1989 Cutlass Calais thread

[grouch]

I picked up a car the other day to help a guy out. I was a bit surprised to see the engine under the hood. While the car isn't much to look at, it's got the Quad 4, 16 valve engine under the hood. It's a 35 year old car with 77K on the clock. The paint is terrible. It's from when the "new" paint process requiring less preparation came into use. A couple years later they realized that it really DID need all the preparation. A lot of the original paint fell off and someone did a really poor job painting it.



Right now I'm just cleaning junk from the years out of it. Fixing a few burned out bulbs and finding what all I have. The fresh fuel already has it running better. It needs a windshield and exhaust. Add in some new tires and possibly some brake work and I should have a nice driving little car.

 

[grouch]

More photos.

 

[grouch]

Lastly, the power plant.

 

[homesick]

I hope it's worthy. I'd like you to be able to save it.

The windshield looks like someone came off the top rope on it.

joe

 

[grouch]

I hope it's worthy. I'd like you to be able to ave it.

The windshield looks like someone came off the top rope on it.

joe

This is an old "Granny" car in pretty good shape. I'm thinking it sat in a barn for years. I'm so used to rust buggies, I've only found one small spot about the size of a quarter. Typical crappy paint that was rattle canned. I'm thinking after a windshield, exhaust and some new tires, I'll have a good driving old car. Most of the work is requiring more elbow grease than new parts.

 

[grouch]

Update on the Calais. I finally got a good clean title to the car. No burn marks or anything. Now I feel better about spending money on it.

I wanted to find one good 13 inch wheel and use the damaged one as a spare. If available, 13 inch wheels cost more than 14's. Then I found the only readily available 13 inch tires are for trailers. I spent most of Friday chasing 14 inch wheels. I kept finding larger wheel bolt patterns but finally tracked down 4 wheels that sort of match. I went by Discount Tire to see about some tires and they even had some inexpensive ones in stock. They told me it would take between an hour to an hour and a half so I went home to get my truck and 30 minutes later, they were done.



They will the wheel wells nicely and have plenty of meat. No two tires that came off were the same.

I also started looking for rust. I've not had time to get it on the rack to look underneath, but except for the exhaust having rotted off from sitting, I've only found one rust spot on the other body.



That's it. Is the body perfect? No. It's been bumped in the front. just for grins and giggles, here's the data sticker in the trunk.



I don't know what they mean, but if someone is looking for one of these, this will help. Next step is to go for a new windshield

 

[Tonyrodz]

I'd definitely DD that. Ive always liked those little cars. There's one similar for sale near me for $2500.

 

[grouch]

I'd definitely DD that. Ive always liked those little cars. There's one similar for sale near me for $2500.

That's about what I'll sell this one for when it's done. I plan to drive it a bit to debug it. It will still need work but some one will get a really nice car. I've got a radio for it but will probably let the next owner put it in.

 

[Doubeleive]

That's about what I'll sell this one for when it's done. I plan to drive it a bit to debug it. It will still need work but some one will get a really nice car. I've got a radio for it but will probably let the next owner put it in.

Here's Why the Quad 4 Was One of GM's Most Important Engines Ever

The General needed something to compete with the imports. More specifically, it needed an efficient, modern four-cylinder engine.

jalopnik.com

 

[OR VietVet]

Did the owner pay you to take it away?