A 1978 Oldsmobile Cutlass spent a decade sitting in a garage while its owner, Ed, battled thyroid cancer. But a detailing team came in, cleaned up the classic, and brought it back to life for Ed in remarkable fashion.
The project was documented in a YouTube video by WD Detailing and features the team who took on the challenge of bringing a neglected G-body Cutlass back to its former glory.
Ed told the team the car originally belonged to his uncle, who recently passed away. He had started working on the Cutlass himself, but unfortunately, his thyroid cancer diagnosis got in the way, leaving the vehicle sitting in the garage for years.
The team got the car out of the garage with help from Ed, who used an ATV to pull it out before transporting it to the shop to begin an extensive detailing project.
The Detailing Begins
Once the Cutlass was brought to the shop, the team opened the trunk and discovered several car parts inside, including a glove box and door panels. They cleaned out the trunk before moving on to the wheels, scrubbing away years of dirt until the original finish began to show.
The exterior was next and received a thorough wash with a pressure washer, but it also revealed a problem. On the hood, the team noticed a prominent red and white separation across the surface. The red discoloration was caused by iron contamination and required even more work to remove.
More cleaning products, including Bubblegum Suds, were applied before tackling the iron. They used sandpaper to remove the iron staining and warned that the technique could leave scratches and was not recommended for beginners.
After the extensive cleaning process, most of the accumulated dirt was finally gone.
Interior Gets a Makeover
With the exterior cleaned, the team’s mechanic took a look at the Cutlass’ engine. The team added fuel to the tank and attempted to start the car, but it wasn’t working properly.
They suspected a broken fuel pump, but after further testing, it turned out the fuel pump was working. So the team continued working on the car while addressing its mechanical issues.
Next, they removed the seats and began cleaning years of accumulated dust and other nasty stuff. It was clear some rodents had made a home out of the car. The seats, steering wheel, and carpets all received extensive cleaning, while the damaged driver’s seat was sent to an upholsterer to be repaired in a style matching the original.
A master pinstriper was finally called in to add some new hand-painted pinstripes to the Cutlass, making it look brand new.
An Emotional Reveal
The project was finally complete, and the team returned to Ed’s home to let him know. They initially told him the car was finished but that they couldn’t get the car’s engine running.
However, the team had a surprise waiting for Ed. In the distance, the sound of an engine starting could be heard, leaving Ed stunned as he realized his beloved car was running again.
When the Cutlass backed into his driveway, Ed struggled to believe it and couldn’t hold back tears. The moment was incredibly heartfelt given the connection the car has to Ed’s late uncle and all the years Ed had been fighting cancer.
Finally, Ed got behind the wheel of his 1978 Oldsmobile Cutlass and drove it after all those years of it sitting in his garage, ending the project in a meaningful way.