Hi everybody, new guy from Utah checking in. I don't own the oldsmobile of my dreams yet. I am hoping to learn more about these cars before I make my purchase. A guy here locally wants to sell me one of (2) he has laying around, but unsure if its a good deal and or worth it. Hence me coming here. I hope to gain some great insight and advice from those here who'd know better than I so I can be smart about it when the time comes (Spring 2015). I've always been a car nut, but really wanting to get into an oldsmobile. Ever since my Father told me stories about his 68 Cutlass Supreme I've always wanted one. Anyways, really looking forward to getting to know everybody here. Let the learning begin!

 

Welcome. I've got to say that this is one of the smartests intro posts I've seen. There's a lot of bogus cars out there at inflated prices (Thank You, Barrett Jackson...) and we get intro posts where the newbie has overpaid for a mis-represented car. Yours is a much better approach. Ask away.

 

Welcome.

 

Thanks for the welcome! Later when I'm home I'll post some pics of the one I've been investigating. It's a 71 holiday coupe. Body is rough. Has potential but when the guy said $1,000 I felt it might be somewhat high. Since I don't totally know, it facilitated me coming here to learn more. thanks again for the welcome!

 

Unless you enjoy metal work and will be doing it all yourself, buy the best, most rust-free body you can. It's worth spending the money to ship a rust-free southern car than to buy a $1000 rust bucket. There is a good selection of repro sheet metal parts for the 70-72 cars, but it's all Chinesium that typically requires a lot of work to fit properly. In addition, the only quarter panels available are the partial quarters (unless it's a convertible), which REALLY don't fit well.

 

I do actually want to really get my hands dirty and make it my own, doing most of the work myself, realizing it may be one of "those" projects that I'll likely never say "it's totally done". I used to run a metal fab shop and have most of the tools here at home to do body work. So far without really digging into it, (because I'll likely find more that needs attention) the biggest body issue is the drivers door needs the skin replaced. Here's some pictures of the main one of the two I looked at. Most of the parts are there unlike the other of the (2) there. Here's the info at candidate #1 as I know so far:
1971 Cutlass Holiday Coupe
403 c.i. (Don't know if it's worth it to keep or swap for 455)
The original tranny
No bumpers, front or back, everything else is there.

Pictures:
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I have time and so my heart isn't really set so if it's not worth it and it really would be better to keep looking it won't hurt my feelings. I initially looked at this one since it's a few blocks away here in town. (convenience) I'd like to know what everybody thinks.

 

welcome to CO that car in the pictures looks decent compared to many I have seen. Just the idea of saving a olds is nice. The question is does the engine run,turn over or is it seized. That helps price wise if the engine is junk then it is worth less. You do metal work so the body should not be too bad for you. The price given to you is that firm or negotiable a grand is a bit up but olds are thinning out at the same time.

 

Welcome aboard. I've seen better, but I've surely seen worse. Just remember to bite of a little bit at a time. Metal work might not be fun, but I'm sure you'll learn something.

 

Hi guys thanks for the input. The engine isn't seized, but honestly it hasn't been run in 5-6 years. It was taken from another car to put in this one as a project but never finished. I've known the guy since high school and I remember it powering his car. Just not sure I would keep the 403 though, I've read mixed ideas on whether a build on that engine is worth it. He is pretty firm on the price. I'm going to look at the other one as well and do some homework. I'll post pictures when I go over there next. Keep the input coming guys I appreciate everyone's thoughts.

 

Welcome, that could be a big project, but all things considered not too bad.

If the motor don't work, you can surely work around that. But I wouldn't exactly throw it away....just make sure. A 403 can be a great street engine, not for racing much.

This could a load of fun, just have to be realistic in your approach and goals.

 

It would be a nice project if you have the time and patience. You would have lots of help here along with good part sourcing all in one place. CO is a great place to start.

