I’ll bet a lot of you built 1:24 or 1:25 scale car model kits in your youth. Heck, some of you probably still do (I have some kits I work on when I’m on vacation). Just think of this 1971 Oldsmobile Cutlass as a full-scale, 1:1 model kit! Of course, you’ll need something other than Testors Model Cement to put this one together. It’s located in Fayetteville, Arkansas and is listed for sale here on eBay. Bidding is starting at $1,000 and there’s no reserve.
I was surprised how easy it was to find a copy of an assembly manual for a 1971 Cutlass. I realize this is only the body manual, but it would certainly be a help. I’m sure this car started the way a lot of projects go wrong at the beginning; it’s always easier to take something apart than it is to put it back together. You also might notice the car is kinda sitting on the ground. More about that later.
We’re told the body is “fair to good”, but unfortunately there are no pictures of things like the trunk floor, interior floor or closeups of fenders and quarter panels to know what that actually means.
The frame looks great, and has been stored indoors unlike the rest of the car. We’re also told “most accessories are present.” It would be nice to know what actually is and isn’t there. I’m hoping the price may be a bit negotiable if no one bids. There is an engine included, but we are told it needs to be rebuilt. Other than the fact that it’s a V8, we don’t know anything else about it, but if it’s the original engine it’s probably a 350 cubic inch version.
It also looks like the rear end has been kept inside. Count on a pinion seal replacement based on the leakage. The seller does tells us that all the windows are broken, and with that plus the unknown condition has me wondering a bit about the asking price. What do you think?
People give their cars names but in the case of this Olds, it’s name should be Humpty Dumpty. I’ll pass on this one.
Is it April first already ?
the truth is I would take on this project if the price started at $0 with no reserve.
price is just tooooooooo much
I agree, $1,000 is waaaaay too much based on what little information or pics the seller provides! Especially if it indeed has a “salvage” title as their ebay listing states! Look how rusted out the lower fender is that’s sitting on top of the car!…….and that’s only what we CAN see. Why not let the bidding start at $99 or $499 with no reserve??
As a gift is still expensive.
It was a vinyl top car, so it will have some rust. The trunk lid lower edge looks pretty good (what is in the photo anyway), so the overall rust picture may not be TOO bad. Based on the firewall, it is a non-A/C car. There is a gold Oldsmobile valve cover sitting on the cowl, so 350 is a good guess. Rear axle is upside down, so the oil may be coming out of the vent.
It might wind up being a donor body for a rusty 442 if it isn’t in too bad of shape.
Your comment shows great observation and product knowledge. I enjoyed reading it. Definitely worth a thumbs up.
While some look at this as a junk (my first thought), this is actually a great opportunity to start a short track/dirt track racer. The car is already disassembled and the skin is ready to go on a car that needs to be reskinned. Take the other cutlass parts and sell em.
Is this rare GM Olds Cutlas W30 specially creation lost to the World and now found?😝
I am thinking a push pull or drag trade in factory authorized deal is warranted here !
If cash for junkers we’re in play or reserected can I pour the can of engine destruction in-the
tank if i can find it !
This is a case that needs staging !
Remove the crap to show the trunk
And inside please ! Bolt the dog house loosely on the car! Put the rear end under it and make it roll and get three times the ask 💰💰
Basket cases get a failing price every time
“Word soup”
My brother and I have had MANY Cutlass convertibles and coupes. Some were 442’s, some were Rallye 350’s, and some were just garden variety. I have a soft spot for nearly anything Oldsmobile.
That preface was necessary, in order to provide the reader with a point of reference for my assertion that this is without question a parts car. There is no higher or better use for it. Any substantial work done on this will blast the restorer stratospherically past its economic recovery. For no good reason.
These cars were very nice when new (I helped a fiend’s sister get one for her 1st new car – and she LOVED it). But it was one of GM’s best sellers for years, and they are easy to find, better equipped, in nice condition, for less than $10,000. From that point, you are modifying a known quantity, if that is your goal. Not a ? quantity.
Otherwise; it might make a dandy donation to a high school auto shop vo-class.
I’m sure all the nuts, screws, and bolts are labeled and in baggies. Who am I kidding, probably all in a coffee can(s).
So on-point! :-D
I was immediately reminded of a neighbor with a block single-car garage, in which a friend parked and disassembled a ’65 GTO. All of the hardware went into a very large coffee can. Parts were strewn haphazardly. After 5 years, and a roof that needed repair, the owner had had enough. He razed the garage block by block, until the car was left standing on the concrete pad, “naked to the world”!
The owner had it towed away, and I have occasionally wondered what ever became of it.
There’s more than $1000 worth of parts for sure,but
would anyone really consider this…as a viable project?
This could get put back together by a high school
auto shop program,and be used to teach all the future knuckle busters,
the joys of re-assembly..Lol…Nice car originally,but now…I just feel sorry for it..!!
Really!?!? Any different than.other countless abandoned cars in.boneyards? Pllllease!
Should have one of those labels that say… “Some assembly required, batteries not included”.
Look at it as a semi Complete Knockdown Kit.
I just asked the seller, “According to the ebay listing, you have a “salvage title” for the car, is that correct? Why is it salvage?”
The seller responds, “Vehicle does not have a title. You will have to apply to the state for a salvage title. If you are not familiar with this process you don’t need the vehicle.”
At least the seller refrained from including that time-honoured phrase: Was running when parked…
If the car doesn’t sell the owner said he’s going to bury it in Stephen King’s pet cemetery.
Just add fuel and burn baby burn!!
Your not supposed to sniff the glue.
Too bad there isn’t a hospice for cars
Dream on sucker!
The ebay auction ended with ZERO takers at the $1,000 opening bid……..as if anyone is surprised!?! Judging by his answer to my question off ebay, he seems like a difficult person to deal with…….so no loss there!