Steve Strope '64 Oldsmobile Cutlass Restomod | Project Long Weekend

Steve Strope built this '64 Olds Cutlass for long distance cruisin' with all the modern tech to drive around safely and comfortably so sit back and enjoy the ride..
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[@TheGunfighter45acp]

Man, that stance! The whole thing is clean & uncluttered, too. I love it!

[@jameshutchins3396]

Nailed it! Never forget it's a tool, it's a car. Build it to drive

[@chipper442]

A TON of respect for keeping the original engine.

[@AutotopiaLA]

Agreed

[@admanharv8575]

excellent choice instead of the usual chevelle,camaro,gto, glad he kept the 330, nice color also

[@strongplanted]

Strope always does the coolest builds and he seems like genuinely a nice guy!

[@hemidaytona2378]

Seeing that pink F-85 in the parking lot brings back a lot of memories... Whenever I dropped off or picked up my 72 Tornio, it was there. Glad that Steve is going so well.

[@FrisellFan01]

What a gem ! Once again Steve Strope builds another car to admire........Purevision......

[@AutotopiaLA]

I love what Steve and his team do

[@SweatyFatGuy]

My favorite part of that build is he kept the Olds engine. I built my 65 GTO to be similar to that Olds, capable of long drives, easy to handle, comfortable enough with an original 65 interior, yeah its slightly worn but its from 57 years ago. I wanted to do tall spindles and tubular control arms up front, but they hit the exhaust of my Pontiac engines, so it got basic disc brakes and cut springs. UMI arms out back so there is no hop when you stomp it. Added a factory WS6 front sway bar from a 79 Trans Am, and the factory rear bar from my 70 GTO that is waiting its turn in my shop. The 70 will get a bunch of suspension upgrades to make it more fun to drive than it already is. I like having some power, so it has a 455 making around 550hp with iron heads, running on E85. I use it to test carbs I convert, but right now it has a FiTech Mean Street unit on it. I'm trying to swing a TKO trans for it, because the 455 keeps hurting the 700R4s and 2004Rs I build for it. A 3.08 geared 8.2 with a posi out back makes it fun. The 455 makes more than enough power to push this thing into the 11s like it is.. if the transmission holds up of course. Its blowing through some 15/8 summit headers, 3.5" pypes system with Violator mufflers. The intro to my channel videos is that 455 in the 65 with that system. Its all about the sound. Can barely hear it inside the car going down the road, no droning, and other than the wind noise you can have a conversation easily. There is a stock radio in the dash, and a head unit in the glove box, 12" subs, two 600watt amps under the package shelf, 6x9s in the factory speaker locations, and a pair of round 5" speakers up front. The interior came out of a 65 LeMans post I found in Flint Mi, grandma fresh, complete car with a bit of rust. That car gave me a lot of good parts, and now its going to be a gasser.. or another cruiser build like this. I am leaning towards gasser. If I had started with that one the build would have been about six months. I think it would be cool to have the post as a gasser, painted the same color as the hard top GTO, with the same wheels, but with two Holleys sticking through the hood with velocity stacks and a clear plexiglass scoop covering them. It is built as a daily driver, not a show car, so yeah its a bit rough, and the Ford Flame Blue paint is scratched and chipped all over now, but it looks good from a distance. Its mostly used parts for trim and body stuff, including the rusty bumpers. Eventually I will repaint it again, maybe back to the red it was originally, but definitely a pearl like the Ford red like that blue. There is about 40k on it since 2016 when I first put plates on it. That includes 1000 mile road trips to go on the Tour Nebraska road trip with my family in 2017. It was drivable in 2012, but life happens and I had to move and build a shop to work in. Did the shop in 2015, built that myself too. I built my GTO, not some shop. I did the frame off, the very extensive rust repair, and pieced it back together over the course of 3 years. It wasn't even a good parts car, it was just a rolling shell with more holes in the floor than stars in the sky, no way to put the glass in because the pinch welds were completely gone, and the dash was rusted away from the car completely. Basket case doesn't quite get there in describing how bad it was, it was worse than that. I built the engine, transmission, rear end, and everything else on it. Its hard to believe the before pics are the same car as when I started driving it. The 70 will be a fun cruiser when its done, and the 69 GTO that is even worse off than the 65 was is also going to be a fun car. I rebuild the cars nobody else wants or will attempt. Its because I can get them dirt cheap and building muscle cars is my therapy after my military time left me with limited mobility. With any luck this week the weather will improve and I can start tapping my maple trees. I make ethanol from tree sap. This fall I will make a couple batches from cattails as well. All my old cars get high compression engines, usually 455s or 400s stroked to 461 or 489, small chamber heads from 67 to 70, so they make plenty of power and get better mileage. I don't bother with pump gas in them, especially with the cost of it now. Why not make fuel for the cars I build? I can drive a long damn way for less than a dollar a gallon, and make lots of cool running power doing it.

