1967 Cutlass Budget build? What should I do with this thing?

[muthstryker]

Picked this up a few months back, was bored this weekend and started taking it apart for some body work, its pretty damn straight theres just a few small dents here and there. I cant make up my mind on what I want to do with it. I dont plan on restoring it so I was thinking about a "Budget Build". Something I can take out and go have fun with but dont have to worry about messing it up. Budget paint job with a roller? Cheap BMW wheels with adapters? Something needs to be done with the interior as well, because the blue NOS seat covers it has now just are not working out.. It didnt look like this before I started so I need to figure out paint quickly!


The motor is already built, (the guy was building the car for drag racing and had a heart attach so he wanted the whole thing gone.


Heres a couple pics for now..

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/06/253542_10150186827160448_665490447_74039-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/06/IMAG0357-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/06/IMAG0362-1.jpg

[moreHP]

Build it! Since the engine is ready, you can dial in the suspension and brakes and go have fun with it. Its a GM "A" body so it shares lots of parts with the chevelle which obviously has a much larger aftermarket following. Fix a few dings and put a low buck paint job on it or prime it and call it good. It doesnt have to look its best to be a fun car!

[mc84_zz4]

I would rather finish a cheap paint job, than go 80-90% of the way and leave it in primer. JMO
The best part about a car that is not show quality, is you do not have to worry about anything,
just have fun with it.

[muthstryker]

I would rather finish a cheap paint job, than go 80-90% of the way and leave it in primer. JMO
The best part about a car that is not show quality, is you do not have to worry about anything,
just have fun with it.

I was actually thinking about possibly spraying the car with the dupli color paint shop stuff, I have read mixed reviews on the paint but its a pretty basic process and wont cost me a whole lot of money to do it myself.

Ive started checking into brakes and suspenion trying to find the cheapest/best route to go.

[Mr. Anderson]

I've got a pretty good deal on a front suspension and brakes for ya in the classifieds :)

I think I could live with the paint as is and spend the money on performance goodies. But like you say, if it doesn't cost much and your labor is free it's nice to have a painted car. Swapping in some late model bolstered seats will be the cheapest seating upgrade.

[muthstryker]

I would love to buy that stuff off you but just bought a set of 22" Rushforths for my truck! I think I decided to paint the car satin black like I did my friends truck, Rustoleum Satin Black! Haha! If it gets messed up big deal not worried about it. I will focus on the suspension/brakes/wheels etc etc I just need to figure out what I want...

Think I might pick up some kirkey aluminum road race seats as well, was thinking about going for that dont mess with me look..

[NJSPEEDER]

What motor came with it? I would say grab a T56 to slap behind it, keep the paint the way it is, find some factory wheels off of something, and get it rolling before the end of the summer.

-Tim

[muthstryker]

What motor came with it? I would say grab a T56 to slap behind it, keep the paint the way it is, find some factory wheels off of something, and get it rolling before the end of the summer.

-Tim

It has a Semi built Pontiac 400 in it, 2 speed powerglide, and 4.11s. The thing is screaming down the highway..

[nekkidhillbilly]

a pontiac in olds

i dont understand people. me id put a good paint job on it and sell it. cutlass's sell high dollar

[Mr. Anderson]

better than an LS under the hood! :poke: :usa:

[muthstryker]

Hey atleast it stayed GM!

[Mr. Anderson]

Fixed :naughty:

Hey atleast it stayed BOP!

