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Trying to learn the ropes and decide on a 69 Cutlass Convertible. Any advice appreciated!
have been searching for a vette but keep drifting back to the A bodies. Seems a smarter buy for what I’m looking for.
first, car is said to be matching numbers but not sure where to look. Engine flange seems to be stamped with a number - 39e175901. Anyone know how to decipher?
Second, would appreciate advice on things to look for in terms of trouble and questions to ask if seller.
Lastly, I’m looking for an appraiser/inspector in the Lexington, KY area I could pay to go check it out and tell me what I’ve got - originality, soundness, mechanicals, etc.
Already gaining from the site - learned that this is the VIN derivative. Appears to match the VIn so far so good ...
Welcome. Sounds like you're getting the hang of it. There is a similar VIN derivative stamped on the transmission as well. The "E" means that it is a Linden, NJ built car. Be wary of cars from the rust belt. Good luck.
If you're going to restore the car back to factory condition, make sure the car is as complete & unmolested as possible. Some things can be found for a reasonable price but some things, such as the rear convertible quarter panel upper trim pieces can be hard to find & very expensive. If you have pictures of the car & can post them here, we can highlight any good & bad items.
I know a guy not too far from you that might be willing to check the car out. Pm me your info. if you want & I'll see if he's interested?
Ha I bet. Thanks for the thoughts guys. I’ve got the cowl tag now, so any help in deciphering much appreciated!
ST 69 = Style 1969 Model Year
33667 = Oldsmobile (3) Cutlass S (36) Convertible (67)
BL = Linden, NJ assembly plant
1348 BDY = Fisher Body sequence number
TR 937 = Parchment bucket seat interior
51 A PNT = Trophy Blue Poly (51) with white (A) convertible top
05D = built fourth week (D) of May (05), 1969
A31 = power windows
It's always nice to see a convertible that isn't red.
Hey!
Not slamming you personally, I don't mind seeing cars that were red from the factory as there actually didn't seem to be so many, but over the past 30+ years I have gotten a bit tired of non-car folks saying I should paint my car red (I can't remember how many times I heard "If that were mine, I'd paint it candy apple red!") and seeing so many convertibles at car shows re-painted red.
The world has enough red convertibles and it doesn't need any more.
Not slamming you personally, I don't mind seeing cars that were red from the factory as there actually didn't seem to be so many, but over the past 30+ years I have gotten a bit tired of non-car folks saying I should paint my car red (I can't remember how many times I heard "If that were mine, I'd paint it candy apple red!") and seeing so many convertibles at car shows re-painted red.
The world has enough red convertibles and it doesn't need any more.
No worries. Wasn't seriously bothered. But if your car was originally Sable (brown) you might think differently.
No worries. Wasn't seriously bothered. But if your car was originally Sable (brown) you might think differently.
My 70 Supreme was 58 Burnished Gold metallic, which looked brown. I repainted it the same color - never even considered painting it red.
And some guy jogging down the road as I was washing the 71 Saturn Gold 'vert in the driveway asked if the color was "baby **** brown".
I considered seeing how fast he could run if I sicced the dog on him, but I let it slide.
Not slamming you personally, I don't mind seeing cars that were red from the factory as there actually didn't seem to be so many, but over the past 30+ years I have gotten a bit tired of non-car folks saying I should paint my car red (I can't remember how many times I heard "If that were mine, I'd paint it candy apple red!") and seeing so many convertibles at car shows re-painted red.
The world has enough red convertibles and it doesn't need any more.
While I whole-heartedly agree w/ keeping cars the original color, I don't see enough NEWER cars in the vibrant hues that used to grace our roads. I am so sick of "silver" or "grey" (and the dozen or so sub-shades thereof) and "champagne" colored cars, 80% of all cars on the road fall into one of those categories. I'll take a bright red, vibrant blue, deep metallic BRG, or metallic stout any day. When I see a Lime Green Chrysler 300C on the road, I might not like that color on that car, but I can fully apprciate that it used to be silver and can't pick a b!tch with it.
Yes my '68 has been repainted, but in its original Scarlet Red.
Last edited by JohnnyBs68S; Aug 1, 2018 at 02:53 PM.
My 70 Supreme was 58 Burnished Gold metallic, which looked brown. I repainted it the same color - never even considered painting it red.
And some guy jogging down the road as I was washing the 71 Saturn Gold 'vert in the driveway asked if the color was "baby **** brown".
I considered seeing how fast he could run if I sicced the dog on him, but I let it slide.
Well, to be fair, the car was red when I got it thereby saving me the conundrum of whether or not to change the color. I really hate brown but I also like to keep cars as original as possible so I probably would have been kept up nights trying to sort that one out.
I don't see enough NEWER cars in the vibrant hues that used to grace our roads. I am so sick of "silver" or "grey" (and the dozen or so sub-shades thereof) and "champagne" colored cars, 80% of all cars on the road fall into one of those categories. I'll take a bright red, vibrant blue, deep metallic BRG, or metallic stout any day. .
Then you would like my "other " car as it's Sonic Blue.
It's also tubocharged, intercooled, AWD, 6 speed manual trans, 4 wheel Brembo brakes, and 4-C active suspension. It's a blast to drive.
JMO but people get too gassed up into maintaining original colors. Some colors that were desirable then just aren't now. If you pick a color from the original palette I have no issue with that. If you want to maintain the original that is cool too.
A friend of mine has a badass black '71 Buick GS455 that he's had for 30 years. Its a beauty (and will run in the high 11's).
One time he said the one thing he would do differently is he probably wouldn't change the color to black from bamboo. Black ups the cool factor on this car by a pretty wide margin.
This thread has kind of gotten off track, but has anyone ever seen the movie "Used Cars"? Red cars are bad luck, Rudy! Notwithstanding, I owned a red '71 Corvette for 38 years...it was beautiful but I needed to make room for my less than dazzling white 4-4-2 convertibles. Yes, the vibrant colors of the past are much more exciting than the silvers, grays, and champagnes of the present. Let's get back to the origins of the original post, though - your blue '69 Cutlass convertible is beautiful!
You guys crack me up. I’m an original color guy for the record (though this car was a parchment interior and don’t think I’ll rip out the perfect black interior for originality sake). Here’s a few more pics for whoever asked. Having fun taking the few “off” things back to original spec - seatbelts, master cylinder, air cleaner. Someday maybe the bumper, do
cutouts like the 442, as they didn’t nail it with the dual exhaust ... thanks for all the help, guys!