[@randallfrank5682]

Just a beautiful car. Great color.

[@AutotopiaLA]

Every choice is spot on imo. Such a class build

[@impslap7620]

Wow, missed this one until today. Mr Strope nails it again. Simple but so much detail, as per his style. Also shows how a good alignment, proper running engine (no need for efi, just a good tune-up), an overdrive and a/c is all you really need to make a great cruiser.

[@deanda5150]

_ Steve met you at Pomona (NHRA) a few years ago. I still talk about it. You are truly genuine and as cool in person as you are on the screen. No pretense. Thanks for the photo op and taking a moment to say hi to a fan. When I grow up, I want to be just like you.

[@civik29]

This is a great episode!!! Strope = Simple Elegance

[@BammerD]

This body style of Cutlass' are often overlooked for the GTO or Chevelle. This car is absolutely outstanding.

[@stephanesimard1692]

Weekend job. Body off frame restoration. I guess I'm a slow worker... Love the clean look though. Nice build.

[@neilbenoit7042]

Growing up as a kid my brother had the 64 442,white with red interior.Had the 330 motor with a 4 gear and dual exhaust.Shame he wrecked it.Would be a great car to have today.Sweet ride Steve!

[@AutotopiaLA]

I love this ride! Perfect cruiser and beautiful

[@tobeurichard8969]

You can’t go wrong when it’s Steve Stope. Awesome builder!

[@AutotopiaLA]

Totally agree

[@drptp5017]

Im a cutlass man..I thought i would never see a cutlass on this channel.FINALLY!!. Please show more Cutlass A bodys

[@AutotopiaLA]

We’ve just been waiting for a great one like this. If we find more we’ll shoot ‘em I promise!

[@l.s.451]

The interior is amazing!👏

[@XAPAN88]

I love how this is not a top fuel/gun/thing…it’s just a thing to enjoy for him😍

[@AutotopiaLA]

Me too. Built to cruise and enjoy and look and sound good doing it

[@briankinnear7461]

The old Cutlass and Skylark of that era were really under-rated in my mind. They are really cool cars and make a great cruiser. Love this car. Sounds great. Agree with him about a simple build that behaves well on the road. Be safe and stay well.

[@AutotopiaLA]

This was built with taste and class and definitely built to drive which Steve does

[@ciscovilla4277]

Believe me that’s not just any run of the mile old school that Cutlass to me is a show car The time it takes for a car like this to hit the road is exhausting no matter who’s working on the project

[@clay_jay22]

I was thinking the same thing. Doesn’t look like a simple garage build to me. This thing in amazing!

[@danmyers9372]

Yeah, to say a person could do a build like this in a weekend is downright laughable. C’mon Steve, get real.

[@israelalvarado1695]

Beautiful! Glad to see he kept it all oldsmobile and didn't Ls it.

[@AutotopiaLA]

Kept it simple and elegant

[@scottbourret1190]

My dad had one of these in high school. Still talks about it to thus day. We've been an Olds family until their demise.

[@nickp701]

I'm glad your back at it bro. Steve is so chill. His cars really are some of the coolest ever. He is so down to earth another excellent video.

