1968 Oldsmobile Cutlass S Convertible

Stalled projects need not stay that way. This 1968 Oldsmobile Cutlass S convertible is living, cruising proof that stalled projects can still ultimately turn into stylish drivers when someone is willing to pick up the gauntlet. The seller of this car says that before he bought the Olds in December of 2020, it was a project car that had sat for nine years. The previous owner had the body removed from its frame and it received extensive metalwork, new paint, and new body bushings when it was reunited with its chassis. Upon purchasing the car, the seller also received many of the parts needed to complete it, including additional items to upgrade the powertrain, and even some spares. He did have to source the interior parts, convertible top, and some body trim and emblems, however. Today, this triple-white convertible remains a complete example of a classic A-body Cutlass with big V-8 power. The seller installed the 1971 455-cu.in. Oldsmobile V-8 that came with the car when he bought it. - that it runs well, but he doubts that it was rebuilt. The seller refurbished the carburetor and added new ceramic-coated headers and dual exhaust with Dynomax mufflers. A new driveshaft connects a rebuilt and good-shifting Turbo Hydra-Matic 400 three-speed automatic to a Chevy 12-bolt Positraction rear axle with 3.31:1 gears. Prior to a cold start the driver needs to pump the gas pedal a few times, , who adds that the V-8 idles well, and there's no smoke, but there is a very minor oil weep up front. - before he bought this factory triple-white Cutlass S, it had received new quarter-panels, a floor pan, trunk floor, wheel-wells, cowl, fenders, and windshield, and it was repainted. The Provincial White finish is good , but there are a few chips. Among the additional new parts sourced are a convertible top with a glass window, its pump, door and trunk seals, headlight bezels, rear marker lights, and some emblems and trim -- restoring the Parchment cabin with parts from Legendary Auto Interiors, and also enhancing the surroundings with factory bucket seats, a Dual-Gate shifter and short console, and an aftermarket steering wheel, stereo, gauges, and tachometer. The last item isn't accurate, he notes. Since the S was originally a column-shift car, its gear indicator was in the speedometer. When the seller upgraded to a floor-shift-style tilt steering column, he also swapped the speedometer for that reason. That's why the true mileage is unknown. I replaced the power window motors for both doors, as well as three of the switches. - The stock coil-spring suspension has new AC/Delco shocks, 17-inch American Racing wheels, and low-profile tires, and the rubber has less than 200 miles on it, . The power steering is okay, with no play or leaks.- the convertible's suspension is pretty firm, but it rides well, and that the stock power-assisted four-wheel drum brakes have a good pedal, and operate properly, with the car stopping straight, and not pulling to the side. Additional paperwork includes a list of the parts the seller has installed during his ownership. With a stump-pulling 455 under the hood that runs on regular gas and a white-on-white-on-white color combo, this 1968 Oldsmobile Cutlass S Convertible will surely get noticed wherever it goes.