Possible New Project - Seeking Input

[V8TV]

Came across a pretty neat car for sale down the street... before we take the plunge, I though we'd gauge a little interest on this one. If we elected to build the car, we'd do a complete build on our show and website.

1971 Olds Cutlass S
350 4 Barrel
FACTORY 4 Speed (M20) - I guess there aren't many of these... does anyone know?
Disc brakes
3:42 posi
FE2 suspension, sway bars, etc.
Buckets
No console
Factory 'glass ram air hood, with factory air filter assembly

The car's a little crusty, but it's in all original paint, never been wrecked, with minimal rust. It's being sold by the original owner... he's got all the receipts and stroies. We'd work him into the show.

Sound like a cool project?

[PRRC]

Sounds like a great project.I like to see cars that are little out of the main stream. Gives you something fresh to look at.

[ProStreet R/T]

Very cool project. As much as I love them it's nice to see something that isn't a 1st gen camaro or E-body mopar.

If you're gonna do it, I'd say you have to go all the way, at least in the suspension/wheel department. If the PT look is what you're after, it needs to be full bore.



Hey you're getting off easy. A buddy of mine wants me to help him PT out a 65' Lincoln continental. 2 1/2 tons of luxo barge on 345's and coil overs, it should be interesting

[JayR]

They've done a few of those to great success on Overhaulin' so I say start cutting and if you need a designer to help you see it's true potential, drop me a line!
The 19s and 20s on the most recently Overhauled one last week fit perfectly in those big round wheelwells and there's tons of great aftermarket stuff for GM A-bodies.

[Hdesign]

I've always thought that the Cutlass was the better looking, (somewhat) unsung hero of the GM intermediate bodies. After project XBreed (70 Nova) is done I may have to tear into a nice 71 'vert. It has the best nose of the 70-72 body IMO. Talk about a nice clean white sheet of paper to start with!

[XcYZ]

Originally Posted by JayR

The 19s and 20s on the most recently Overhauled one last week fit perfectly in those big round wheelwells and there's tons of great aftermarket stuff for GM A-bodies.

I'm with Jason.

[T Bell]

Well, you know my answer. But I wouldn't use that genuine Rally Sport sterring wheel. I'd selling to me. What motor you thinking about?

[V8TV]

Well T,

Here's the dilemma.

A '71 S with a 350 / M20 is not really that spectacular of a car, but this one is so original that it makes me wonder. If it were a 442 / 455 / M22 ragtop, than the car deserves the respect of staying true to original form. If it were a base Cutlass with a 350 2bbl and a bench, than I'd say gut it and go whole hog. But this one is sorta 1/2 way between.

The only things that are not original on the car are the carburator, (replacement Q-Jet installed in the early '80's), the plugs, wires, cap, rotor, points, condensor, belts, hoses, brake pads, and tires. It's got the original alternator, water pump, and everything it's supposed to have. It's even got the original clutch in the car.

Now I'm not really into concourse correct cars, but I've also never had the opportunity to own anything that was as unmolested as this car.

So I'm thinking that I'd like to do some cool mods, but keep the car in a condition that could be fairly easily returned to perfect original.

For example:

Shelve the original control arms, sway bars, springs, brakes, wheels, and rear end. We'd even restore all those parts. Then, we'd install all new tubular upgraded goodies, Baers, bigger bars, wheels, etc. These bolt-ons are a no-brainer. All could be easily switched back to stock in a weekend.

Next, I'm thinking we'll pull the motor and throw a little internal technology at it. It runs really nice now, so I'm reluctant to mess with it, but it's undoubtadly ready for a rebuild. So perhaps we add a hydraulic roller cam, aluminum intake, some mild headwork, MSD billet electronic ignition, balancer, carb, etc. to the original 350. Keep it pretty clean and stock appearing, but up the power level.

Inside, maybe we add some gauges - it's hard to tell in the photo, but the original owner built a gauge box back in '71... it's plexiglass, and it's lit from the perimeter aircraft-style. He's in to HAM radios and stuff. It's actually a neat old artifact. We'd probably keep the car pretty close to stock inside, maybe swap the seats for something a little more supportive, and have them stiched to match the originals.

We'd keep the color scheme and the hood, and we'd restore the vacuum operated air filter housing.

Just a clean, tight car. I'm up to my a** in EFI and electronics right now, so a carb'd 4-speed lo-tech combo is appealing for its simplicity. Maybe it gets a 5 speed for the OD.

I'm also unsure of wheels for the car... any thoughts?

- KO

[Hdesign]

Sounds like a good plan. I was thinking that you should talk to they guys at www.wheelvintiques.com about pioneering a billet set of 18" or 19" of 80's 442/Hurst 15"chrome/black or gold rally wheels. Not the common painted rally ones with beauty rings that are on the car now. See photo:
That would be pretty BadA$$.

[Diognes56]

I love the 70's Cutlass's, especially with that hood. I vote you give it to me .

David