79 Cutlass Calais Build Thread(Formerly an intro)

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N3M3S1S

Apprentice
Mar 24, 2013
98
103
33
Wilmington, DE
I just picked this car up yesterday from a fellow that had owned it since 1991 and was just looking to move on. There's basically no rust(some bubbling in a few spots, none underneath). It came with a 305 but currently sports a Chevy 350 and the original TH350. It also has 3:73 rear gears which are really a bit much.. It winds up pretty high at highway speeds and the mileage sucks more than I want right now. I'm sure I'll be asking for help on that one soon. Other than that it has some typical old car issues, needs dash bulbs, fuel gauge is stuck on full, needs a headliner, and the driver side door striker needs replaced. The fun begins!

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Here's my two cars, the Cutlass and my 1988 Fiero Formula.

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When I first pulled it into my dad's driveway.

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My Fiero before I fixed the driver side head light.

(Sorry if the pics are huge, I stole them from my facebook.)
 

bigtmoney

Greasemonkey
Dec 11, 2011
216
3
16
Dallas, TX
Re: A quick introduction! My new(to me) 79 Cutlass.

That's a good looking Cutlass, love the curves. 78-80 are my favorite body style.
 

DRIVEN

Geezer
Apr 25, 2009
8,062
14,479
113
*CENSORED*
Re: A quick introduction! My new(to me) 79 Cutlass.

Looks like you got one of the clean ones. Not too many left out there.
 

jae

Master Mechanic
Oct 11, 2006
460
2
16
Re: A quick introduction! My new(to me) 79 Cutlass.

Congrats and very nice :mrgreen:
 

tobyp

Royal Smart Person
Jun 12, 2011
1,708
39
48
Cincinnati, Ohio
Re: A quick introduction! My new(to me) 79 Cutlass.

yes very nice Cutlass. On the radar to do one of those as well. I like the fiero, there is a very close following of that vehicle as well. Do you have a club or a forum you follow as well for that vehicle? Those vehicles are getting very hard to come by, there is one sitting in a field rotting away on my way home...I keep looking at it saying....hmmmm. But then I think about the wife and it all goes poof!
 

N3M3S1S

Apprentice
Mar 24, 2013
98
103
33
Wilmington, DE
Re: A quick introduction! My new(to me) 79 Cutlass.

tobyp said:
yes very nice Cutlass. On the radar to do one of those as well. I like the fiero, there is a very close following of that vehicle as well. Do you have a club or a forum you follow as well for that vehicle? Those vehicles are getting very hard to come by, there is one sitting in a field rotting away on my way home...I keep looking at it saying....hmmmm. But then I think about the wife and it all goes poof!

Google Pennocks Fiero Forum, I'm active on there and if it weren't for that place my Fiero wouldn't be on the road. Great bunch of guys. I have the same username there.

I'd also like to swap rear gears sooner than later. My dad thinks 3.08s would be a nice cruiser, opinions? And where to get them? Thanks gents.
 

DRIVEN

Geezer
Apr 25, 2009
8,062
14,479
113
*CENSORED*
Re: A quick introduction! My new(to me) 79 Cutlass.

He's right about the 3.08s if you stay with the 3-speed.
 

Chopper

Apprentice
Feb 9, 2013
84
2
8
Midland, MI.
Re: A quick introduction! My new(to me) 79 Cutlass.

Nice light yellow and half vinyl top combo colors. Don't see that too often. A gear change will help you a lot as far as highway driving but expect a disappointing drop in quickness from stop light to stop light. 3:42 is another choice but in the world of everything being overdrive, it will still scream to you most likely. When I get my junk of the road someday it will be a 3:73 because it will be a nice day only driver and I'll deal with it. I'm old so the car making a racket on the highway isn't that big a deal because that is just how it was at one time. A little light reading to help you...

viewtopic.php?p=162217#.UVEUQlfDmF4

Enjoy the Cutlass. She looks like a nice one.
 

Evan11

Royal Smart Person
Apr 17, 2009
1,259
10
38
Southern Indiana
Re: A quick introduction! My new(to me) 79 Cutlass.

Cutlass looks great! Looks like a Calais? Any interior pics? Looks like it has my favorite vinyl interior. Welcome to the forum. I've only saw this car & a 79 regal with this color combo..I like it...I agree on the 3.08 gears, they would work well with your present trans & still have decent pickup. Check eBay, etc for 7.5 10 bolt gears. The downfall is you'll need a 2 series carrier to fit 3.08 gears..you could go with 3.23 gears & use your present carrier tho.
 
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