New here from Towson, MD
March 19th, 2014, 02:38 PM
#1
New here from Towson, MD
I am new here but certainly not new to Oldsmobiles. My history with my 1971 Cutlass Supreme convertible goes back more than forty years.
At long last I have finally decided to restore my 71 Cutlass that has been in my family for more than forty years. My parents went to the local dealer in late 1972 hoping to buy a new 1973 Cutlass convertible not realizing that 1972 was the last year for the old body style and convertibles. So, they ended up buying a used 1971 Cutlass convertible from Community Auto in Bethesda, MD. It had originally been sold at Lustine Oldsmobile in Hyattsville, MD. My parents also considered a used 1972 442 convertible but decided against it since it had dual exhaust and would cost more to repair— as the story goes anyway. At the time my parents also had a 1967 Pontiac Lemans sport convertible they had bought new.
In 1974 the Lemans needed some work and it was during the first gas crunch so my parents decided to sell the Lemans. They ended up buying a 1974 Honda Civic— worst car they ever owned— it died with 40,000 miles on it in 1979. I was four years old when they sold the Lemans and I will never forget the “hippies” that bought it. One of them had big curly hair, a beard, and John Lennon “granny” glasses and the other one had long hair— I don’t remember much else about them but not bad for a four year old. I remember pointing to the 71 Cutlass and saying to my parents, ‘if that car is still running when I am sixteen, I want it.”
My older brother drove the 71 for a few years in the early to mid 1980s and then I would up with it in about 1986. I drove it daily for many years. After high school graduation I did some work on it. I had it painted—I kept the original antique jade green— and I redid the parchment interior. It has 225,000+ miles on the original 350 with the original 350 trans and 273 gears.
Over the years I have owned a 1970 Cutlass S— sadly I wrecked it in 1990, a 1972 Cutlass S 442 hard top, and a 1988 Cutlass Supreme. I no longer own any of those but I still own the 71 convertible.
Flash forward to 2014 and the 71 Cutlass needs a lot of work. I have fenders, a hood, the doors from my 1970 Cutlass S— hoping they will fit on my 71 convertible—and other parts I will need for my convertible. I also have a set of 14x6 SS I wheels from my 1970 Cutlass S, the trunk lid and interior among other things I plan to sell.
Anyway, I hope to look for parts, possibly some advice and/ or recommendations and sell some parts to finance the restoration as well.
I have a ten month old son (my first) and I hope that someday I will be able to pass my convertible along to him the way my parents passed it along to me.
I may post some pictures of my 71 one of these days.
At long last I have finally decided to restore my 71 Cutlass that has been in my family for more than forty years. My parents went to the local dealer in late 1972 hoping to buy a new 1973 Cutlass convertible not realizing that 1972 was the last year for the old body style and convertibles. So, they ended up buying a used 1971 Cutlass convertible from Community Auto in Bethesda, MD. It had originally been sold at Lustine Oldsmobile in Hyattsville, MD. My parents also considered a used 1972 442 convertible but decided against it since it had dual exhaust and would cost more to repair— as the story goes anyway. At the time my parents also had a 1967 Pontiac Lemans sport convertible they had bought new.
In 1974 the Lemans needed some work and it was during the first gas crunch so my parents decided to sell the Lemans. They ended up buying a 1974 Honda Civic— worst car they ever owned— it died with 40,000 miles on it in 1979. I was four years old when they sold the Lemans and I will never forget the “hippies” that bought it. One of them had big curly hair, a beard, and John Lennon “granny” glasses and the other one had long hair— I don’t remember much else about them but not bad for a four year old. I remember pointing to the 71 Cutlass and saying to my parents, ‘if that car is still running when I am sixteen, I want it.”
My older brother drove the 71 for a few years in the early to mid 1980s and then I would up with it in about 1986. I drove it daily for many years. After high school graduation I did some work on it. I had it painted—I kept the original antique jade green— and I redid the parchment interior. It has 225,000+ miles on the original 350 with the original 350 trans and 273 gears.
Over the years I have owned a 1970 Cutlass S— sadly I wrecked it in 1990, a 1972 Cutlass S 442 hard top, and a 1988 Cutlass Supreme. I no longer own any of those but I still own the 71 convertible.
Flash forward to 2014 and the 71 Cutlass needs a lot of work. I have fenders, a hood, the doors from my 1970 Cutlass S— hoping they will fit on my 71 convertible—and other parts I will need for my convertible. I also have a set of 14x6 SS I wheels from my 1970 Cutlass S, the trunk lid and interior among other things I plan to sell.
Anyway, I hope to look for parts, possibly some advice and/ or recommendations and sell some parts to finance the restoration as well.
I have a ten month old son (my first) and I hope that someday I will be able to pass my convertible along to him the way my parents passed it along to me.
I may post some pictures of my 71 one of these days.
March 19th, 2014, 06:31 PM
#4
71 cutlass convertible
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Trappe, MD
Posts: 2,062
Welcome from the Eastern Shore outside of Easton. I also have a 71 convertible. Fenders and doors will work if the same. The fenders if 70 are worth more than 71-72 fenders. If you want to you could sell them bye 71-72 fenders and make a few bucks. The hood won't work on your 71. The front of the hood is different. Not to far from each other maybe get together sometime.
Pics are a must.
Larry
Pics are a must.
Larry
March 19th, 2014, 07:51 PM
#5
Welcome from the Eastern Shore outside of Easton. I also have a 71 convertible. Fenders and doors will work if the same. The fenders if 70 are worth more than 71-72 fenders. If you want to you could sell them bye 71-72 fenders and make a few bucks. The hood won't work on your 71. The front of the hood is different. Not to far from each other maybe get together sometime.
Pics are a must.
Larry
Pics are a must.
Larry
I know one of the fenders currently on my convertible is a 1970. I believe the two in my garage are 71s but other than the chrome trim on the front of the fenders and the different "bumps" on the 70 vs 71-72 fenders are there any differences? I believe the inner fenders bolt on slightly differently too. Is that it for differences?
The other hood I have is a 1971. I used to bump my head on the filler panel on the hood of my 1970 Cutlass S all the time. 24 years later I still move my head to the side when I look under the hood of most cars.
I'll post some pics soon.
March 20th, 2014, 06:49 AM
#8
Community Auto was on Hampden Lane in Bethesda near Woodmont Avenue. They may still be in business in a different location. I grew up in Bethesda and that part of Bethesda is nothing like it was when I was growing up. Neither is Rockville for that matter.
March 20th, 2014, 07:53 AM
#9
Past Administrator
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Rural Waxahachie Texas
Posts: 10,171
The iconic Cutlass "tooth" I believe we all have scars on our heads to show for our love of the car. Welcome to CO.
March 24th, 2014, 05:40 PM
#11
Some pictures of my 71 convertible
I shot some pictures of it today. I wasn't able to get it started-- it's been sitting for a while-- but I hope to get it started soon and to start working on it soon as well.
Last edited by gt442; March 24th, 2014 at 05:42 PM. Reason: hit post too soon
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