 

Welcome to the site. If you've never done a project of this scale, it is daunting and frustrating. I've seen many people start with more, get frustrated and sell at a loss. I don't believe all cars can be saved as some need to be sacrificed to build others. That one looks more like a sacrifice. I personally would save your money and find one that is in much better shape and running. It will be easier and most assuredly less expensive to go that route.

 

You should have an impatial person inspect the underside. I see mainly surface or skin rust but who knows w/o looking closely. It can have frame holes, bad floor pans, no floor supports, no body mounts, etc.

At the very least, it needs a 2 yr+ refurbishment of EVERYTHING, and many thousands of dollars in new parts. Wheels, tires, bearings, rebuilt engine and trans, suspension, brakes, all the lines and cables, all the interior, the list is endless.

The problem is, in the end it's still just a Cutlass, not a 442. You can do the clone thing and make it a badass Cutlass, sure.

What is your location? There are a lot of GREAT candidates out west yet- upper NW USA, like lemolds gets.

 

You are probably not far off in your opinion. When I was in high school I bought a 68 mustang and fell in love with it. didn't care to take note of the rusted out floor plans so easy hidden by the carpet. If I just would've took 2 seconds to look under the car I could have seen the horror, rather than discover the challenge the hard way, when I wasn't prepared to handle it.

I live in the northern part of Utah. I don't mind a lil bit of a drive for something better, as long as it's worth it.

 

Welcome !! What part if Utah ?

I live in kearns so just curious.

That car looks okay for a Utah car, but I agree buy the best that you can! Just look up my build wow a full year of rust repairs just under 500 hrs.
There is a 72 that pops up in craiglist once in awhile with a unfinished 454 swap that looks decent shell for 1200 I think or 3200 with 454.
Also a 72 442 ( never checked numbers ) but is a rust bucket in WJordan pops up to 2500 lol
Have fun searching for your project

 

I live in Tooele. There's a 68 cutlass in Richfield for $4500 that's in pretty good shape, but I'm not sure it'll still be around next spring when I'm ready to buy. Pass by Kearns all the time going to work lately. Good to hear there's a member so close. That's a great looking 65 you've got btw.

 

Lol tell Alex hi I still need to stop by and talk olds ( I only know him from CO ) not sure if you would consider older, but I know he has a friend that has a rolling shell 66 ask 1k but from chatting with them would take less

The 68 looks okay, but not enough pics to justify clean. I thought my 65 was clean lol
In a few years we will need to put together a olds Cruz

 

I was just about to say that I figured out he's a member on here. When I see him next I'll say hi for ya. I'm pretty much set on the 68-72 body for this project. Octania had a good idea about having an impartial person look at it. If your free one of these weekends before snow sticks you should come and take a look at it. Lunch is on me.

 

I can try I am part of we can save them all clan! Lol

 

Welcome to CO! Looks like a good project as long as you have the time to work on it. The biggest issues I see is that it is just a Cutlass and it will never be worth what you put into it. If that doesn't matter to you, then go for it!

 

Fwiw my 72 is just a cutlass. Nothing special , Mine was in rougher shape than what was posted and I did I started when I was 18 and was done before I turned 20 . Did quarters, rust repair on the doors , window channels , fenders , just finnally fixed the frame this past summer after enjoying it for 5 years . Why all this work on just a cutlass ? Because its still a bad@$$ looking body from gm. For me I did all my work over the years I have changed a lot but most of my investment has been time and work. This is what gets under my skin about the hobby people who do it for the money. Fix it because you love the car and doing the work . If I sel my car yeah I would loose a lot! But that's not in my plans. I bought I car I wanted to be burried in.

 

I appreciate everyones input, whether it's for or against that particular cutlass or any other I present for opinion. It shows people care and that means a lot. I will say I feel the same way as coppercutlass. My Dads car was just a cutlass, but I idolized it for many years. If it pick this one up or another I'd probably do a 442 clone anyways, it doesn't matter, I don't like selling cars anyways. The main reason I want to be careful on the purchase of my Olds is because I'm not going to sell it, it has to be the right one. I'm done playing those games. Been burned too many times on selling cars and am not doing that again. Keep the opinions coming though guys. You guys are my educators in this arena and I'm here to learn.

