvair Rampside truck, 64 convertible, 65 coupe, 66 turbo convertible.
Administrator
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 42,385
From: Poteau, Ok
Parts can be had at Fusicks, Yearone, OPGI, Evilbay, Craigslist, and on here. Mechanical items, Summit, Jeggs, <insert local auto parts store here>, Rockauto,... Legendary interiors is a great source for upholstery among others.
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 43
From: Ontario Canada
If your ordering a lot from the US you need one of these,
http://www.needausaddress.com/
A US shipping address!!
It will save you tons in international shipping charges and the killer brokerage fees.
Never ship ANYTHING over the border UPS. USPS is not bad but not always an option.
http://www.needausaddress.com/
A US shipping address!!
It will save you tons in international shipping charges and the killer brokerage fees.
Never ship ANYTHING over the border UPS. USPS is not bad but not always an option.
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 15
From: Bobcaygeon, ON Canada
Thanks for the warm welcome.
I have a box in both Watertown and in Niagara Falls NY that I use for my Corvair parts, Harley parts etc.
I have certainly had my run ins with UPS and they're "brokerage" charges.
I usually ship my Vair parts USPS, or if I'm in a rush and I want to pay heavy, FedEx.
I went ahead yesterday and ordered some parts for the Cutlass from Fusicks.
After downloading they're catalog, I discovered they have most of what I'm looking for. I still need proper header gaskets, as these headers have been installed with exhaust manifold gaskets and they leak like crazy.
I'm going to post soon in the tire section of the forum, as I have a question about the front tires.
I have a box in both Watertown and in Niagara Falls NY that I use for my Corvair parts, Harley parts etc.
I have certainly had my run ins with UPS and they're "brokerage" charges.
I usually ship my Vair parts USPS, or if I'm in a rush and I want to pay heavy, FedEx.
I went ahead yesterday and ordered some parts for the Cutlass from Fusicks.
After downloading they're catalog, I discovered they have most of what I'm looking for. I still need proper header gaskets, as these headers have been installed with exhaust manifold gaskets and they leak like crazy.
I'm going to post soon in the tire section of the forum, as I have a question about the front tires.
Sammy70 455 Supreme
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 3,069
From: Port Perry, Ontario
Nice looking 71 neighbor!
That is a 350 right?
Those so called brokerage fees are a killer....
I have bought quite a few parts from other CO members...with no hassles. I try the forum first then go to YearOne etc.
Welcome to CO
Ted
That is a 350 right?
Those so called brokerage fees are a killer....
I have bought quite a few parts from other CO members...with no hassles. I try the forum first then go to YearOne etc.
Welcome to CO
Ted
Last edited by sammy; Oct 25, 2013 at 05:15 AM.
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 15
From: Bobcaygeon, ON Canada
So far what I have needed is bolts, fan shroud, tune up kit etc.
Stuff that I would rather get new.
Yes it's a 350. Pretty clean, original engine to the car.
I drive through Port Perry all the time.
Stuff that I would rather get new.
Yes it's a 350. Pretty clean, original engine to the car.
I drive through Port Perry all the time.
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