1971 Cutlass Convertible Restomod

[dhutton]

A coworker's brother in law has been after me for a few years to restomod his first car, a 1971 Cutlass convertible. Since I retired last fall and need to keep busy I agreed to do it for him. Not a show car by any means, the intention is a clean reliable driver. Car needed full floor and trunk floor, rear quarters, toe panels, trunk drop offs and miscellaneous patches. Installed an LS3 4L65E Connect and Cruise, a 12 bolt rear, about 75% of a Ridetech Street Grip package (long story), Dakota Digital gauges, Vintage Air, Entropy radiator and fan controller, Vaporworks fuel system, AAW Chevelle Classic Update harness, Kore3 C5 brakes and a Turn One steering box. He wanted a stock looking interior and we did a 442 W30 clone exterior. The wheel selection was his, it seems he did not like the $3500 three piece wheels I recommended. To keep the budget reasonable no effort was made to beautify the underhood appearance. The GM harnesses etc were used as purchased. We took it on its shakedown cruise yesterday without a hitch. He seemed very happy aside from he couldn't take it home due to rain. Start to finish the project took six months.

He still needs to take it to a shop to have the convertible top installed. I know the limitations of my backyard hack skill set and that job is well beyond it...

I used SPI epoxy, medium red and black basecoats and their Universal Clear along with Z-Chrome Rust Defender and SEM bedliner on the underside and trunk floor. We used Phoenix Graphics stencils for the stripes and there is nothing more frustrating than trying to lay flat mylar stencils on curved surfaces. I doubt I will try that again. I also used a white sealer to make the red "pop" and I don't think I will do that again.

Highlights were the Dakota Digital gauges, Vaporworx tank/controller and the Holley accessories/mounts/pan. All these products installed and worked without a hitch. I especially liked having all the gauges run off the bus using the factory sensors etc. The Turn One steering box also has a great feel.








Don

[pro66tour]

Hey Don, now that you're done and feel like you need something to do, how about coming by to finish my car Same type of build! Great work bud Thanks for sharing.

[CRCRFT78]

I wish all my cars looked like "clean reliable drivers." Great job.

[WSSix]

Nice looking car! Great work, Don.

[67XR7]

I dig it! I think the wheels fit the overall look of the car.

Great job!

[Musclerodz]

Turned out nice Don. Glad I could help some along the way.

[dhutton]

Thanks guys. I think he is really going to enjoy putting a lot of miles on this car.

Don

[grendel]

Now that you're retired, want a job?

Most of my shop is retirees

[dhutton]

LOL, I think the commute to New Hampshire is a little long and the winters too cold. I did work a couple of weekends in a local shop but sort of got fired because I wasn't a professional metal shaper which I had stated from the get go. It seems that one needs to be able to metal work and stretch a 20 gauge panel until it is a few microns thick and then weld it with surgical precision. LOL... The pay was also quite low with no benefits of any kind. I guess that is the norm but I'd rather peck away in my shop assembling my personal cars or an occasional car for guys who just want nice clean driver quality cars and don't want to wait a couple of years to have them. I'll leave the SEMA and pro touring builds to the pros. My cars are mostly bolt together with some minor metal work. I did stretch the rear quarters by 1.5" on my 69 Camaro which pretty much stretched my abilities to the max... The body and paint work is what I enjoy most which is what a lot of guys hate. I'd like to take some metal shaping classes and have been watching for something not too far from home.

I have a lot of respect for the guys I see on this forum. Some amazing talent. But in my case this backyard hack belongs in his backyard..... LOL...

Thanks,
Don

[grendel]

Heh, I was sort of kidding.

Although I am always hiring people who like to paint/do body work and have patience.

We can teach you the metal shaping. In my spare time, I like making medieval armor.