1966 Cutlass Convertible Restomod in Tampa

[elements]

I'm a few years into this restomod, but I thought, after reading some of the threads here, that I would create my own. Fortunately, I've been keeping pretty good pictures from the start. This is Kenny (RIP), the original owner (and my Father-in-Law), posing with the car about 20 years ago. Above that is my sister-in-law in the drivers seat just after it came from the dealer. It lived in Indiana from purchase (mid 1966) until Summer 2004, when it made the trip down to Tampa where my wife and I have been caring for it since.

[jocko124]

elements, I can't see the pics!

[elements]

I bought a donor car from a guy in Arizona (67 convertible) which I used for the frame. It was pretty bare when I bought it..only salvaged the frame, some SS1s, a few windows, and some miscellaneous nuts & bolts. I removed the body myself before shipping it to my resto shop to be cleaned and prepped for the transplant.

[elements]

Here are a few early shots at the shop, when it was being prepped for the frame swap. While I had no budget to paint it yet, I did have some body work done, particularly floor boards and trunk.

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Some shots of the "new" frame.

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Disc conversion kit from Master Power Brakes

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Had the original 330 cleaned up and re-painted as a temporary measure. Eventually would begin working on the 455 olds big block which will replace this. But enough to get me around in the meantime!

[elements]

Here is a pic of the original frame after it was removed to make way for the donor.

[elements]

Also kept the rear end off the donor Cutlass, as it looked to be in better condition and better prepared for an upgrade. 12 bolts on the cover. Power Train Truck and Auto Parts supplied the GM 8.5" "O" 3 Series 2.93 - 3.23 kit. Richmond gears.

[elements]

After the upgrades to the brakes, needed new wheels and tires. Went with Torq Thrust IIs for the wheels. 17x7 front. 18x10 rears. BF Goodrich G Force TA's 245 45 ZR17 and 275 40 ZR18.

[elements]

Here it is back from the resto shop. "Bones" are in good shape now, and it would be a few months before I would start to work on the engine with my buddy Pete. In addition to the frame, brakes, wheels, suspension, and some body repairs, also had a new convertible top installed as well as new interior.

[elements]

My 455 build in progress. Would end up as 461.2 cid. Harland Sharp roller rockers, Holley 750 CFM, Mondello Cam, Edelbrock aluminum heads. Shooting for 495 HP and 545 Torque. Thanks to Pete Castellano for his great work and great patience on the engine!

[CruizinKev]

looks very nice! good work! :twothumbs

[jocko124]

Looking good. I'm partial to 66's myself.

[elements]

Here is a pretty clean shot of the engine. I located a couple of the W & Z 442 exhaust manifolds, as I really didn't want to go with headers at this point. Maybe later.

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[elements]

Prepping the engine compartment.

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[elements]

Dropping her in...
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[elements]

My exhaust guy working on the pipes.
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[elements]

Back on the road..

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[elements]

About 5 years after my frame work and new engine, I am now at the point where I'm ready to get her painted. Haven't picked out a color yet, but I know it will be a shade of red.

Reached my quota on uploading attached photos, so I tried going through google's picassa, but that only let me attach links to the google site. What is the best way for me to include full size pics right in my message?

[mc84_zz4]

Take a picture, like one of the above links..
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/bV6BxV2xhd4TTRA4aHux_g?feat=directlink

do a right click to obtain 'properties', such as these:
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_5n1YU7nIYzs/S-eGRrfkImI/AAAAAAAAEdw/vYXfp23mtFA/s640/pic000.jpg

Wrap them with 'image' and 'end image' tags like this https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
And the browser will resolve them as an imbedded picture:

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/05/pic000-2.jpg


Nice progress too BTW, love it :1st:

[gearheads78]

I use Photobucket and then use the little picture tag above to insert pics.

Nice project BTW. Looks awfully similar to another 66 Cultass I have seen somewhere. :)

[elements]

Great. Thanks for the help with the posting instructions. I swore I tried this yesterday but it wouldn't work. Maybe because I was taking the address from the "link to this photo" address rather than right clicking on the photo to save the address that way. BUT it works now!!

Well here are some pics from last week. The metal is in pretty darn good shape, considering. There were a couple of patch panels down at the bottom of the fenders, as is normal. But all in all, it looks real good.

I like that my resto shop does one part at a time, spraying the epoxy primer before moving on. Here in Florida, the metal would probably tend to start to rust right away otherwise.

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[elements]

I really am struggling with the paint color. I know I want red and I think I've talked myself out of trying to keep it the original color, as my wife (remember, the car did originate from her side of the family!) really wants a metallic or pearl effect. I checked out a couple of Ford reds over the weekend (Red Candy and Sangria Red), but thought the candy was too bright and the sangria was too dark. Later went to the Chevy dealer hoping to see something in the Crystal Red Metallic, but they didn't have anything. Will try another dealer this week. I've seen some nice Corvette pics online in this color but want to see it in person. This is what I'm talking about:
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Have seen some red metallics on Lexus and Mercedes vehicles, which I will also check out over the weekend.

Any suggestions??

