29th Mar 2013, 07:25
Awesome story. After 23 years of storage, carefully prepare an elderly car to get back on the road again.
Get it started, drive it out to the road... then beat the snot out of it!
Way to go!
29th Oct 2013, 14:21
I've been visiting with the old girl, and spending some money as I can. Sand blasted and powder coated the factory wheels to help preserve them; a little darker than the factory grey, but close enough for a 100 dollar bill. New tires were mounted, and the stainless full moon caps reinstalled (still have factory hubcaps, but the moons give it some style). I have worked with the top cylinders and have the top frame where it can be moved up and down manually. The transmission and the exhaust manifold gaskets are next.
20th Mar 2017, 20:27
She still sits in the garage, waiting for a restoration. Let my 15 year old son drive it around the block last year. I am amazed at how time flies. Seeing him smile made my day. He will probably have to fist fight his older sister if he ever wants to own the Olds. I have amassed extra parts over the last few years, the trunk is full of parts. Plan on rollin' it on a road trip this year.
22nd Jul 2017, 02:53
Just pulled a road trip from Georgia to Ohio to pick up a four door 98 for parts. My car needs so many small parts that it made sense to have an extra car. The 1970 98 parts car was probably something in its day. The seats are still bubble wrapped and look new. The engine and tranny are missing, but now I have all of the parts to put mine back on the road.
23rd Jul 2017, 15:30
Doors fenders and some glass off 4 doors often don't interchange. But a good idea. Go to catalogs like Year One and start adding costly pieces up. 70 is a banner year. Really nearly impossible to pick just one to buy. The biggest obstacle for me wasn't the car; that was easy. It was paying the high insurance as a young driver then.
23rd Jul 2017, 18:11
Care to explain why a fender on a 4 door 1970 98 would not fit a 2 door 1970 98? Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't the hoods the same length?
24th Jul 2017, 13:06
Yes and No on many same year, same model, 2 and 4 door cars. The easiest way to answer is to go into GM reference catalogs and see if they carry the exact same part numbers. I would do that first. Then measure yourself is what I would do with both cars side by side. A model like this may not have the popularity to carry aftermarket new replacements. You may have to Internet this or Hemmings etc to find better used. The body panels, trim, glass etc may be different. If you are doing body work, sometimes you can just buy sections for quarter panel repair. I bought 2 door plain donors in past to a 2 door rarer model. It's nice having original parts, and buy aftermarket when it's in better shape with items like trim.
4th Dec 2017, 14:23
The purchase of the four door was a no brainer, even though it cost me 1000.00 and a 23 hour trip in a vibrating Ford Rollback. Other than the fact that the doors don’t interchange, I now have enough parts to fix the small problems on my convertible. I have already pulled bumpers, window switches, and window regulators from the donor car. I am glad the donor car with 39,000 miles did not have an engine or transmission, because I would then have another project car. It is good having the donor for all the extra parts, especially things such as front brake rotors that are no longer available. It’s tempting to put a posi unit in the donor car 12 bolt and put in the convertible. I will use many interior and exterior parts off the donor, none of which are available aftermarket; after all this is not a Cutlass.
5th Dec 2017, 10:28
Again, I would look up online to see if fenders or other trim or body part #s can interchange. There would be your easiest answer.
$1000 may be a real bargain for hard to find parts. If new repro parts are not yet available. This model may be one of them. The nice thing with a donor car is having it for reference whilst putting another together. But I did a 2 door to 2 door coupe. The issue cropping up more today is more civic associations or the county wants a parts car kept indoors. You can roll them out though.
5th Dec 2017, 20:05
I was asking the individual who actually owns both cars the fender question. I strongly believe that they do.
6th Dec 2017, 12:48
Are the side marker lights present on a 4 door fender? Or does it not matter to you?
Lastly, it may be his existing 2 door fenders do not need replaced. I guess he could measure for you. There are many parts suppliers online that could give you the most definitive answer. I’d rather have the supplier answer that question vs being hit with restock, or worse, non return parts.
6th Dec 2017, 20:42
Side marker light or no side marker light, the question again to the owner was do the fenders INTERCHANGE, as most 4 doors do have the side marker and some even have a cornering lamp. Work with what you've got on a hard to find parts restoration, and if it comes down to it, there is a process called welding. Done here.
7th Dec 2017, 00:28
Side marker lights would be present on both a convertible and 4-door fender, as they were standard equipment by 1970.
However, cornering lights, which were optional, may or may not be.
What does this have to do with whether the fenders will interchange?
7th Dec 2017, 09:15
Simple, it may already be on one side of the car being restored, and the donor car may not have it. It may fit as you guessed. What is the tremendous difficulty going online for a parts match inquiry? You can ask the reviewer, but I would rather personally be absolutely sure before paying shipping both ways and a restock on my cars. You may accidentally even get a wagon fender pop up on certain cars. Likely won’t fit either. If you do find repro body parts route, beware of going real cheap on imported stampings that do not fit right. Finding originals without rust is another issue besides the fit.
29th Mar 2013, 04:22
1970 is the zenith era year across the model lines for domestic V8 models and styling. I have a 70 Chevelle SS and a 70 Corvette among others. I am certain the values are escalating as well. I wouldn't mind having a 70 442 Convertible, 70 Cuda, 70 Z28, or 70 GSX. It's a pretty addictive hobby that's worth working very hard for.
As far as convertibles, I have always made money on mine, even on base models.