[@AutotopiaLA]

Good to be back and yeah, Steve is such a great guy and creative beyond words

[@jdtankvideos2584]

totally awesome 1964 oldsmobile car

[@thefrostyvette876]

Beautiful ride. This care just made me realize that crazy power isn’t the end all be all. I’ll just beef up my 350/350 in my C10 square and enjoy the back streets of America.

[@AutotopiaLA]

Power isn’t the whole game. Especially if you’re just making a beautiful cruiser like Steve did with this one

[@DMcElfresh101]

Ya, this is awesome. Love that it has an Old’s engine still.

[@petevalz609]

Agree 1000%.

[@brian_and_the_car]

Welcome back guys!!! Beautiful ride Steve...

[@colbysmith1398]

Love it! I dig the original Olds engine in it

[@buckreynolds1779]

poetry in motion

[@AutotopiaLA]

Perfect cool cruiser

[@THROTTLEPOWER]

Very cool '64 ..................... 👍👍👍

[@boldrbangr9834]

Have always loved Steve's Cars. This one struck home as I've always been an Olds guy. The perfect build. Cruise anywhere in comfort & it sounds good too. Take that 1,000 HP builds! OK, I lied. A built 455 in this would be awesome, but would also defeat the purpose of the car.

[@siddiqahmad5193]

Luv it! New take on "Gentlemen's Hot Rod." Great job!!!

[@AutotopiaLA]

Perfect description

[@williampearson6259]

Best car builder on the planet!!!!

[@AutotopiaLA]

I love what Steve does. Understated, class and creative. One of my favorite guys out there

[@ronaldezz]

He was right about that colour against the chrome. Beautiful interior. Beautiful sound. Such a cool ride. 😎

[@dennismenton2192]

I owned a F85 in the 70s and loved the car. So wish I had it back just like this one.

[@michaeldillon9080]

I’m a sucker for an Old’s stunning Cutlas

[@blackbolt3685]

😲 AWESOME-ness! Stayed true to it's original character,but,with just the right amount of new to make a new "2064" Cutlass

[@AutotopiaLA]

Steve never loses the original car in any of his builds. This is such a perfect cruiser

[@melvinburwell8202]

Nice to see you back Shawn. Ready for some longer videos again. Get well.👍🤑😎😛🤠🤩

[@ryans_kustomz4543]

Great to see you back Shawn ! 👍 i definitely Missed the Car and Truck Shoots , and Steve Looks so Different with the Hair Lol ,, and Nice Car Love the Colour

[@iansharpe8420]

Man, I love those body lines.

[@AutotopiaLA]

Me too. So clean and so many cool Strope touches

[@WyoCutlass71]

0:34 holy vintage iPod!

[@melvinpinkard5333]

Man, you have that stance DOWN! Nice build!

[@AutotopiaLA]

Nailed this whole build and that stance is perfect

[@keithhebert9334]

I remember this episode watching him build this car years back really awesome nice car

[@AutotopiaLA]

Great to see it on the road and get to drive it too!!

[@heavychevy4616]

yes! steve strope & pure vision! ...more please!

[@AutotopiaLA]

Always more from Steve. We’ve shot 6 or more so far and recently shot the Anvil Mustang too which will be live soon

[@robhays3545]

Absolultely love this car. I'll be stealing ideas for my 1967 Cutlass that came with that same 330 engine. Dude builds timeless stuff!

[@robray7106]

This guy, Strope, is very cool. This cruiser is absolutely cool and looks relaxing yet badass. That blue is spot on.😎👍

[@AutotopiaLA]

He’s such a cool guy. Creative and just cool. I love this ride

[@allantaylor3288]

Awesome build. Just how I like them. Dollars put in the right areas to make this car reliable and a pleasure to drive and looks coooool to boot😎😊👌

[@THROTTLEPOWER]

I agree Allan 👍

[@SerPurple51]

Was just watching older videos wondering when we'd get a new upload! Perfect timing! Steve looks like an 80's rocker with that hair btw! Haha

[@heavychevy4616]

...well, he is a musician, & a very talented bass player, so i suppose thats an accurate description

[@yamahaxs6501]

the definition of cruiser.

