Looking for entire rear end (clip, trunk lid and floor, panels, tail lights, etc) and a good solid frame for a 1971 Olds Cutlass Supreme 2 Door Hardtop. Was my dad's car growing up, and it got rear ended at 55 mph close to 7 years ago. I would like to get it back up and running if anyone could help me out, email would be the way to go. We have a trailer, so pick-up is possible. Thanks!

 

Ouch!! Sounds like lots of work ahead of you. Welcome to C.O. BTW

There are plenty on this site who can prolly fix you up, but since you're in Indiana I'd recommend you talk to one of these guys
Scot Winn (Indianapolis) goes by 'oldspackrat'
Eric Jensen (Brazil Indiana) goes by jensenracing77.

BTW, the term 'clip' usually refers to front end parts. Sounds like you're looking for quarter panels, trunk floor and drop panel/fillers?

Frames can be from any A body of the time (1968-1972) as they are all the same; except for convertibles. That will give you more room in your search. For some reason when you're looking for Oldsmobile parts they mysteriously become more expensive from some people. Eric and Scott are both very fair and honest with their parts.

You can buy new GM licensed repro parts for some parts you want to look great - bumpers, tailights etc. If you need a list of vendors we can give you that and our experiences dealing with them

Post some pics of the project car so we can see what you'r up against?

 

Thanks

I'm aware that multiple years would work, but my dad is picky, and wants the original '71 parts and doesn't want any aftermarkets unless we absolutely have to.

The car is parked at his house, so I will get some photos the next time I go over there. And I will most certainly contact your referrals! Thanks again!

 

I have rear bumper brackets, maybe some tail lights & housings, back up lenses & housings. Pm or call, or come shopping on the south side of Indy?
Thanks.
Scott
c. 317-727-7041

 

Yup, 70 - 72 Cutlass will be perfect donors and the back end parts (except for 70 bumper/taillights) are exactly the same part numbers for 70 - 72. So any donor parts from other cars don't have to be from only 71 or you would seriously limit your search. Maybe your Dad already knows this, but it's worth mentioning just to expand the search a bit.

I see Scott posted ^^. I think you'd enjoy a visit to his place. I've only seen it in pics but the one time I did was a 'gathering' of Oldsmobiles that made me drool. Between him and Eric, they are like bloodhounds finding old cars that can be parted. Where in Indiana are you located?

A lot of the cars in your area have been subject to what a lot of us call 'the rust belt'. That means the donor cars may not be desirable with some of the parts because of rust. Something to keep in mind - finding good parts with only light surface rust (perfectly ok) is getting harder to do. The most common rot is on the lower quarter ahead of and behind the rear wheel, trunk floors,drops and fillers, deck lid pinch welds and inner/outer wheel housing. Unfortunately - that's pretty much the whole back end of the car.

The frame? Can it be pulled/straightened or is it a basket case? Reason I ask is it will also have the VIN derivative of the car stamped onto it. If it's toast? Really it doesn't matter what brand frame replaces it because the car will no longer have a 'number matched' frame.

I feel it's important to tell you this and you may already know it. Fixing / restoring the car needs to be evaluated from a financial point of view too. Practically any car can be restored, but you really need to know how much it will cost. Many of us on this site will echo my thoughts on this. You will never get a return on investment from the $$$ you spend restoring the car. So it has to be for enjoyment of the hobby. Sentimental attachment to a car is a very slippery slope and can result in a lot of wasted money. You don't want to ask how I know this all too well. Just want to prepare you for the dreaded money pit adventures that may be ahead.

Anyway, I'm off the soapbox now - so Good hunting for the parts and be sure to keep us up to date with the project.

 

I have frames,trunklid,and a bunch of other parts for the back half.

 

Is an insurance co picking up the tab, or did he buy it back from totalled?
If insurance, I'd be looking in California for rust-free!

 

Where are you located?

 

I also have a frame and about to take a load of parts to Indy...

John

 

I have a mint driver side quarter panel that has been cut above all factory seems. Has inner/outer wheel house and trunk drop off. $400 picked up and I'm just north of Flint, MI.

 

Insurance only paid a small amount - it was in a no-fault state and apparently the insurance was outdated as far as, not covered as a classic or full coverage.

 

I am having some issues posting a photo...this is my first forum, haha. Any tips?

 

Sure thing, here you go
* clik the 'go advanced' tab
* Press the icon that looks like a paper clip; and A 'Manage Attachments' box will appear
* Choose (navigate on your computer to where the pics are stored) and hit 'open'. repeat for all 5 pics.
* Hit 'upload'. It may take a bit of time depending on your pic resolution. If you have ultra high res, you will have to 'resize' them with your picture editor to a 1024X768 size or smaller for the C.O. server to accept them.
* Close the "manage attachments' box.
* Preview your post and the images will be at the bottom
* Hit 'submit post' and the thread will have the images installed at the bottom. Unfortunately you can only do 5 pics at a time this way.

If you have the pics hosted on another web server?
* Copy the IMG url and Press the icon that looks like an envelope with mountains on it. Paste the URL into that box and hit 'ok'. You can install up to 20 images this way.
* Be sure to preview your work.
* Make sure the images don't carry on across the page, stack them for easier viewing.

 

I used to manage a body shop, and had a bodyman that fixed a 85 Grand Prix that'd been rear-ended by a semi!
Taillights were in the package tray, and all we bought were the tailights, trunk lid and rear body panel!
Bumper, trunk floor and frame were straight.
All he used was a porta-power and less than a gallon of bondo.
Some guys are just artists, while there are butchers in the business!

 

100MEDIA$IMAG0547.jpg

 

Ouchie!!

 

Got one if the left side?
What pulled the bumper around?

 

Yes we will need both sides! I'm not sure what did that to the bumper, I was driving but it was all a blur. I was slowed down to turn right, and some guy in a pick-up looked down to pet his stupid dog and nailed me. He ended up hitting a tree that I was no where close to. I'm just thankful these cars were made with the real stuff, instead of plastic and fiberglass, you know? Unfortunetly the frame is so bent that the hood wont shut...might have been my fault since i kept braking haha

 

That is some nasty damage. Salvage whatever parts and harnesses you can. BTW that center deck lid revel trim is the same from 70 - 72. Only parts that were different were the curved brows and quarter extensions. You really have a project ahead of you.

 

Actually its not that big of a deal. All we need is the read end and frame, all the glass and everything is perfect. We already have a professional lined up to restore it for a fair price. Like i said, my dad has known this car since it came off the lot.