 

The best part of the 71 is, there is aftermarket sheet metal if the rust is there. as long as you are Willing to put the work and time/money into it

Beats trying to fab or locate good used parts

 

I will say, after looking at many others rides on here, I could be talked into doing a 65-67.

 

65-67 have no after market sheet metal. 64 same as the 65 different front clip and rear bumper. If you decide to go this rout, get the best body you can find! Just look up my build lol
"Kids helping with project "

 

I can only imagine how much more difficult it could be to do those years. If I found a good one or a good one fell in my lap, I would jump on it.

 

Am I wrong when I say this one looks really good for $3,000? http://www.ksl.com/auto/listing/1736351?ad_cid=15

 

And what do you guys think about this one? http://www.ksl.com/auto/listing/1724799?ad_cid=38

 

I would pass on this, look for one that is in bettre shape to start off with for that price.

Looks interesting, but it's a drag car. I'll assume its been gutted on the inside.

 

The 64 is set up like a drag car and no price listed does look clean but once again not enough pics

The 72 vinayl top most likely rusted threw and no good pic of the quarters, I wouldn't mark this one out intell you had a closer look! I bet you could get the price down maybe half ?
I haven't seem to many of these with buckets

 

Even at half the price, the rust repair would eat that $1500 in a flash. So why even consider it.

 

Because this is Utah expect so e rust repairs like, I said depending on quarter condition, the interior looks good if it is that's a easy 1500-2000 bucks and if the rust is on the roof mainly that's easier to repair then quarters jmo.


With that said tho he could look in Vegas and see what they have and tow it to it would be around a 500 extra that way unless he doesn't have a truck he could ship it threw a company they tent to range 500-2500? Depending on distance

 

On the 72, having everything there and the interior in good shape (seemingly) seemed like a decent candidate. I'm sure if I had cash in hand upon visiting he may come down some. I think it will get snatched up before spring, but I bring these up because I'm still a novice and hope to learn what to look for. There's others listed locally, but not sure they're any better.

 

My opinion is most of ksl cars don't sell I have see. Most of the 70/72 olds relisted serval times the past few years it's hard times and not very many buyers. I would save all the numbers for the cars you are looking at and call each one and see if they still have them I bet most will. Your in no big hurry witch is good just keep looking and check out several before buying. Weigh out what you can do your self and what it would cost some where else.
Maybe buy two a parts car and a good body ?

 

Contrary to the ads text there is absolutely nothing rare about that 72 CS. I noticed it also has quarter repair on the left rear, a lot of rust in the engine bay, aftermarket (junk) GM Sports tachometer, and these cars were notorious for rust under the vinyl roofs. 3k is a lot of money for a high mileage car like that. Driveline will need a complete overhaul with those numbers. More like a 1200.00 car to me. It will take more than polish to make that car shine.

 

After taking another look on my PC it almost looks like the hood was left open/ up in the weather for along time. At first I thought the repaire was around the light only I do see the quarter lip is primed also does it look to have three colors for interior ? Green dash black concel and white seats and door panels? I wonder if it's a true floor shift/ bucket car?
I would still look at it and see how bad it really is and what they would take for it, but once again I think we can save them all

 

The dash and console are both black. Just poor lighting in the photo. Very common for the white interior cars to have black dashes, carpet, console and door carpet.

 

Just checking in. Have you found a car yet ?

If not here is a rusty 69 442 if it's a true 442

http://www.ksl.com/?nid=678&ad=33264264&cat=656&lpid=

 

job i was hoping to get fell through. I'm still just window shopping. Hoping things perk up in the spring though. Still crossing my fingers that i can pick something up then. That car does look promising. Have no idea where that location is.