[@AutotopiaLA]

Total cruiser with pure class

[@darylharvey2865]

Interior is nicer than my Infiniti. Would drive this every day.

[@AutotopiaLA]

I would too!

[@haffrods7055]

Steve's vehicles always have details with explanation. I love that about his builds. Artist at work. I wish we'd get another season of his show. Another TOP quality video from AutotopiaLA. Shawn, can we get some videos of shop tours and projects? You're in the mecca for custom vehicles

[@AutotopiaLA]

He sure does kill it on his builds. So many details that almost go unnoticed. Possibly some shop tours. Typically we like to focus in on one build and the story but maybe we can work in some tours from time to time

[@Wrong_gear-3411]

Yeah..... Dr Oldsmobile is proud

[@mdtaylor2274]

If the pick of destiny was a car, this would be it. Awesome!

[@1080sucks]

A nice clean build unusual enough to be different.

[@AutotopiaLA]

Exactly

[@kyleforeman4543]

Simple an fun,that's what it's all about..beautifull

[@ryand4786]

Very cool car , love the less is more approach . Sean , nice to see you back at it , great vid 👍

[@AutotopiaLA]

Thank you! Nice to be back in action. Class build all the way here

[@americanfamiliesfirst2790]

About time you guys show a oldsmobile. Very nice car!

[@zekemontgomery6678]

Damn. That’s one of nicest ones I’ve seen. Very well done. Simple.

[@jamiea2404]

I want to like this more than once. I have a 64 too.

[@thejoshbtv]

Sweet and understated. Glad to see you back.

[@AutotopiaLA]

Glad to be back and this is such a tasteful build as always from Strope

[@bspeers1]

Very nice car! Brings back memories of that kind of ride in the neighbourhood back in the 70’s. Great to see you back Shawn!

[@AutotopiaLA]

Great to be back! I love this build too. Simple, creative and pure class

[@robertrico7598]

Strope is the man!

[@AutotopiaLA]

He really is

[@teerob4548]

very cool build. different from the norm. It will stand out, well done.

[@wadesnider5218]

Well it’s about time !! Glad you’re FINALLY showing new videos. Glad your back

[@Bob-ww7ot]

Very nice ride. Sounds pretty cool to.

[@tonymullin1583]

Really liked the format and way you went about showing this ride Shawn. Captured both the heart of the car and its owners aspirations for it. Great watch, thank you.

[@AutotopiaLA]

Thanks. We’ve been trying some new ideas on format since the crash and I like this style a lot

[@mauryballstein8863]

We are building a second engine for my dads 69 superbee. Just got the 1071 blower a few days ago. Waiting on a 440 mopar performance block and stroking it to a 572. Hopefully the engine will be running in the car by this time next year. We will have to get it on an episode when everything is done.

[@nopl8s448]

Been following Steve for years, always top notch builds and this one is so understated... love the update/ backdate design philosophy.

[@AutotopiaLA]

He’s such a class design/build master

[@bravofoxable]

Now this is a solid car, well built, just the absolute cruiser... Very well done 👍🏻 👊🏻

[@kenneymitchell1186]

I had a 64 cutlass convertible, my first car! Ran real fast for a 330 ci V8, I think it has an original W31 engine, gas cap read "WARNING PREMIUM FUEL ONLY!

[@AutotopiaLA]

Very cool

[@kenneymitchell1186]

@@AutotopiaLA thanks, I drove it 100 miles to the Ohio state fair with 3 buddies when I was 16!

[@thaddeusbrown8783]

Wonderful job eye to detail

[@AutotopiaLA]

He is so creative and knows when to pull the rains and not go over the top. Love his approach

[@jeffreyrigged]

prob my favorite car they have had on the channel. really close to how i am building my 66 buick. i wish i could get those wheels still. cragar stopped producing them sadly.

