Project Snowflake - the last of the G-bodies

[robert56]

Well, I figured it was time to put together a build page for my project, since everyone else has one. It’s a 1988 Cutlass and it rolled off the line on December 8th, 1987 - just a few days before they shut the G-body line down forever. It had about 74,500 miles on it when I bought it and was in great shape with little to no rust. I decided to do a frame off resto-mod on it anyway because I have been building this car in my head for the last 20 years!
Here’s a couple of pics of what my car WILL look like when it’s finished…
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2851345080043539656sCcRwl)
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2343032090043539656WWnzRf)
And here’s what I started with…
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2396158220043539656qGVznk)
I took the body off the frame using an engine hoist, jackstands and some 4x4 posts. I hooked the hoist into the trunk latch loop to lift the back and used the upper fender mount bolts and a chain to lift the front. Then just let the air out of the back tires and roll the chassis out…
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2980302980043539656mGPwFH)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2264700240043539656Kvwnva)
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2396573320043539656ZUMMJY)

I threw away everything except the frame and spindles and had them sandblasted. I welded in some 12 gauge steel boxing plates with 2-1/2” lightning holes drilled in them to save weight…


https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2855347900043539656onNEWm)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2525367400043539656XNFjuc)
Here’s some pics of the competed chassis. Front suspension - Eibach Pro 1" lowering springs, Bilstein shocks, UMI tubular lower control arms, SPC/Savitske adjustable upper control arms, extra tall Howe Racing upper and lower ball joints, 12.7:1 quick ratio steering, Hawk pads in the stock front brakes and braided stainless steel flexible brake hoses. Not shown is the Helwig 1-5/16 tubular sway bar with upgraded heavy duty end links or the front cross bar that goes with the F-41 frame braces. All of the hardware and small brackets and motor mount pads have been bright zinc plated. Rear suspension consists of Eibach Pro 1" lowering springs, Bilsten shocks (both of which have since been replaced with RideTech coil-overs), Spohn Del-Sphere adustable upper and lower control arms, Helwig adjustable Pro-Touring sway bar and polyurethane body mount bushings. I am using the stock 7.5" axle for a roller until I figure out whether I'm going to use a 8.5" GM axle or a Ford 9". Also shown is the G-Force double hump transmission crossmember.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2324495510043539656hEcQKS)
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2061127060043539656lCLdoP)
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2194956320043539656fEQfSb)



Next the underside of the body got cleaned, painted and then placed back on top of the chassis…
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2888285750043539656GhLPyl)
I finally decided on a Ford 9” axle with 31 spline alloy axle shafts, a Detroit True-Trac, 3.50:1 gears and a Yukon nodular iron center section…
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2257828600043539656GNfbUf)

I stripped the body down as far as I could using my DA sander and then sent it out for plastic media blasting to get the last of the original paint off. I don’t want to have to wonder about what’s under the new paint job to come. The sheetmetal is in great condition – no rust and just a few parking lot dings…
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2176438510043539656csdcGv)
It came back with a fresh coat of white epoxy primer and ready to be reassembled enough to shake out any mechanical bugs before getting it’s paint job. I started by putting in the SBC crate motor and 200-4R tranny. I relocated the battery to the trunk in an aluminum box. I lucked out and found a rare aluminum hood 10 minutes from home for $100. I got aluminum bumper cores from the junkyard to replace the heavy original steel units. I’m still looking for an aluminum radiator core support.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2116059340043539656nEIiIN)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2810876230043539656JIXNzU)
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2954519860043539656stoszR)
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2748379690043539656thcxzz)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2378741170043539656gAWzYN)
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2601919640043539656arQEzs)
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2251717400043539656fNajoi)

I never could get it to sit quite right in the back, so I replaced the separate coil springs and shocks with Ride Tech coil overs. I threw away their bottom bracket and used a ½” x 3-1/2” grade 8 bolt to attach the coil over the stock lower shock mount location…
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2953150770043539656MPknZM)

[robert56]

I found a set of Lightning Rod shifters out of a 1984 Hurst/Olds. I’ve always wanted a set. The chrome on them was in great shape, but everything else about them was shot and they were jambed in second gear. I managed to rebuild them though. I made new buttons for the knobs out of stainless steel bar stock and polished them up. I have NOS black knobs, but I painted the ones that came with it red for now. I also found some really, really nice seats in a late model Chevy Aveo. They are cheap little cars, but Chevy put some really nice bucket seats in them. They have nice black fabric, deep bolsters, lumbar support and they look great…
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2381864310043539656pIiokc)
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2381343960043539656JelYRN)
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2694846150043539656PKLQlr)
So, here’s some pics of how “Snowflake” sits right now. The license plate is a little misleading - It’s not really THAT bad! In the end, the only parts of the car that I reused were about 75% of the body shell, the frame and spindles and a few misc items like the air conditioning box and 50% of the interior. Everything else is either NOS Oldsmobile parts ($$$) or aftermarket stuff. I still need to find a crack free dashboard and take it back apart for a paint job, new vinyl top and put the interior back in. I know the wheels aren’t really in keeping with the pro-touring aesthetic, but I want the car to still look like it just rolled off the showroom floor. The good stuff is under the skin…
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2333942560043539656YMFwPi)
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2447773100043539656ANrwGx)
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2818741310043539656WpKChf)

[CruizinKev]

I LOVE IT! :twothumbs good job man! looks awesome! good too see another g-body love here! :cheers:

[Tony_SS]

Looks great - keep us posted on anymore progress!

[SRD art]

Looking great! Nice to see another G-body join us. Looks like you're into the Olds theme, but your car would look fantastic with some aftermarket wheels. Even an upgrade to GTA wheels like my old ones on the wagon would be cool. That would really compliment all the chassis upgrades you've done too.

Either way, the car looks fantastic!

[robert56]

yeah, when I get tired of the Super Stock wheels, I'll upgrade to some 17" or 18" hoops and C5 Vette brakes. the handling is surprisingly good on the wobbly, thick sidewalled TA's though. With all of the aftermarket stuff that I threw at the chassis, it better be.

Thanks for all of the positive comments. I've been admiring you guys' work for a long time too.