Help

Status
Not open for further replies.

Derrik Kasinger

Not-quite-so-new-guy
Sep 24, 2017
15
5
3
I am a new owner of a 78 olds Cutlass. I have many pictures of the car. It needs alot of body work. Major motor work needs to be done. Any help with how or where to find the body parts or Best way to fix. I would like to turn this car into a decent street/strip car..
9e54e681fb0ad90c8e5b47b7cbfb1ce9.jpg
d8bc621f31f4df2130321b6702bbc994.jpg
afdd7b3160c6bed138a11ac0d9a09c9e.jpg
c6550579a818eaf860eb8f6e532902b7.jpg
2e8d480703771aab6d1f5cf2f6e03119.jpg
054caab69a4a3a9934cb1fb5eb934fe9.jpg


Sent from my Z982 using Tapatalk
 

Injectedcutty

G body LS mafia
Nov 24, 2014
6,057
22,807
113
Louisville, KY
Welcome to the forum from KY. I see the KY tags on that Cutlass....are you in the Bluegrass state as well?

From the pics, the sail panel/quarter areas look to need some serious work. Maybe post in the wanted section as well to help locating parts.

There are a bunch of knowledgeable guys here, and some with the parts you need.
 
  • Agree
Reactions: 1 user

melloelky

Comic Book Super Hero
Oct 22, 2017
4,136
9,486
113
mass
projects can be/are a big undertaking and it's very easy to get overwhelmed and stall out.take sometime to figure out what you NEED and what you want out of it.there'$ a big difference.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user

Derrik Kasinger

Not-quite-so-new-guy
Sep 24, 2017
15
5
3
Well like I said I want a street/strip car. So fiberglass body wouldn't bother me at all. Thanks for the info. I will post on another board and get some major info. This shall be a very fun and long process

Sent from my Z982 using Tapatalk
 

Derrik Kasinger

Not-quite-so-new-guy
Sep 24, 2017
15
5
3
Welcome to the forum from KY. I see the KY tags on that Cutlass....are you in the Bluegrass state as well?

From the pics, the sail panel/quarter areas look to need some serious work. Maybe post in the wanted section as well to help locating parts.

There are a bunch of knowledgeable guys here, and some with the parts you need.
Yes I am from ky. Daviess co area. This was my dad's car. I grew up in this car. She was sweet when I was a kid. My little brother bought it about 4 months ago. The decided to was way to big of a project for him. So I bought it from him and know/knew what I wanted to do when he bought it

Sent from my Z982 using Tapatalk
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user

DRIVEN

Geezer
Apr 25, 2009
8,062
14,479
113
*CENSORED*
That looks to be a very ambitious project. I totally understand the sentimental attachment. Because I haven't seen it in person and don't know your financial situation or skill set, I hope you'll take my questions at face value.
-What do you mean by "decent" street/ strip car?
-The body looks rusty. How is the frame?
-Do you have the missing parts?
-Are you paying someone else to do any or all of the work?
-You say major motor work needed. Is that engine worth fixing?
-Will the transmission and rearend be up to the task once you have the engine set up the way you want it?

I only pose the questions because sometimes we all get a little blinded by emotion. Sometimes its better to recognize early on that a project just doesn't make sense. I could easily see this build taking years and costing many 10s of thousands. Just some things to consider.

We'd all love to hear more details and see more pics. Everyone here enjoys an active build thread.
 
  • Agree
Reactions: 2 users

Derrik Kasinger

Not-quite-so-new-guy
Sep 24, 2017
15
5
3
That looks to be a very ambitious project. I totally understand the sentimental attachment. Because I haven't seen it in person and don't know your financial situation or skill set, I hope you'll take my questions at face value.
-What do you mean by "decent" street/ strip car?
-The body looks rusty. How is the frame?
-Do you have the missing parts?
-Are you paying someone else to do any or all of the work?
-You say major motor work needed. Is that engine worth fixing?
-Will the transmission and rearend be up to the task once you have the engine set up the way you want it?