[@AutotopiaLA]

Glad you like this one so much. I love what Steve does and this is a perfect cruiser

[@jeffreyrigged]

@@AutotopiaLA yeah he does great work. keeps alot originality

[@markcon7172]

that's exactly what we are going for with my kids 65 mustang. something you can get in and drive and if something busts you can still get parts at the local parts store

[@AutotopiaLA]

Good plan

[@dogsense3773]

I work in a hot rod shop in north California, our every day cars are like this,not to loud not much power just right for a long road trip!

[@thehemiolds455]

Finally somebody with sense that cap the original engine.it would off be nice with a Montello 😁👍🤙or a hemi olds. Other then that sweet ride love it 😎

[@primozkrajcar4144]

Good to have you back Shawn! Very cool build with enough power and great interior. Really nice!

[@JarvisMod]

What a great build.

[@AutotopiaLA]

No doubt about it

[@ariescustom]

Welcome back, Shawn! Nice ride.

[@AutotopiaLA]

Thank you! Feels great to be back and going again. And yes, very cool ride from Strope & Co

[@marwannabe]

Man good to have you back!!! Awesome build 🤘

[@AutotopiaLA]

Thanks! Feels great to be back up and running again!! And yes on this being a special build

[@roythomasjohnson2341]

the all important a/c system!

[@AutotopiaLA]

Gotta have it!

[@timothycannon7590]

I knew someone who had a Oldsmobile cutlass from the 80's & it was a nice car that was green.

[@bubbacomputer]

For me that would be more like project one year than weekend, but I really like that car! Perfect long distance cruiser.

[@AutotopiaLA]

I hear ya but that’s his approach on this one vs crazy fab work

[@masonite1973]

That is a nice color. Props for keeping the original little rocket 330

[@I-Teee]

Welcome back, I missed you guys.

[@bazilwreckerloughead]

I love that color combo. (body & interior)

[@AutotopiaLA]

Really tasteful

[@bzmaro]

That thing is beautiful! I really like the edit on this one. Great job gents!

[@AutotopiaLA]

Thanks bro! Trying some new ideas since the crash and I really like this new direction. And doesn’t hurt to have Strope and one of his creations

[@bigmountain7561]

As Usual Steve builds the perfect machine again!!! Not some million horse can’t pass a gas station car. I was thinking about a 64 Coupe de Ville done the same way. Fresh Fuchsia Metallic from a 2017 VW Pink Beetle which I owned. With a shade off exterior interior. How about that Shawn??

[@AutotopiaLA]

Sounds like a cool cruiser to me!

[@jeffhanson664]

This car is just way more than Cool! It’s got just the look, the stance, and a killer color choice that just makes the car. I think the guy made great choices in every aspect of this build. It’s not a car or style type that I have ever thought of wanting, but I’ll tell you what… I’d sure take this one and be happy about it! Very nicely done.

[@AutotopiaLA]

I know what you mean. This car made me want this car with about 150 more hp

[@tysonsmartialarts]

Good way to start off the year!

[@AutotopiaLA]

Yessir!!

[@chuckselvage3157]

What a great looking car. 👍👍👍👍👍

[@AutotopiaLA]

Yes it is and great driver too

[@deopersad2915]

So awesome, cool dayley driver , and cruiser , that's what I want to do to mine when I can in the future 😀👍🏻 very nice

[@AutotopiaLA]

You could drive it everyday and it never loses the cool factor

[@winstoncryer7606]

Very clean good work

[@ryanm3749]

Steve knocks it out of the park with even his basic builds.

[@hawgfankc]

Great to see you back. Glad you're doing ok. This is one of my favorite channels.

[@CyberDocUSA]

Binge watching. Love this guy's builds and vision.

[@JaredR1996]

Awesome car 👍. Glad to see u guys doing videos again

[@slmmdgg]

soon as i saw steve stripe i clicked dudes the top 5 in his business

[@XCVi_MAC]

Love your guys channel. I hope all is well. God bless !

[@jessewait2931]

Always loved this body style

[@AutotopiaLA]

Me too. And this one is just so good