Project "Red Rocket"...yea, that's right!

[BanditDave]

Hey Guys,

Just the other day I sold my Pro-Touring '78 Trans Am and will be delivering it to its new owner on Memorial Day. I learned a tremendous amount on that car and she sure was great for the limited time I drove her. LS1/4L60e Detroit Speed arms, Pro-Touring F-body Suspension and a boatload of other goodies. And while it saddens me to get rid of her...I am getting married and have some serious house work that needs to be done.

However as one door closes, a new one opens. Well, the door opened for this girl:








A 1969 Olds Cutlass S with 44,000 miles on the clock. Why's it look so beat you ask? Well, the previous owner bogarted all the good sheetmetal to put on his 442 only to sell the damn thing!

Anyway, I snatched this guy up for $1K and the interior is practically mint!

My plans you ask??? Well, I talked with Mark at SC&C and she will be LOADED with the best of his catalog:

- Stage II Plus System
- SPC Lower Control Arms
- SPC Springs
- Currie Currectrac Rear Lowers
- Adjustable Uppers
- Chassisworks VariShocks
- Hellwig Pro-Touring Adjust Rear Bar
- Hellwig 1-1/4 Hollow-wall Front Bar
- Lee 800 Series Box
- HydroBoost
- Front Baer Track System -13in Rotors
- Baer Iron Sport Rears

For Wheels........BOOYAH!!!!!!!!!!



18" Rushforth Rated-X!!!!!!!!!!!!! 18X8 fronts 18x10 rears. I love these things and think they will look killer on a Victory Red Painted W-31 Cloned Cutlass with two black stripes down the hood.

Car's coming in the garage this weekedn when the TA leaves...

Oh and for a power plant? This will do nicely...



403 Olds from my drag car...ran 11.50s in that but I swapped the cam to make it a little more streetable. For now it will be backed by a TH350 but will eventually get a 200R4 transmission or 4LXX-esque trans. Oh and to top it off...



A nice little kit from MassFloEFI...

I am sooooo stoked for this project it is ridiculous! I am working on the guts first then paint.

Gentlemen...here she is...a Victory Red Olds Rocket...hence the name...

Project Red Rocket!!!! I know I know...I'm just fine with the jokes though...that's why I picked it!!!

Thanks!

Dave

Some pics of the TA before she goes:

[GHOSTDANCER]

Good luck with the new project Dave and keep us updated

[67ChevILL]

Nice upgrade in my opinion.
I love the cutty and think this is going to be very nice.
I like your wheel choice as well. I would love to see 18 in the front and 20's in the back though. The back fender of these cars expose the entire wheel so an 18 in the back might look a little smaller then say an 18 on a chevelle. just my .02 cents.

Question- What headers are you going to go with on this thing?
The only reason I ask is because I had a 67 and headers where hard to find. Only Mondello sold them at that time.

[tones2SS]

Very cool man. I'm digging it. I remember your post in the "for sale" section. Keep us posted please!
BOOOYAAAHH!!!

[BanditDave]

Originally Posted by 67ChevILL

Question- What headers are you going to go with on this thing?
The only reason I ask is because I had a 67 and headers where hard to find. Only Mondello sold them at that time.

Thanks for the compliments! There are a LOT of header choices available now...unfortunately though some of the companies are not keeping up with demand and one in particular closed their doors a little while back.

I can always grab a set of hookers or hedmans if American Racing Headers are in short supply.

Thanks again!
Dave

[BanditDave]

Small Update with BIG NEWS for me!

I have been talking a lot with Mark from SC&C and we have a real solid concept for the suspension and got to talking about wheels today as well.

Originally I was going to go with the Rated X Rushforths you see above. After punting some ideas around with Mark I made a quick call to Jason Rushforth and we just may have a neat little "Concept" for us Olds guys....

Stay tuned...rendering to appear within the next few weeks!

Dave

[mike343sharpstk]

A Cutlass, awesome!
Glad to see you are going with Olds power, bonus points for the FI too.
Cool

[tones2SS]

Very cool Dave. Should be awesome!
I'm looking forward to all the "secrets"!

[waynieZ]

Nice project Dave good luck with it.

[BanditDave]

Finally had a chance to get the car out of the garage and working on her. Tore into the front end and pulled off the fenders, hood and core support.

Got a few pics of the original straight six…kinda cool in its own way. Can’t wait to get this guy up and running and ready to rock and roll.

I plan to pull the engine and tranny tomorrow and hopefully begin separating the body from the frame. I am going to strip the frame of the suspension and take it to a place in Toms River, NJ to have it blasted. I am then going to smooth the factory weld seams gusset accordingly. I will also be adding structural supports in key areas. Finally it will be taken to a place near me to be powder coated.

Enjoy the pics!








My gorgeous fiancée and helper!!!



Yea…this is gonna change…haha