[elements]

Now that I've figured out how to post pics, I thought I would add a few others from along the way:

This is a good pic of the frame damage from years up north in Indiana.
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The "Bowtie Overdrives" GM Transmission that replaced the original Jetaway.
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Found an interesting site with instructions on putting an Autometer tach in the existing space that had no instrument (just a cover plate).
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Here is the new tach..
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On by engine build, I originally included this mechanical fuel pump, but the gas kept boiling, even after trying a number of fixes. Ended up putting in a Carter electric fuel pump mounted at the rear, near the fuel tank.
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[gearheads78]

Lexus has a really nice looking red they started with the 07 ES350. Check it out.

[schralper]

boiling gas? might go to a bypass reg to truly solve that issue.
also isn't a 750 cfm holley a lil small for a 455+?
i'm running a 850DP on a 383.
pic of the last cutlass (W-31) my bro and i did, way back.

[elements]

removed

[gearheads78]

Thats the 09-10 color. I like it too but the 07-08 color in the sunlight is stunning.

[elements]

removed

[elements]

boiling gas? might go to a bypass reg to truly solve that issue.
also isn't a 750 cfm holley a lil small for a 455+?
i'm running a 850DP on a 383.
pic of the last cutlass (W-31) my bro and i did, way back.

I guess it depends what you are doing with it. I'm not taking it to the track at all and feel I have it jetted pretty well for my street/cruise use, but great reaction when I put the hammer down! Keep in mind I don't have headers, but rather W-Z manifolds. Here is another:
http://www.carcraft.com/techarticles/116_0010_455ci_engines/index.html

But you are probably right..an 850 or even 900 would really unleash the beast in my 455 (461 C.I.D.) .

As far as the boiling gas, it might have been the combination of the new motor and the fan from the BeCool radiator blowing hot air right on it. Tried wrapping it with heat reflector, upgraded to braided line, re-routed the line, and some other things I can't remember. I would rather have a mech pump, as I don't trust the electrics. I'll look into the bypass reg option. Thanks!

[elements]

I guess it depends what you are doing with it. I'm not taking it to the track at all and feel I have it jetted pretty well for my street/cruise use, but great reaction when I put the hammer down! Keep in mind I don't have headers, but rather W-Z manifolds. Here is another:
http://www.carcraft.com/techarticles/116_0010_455ci_engines/index.html

But you are probably right..an 850 or even 900 would really unleash the beast in my 455 (461 C.I.D.) .

As far as the boiling gas, it might have been the combination of the new motor and the fan from the BeCool radiator blowing hot air right on it. Tried wrapping it with heat reflector, upgraded to braided line, re-routed the line, and some other things I can't remember. I would rather have a mech pump, as I don't trust the electrics. I'll look into the bypass reg option. Thanks!


Just checked..I do have a Holley pressure regulator (12-804). Is this what you mean by bypass regulator?

[elements]

Matador Red Mica. 2010 color.

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[gearheads78]

You need to see both colors in person to see what you think. I know there have been 2 if not 3 reds they used starting in 07 on the IS and ES. I have never looked up the code but there is always one that I gravitate toward.

[topher455]

Cool build. Im just north of tampa. Is that Scotty doin your exhaust in that pic? Good to see he is still doing well if it is.

[elements]

Cool build. Im just north of tampa. Is that Scotty doin your exhaust in that pic? Good to see he is still doing well if it is.

Yes, that's Scotty. It has been a few years since he did my exhaust though. I trust/hope he is doing well though.

[topher455]

10-4

[elements]

A few update pics. Pretty much completely down to bare metal and coat of primer applied. Metalwork will begin soon.

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Went to the Cadillac dealer today to see the Red Metallic Tintcoat firsthand. Same color that is on the Corvette from an earlier post. I really like this color. It is a tri-coat color.

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[elements]

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Some drivetrain specifications:

Engine built by Pete Castellano in Tampa, Florida
1968 Olds 455 block
Edelbrock Performer Olds Intake - Ceramic Coated
Melling high volume oil pump
Mondello oil restrictor kit
Clevite main bearings
Edelbrock Heads
Cloyes Roller timing chain
Mondello harmonic balancer
Federal Mogul speed pro rings
Comp cams pushrods
10.1 Compression
Holley 750 Carb (machined to 780 CFM)
Olds W-Z exhaust manifolds
2.5" dual exhaust w/ X pipe & Dyno Max Mufflers
Bowtie Overdrives 2004R Level 3 auto transmission w/2400 TC
GM 8.5" rear end w/limited slip, 3.90
Engle/Mondello camshaft
Harland Sharp roller rockers
MSD 6AL Ignition
MSD Pro Billet Distributor
Be Cool aluminum radiator

[jocko124]

Looking good. I've got a 68 455 in mine also!

[bonecrrusher]

Is that Crystal Red Metallic?

[elements]

Is that Crystal Red Metallic?

Yes, the Cadillac and Corvette pictures are CRM. While I'm at least a couple of months away from paint, right now this is my selected color for my Cutlass.

