57 Rustbucket 1957 Chevy Bel Air

1969 Olds Cutlass Convertible Restoration
Page 17

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1969 Olds Cutlass Convertible

September 9th, 2016

Big update! She looks like a car again!

Trim clips installed Polished trim

After finishing the buffing I installed the passenger rear and passenger door trim clips.

The newly polished trim was put in place and carefully aligned. It just looks so great against that new shiny paint. Well worth all the work.

Drivers side trim Cutlass emblem

Same thing on the drivers side along with the original rear view mirror. It is such remarkably great condition for it's age.

Placing the Cutlass emblem on the deck lid was really a great feeling, I've been waiting a long time for that moment!

Top opening trim
The stainless trim around the convertible top opening put up a bit of a fight but looks terrific after it went into place.
More trim Trim installed
Trunk weatherstrip
I installed the trunk weatherstrip and restored factory trunk light.
Taillight before after Taillight reassembled

On the left is a before and after of the taillight lenses. Using soap, water and muriatic acid and then lightly buffing they come out better than new.

On the right is the taillight reassembled after repainting the black on the housing and buffing the chrome. Looks great!

Taillights ready Installing taillights
Taillights lit
Installed wired in and working!

Man that's nice to see.

I wonder when the last time they light up like this was.
New rear bumper

I laid out the new bumper and cleaned it up.

Backup lamp housings

Another little before and after of sandblasting the back up lamp housings and brackets.

Backup lamps installed License plate gas door

The newly painted back up lamps installed in the new bumper along with the license plate/gas door and a new license plate light.

Rear bumper installed All lit up

The rear bumper and quarter panel lights were installed and everything all lit up! The pictures really do not do it justice, it looks so amazing in person.


Now to the front end.

Front fenders buffed Mirror finish

After spending some quality time with the buffer, the front fenders look like mirrors.

Fender ready Both fenders
The jewelry was installed.

The stainless trim, front cornering light, trim at the rear of the fender, front "eyebrow" and the filler that goes behind the headlight.
Fender jewelry
Both fenders ready
Both fenders ready to go back on this beauty.
Freshly polished headlamp rings and new headlights put in place in anticipation of the rest of the front end.
Headlights
Original grills Grills restored

The factory original grills were meticulously cleaned repaired and painted. These are not available as a reproduction so these had to be repaired.

They actually came out better than new.

Grills installed
Jumped ahead a bit here.

The headlight bases and bezels along with the grills have been installed. Starting to look like something!
Front fenders on Coming together

The front fenders were reinstalled. It's coming together quickly now.

A quick shot of the inner fender and how well it looks and fits.
Inner fender
Front bumper prep
The new front bumper was uncrated and I began installing the mounts and installed the running/turn signal lights. They have been cleaned and painted along with the proper covers.
Front bumper installed

Once it finally saw things my way it looks terrific!

Hood wet sanding Messy work

The final major body panel. I wet sanded all the orange peel from the hood, what a mess it makes.

Buffing hood Hood buffing

After wet sanding for what seemed forever, I began the buffing process.

Hood stunning

The results are stunning, it's hard to believe what this hood looked like when I dragged the old girl home.

Hood trim Hood insulation

The brightly polished trim at the rear of the hood was put on as well as the insulation mat on the underside of the hood.

Under hood light Washer squirters

The restored under hood light along with the windshield washer squirters were put in place.

Hood hinges
Hood hinges in place waiting for a hood!
Installing hood Hood on

I wish I could say it just fell into place, it took a lot of time to get the fit and gaps to be proper.

Front complete Looking amazing

I seriously wondered many times if I would see this all back together again. I'm really very proud of how this has turned out.

Top up windows in

One final shot with the top up and windows installed and adjusted (what a nightmare that was!).

The interior is next, I'm looking forward to doing something a little different.

Lots more to come!

Check back often.


Updates almost daily I hope!

Contact me! [email protected]