I only pose the questions because sometimes we all get a little blinded by emotion. Sometimes its better to recognize early on that a project just doesn't make sense. I could easily see this build taking years and costing many 10s of thousands. Just some things to consider.

We'd all love to hear more details and see more pics. Everyone here enjoys an active build thread.
As far as being able to do the work I am doing it all myself. I can't say my kids will go to college but they will be able to say dad has one badass car. Lol. But anywho The car will be totally built by me. I can do all the work I am very skilled in auto mechanics. Motor is trash but have another block to build new motor with. Trans is being swapped for a new th350 built or a 2 speed. Rear end is being redone. Frame is perfect. Would like to know the options for changing the body to maybe fiberglass or aluminum. I have all missing parts to the car. Including the backseat.
f2fe9d20a03d4a25f96bff6d12f83675.jpg
42ae1a1a9d176dc3334cd9105e7d0193.jpg
9adec6178bea4c0aad27f292ccc3589e.jpg
b97dac7cda694e29c245e219a6426096.jpg
6a21ba4240f53d85eeba91567be5d1b0.jpg
4085bb2c01ae6bfd38aa77ef952b461f.jpg
c96bdacef9d6e8d1fb62a7e6c3b411ca.jpg
0c780f1a8ccae6ca1634e0c2bf2f90b0.jpg
d54d24bb7b97f7398dd7d81d1fc78c91.jpg
86c9c9f8b0c8a375fd5388a3bcb654a2.jpg
51ad3b250ec9935e08f985effff421d2.jpg
9a3791fc5580cf5f5390faa27add5da6.jpg
c6f90884848580ccdff9c83a74cd9b74.jpg
3bded77ef1bda6de957315fc97b46fec.jpg
a402471b4c25955e0202ef55724c9017.jpg
79483f2f21f8221a25c057b56fc5cb27.jpg


Sent from my Z982 using Tapatalk
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user

Injectedcutty

G body LS mafia
Nov 24, 2014
6,057
22,807
113
Louisville, KY
Yes I am from ky. Daviess co area. This was my dad's car. I grew up in this car. She was sweet when I was a kid. My little brother bought it about 4 months ago. The decided to was way to big of a project for him. So I bought it from him and know/knew what I wanted to do when he bought it

Sent from my Z982 using Tapatalk
Ah, Owensboro area. I'm in Louisville. Listen to any recommendations/advice given gere buddy, alot of these guys have been around the sun many more times than I, and have firsthand experiences venturing into the metalwork that needs attention.
However, I'm 6 years deep into my '87 Cutlass resto that I've had since 2001. New roof skin, quarters, rockers, etc have made it like a new car....it's at the paint shop now and should be shiney in a week or so.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 users

Injectedcutty

G body LS mafia
Nov 24, 2014
6,057
22,807
113
Louisville, KY
I'm not sure if anyone yet offers a complete fiberglass shell. I know VFN has complete glass front end parts, hood, rear bumpers I think, decklid. That would save some weight, but not save the $$$. The car has some potential, that's for sure!
 
  • Agree
  • Like
Reactions: 1 users

Derrik Kasinger

Not-quite-so-new-guy
Sep 24, 2017
15
5
3
I'm not sure if anyone yet offers a complete fiberglass shell. I know VFN has complete glass front end parts, hood, rear bumpers I think, decklid. That would save some weight, but not save the $$$. The car has some potential, that's for sure!
Thanks I appreciate it and the info. Any more you have send it my way.

Sent from my Z982 using Tapatalk
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user
Status
Not open for further replies.

GBodyForum is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Amazon, the Amazon logo, AmazonSupply, and the AmazonSupply logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.

Please support GBodyForum Sponsors

Classic Truck Consoles Dixie Restoration Depot UMI Performance

Contact [email protected] for info on becoming a sponsor