Dan Tierney

I really like the 67 442, but when I look at the 66 I think it looks like a boat. did the shorten the body from 66 to 67, I found a 66 and if its the same size as the 67 I might jump on it and get it. But the 66 looks much longer than the 67. oldcutlass's little thumbnail pic is what got me. can anyone verify?

Run to Rund

If anything, the 67 would be a tad longer because the front fender extensions are longer. Most body parts interchange between the two years--fenders, doors, quarters, etc.

joe_padavano

I was under the impression that the 66 and 67 fender extensions interchanged? In any case, as Joe points out, the bodies are virtually identical. Same panels, same wheelbase. Differences are hood, grille, taillights, and bumpers.

May want to get the old eyes tested...

Dan Tierney

so I can make this



look like this

Dan Tierney

and can they be made to go fast the one in the pic has a 2 speed auto tranny.

HonestDave

I've had lots of 66 and 67 Cutlass's over the last thirty years. Always thought they looked almost identical from the side. Lots of 320 horse 330's, but always found room for improvement with the 2 speed automatics. Still, if I got another one, I'd prefer to keep it stock and just enjoy cruising.
The 65 I'm fixing up has a Turbo 400 in it. I'm expecting it to really perform, with the 200 compression 455, except I don't care anymore. If I had this car in my twenties I'd be just giddy !!
Probably have to get it driveable and trade it for a walker...

Dan Tierney

Well I like the 67 and if I can make the 66 look like it I will buy it, I guess I will have to swap pout the tranny though. I want something I can take to the quarter mile on amateur night, yet go cruising around on the streets and enjoy.

Oldsmaniac

If you really want a 67 buy a 67. Swapping all the side chrome will require drilling and filling. You will need bumpers, grills, a hood, tailights. Upholstery patterns are different and mechanically there are a couple of differences one being that the single reservoir master cylinder was gone in 67. It would make much more sense to start with the 67 in the 1st place.

Dan Tierney

Well I was thinking buy the 66 and take the trim off and raise it up

oldcutlass

Dan thankyou for the flattery. Yes you can make a 66 look just as nice. You also can get your wish of making it go fast. This is what I started with. And the second pic is with new springs in the back, and wheels. It's a wonder what those 2 things can do for a car. It took 3 years to get it where it is today.

dancutlass

Maybe a silly question, but if you don't care about originality anyway, why don't you just buy a 67 Cutlass and change it according to your wishes and leave that 66 442 to somebody who appreciates it for what it is?
Might be cheaper as well...

lemoldsnut

I agree with Dan. If you are going to alter the car that much then buy a 67 to start with.

gearheads78

The sheet metal is the same but the trim is all different. You can't just raise it up. If you get a 66 leave it as a 66. They look better anyway.

droptopron

Just my $.02, but I really like the fender vent on the '66's

droptopron

If you change a '66 to a '67 that will epitomize putting money into a car to make it worth less.

joe_padavano

The 66 442 fender vents are unique to that car due to the stamping of the vent holes, so please don't screw those up. As for why the two cars look different, the two photos posted above make that obvious. The side trim on the 67 is at the bottom of the body, not the middle as on the 66. As a result, the piece in front of the front wheels is considerably shorter, thus the illusion that the whole car is shorter.

Yet another example of why I don't trust human senses (especially the butt dyno! )

Dan Tierney

the 66 doesnt look like a muscle car. it looks like a lowrider, and I cant find anything in my area. I call and no one returns my calls, I want a 98-72 but cant find one in my area and i am not sending money to some guy and hope I get a car. the 66 is local other than that there is nothing and I want a 442 not a clone. I dont plan on changing fenders or anything but just taking the molding off and making it look like a mans car.

oldcutlass

I think the 66 is just as beautiful as a 67, It needs some love and suspension work, don't be in a big hurry to remove the trim until you get it to sit right.

joe_padavano

They are the SAME sheetmetal...

Here's a 66 without the side trim:



Compare that to the 67 above and you'll see that the fenders are the same (yeah, it's a Sport Coupe - doesn't matter).

