71 cutlass convertible

danp76

danp76

Oldtimer
Hi, guys I need to install quarters on a 71 cutlass convertible. How well do the aftermarkets fit?...Are they all the same with just different company names selling them?...how do I know for sure? I was thinking about welding on just skins, but I figure full quarters is a better job...thoughts? Thanks, Dan.
 
Can you even find full quarters for a 71 cutlass convertible?
If that car was a 442 W-30 I would dam near die to have it!
 
It's not a 442 w-30, but I'll stripe it and install scooped hood and make it appear as if it's one. Yes, full aftermarket quarters are available, I don't want to spend the $$$$ for originals...just wondering how they fit, and if all the aftermarket ones are from the same plant overseas, with different vender names on them.
 
If you can get full quarters I would definitely go that route, I would expect some modifications to get a perfect fit but that's normal, even with a NOS piece sometimes.
 
I agree Chad, I'll go with full aftermarket quarters. The original quarters are rotted on the bottom areas, and wheel-arch area. I supposed they could be patched, but probably a better job to replace entire quarter.
 
danp76;33259 said:
It's not a 442 w-30, but I'll stripe it and install scooped hood and make it appear as if it's one. Yes, full aftermarket quarters are available, I don't want to spend the $$$$ for originals...just wondering how they fit, and if all the aftermarket ones are from the same plant overseas, with different vender names on them.
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IF you are going to clone the W30, you will need to find a pair of the red inner wheel wells
 
The red ones are available aftermarket, as are the black ones. I'm not sure, I'll probably go with black ones, I'm building it to my specs, as it's not a rare car, just a cutlass convertible.
 
Sticking with the 350 or dropping in a 455? Gotta say I'm a little jealous that they make full (and skin) quarters for your A body convertible. Us A body convertible Pontiac owners have to try to adapt hard top quarters. Never realized the convertible quarters are so different from the HT quarters on the Olds Cutlass/442. The HT qtrs. seem to have an "eyebrow" over the wheel wheel that the verts. don't have IIRC.
Good luck with the project.
 
I wish I still had my '70 442 W-30. Can't afford to own one today.

The '70-'72 Cutlass were the best looking A body convertibles GM ever built imho.
Here is some inspiration to keep you motivated:

800px-'71_Oldsmobile_442_Convertible_(Auto_classique_Salaberry-De-Valleyfield_'11).JPG
 
72 W-30, Pro Spray base, SPI UV clear







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72 W-30, Pro Spray base, SPI UV clear





 
Some great pics guys, and nice work! I'm thinking of doing mine in SPI Red and Universal Clear...thoughts? I have already rebuilt the interior in black. I will be using a 455 that I rebuilt last summer...debating as to whether I paint the engine blue or just black. I kind of think if I paint the engine black it will coordinate with polished aluminum/chrome better on the engine.
 
Awesome ! Do you guys know what GTO meant back in the day? GoToOldsmobile :)

Joe Mondello was the guy back in the day that knew how to make the 455 an animal.

Did a quick search, looks like Joe is still the Olds guy. I used a number of his parts and advice when I built my W30.

http://mondello.com/page22.php
 
Joe passed away a few years ago. I would stay far away from the company that bares his name.
 
Please don't put the stripe and a W-30 emblem on anything but a W-30. There are far too many phonies out there. (opinion). There is a lot more to a W-30 than a stripe and a badge.

I think I've seen your screen name on the olds sites, so I'm sure you already know this. Stay away from the vendor that SFO mentioned above! http://www.fusickautomotiveproducts.com/ is the best source of high quality reproduction parts to finish your project.
 
Hi mx442, you have valid points. I understand that the w-30 is different in many ways beyond the striping. I am building this car to my liking, and it's going to be just a fun car, and I find the stripes make the car more attractive.
 
MX442;33357 said:
Please don't put the stripe and a W-30 emblem on anything but a W-30. There are far too many phonies out there. (opinion). There is a lot more to a W-30 than a stripe and a badge.

I think I've seen your screen name on the olds sites, so I'm sure you already know this. Stay away from the vendor that SFO mentioned above! http://www.fusickautomotiveproducts.com/ is the best source of high quality reproduction parts to finish your project.
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That is interesting , I had great luck with Joe. I still think his methods are still sound, maybe the crooks running the joint aren't. Thanks for the heads up.
 
I've always liked the Cutlass. Recently went to the REO olds transporatation museum and they had a couple nice older 442's. My dad had a 69' 442 back in the day. Used to see the pictures in photo albums when I was a kid.

My dad worked at Olds in that era and he said to keep up with the line they would break off the tabs off one of the wiring harness clips under the dash. He said it was the only way to keep up at that station. Talk about quality control.
 
I'm not sure either. He never really explained it in great detail. Just they had to "modify the harness to keep up".
 
This was very common back in 60's and 70's, I have worked on GTO's where from the factory there were wire harness clips missing and have had points deducted because I put them back the same way. Save with some of the older vettes, bolts and clips here and there.
 
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