Hi all,

Don't have my car yet, but in anticipation I have been researching various things and most of the google results have brought me here, so here I am!

I bought a 1972 Cutlass Supreme convertible that has been done up as a 442 tribute...more specifically a W30 tribute...unfortunately it doesn't have the 455 :-(

Unfortunately the car is in WA and I am in MA, so am waiting for it to arrive. Should be picked up in the next day or 2 in WA, so hoping to have it in a week or so.

I am both excited, and horrifed that I bought a car all the way across the country without seeing it in person or driving it. It was on eBay, and I threw out a bid almost for fun, but the reserve wasn't met. The seller contacted me saying that most of the interest was from the east coast, but that the cost of shipping was turning people off. He asked what my best offer was, and next thing I know I'm sending a truck to pick it up!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/321766076112...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Been communicating back and forth with the seller, and have no reason to think he's trying to screw me. Along with the issues called out in the listing (AC doesn't work, needs tires), I also know that the horn doesn't work, and one of the reverse lights is out. Will need to get those things fixed to pass MA inspection, hence some of the research that led me here. It also has true dual exhaust and front disc brakes, which I was glad to find out.

I'm sure once I get the car and play with it a while I will have many more questions to ask....

 

Welcome to the site, it looks like a pretty clean car.

 

Welcome. I know exactly what you mean ("both excited and horrified"), as I did exactly the same thing back in 2011... I bought my 68 442 Convertible from an Oregon flipper and had it shipped to PA, same scenario as yours... After you get the delivery, I will tell you my experience if you have interest. It ended up well, but there is quite a story that for a while the word "horrified" wasn't strong enough a word! take care and I hope all works out for you!
Shawn

 

Thanks guys,

Another thing the seller told me is that there is an exhaust leak where the pipe meets the manifold on one side...he didn't mention it in the listing because he was going to get it fixed, but he brought it to a shop the other day and they told him that one of the bolts was pretty bad, and they were worried they might ruin the manifold trying to take it all apart. Since the car was scheduled to be picked up in a couple days (was picked up yesterday...should have it in about a week!!!), he told them to just leave it alone. Hoping once I get it, a lot of penetrating oil and patience will prevail, but who knows.

I was searching around and found the Thornton's replacement manifolds...sounds like a good alternative to headers, but there seems to be some debate/controversy with them. Guess I will have to see what the state of the entire exhaust system is once I get the car...if it is getting near replacement time then I may look into headers or the Thorntons...if it is in good shape then I guess I will try like hell to save the stock manifold, or find another one.

 

Good luck with purchase, been there done that. Where about in MA are you? Have you owned Oldsmobiles before? Great looking car!

 

Hey scrappie...I live in Attleboro...you? Many years ago I had a 70 442 hardtop for a few years, but it was basically a POS. Have always been mainly a GM guy, and always thought the 70-72 442 with the ram-air hood and side stripes was one of the best looking cars from the era.

 

Cool, I'm in Mendon, I have a 71 442 conv. It's my 6th Olds. You should bring your car over to the Bass Pro shops in Foxboro every other thursday, well over 300 cars every other thursday. This site is my favorite I've found over 10 yrs ago, the people here are friendly, knowledgable and resourceful. Hope everything works out for you.

 

Welcome to the forum and congrats on your new car - it looks really nice. You'll find some interesting info on this forum. If you haven't found what you're looking for, feel free to post a question. If you have knowledge that someone else is looking for, feel free to share!

 

Welcome, fellow Mass-hole! Nice looking ride. Yes, I, along with many here have been more than horrified sometimes. Been playing the game with my 67 for a couple of years now and when a day goes by that I am not newly horrified I give thanks.

 

The car arrived yesterday...sorry, I should have taken pics before it went into the garage lol. Already have a laundry list of things in addition to the ones I knew about. Posted a couple things in the Electrical section concerning the horn and tail light.

 

Car looks good man! What are you having done to it?

 

Congrats on the new ride. Looks very nice even from pics taken inside your garage. Best of luck with it!

 

Spent most of Sunday and Monday sorting out various things to make sure it passed inspection...today I got it insured, registered, and inspected, and put about 50 top-down miles on it! Awesome!

Still some things to work out, like an exhaust leak, but am loving it so far. Overall the car seems very solid, with a lot of attention to detail. But then you come across some things that make you say "wtf"? Like the power steering and alternator belts being on the wrong pulleys. The alternator lines up with the inner-most pulley, but the belt was on the middle one instead (and the PS was on the inner)...how could you not notice misalignment? Oh well...

 

Maybe it was a test... Glad you got it there ok, looks sweet.