[nekkidhillbilly]

thats true but its like the guys who call a buick engine a rocket 455 or think olds and buick same thing

erks me

[MonzaRacer]

OK is it high compression if so see if some Edelbrock heads or prepped large chambers can drop compression, get Art Carr the real guy at California performance transmission to build you a bullet proof 2004r, call kore3 for some brake parts, scour ebay for good calipers and brackets, a good set of GTO seats a decent stereo and some minor window tint and a box of products from second skin to keep it cool inside. If its an AC car its real easy to swap back in an ac set up. There is a company I am dealing with that makes an A6 compressor replacement that works for R134A, you can probably get Pontiac A6 brackets from Memory Lane, and using one of the S6 replacements all you need is the lower evap core tube modified by silver soldering in an orifice tube pipe, use a self adjusting orifice tube , an accumulator from later model car that is oriented right and has proper desiccant. A replacement condenser the same size as the rad and your set.
For chassis I would look around for a set of reasonable ,replacement tubular lowers. Call Marcus over at SC&C and get uppers, and some tall ball joints. Call Ridetech, if a cruiser go cheap with non or single adjustable coil overs in front, A small tank.compressor and CoolRide in back and some sort of control set up, either Ridetech or Accu Air. This would allow more adjust-ability for hard driving or long trips loaded and Ridetech has some awesome double adjustable shocks to just bolt on. tubular rear arms can be had from many sources.
And last but not least some tasteful 17s/18s to clear brakes.
After it runs look around for a decent aluminum intake, mod for FI and slap a Microsquirt or Megasquirt in batchfire mode and just mod and drop in an EST HEI distributor or even just run the FI with no ignition control.
The od keeps it from screaming, brakes make it stop and are an easy add on in a weekend, heck the later S10 rear disc can probably be added real easy for 4wd.
As for the body, heck look around you may find local shop class teaching body work, let them do some fine tuning then shoot it on the cheap. or shoot it your self.
Just remember KISS, and it will be fun and less cash.
Just my take on the car.

[muthstryker]

Ive been looking at the SC&C stuff, Just trying to remember all the companies I had saved when I had my GTO. I need to figure out the brakes quick, the guy removed the brake booster because he couldnt figure out how to run line lock with it. So it has manual brakes and its rediculous, at a stop light I just have to throw the car into neutral or basically stand on the brake pedal.

I would switch it back over to A/C but everything is taken out of it and the guy made panels that he bolted in to take place of all the controls. Im not to worried about heat, here in washington we will maybe see 5-10 days a year MAX with 90+. If it gets hot I will just roll the down the windows.

I have never searched ebay as much as I am right now, Im trying to stay below $5000 for everything. Suspension/brakes/wheels and tires/interior/new tranny/cheap paint job/exhaust etc etc. Thats not including the cost of the car when I bought it. I want to do the bare minimum.

The one thing that absolutely needs to be done is the steering box. There is so much slop in the steering, the car is all over the road when driving. My first time driving it, I was white knuckling the steering wheel to keep from jumping over into other lanes.

[nekkidhillbilly]

in all fairness id rather see a ls engine i mean at least its not like it didnt come in a olds variant but all is better than a run of the mill sbc

[muthstryker]

I would love to swap in an LS1 I just dont have the time or the money, This is just something quick im putting together to help with my urge to have an old car. My truck is the money pit for now. And honestly, If I drop an LS into anything, its going to be a Chevy, Figure ill have my fun with this thing for a little bit and sell it then go buy something I actually really really want.

[nekkidhillbilly]

i wouldnt do a ls either but id rather see it done up than another brand engine. olds rocket or bust.

[muthstryker]

Well, I had the ride of my life today! I made the last minute decision to slam the car into my neighbors garage rather then hit my garage door and total my truck that was on the other side. Lucky for me they really dont care all that much. The bad thing is, now I have to buy a garage door!! Lame.

As far as the car, the only thing that is damaged is the front fender, everything else is fine and straight. Thank god.. It could of been a lot worse.

Heres the picture..

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/06/247266_10150198453810448_665490447_75137-1.jpg

[73z-6sp]

fvgbhn

[NJSPEEDER]

It has a Semi built Pontiac 400 in it, 2 speed powerglide, and 4.11s. The thing is screaming down the highway..

I would say rock the Poncho SBC with some sort of OD trans behind it. Maybe a built 200-4r if you wanna stay automatic. Get the rear down to a 3.42/3.55ish ratio and install a TC lock up kit. All that torque to play with at stop lights and gears that can still move down the highway :)

-Tim