[rockytopper]

Thats nice Rob I've been trying to decide for 2 years now and I am still not 100% sure. At least you have narrowed yours down to some red color I haven't even been able to get that far. Nice ride BTY.

[gearheads78]

Is it just me or do we have some kind of Oldsmobile revolution going around this place latley? :smoke:When I started mine I don't remember seeing but one or two on the whole site.

[elements]

Thats nice Rob I've been trying to decide for 2 years now and I am still not 100% sure. At least you have narrowed yours down to some red color I haven't even been able to get that far. Nice ride BTY.

I'm digging your custom dash. Any details on how you accomplished that? While my interior is in pretty good shape, Summer of 2011 I expect to be tackling some type of upgrade. Late model seats (possibly power), new gauges, new steering wheel, stereo system, etc.

Being in Florida, summers are when I tackle the bigger elements of this project, as I prefer to drive it during the cooler months (October through March)

[rockytopper]

Rob I am a mechanical design engineer by trade. I designed it in cad and had it cutout with a water jet. Thats how I did the engine covers and custom wheel caps also. Good luck with your project, mine is down to bare metal now looks just about like your pics and totally stripped including windows. I am going to have to decided on a color soon. It's so hard :enguard:

Rich the revolution is starting and you are trying to abandon us:crying:

[gearheads78]

Rich the revolution is starting and you are trying to abandon us:crying:

Just wait for version 2.0 :look:

[Cutls67]

Found an interesting site with instructions on putting an Autometer tach in the existing space that had no instrument (just a cover plate).
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/05/1111111_IMGJPG-1.jpg

Here is the new tach..
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I am interested in the website you found this info on. I would like to do this to my dash also. I found a white guage overlay for it and would like to incorporate the tach into mine also. I like this look better than the full gauge package.

Stephan
ROCKET POWER

[elements]

Found an interesting site with instructions on putting an Autometer tach in the existing space that had no instrument (just a cover plate).

I am interested in the website you found this info on. I would like to do this to my dash also. I found a white guage overlay for it and would like to incorporate the tach into mine also. I like this look better than the full gauge package.

Stephan
ROCKET POWER

I may have been wrong about the instructions being online, but if so, it would have been on realoldspower.com

There really was nothing difficult or special about the process. Simply be careful taking that front dash piece off and be prepared to do some work "blind" as you'll probably tighten things up without a good view of what you are doing. But I recall it was pretty simple. The critical thing was simply buying the right Tach and that is what I recall the website providing. Fortunately I still have the receipt. The item number from Automotive Engineering in Tampa (web site in 11/2004 was www.southernperformance.com (http://www.southernperformance.com)) was AUT 2698 and the description was 8000 RPM MINIGAUGE. I believe it is available all over the place. The black face and the red arm almost make it look stock. Good luck.

[gearheads78]

http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trksid=p3907.m570.l1313&_nkw=autometer+2698&_sacat=See-All-Categories

There you go Stephan take your pick. :)

[elements]

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This is Jarrod Slate, my shop's Bodyman. He has done most of the work on the car during this paint/body phase.

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Driver side of my car took alot of abuse from the road salt in Indiana. Note the damage above as well as to the chrome pieces below. Driver side pretty bad, while passenger side pretty clean:

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p.s. If anyone has some of these chrome parts available, I'd love to take em off your hands!

[elements]

Metal work is complete and body work is now almost finished. Next week will probably see the next primer phase and lots more block sanding. My body shop is using Rage polyester base body filler by Evercoat, which is what you see in the pics below. The next stage is 3 coats of PPG K36 Prima medium build urethane primer. This is the primer that will get blocked and the paint will go over.


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[gearheads78]

looking good...I can't wait to see color on it

[elements]

Probably a week from paint. All exterior body work is complete. Interior is nearly ready for new buckets/console and Dynomat.

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[jocko124]

Making good progress. I've just been sitting around waiting on parts.

[Mingus]

Looking great Rob. Looking forward to seeing it painted. Nice to see another Olds on here. Whatever happened to Chili442? His and Richards' car are the ones that made me join this site.

[CruizinKev]

very nice! keep up good work :twothumbs

[elements]

Paint is finished, as is the bucket/console conversion. Just waiting on bumpers to return from the plate shop and some work polishing the wheels.

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[sprintracer]

nice job car looks great!

[jocko124]

Looks Great. I am sooooo jealous!

[elements]

Thanks, Lee. But you shouldn't be jealous, as yours looks pretty great! Let me know if you need any trim pieces, as I bought more than I needed and have just about everything in terms of body trim/stainless/etc.

[CruizinKev]

looks good! :twothumbs

[wmhjr]

Looking good! Always nice to see another '66 vert getting freshened up!

[gearheads78]

Looks Great. I am sooooo jealous!

X2 now that mine is gone that sure does not help me from missing mine.

[elements]

Thanks, guys. I'm very anxious to get it back--hopefully this week. I've got a car show coming up outside Orlando (Buick, Olds, Pontiac, Cadillac) in just a few weeks and will have some work to do myself before its ready.

[elements]

She's finally back home! Of course, "finished" is a relative term. Next I need to get a sound system installed.

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[jocko124]

Looks great!