new guy inherited a cutlass
#1
new guy inherited a cutlass
Hello guys and gals! My name is Jansen and I just acquired what I think to be a 71 cutlass. I have very little knowledge on these cars but I'm very knowledgeable with gm Ls engines. I have built several Ls turbocharged trucks and cars. A little history on the car at hand... it was my great grandfathers car and he parked it in his barn in the late 70's and has been there ever since. My goal is to get it out and clean it up and drive it. I have no plans of turning this thing into a hot rod, I want it to be just like it was when it rolled off the showroom floor. The car has no rust or dents and the doors open and close better than the doors on my 00 Yukon! It has the rocket 350 with 2bbl carb. I don't know much about these cars but hope to change that with the help of some of you guys and the search button ha ha. Thanks for the comments in advance and good day to all.
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#2
#3
Welcome, looking at the headlight bezels and grille, that it is a 1972 Cutlass S. Both the VIN and data plate will confirm what year that it is. I believe that 1972 was the first year for those wheel covers.
#8
Looks like a solid base to start with. No huge rust holes. Ck the VIN [title, or the plate under the windshield, LH side] and then, under the hood, LH side, up top near the windshield, is the ~2x4" body tag... that will reveal a bit more.
Grilles look 71 Cutlass to me. "S" on the fender after "Cutlass"? Column shift 3-spd.
It may still run. Why was it parked? Does it have an FM radio? You may wish to get a variable voltage supply and slowly bring the wiring up to 13V in order to gently awaken old capacitors in the radio, ignition, and other places. A set of points/ condenser will probably be required to get spark.
Location?
Grilles look 71 Cutlass to me. "S" on the fender after "Cutlass"? Column shift 3-spd.
It may still run. Why was it parked? Does it have an FM radio? You may wish to get a variable voltage supply and slowly bring the wiring up to 13V in order to gently awaken old capacitors in the radio, ignition, and other places. A set of points/ condenser will probably be required to get spark.
Location?
#9
Thanks guys. I can't wait to clean it up, the paint still shines under all the dust. It was set up because my great grandfather lost his ability to drive and when he died my grandmother inherited the place and I bought it from her . It does have a radio and I want to say its an am radio but I'm not 100 percent sure. I haven't tried to turn the crank with a wrench yet. I've actually got a 425 super rocket engine I acquired while I was going to school for automotive machinist. I'm located in laurel Mississippi BTW.
Last edited by jansen; January 21st, 2013 at 09:48 AM.
#10
It is a '72 Cutlass. Rocker trim , S emblem on the fender, blacked out headlight bezels,
'72 rocket emblem on the center stone shield, seat belt warning light in the fuel gauge, '72 steering wheel, '72 grills. My .02
'72 rocket emblem on the center stone shield, seat belt warning light in the fuel gauge, '72 steering wheel, '72 grills. My .02
#13
Now THAT'S a barn find.
Welcome to CO.
Remember it's only original once.
Those 72 350's were alright, and with
a 2 bbl and a tune, maybe 17 mpg?
67 thousand miles, just broke in, sweet.
Do you remember cruising at all with
your Gramps?
Looking forward for your follow-up pics.
Welcome to CO.
Remember it's only original once.
Those 72 350's were alright, and with
a 2 bbl and a tune, maybe 17 mpg?
67 thousand miles, just broke in, sweet.
Do you remember cruising at all with
your Gramps?
Looking forward for your follow-up pics.
#14
Now THAT'S a barn find.
Welcome to CO.
Remember it's only original once.
Those 72 350's were alright, and with
a 2 bbl and a tune, maybe 17 mpg?
67 thousand miles, just broke in, sweet.
Do you remember cruising at all with
your Gramps?
Looking forward for your follow-up pics.
Welcome to CO.
Remember it's only original once.
Those 72 350's were alright, and with
a 2 bbl and a tune, maybe 17 mpg?
67 thousand miles, just broke in, sweet.
Do you remember cruising at all with
your Gramps?
Looking forward for your follow-up pics.
#15
71 tail lamps have two stacked horizontal rectangles. In 72, Olds added vertical strips in them. You can find factory service manuals on wildaboutcars or buy original hard copies on ebay. The chassis manual will have wiring diagrams.
#16
#21
Welcome aboard That is awesome that you are going to save that car and drive it Keep us posted on the progress and especially take lots of pics when you polish her up a bit so we can see her shine
#23
Thanks, cant wait to get it out in the sunlight for the first time in 30+ years. I don't have any paperwork on the car. How hard is it to get this thing registered?
#26
Hey jansen: Welcome to the Classic Oldsmobile Forum. Excellent barn find. Make your great grandfather proud! Don't take on too much at once. Take your time and try not to get in over your head. If you have questions, just ask. That's what we are here for, to help others.
#27
Welcome to the site. Can't wait to see it cleaned up.
Did you follow the machine field after going to SAM? I have a cousin in law that went about 15 years ago and has worked for race team after race team and got tired of moving so often and last I heard was in Lubbock working for a machine shop (I'm guessing Sunset Racecraft) but not for sure.
Did you follow the machine field after going to SAM? I have a cousin in law that went about 15 years ago and has worked for race team after race team and got tired of moving so often and last I heard was in Lubbock working for a machine shop (I'm guessing Sunset Racecraft) but not for sure.
#28
Welcome to the site. Can't wait to see it cleaned up.
Did you follow the machine field after going to SAM? I have a cousin in law that went about 15 years ago and has worked for race team after race team and got tired of moving so often and last I heard was in Lubbock working for a machine shop (I'm guessing Sunset Racecraft) but not for sure.
Did you follow the machine field after going to SAM? I have a cousin in law that went about 15 years ago and has worked for race team after race team and got tired of moving so often and last I heard was in Lubbock working for a machine shop (I'm guessing Sunset Racecraft) but not for sure.
#30
That would be pretty sweet. Boost is very addictive and is very expensive. Been thru 9 transmissions and 3 rear ends. As long as you do it right and put a tough drive train behind it you'll have many miles of fun.
#31
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Big Lake,MN..Spent most of my life in Boston
Posts: 714
Great find. Photos are great. You do know that car has been breakfast, lunch and dinner for every 4 legged creature for the last 20 years!!You will have many hoses and wires to replace in the engine compartment...but that will be an easy fix. Careful with the interior, I made the mistake of kneeling on the back seat of my car after being in storage for awhile and the seat cracked. Don't get to excited scrubbing the interior...it will be very delicate. This is a great group and they will help all they can....no nasty opinions unless you pimp out your car or put a chevy engine in it, THEN you'll catch crap. Good luck
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