Hi, first let me say I’m happy to have found this forum. It looks to be very helpful.
My car was originally purchased in the fall of 1970. I’ve been told it’s a very early build, built in the 3rd week of August 1970. Body # 52?? The original owner drove it for just over 10 years. Then the car was put into storage and remained there for 40+ years. The second owner bought it in early 2023. He replaced the entire fuel system, did a disk/drum conversion, new master cylinder, some suspension parts, and the motor, which was frozen. The new motor is now a rebuilt 1968 L-74 which was bored .030 over. It has an oppenhauser intake, a holley demon carburetor, and 2 inch dual exhaust. I purchased the car in November 2023 off eBay, sight unseen. ☹️ That was probably a mistake on my part but live and learn.
It has spent 10 months in the restoration shop and is now close to being finished. I intend on making it into a cruiser, not a hot rod. I’d probably kill myself if it had anymore power. Still waiting on parts to complete the project. I spent way more money on it than I had intended. But isn’t that usually the case?
My upgrades include LED headlights, LED taillights, adding dual chrome mirrors, am/fm/cd Bluetooth hands free stereo with 250 watt speakers, Dakota digital dash, and new front seat cover from Legendary. I also have the original steel wheels with the poverty hubcaps. And have bought the dual stripe whitewalls tires like what originally came on the car. I’m trying to bring it into the 21st century. It also has all new seals around the doors and the trunk, they are a lot stiffer than the old ones and haven’t seated down fully yet. I think it’s going to be cherry when finished!

During restoration

 

Very nice!! Welcome.

 

Beautiful car and great job on the restoration!! I’m currently putting my 71’ 442 back together, so I definitely understand how cost can quickly get away from you .

 

Welcome aboard! She's a beauty indeed!

 

From one post guy to another, that's a beautiful ride! Welcome aboard.

 

Welcome, nice ride.

 

Welcome, beautiful Oldsmobile.

 

I do appreciate all the kind compliments. It’s still a work in progress but getting there.

 

I like the painted roof, good job.

 

Thanks. I’m trying to keep it as close to original as possible. It was ordered originally in 2 tone paint. Viking blue and cameo white.

 

The car is turning out nice.

 

When having work done always double what you think it will cost and hope that's close.
Best of luck

 

And that’s really close. You’ve done this before. lol

 

I just ordered a new custom kutout from Juan Mendez, you can get in touch with him on Facebook. He does all kinds of designs and has recently started making Oldsmobile graphics. I think they’re really cool. Check it out. Here’s a picture of my new kutout.

 

 

Great car, welcome aboard.

With regards to the chart you just posted, as mentioned on bottom of it. The rating system change is the biggest player in the numbers not looking as impressive as pre 72. On this chart 1971 is still gross.

 

Beautiful resto. That's my favorite shade of blue, and the white painted top is the icing on the cake IMO.

 

Welcome. I love the color combo especially with the painted roof! That is beautiful!

The stance is really nice too.
Is the suspension stock?
What are the wheel/tire sizes?
Are you planning to add the stainless trim to the wheels?
How about some interior and engine shots?

 

The suspension is as originally from the factory. With a few new parts added, shocks etc. The tires are the 14’s like original. I have the original wheels and have mounted new dual stripe whitewall G-78-14 tires which I will put back on car when I show it. That way it should look as close to original when new, as possible. It sits low to the ground just like original. As for more pictures, I will post more when I get the car back from the shop. I had to put it back in because the transmission was leaking fluid and I finally got the outside mirrors and the windshield wiper motor that were ordered. That took forever, lol. Hopefully it will be back home by the end of the month. Hope so anyway, at that point it will have been at the restoration shop for a full year.

 

Ok. This wasn’t planned but my car is “ready “ on valentines day. I picked it up and drove it home. Hurray! Next day ac compressor froze up. Belts broke and now the steering pump is rattling. $&@
Seems like I just can’t get a break. And there are several other little things, but it’s getting close. Anyway here’s a few more pictures. Tell me what you see/think. Constructive feedback appreciated.

 

I know someone mentioned it before, but I really dig the painted roof.
The RWL and the blacked out rims w/no trim rings look great on it as well.

 

What paint code did you use for the roof? I need to redo mine at some point!

 

it’s cameo white a standard color for 1971, and several other years.