Dan Tierney

ok I will stick with my original plans if I can find one a 67-72. that 66 is horrible. at least the 67 is a sports coupe.

oldcutlass

Ok Dan, check this link out and give me an opinion. Thers something there for everyone.

http://www.google.com/search?q=1966+...w=1366&bih=651

Allan R

I'm partial to 67 because that's what I learned to drive in. As Eric is also prone to note on some other threads - shiny cars will go faster too!

dancutlass

Why?
I could be wrong, but as I understand it you want to have a car for under 5k, you can build according to your taste.
In other words it should look similar to Oldcutlass's 67 or like a 68-72 and should be a fast streetcar, which you can take to the track sometimes.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I assume every engine out of a 442 for under 5k will need a rebuild anyway, so why don't you look for a Cutlass, which looks almost the same like a 442 and put a 455 in it which will all in all give you more bang for the buck if that is what you want?! Just my opinion...

joe_padavano

???

Sport Coupe = post coupe
Holiday Coupe = hardtop

Dan Tierney

I like this 66

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/330502...ldsmobile-f-85

oldcutlass

Now your starting to show some interest. The one up top can look just like that.

Dan Tierney

it doesnt have the moldings, and it looks beefy, the one I posted that needs rest is 4k. I would want to make it look like that, I just dont know about a 2 speed. I would think a 2 speed wouldnt be quick.

CRUZN 66

I solved my own issue of 66 vs 67....... I presently own a 66 Tripower 442 and a 67 442-W30................

oldcutlass

What motor is in there now? Yes, it came standard with a 2 speed jetaway, switchpitch trans, however a BOP T400 would bolt right up, with some other mods. Not that hard to upgrade. Heres some info for ya.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oldsmobile_442

I prefer the earlier A bodys, there just ain't alot of them around.

Oldsmaniac

Pretty much the engine and rear gear ratio makes it quick or not. The 442 in 66 is supposed to have a beefed up 2 speed trans. Dont forget that the Chevy powerglide is heavily used in racing. 2 Speed trans is not really an issue.

Dan Tierney

the engine is a E block 400. and if I can upgrade the tranny that is a good option. Maybe I got used to the 4-5 speeds in normal cars.

Dan Tierney

I have a ton of pics of the 66 that the guy emailed me. I like it I just want to male sure I can get the end result I want.

wmachine

Um, that is a Club Coupe (F85), Joe , and doesn't come with the side trim.



Here's a Sports Coupe (Cutlass), missing the side trim that it comes with.

66-3X2 442

The green F-85 pictured has wheel opening moldings and wheel opening moldings were available but it would also have the rocker & quarter molding in the option. I've never seen just a wheel opening molding option,only the F-85 Deluxe trim option. Am I wrong Dad?

RonFX

Guys:
My first car was a1966 F85, it was a 6 cylinder, standard shift. It looks alot like this one, except mine had NO side trim at all except for the 1/4 panel markings that said F85, I guess it was the econo special. We are doing body off resto mod on it. I have had the car since 1974, my 16th birthday present! Alot of GOOD TIMES in that car, I wil need to do something about the lack of side trim, that is alot cor rolling down the road to be one color w/ NO accents.
Ron

HonestDave

My 65 had no side trim when I got it. It was all in the trunk. The car looked nice, but a little like a box (also full of small holes of coarse). Once I put the side trim on it looked longer and more streamlined. Quite like it better with the chrome.

TripDeuces

My 66 is roughly 16'6" long. Bit I like the trim along the side because I think it breaks up the body line and tends to shorten the car in height visually as well as break up the slab sided look which you may refer to as looking like a 'boat' It's a trick of the eye. Lowering cars down makes them appear longer just as raising them does the opposite. If you want the car to appear shorter then you want to raise it like Oldcutlass has done. Of course wheel choice and size will also do the same along with body color.
From the side 66s and 67s look the same. It's the front and rear that are noticeably different. I personally think 67s look wider but it's only the headlight spacing that gives that visual. They are definitely narrower than the 68 and up models as you can see in this pic: