Change Gallery : Change Vehicle

Introducing... "Goblin"

A 1972 Oldsmobile Cutlass 2 door coupe.

Goblin will require a large amount of work.

The original frame was quite rusty and cracked, which will be replaced.

Our client supplied us with a replacement frame from the Southern U.S.A.

We removed the old brakes lines, fuel lines and steering box assembly, degreased and sandblasted the entire frame.

We repaired the "Southern U.S" frame. There were some areas that required welding. We repaired all of the areas along with some stress cracks. The frame was degreased and sandblasted. The "new" frame then received two coats of POR15 high gloss paint.

Goblin has a previously rebuilt engine and upgraded transmission that we will be cleaning and detailing before transferring onto the "new" chassis later in the build.

Our attention turned to the car body next. We removed the hood, fenders, bumpers, grille, radiator support, doors, all glass, the complete interior and dash was also removed. The driveline and exhaust was also removed. The body was removed from the original rotted out old frame and installed onto a rotisserie.

We spent some time assessing the amount of new metal that would be required to repair Goblin's original body. Once large amounts of previous body filler was removed to expose the amount of fabrication that was required, we determined it would be a better idea to try to obtain a body shell that required much less metal work.

Last Chance was able to find a replacement 1972 Oldsmobile body shell (Silver in colour). The replacement body will require considerably less metal work than Goblin's original shell. We also obtained some additional panels that we will require for this build.

The replacement (Silver Body) was dis assembled. Several layers of paint and primer was sanded down to expose a very nice body shell. The replacement body was installed onto a custom built rotisserie.

Our attention went back to the "New" frame. The front suspension, steering and brake components were taken apart, degreased and sandblasted. We applied two coats of special POR15 high gloss black paint to all of the components. New shocks, brakes, bearings and seals were installed, along with new brake rotors, brake pads and calipers.

The best of the two rear end assemblies was cleaned, degreased and painted with the above mentioned POR15 paint.

Work on Goblin's "New" body was next. The complete body shell was media blasted both inside and the underside.

After the blasting was completed, it exposed lots of hidden poor previous repairs to the floor and trunk sections (hidden fiberglass and body filler was under thick undercoating).

Factory correct (high quality) replacement floor pans, trunk pan and main support rails were ordered. The rusty old metal was cut away, new panels were dry fitted and welded into place.

All welds were ground smooth and all support rails were treated with an anti rust paint before they were welded onto the body shell.

Damage to the front passenger firewall (in the heater box area) was removed and reconstructed as new.

Several rusted sections in the inner and outer rocker panel areas were all cut out and replaced with new metal. The rear wheel wells were also treated to new steel where needed.

The small factory holes along both outer lower rocker panels (that hold clips for lower aluminum trim) were welded closed and ground smooth.

Once all of the welds were ground smooth the complete underside of the car received two coats of a special black two part epoxy paint.

Goblin's "New" body only needs the two new front cowl/firewall mounts welded in to complete the metal fabrication on the body. (They will be arriving soon).

Our next step was to lift Goblin's body off of the rotisserie and mount it on a special dolly so the exterior body shell can have the body refinishing begin.

All of the bare metal received two coats of a special black two part epoxy primer to seal and protect the metal. Two coats of a grey high build primer was applied next.

The next step for the body was block sanding. The sanding started with 180 grit and smoother was added where needed. After each application another two coats of primer was added and sanded smooth with 240 grit sandpaper.

Stay tuned as this challenging build continues....

You are viewing the 1972 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS in current projects.