1970 Cutlass Saturday Night Special

[Karl LaFong]

Two years ago I purchased a bag containing Jo-Han AMC, Ford, and Oldsmobile funny car parts at a model car show.  With the exception of a hood and stock engine parts, most of a 1970 Olds 442 was included in the bag.  Since the Jo-Han interior and chassis were promo style, I also purchased an AMT ’69 Hurst Olds at the show.

The ’70 body was a bit rough: (The missing A pillar was in the bag): 

 

I soaked it in Purple Power and I was able to obtain a resin hood. I decided to go with a Baja/off road racer:

 

But, for the life of me, I couldn’t get the resin hood to fit.  After much shimming, sanding, and cursing, I threw the mess back in a box and gave up.  A couple weeks ago, I found a spare ’69 Olds in my parts box.  It wasn’t a perfect fit, but it was perfect for an outlaw/hobby/enduro/Saturday night special stock car.

 

I had gutted the interior for the original Baja build, so other than removing paint, it was ready to go.  Since I wanted it to portray a non-442 car, I needed to modify the grill.  I carefully Dremeled the grill and vents (intact vs. removed):

 

I added brass mesh to the grill area and Evergreen sheet plastic for headlight and turn signal covers:

 

The Jo-Han radiator was meh, so I added the fan shroud from the ’69 Olds:

 

The wheels are from the MPC 1975 Corvette; tires are parts box items that look late-70ish.  I sanded off the 442 badges and door handles and opened the side markers.  When I was opening the right side marker, a chunk of the body broke off and disappeared into the rug.  I cut a piece of Evergreen styrene, added some rivet decals, with the result being a quick sheet metal repair:

   

 

More work tonight!

[Volzfan59]

Looks great, just like a good ol street stocker or modified street division car.

[Karl LaFong]

The engine is a bit of a mashup.  While most of it is from the '69 442, I lost the water pump, so I pulled out something (Pontiac?) that sort of looked like an Olds pump.  The valve covers are from the funny car parts bag - they were the closest things I could find to stock covers.  I scratchbuilt the filler tube from Evergreen tubing and photoetch.

    

 

I painted the engine Tamiya metallic blue, which to my eyes looked like the correct 1970 445 CI engine color.  The distributer is a Replicas & Miniatures item; the engine was weathered with rust and oily black washes.

 

  

 

[Mattilacken]

Nice build!

[bobss396]

I like the progress. I raced with a guy in 1983 that was a local radio station disc jockey. The station sponsored the car. Which was a similar Cutlass.

One time the driver was in a panic before the race... he had misplaced the ignition key... he actually still had the stock dash in the car.

[Horrorshow]

2 hours ago, bobss396 said:

I like the progress. I raced with a guy in 1983 that was a local radio station disc jockey. The station sponsored the car. Which was a similar Cutlass.

One time the driver was in a panic before the race... he had misplaced the ignition key... he actually still had the stock dash in the car.

Apparently, NASCAR race cars in the sixties still used key start. I heard Joe Weatherly was quite the prankster and one time he went down pit lane before the start of the race and stole all the keys.

[Karl LaFong]

Almost done!  I did keep the stock dashboard, minus the ignition key.

Color is Testor's Model Master Hugger Orange lacquer.  I still need to cover up the "1970" in the rear bumper.

The fresh from the salvage yard '69 Olds hood was painted with Testor's Model Master Nasseau Blue.  It fit about as well as the resin '70 hood.  

A couple more details, some decals, and next stop is "Under Glass"

 

 

 

 

Edited September 29, 2024 by Karl LaFong
spelling error, wrong picture inserted

[Volzfan59]

I love it! She really does have that Saturday night street stock look. Can't wait to see the final product.

[oldcarfan]

Nice work and good save!

I've been hoping they would update the new tool to do the 70 Cutlass so I could do James Garner's Baja car.

[Karl LaFong]

23 hours ago, oldcarfan said:

Nice work and good save!

I've been hoping they would update the new tool to do the 70 Cutlass so I could do James Garner's Baja car.

Yeah, that was my original intention - the best laid plans of mice and men oft go astray!

[Sledsel]

Lookin cool!!!

 

[dust collectors]

This rule! The look is spot on.