1971 Olds Cutlass Supreme...Opinions Wanted

Hi All,

I am getting very close to buying a 1971 Cutlass Supreme Convertible. Please read thru all the boring details and I would appreciate any insight! Thanks in advance for your opinions. Has 1971 Cutlass bucket seats he bought..but from a blue interior. He has the upholstery kits to redo them from YearOne. He is unaware of any bondo or filler. He had taken a magnet to the body and didn't find any when he bought it....he states he is no expert when it comes to this and he couldn't guarantee there wasn't any. The dash is black vinyl (plastic) in pretty good shape. The woodgrain has peeled of 2/3 of it. I have already seen where you can buy the stock kits to replace it. Minor rust on and in the trunk lid and rear wheel wells. Windshield is cracked and will need to be replaced. Convertible top motor operates....barely. It doesn't operate without two people 'helping' it along. It will need to be replaced...or rebuilt...hydraulics leaking. Ac/Heat is installed but does not work. He remembers the previous owner said the condenser/heater core? leaked. This sounds potentially expensive. He has new black pre-molded carpet from YearOne..not installed. Clean Title and is currently registered and inspected. I ran the VIN # and it checks out. I beleive the motor is the original as well...at least it looks like it from all the digital photos he sent. He took the car out last Saturday for a tune up and oil change. Said it ran good; he took it up to seventy and said everything felt fine and it sounded good. Brakes are a little mushy and he is going to bleed them. States there are no oil or tranny leaks. Has a Chilton's manual and some of the chrome trim and emblems but they are not installed. Has a set of 5 original (Rallye?) wheels that will need to be painted...of course eventually the complete car will need paint. He doesn't have the center caps for the wheels and they are $150.00 for a set of 4...ouch! He replaced the steering gearbox due to a severe leak when he first bought it. Engine is a 350 2bbl, mileage is 66,000 or more like my old 72 Cutlass probably 166,000 or 266,000! Speedo, Odo and all gauges and lights work. He had taken the car to Galveston with his Dad when he first bought it and did not have any problems. He has had people calling from Colorado, Ohio etc inquiring about the car. He recommends to all of them to tow it or ship it because he has only had the car 6 months and doesn't know any history on the car. He feels I shouldn't have any problem driving it to Austin....He sounded very upfront and honest about all of the things I was concerned about...$2,500 is the price. So...all feedback is appreciated.

Thanks,

Tim Scanlon Austin, Tx

Tim;

From my experience with my Olds convertible, the rust in the fenders MAY be due to the drain tubes for the top area being broken or misaligned or leaking, replacement is time consuming, but not too hard. On the Cutlass, Le Mans, et al body style, the rusting on the truck lid may prove to ne more rust inside the lid and repair might be best done with replacing the trunk lid. You mentioned buckets from another car. Does this car have buckets or are you replacing a bench seat and needing to reinstall the runners? That can be a problem sometimes with the undercoating, but you are replacing the carpet. I would suggest going to a parts yard and looking for caps for the rallye wheels, make sure he has the trim rings as well. The one thing I would be concerned about, which you didn't mention, is why is he selling this car with all the parts he has purchased? He may be upfront, but not entirely upfront. Price seems a bit high for the condition. The heater core and condenser core could run a couple grand to get them replaced and to fill the system with the old R-12 if it is available. If the compressor for the A/C was run for amu length of time with low freon, the oil could be out and moisture could be in the system necessitating replacing the evaporator and the compressor. I would get a professional mechanic to check out the car, or one of the inspection companies, they can advise repairs needed and estimate the costs.

Mark

He is honest about what he bought as far as parts go. He explained he bought it in September and he is now getting a divorce. He told me he put it on the net at one site for $2,000 after his wife told him it was a money pit. After he placed the ad, they both had a change and heart so he decided to keep it. He tried to cancel the ad, but the only way they could initially was to put SOLD by the ad which I verified they did. After more time, gettting parts, doing a little here and there and drawing closer to the divorce he decided he needed the money and placed an ad for $3,000. When we had our discussion, he stated that he figured additional parts purchased, carpet, seats, console, rallye wheels. Long story short we tentatively agreed $2500 is fair (remains to be seen). I have several great photos I could send to you if you would be kind enough to review them and give me your revised opinion. Please let me know. Thanks Again! Tim Scanlon