I have read threads where people have found aluminum bumper supports, aluminum hoods etc. What Cutlass do this parts come from? Would an 87 442 have any of these parts factory? Thanks for any help. Shaving weight! 
Aluminum Cutlass Parts?
- Thread starter V6UnderPressure
- Start date
- Status
diesel cutlasses are usually the place to start. sometimes aluminum hoods and bumper supports. i got a rear aluminum bumper but honestly cant say for sure what it came off because i dont remember. Im not sure there was any rhyme or reason to aluminum parts on these, you have to get lucky it seems
Depends on weight and options in conjunction with EPA mileage ratings I have heard. Mine has an alum front bumper support but a steel rear. THe car is a brougham loaded with a moonroof. I'd say they tried to save weight from the moonroof.
I've never seen where anyone has pinned down any pattern so it is fairly random. Like Peter said, diesels seem to be a good place to look. Logic would dictate that heavily optioned cars should be more likely to have aluminum parts. It also seems that the '78-'80s were more commonly found with aluminum parts. My '79 Supreme Brougham has bumper supports (front and rear), rear drums and hood and it is NOT well optioned. Apparently logic has nothing to do with it :lol: . I believe the aluminum trunk was only available on the '82-up. I could be wrong on that though.
I've seen combinations or just one or all the available aluminum parts on wrecking yard Cutlasses. I believe the body parts are Cutlass only (not positive on the bumper supports). The drums have been found on Monte Carlos and El Caminos but it's possible that the rearends weren't original to the vehicles. I doubt that they are Cutlass specific any more than parts like swaybars or braces. They seem to be somewhat random too but not as much.
I've seen combinations or just one or all the available aluminum parts on wrecking yard Cutlasses. I believe the body parts are Cutlass only (not positive on the bumper supports). The drums have been found on Monte Carlos and El Caminos but it's possible that the rearends weren't original to the vehicles. I doubt that they are Cutlass specific any more than parts like swaybars or braces. They seem to be somewhat random too but not as much.
Aluminum TRUNK? This is fantastic, I've never heard of it, but what a score if you could find one! There had to be an initial reason for them tooling up for the aluminum parts, I've just gone under the assumption that it had something to do with the diesel cars, and with the low diesel production, that eventually the aluminum parts just found their way onto whatever. Good reason to keep your eyes open in the junkyards, don't let these pieces get crushed!
Oh crap! I misspoke. The Monte Carlo got the aluminum trunk. I was looking for specifics after I posted and realized my mistake. I forgot about the aluminum core support on the Cutlass though and was reminded of that during my search.
As far as I know,the Aluminum core support is found on a Grand Prix only.That is where mine came from.The only thing I found to be different is at the front of the inner fenders(plastic fenderwells) There is about a two inch gap.No biggie really.DRIVEN said:
I didn't know about the GP getting it too. Good to know there's other options. The Cutlass definitely got them. I've personally touched them and put them to the magnet test (keep one in the junk yard tool bag for that very reason). They aren't common for sure. I think rebelgtp has one on his diesel '80. I'd have to go back and find his build to be sure.
- Status
Similar threads
