Introducing Project Sabre, 1971 Cutlass S Pro-Touring car

[SparkyRnD]

The body does look great, but in all honesty there is a ton of work that was in it before it got to the epoxy stage. And, there is going to be about 3-4 weeks of 8 hours a day in the body work (and that is before paint), and that still won't be a perfect show car job (for those that are wondering). When cutting and welding metal, it can still tweak even a little which requires body work on the tail end. And, even though the car was described as all original, never been wrecked, we've found a few places where there were some hidden minor dents, which of course, take extra body work. But, the car was still the best of the bunch after months of searching, and was a great price for what i got.

The good part is that the car is in the best hands I could imagine have working on a car. Joe's body guy is one of the best in the business, and has an amazing eye for detail. He looks for the things I would never think to look for or ask about. I feel lucky to have the car in such capable hands.

Chassis: due to a few scheduling conflicts, we've had to reschedule bringing the chassis to the coaters. Hopefully, we can drop it off later in the week.

I spoke with Jason Rushforth about the wheels, and he thinks they'll be done in the next week and a half to two weeks. The tires are in, and are waiting at the shop to be mounted once the wheels arrive.

I also received the gauge package and new ABS overlay for the cluster from New Vintage, and HOLY COW they look cool! We are using a 6-gauge cluster, with tach and speedo in the center, and then oil / batt / volts / gas split on each side. In the dead center, we had them set us up with one of their killer indicator panels, that has turn signals on either end, and warning lights for check-engine, overheating, low oil, and brights. I'll get pictures up in the next day or so. The best part is that you don't have to hack up your dash to install them. You simply take the original plastic cluster housing out (unbolts from the dash), remove the factory gauges, and use a dremel to trim the original so that the new overlay will fit. Then use epoxy to secure it in place. Takes all of about 30 minutes from start to finish (plus wiring, but that is beside the point).

[SparkyRnD]

We worked with New Vintage USA for a gauge cluster for Project Sabre.
Original Bezel:


ABS Overlay:


Here is what the ABS pod looks like loaded, and using one of their Indicator Panels in the center (with turn signals, high beams and warning lights).

Loaded Gauge Pod:


Integrated Indicator Panel:

[SparkyRnD]

I also ordered a front end bolt kit from Tamraz on ebay, along with a 10pc seal kit. All the seals are from MetroMMP, and are their Softseal style. I also had to buy a rubber bumper kit (hood bumpers, hood to fender bumpers, door bumpers, trunk bumper, etc) as mine were all shot.



Got those and delivered to the body guy today so he can finish aligning everything. Looks like we're going to have 3-4 weeks total of bodywork due to some wavy spots and a few hidden dents that needed a good bit of work.

One of the parts of the Cutlass front fenders that always drove me crazy (not in a good way) are the pot-metal fender trim at the front. They don't match anything, they never align properly, and they always were an eyesore to me. So after talking with the body guy, we decided to have him fabricate replacements from sheet metal and weld it to the fenders, and then bodywork it for a smooth look. Here is the passenger side in a not-yet-finished state:


Here is what the driver side looks like before he starts:



Here are some updated body pictures:

[alfierro]

I have a few parts left over from my build. Let me know if you need anything.

[SparkyRnD]

I don't have any updated body pics, but should in the next day or two. Chassis hasn't gone to powder coating yet, I believe Joe is waiting on the use of a trailer so he can haul mine and a few others to the coaters.

I did get tracking for the wheels that shipped out yesterday:



I also updated our project website in the gallery section:

[SparkyRnD]

Originally Posted by alfierro

I have a few parts left over from my build. Let me know if you need anything.

Thanks! I think we're covered at the moment, but we'll know for sure during final assembly

[waynieZ]

Looking good!

[SparkyRnD]

We just updated the Project Sabre website to include the new bodywork pictures in the April Gallery (http://www.projectsabre.com/Apr12.html) and added the May Gallery (http://www.projectsabre.com/May12.html). The May Gallery has the recent chassis pictures and beginning suspension install. We will update the May images once the seats are mocked up and the upholsterer starts on the interior, and also when the body guy starts the finish bodywork.

Here are the body pictures:

[SparkyRnD]

And here are the chassis pictures with the RideTech suspension being installed:

[alfierro]

As an olds guy, I am loving it.