 

thanks. The tires and wheels in these pictures are my Hwy tires. I have dual stripe whitewall tires and original black rims with the dog bowl hubcaps. And I’ll put those on when I show the car.

 

Thanks!

 

Incomplete patches


Missing hanger bolts

Wrong belt positioning

I had to return the car to the restoration shop because of several problems. They kept it for almost 6 months and I was finally able to pick it up. Drove it home and transmission is leaking, again. I’m really disappointed with the quality of work! Kick down cable is broken and carburetor linkage is bent. Finally found a different place to take it too. When I got it there they put it on a lift and we got a closer look at the repair work that had been done. It’s not good. In fact it’s just junk. Incomplete welds, missing bolts, leaking oil, transmission fluid, and coolant. The new shop is going to fix all of this. And go thru the car completely and make it right. Here’s a couple of pictures of the crummy work done by the first shop.

 

I stopped by the shop to check on my car and I’m happy with the work that they are doing. Wish I had found these guys first. They have fixed the poorly welded patches, and the transmission leaks. Starting the mechanical upgrades and a body man is going over the paint and fitting the body parts better. Probably another week or two and it’ll be ready. I was hoping to get it to the Oldsmobile show in Texas this weekend but I’ll have to wait another year and do it. There is a show in Dell City Texas on October 25. I’m planning on doing it.

 

Got a few more things fixed. Now the car has a new intake and carburetor, new plug wires, and hopefully the transmission leaks are stopped. Time will tell. Next will be new front suspension and linkage. Also painting under the hood and want to get new carpet. Just over 2 years of fixing and replacing and now getting close. Man, what a long, strange trip this has been, lol. It now runs much better than before. An Edelbrock 650 carburetor and intake sure improved the performance and efficiency.
Going to check the mileage, but I believe it’s about double what the car was getting.

 

You’re moving right along, tidy engine bay.

 

Thanks, it’s come a long way already but more to follow. I’m trying to build it as a restomod, retaining the original exterior looks and modernizing it. I plan on putting mileage on it!

 

Gotta love a blue '71! Lookin' REAL good.

 

thanks! Man it’s been an adventure for sure.

 

Nice car.

Both front fenders are pre-1971 (1970?). They are not 1971 front fenders (federally mandated w/ dimpled/crumple zone). It's a Fremont build. Is the reason the front fenders are not 1971 because of an early build date &/or a Fremont build & Olds Fremont plant was using remaining 1970 fenders?

 

Really sharp eyes you have. It was an early build, #52 in the 3rd week of August 1970.
It has the fat lip fenders, at least that’s what I’ve heard them called. And it is a Fremont build.

 

Yes, I'm aware of everything you've said; yet, still does not address my question - why are they pre-1971 front fenders? Perhaps another member w/ some first-hand experience/knowledge might care to shed some knowledge. I just really don't know why a 1971 has pre-1971 front fenders: (1) Either they were replaced (body shop) from the originals; or, (2) it's possible the Fremont plant was allowed to used remaining pre-1971 front fenders during the 1971 model year?

 

I’m sure that these are the original fenders on the car. I too would like to know how this happened. I’m thinking that it was built before the crumple fenders became required. But I don’t know for sure. Would anyone else have information about this?
Here’s a link to information about the car that I used when I bought the car.
https://barnfinds.com/40-year-garage-dweller-1971-oldsmobile-cutlass/

 

I wasn't sure exactly how the dimple/crumple federally mandated law went into effect. It certainly sounds plausible manufacturers were allowed to use all previous remaining stock during the switch.

1971 442 Fender question

 

Just a quick update on my car. It’s back in the shop, getting all the steering linkage adjusted and worn components replaced. And a couple of other little things fixed. Next will be into the body shop to adjust the doors and trunk lid. They are not quite right. Gaps and seals need adjustment. Now at almost 2 1/2 years of work the car is getting really close to completion. I have to laugh at myself because I had actually thought that total cost would be close to 40K, but I’ve blown way past that. Currently at just over 80K. Been asked several times already if it’s for sale, and the answer to that is yes, but not without a profit.
Know any one that would pay $100K for a 1971 Oldsmobile Cutlass S Sports Coupe???
lol

 

You blew past any profit or even breaking even many $$$$'s ago. Just enjoy the car.

 

Actually, it was built in the 4th week of Aug 1970.
Build sheet shows 8-24 which is Monday in the 4th week. Also the cowl tag has 8D which would be the 4th week.