Hi all,

This is my first post since joining last year. I am currently working on a 1971 Cutlass S which i am doing a partial restoration on and i thought i would submit a few photos of my progress. The car came to me with 74,000 original miles but hadn't been tagged since 1995. After a good tune up and carb rebuild she fired right up and runs great! She still had original hoses, shocks, brakes, etc., all of which had to be replaced for safety and she is now mechanically sound. I just finished recovering the upholstery and it is now ready to go back in the car as soon as i complete the body and paint.

Fred

 

Nice work. Keep us updated

 

Looks great, so far - lotta work, but worth it!!

 

I love that lime green color. If I could get a second Cutlass... it would be that color.

 

I remember that color well. Our neighbor 2 houses down had a 71 W30 in that lime outer/white interior. It was awesome to watch that car rumble out of the garage and hit the streets. IIRC it was a 4 speed too.

 

Looks like some expert welding happening!

 

Well you could say my progress has been slow but steady. Finally finished all the major metalwork and bodywork that i could see and feel. Then proceeded to go over the car with a DA and 80 grit to blow off the old respray and uncover the original paint, most of which had good adhesion. Then proceed to DA it with 180 and 220 grit before wrapping it in preparation for primer. I used the PPg's Shopline Epoxy sealer (two coats), then three coats of Shop Line's 2K primer-surfacer reduced for high build. The epoxy and surfacers went on pretty smooth. My next steps are to start block sanding. My evenings are sure to be chalky! A little history on the car, i had previously found that the left rear of the car took a pretty hard lick, so at some point before i got the car, the entire left rear quarter section of the car was cut off and replaced with a section from another cutlass. I assume that is why it was resprayed at some point in its' life.
Fred

 

Looking good

 

Nice work. Primed looks really nice and smooth. The left side repair looks like it was done pretty well. Looking forward to the paint stage.

 

Hope you go back with the original color. It is awesome and your doing one heck of a job!!! The engine and engine bay look great.

 

Nice work!

 

Real nice work. Love that C pillar patch

 

Thank you everyone for the encouragement. When doing a project of size it definitely help motivate a person to keep going! Fred

 

Welcome to the forum, the Olds is looking good.

 

Hello and welcome. I had a lime green 71 green interior and black vinyl top loved that car. Not sure what color my new project is going to be..

 

That car is a twin to mine. Same color, same trim. Mine is rusted in a similar fashion too. All except for the roof pillar. Mine is in perfect condition.

Mine didn't have the vinyl roof, though. Or if it did, it was removed before I got the car. It had been painted twice before I owned it.

 

I see you used the same patch making method I do.......I cut out the old panel and use it to trace the new piece I'm welding in.

 

Thought I would post an update on progress of my restoration. This past weekend finally got into the paint my Cutlass. I chose PPG's Shop-Line System for the basecoat/clearcoat and I am really pleased with the results. Here's a few pics.

Fred

 

Awesome pics!! Thanks for posting

 

Looks great, can't wait to see the finished product!

 

Awesome! I also love that color. Nice work, and please continue to keep us all posted.....

 

You keeping it or is it a flip car ? Are you a body man by trade or just that good?

 

awesome cant wait to see it when it is done!!!!

 

I'm going to keep this car for a while. At first I was undecided if I would keep it or sell it when I was done. But now after laying down the color, I think I want to enjoy it for a while first. I'm self taught in body and paint, although i did first learn to weld in 7th grade shop class.

 

WOW! That color really pops and jumps right at ya. It looks great and turned out really good. Great job and enjoy!

 

Fred,
Fantastic looking job. Love the Y73 hood stripe. I see you elected not to put the vinyl top back on.

 

Thanks. I decided to do the Y73 since it was an available option for the Cutlass. The side stripe is similar to an option that was available also. I think they both give the car a much sportier look than original. On the side stripes I went with a half inch center stripe bordered by eighth inch stripes. Over the wheel wells, i reduced the half inch stripe to a quarter inch center stripe. I plan on putting a vinyl top on after I finish wet sanding the paint. But, I am changing the color of the vinyl top from Jade Green to white to match the white stripes and also since I couldn't find anyone that could supply a Jade Green vinyl top.

Fred

 

The car looks great. And I like the choice of stripe. Great combination.

 

You doing the paint yourself? Gets done a lot faster than 8 months with other people....

 

got heat ?

 

Nope! Freezing my **** off.
You should post a pic of your car with it's Y73 stripe. LOL had to laugh at your comment about 'other' people getting the paint done.