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Must be the day for 72 Cutlass? Just joined the forum. Looks like the best one on the net for older Olds?
I am in process of buying a 72 Cutlass S vert. Said I would never own a convertible, but here I am with one. It has 50000 miles, starts, runs, drives kinda OK. I have to decide if I am going with Restoration or Survivor type Preservation. The interior is kinda ratted out, with rips in seats, bad carpet, that type of thing. Arizona car, now in Iowa, so has not had the benefit of salted Iowa roads! Sheetmetal seems solid. Red paint is mostly there, but on the sharp edges of panels, the red is gone and down to primer. Don’t know if I can live with that! Appreciate other opinions on trying to save the old paint. Would seem kinda silly to have a new interior and old paint? But I may be way off track with that?
Top is inoperable, and I have not jumped into it yet. Won’t have car home for a few weeks. Original top as far as I know, so may need a new one? Owner says that it is “weak”. May just need fluid, hoses, a bleed?
A few pics
I have had two of those. They are really good cars and fun to own. You can get anything you want or need and they are easy to work on. They are one of the prettiest Cutlasses in my opinion. Enjoy your car and welcome.
My 1972 Cutlass convertible is still the original factory applied paint except for the hood stripes that were painted on by the dealer when it was new. The "Mirror Magic" Lacquer used on these cars will most likely polish back to a decent shine. You need to only use a very mild self-diminishing compound (I like Adams Fine Machine Polish) and just tape up the edges with masking tape. A random orbital polisher is ok, because it will not remove too much paint or make swirls in the finish. Just take your time and by careful with what's left of the paint. You may be very surprised at the results! My car has a few edges and spots where the paint is super thin and the trunk lid has a spot that is almost to the primer. However, a car is only original once and as long as it's presentable, I'm good with it. I also like that the factory applied pinstripes are still in place. I think that they are hard to duplicate. I drove my car to the nationals last year and was proud to show it. Here is a photo.
I have had two of those. They are really good cars and fun to own. You can get anything you want or need and they are easy to work on. They are one of the prettiest Cutlasses in my opinion. Enjoy your car and welcome.
Yea, looking forward to working on a car with points and plugs again! A return to simpler times.
Originally Posted by 1Restorick
My 1972 Cutlass convertible is still the original factory applied paint except for the hood stripes that were painted on by the dealer when it was new. The "Mirror Magic" Lacquer used on these cars will most likely polish back to a decent shine. You need to only use a very mild self-diminishing compound (I like Adams Fine Machine Polish) and just tape up the edges with masking tape. A random orbital polisher is ok, because it will not remove too much paint or make swirls in the finish. Just take your time and by careful with what's left of the paint. You may be very surprised at the results! My car has a few edges and spots where the paint is super thin and the trunk lid has a spot that is almost to the primer. However, a car is only original once and as long as it's presentable, I'm good with it. I also like that the factory applied pinstripes are still in place. I think that they are hard to duplicate. I drove my car to the nationals last year and was proud to show it. Here is a photo.
Rick
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That is a nice lookin car! Mind sharing the wheel brand and size?
Originally Posted by Fun71
Welcome to the forum, and welcome to the convertible family!
One minor point, that is a Cutlass Supreme. The Cutlass S is a sport body “fast back”.
I have lots to learn on the Olds. A Chevy guy most of life. Vets and Camaro. Thanks to all for the welcome!
These are American Racing Hopster Wheels. They are 17"x7" and I have 235/50/17 Firestone Firehawk tires. My car was originally a hubcap car and as many of us know, the choice in good 14" tires is very limited. I tried to match the diameter of the original tire so the speedometer would still be accurate. I installed the Hotchkiss Suspension and love the way this car handles and drives. In all honesty, I do not really like the "Aunt Matilda" Pinehurst green color. As a result, I do everything I can to give the car a more performance-oriented look, sound and feel.
My car has 51,000 miles. It was always cared for and came from Upstate New York. Best of luck with your Cutlass, these are well built cars and easy to work on as well,
Rick
Last edited by 1Restorick; Jul 4, 2024 at 07:26 PM.
Said I would never own a convertible, but here I am with one.
Same here, I owned a 1971 Eldorado Convertible and never even tried to put the top down. Not my thing at all, but the car was incredible.
Originally Posted by redoldsman
They are one of the prettiest Cutlasses in my opinion.
Agreed, probably why these years are so popular. If you want aggressive looking its a fastback, but outside of the ornery look. 1970-1972 2-door Supreme is beautiful from every angle. It has no flaws in appearance. Simply a gorgeous cruiser in appearance.
Originally Posted by OLdGreenPaint
I have lots to learn on the Olds.
No worries OLdGreenPaint. It's just Olds has forced us to always be formal when describing our cars.
Nicknames that play off Cutlass are forever a no-no. Because a Cutlass "S" was never formally called "Sport". And because a Supreme often never said Supreme externally just a C/S. And because there are Cutlass Salons.... You get the picture. They are all Cutlass Ss and they are not all Cutlass Ss.... And often completely different body types.
By the way I voted keep the original paint, as long as possible. Looks great, in that condition and mileage it works.
