Hi all,

I've always longed to own a '72, and I've finally stumbled across one that is in very streetable condition, and well within the relms of my technical expertise.

I was wondering if someone can help me decifer (better off explain) the VIN code on the car.

the VIN is 3F87H2R135619 block #395558.

My confusion merely lies with the interpretation of of the "F" code. Although, I enjoy a decent general knowledge of the '72s... I'm just curious what the F code really means.

The car's history is a little muttled, but it is/ close to factory original from what I've been able to gather on it.

-Fact buckets
-Fact Console
-Fact AC
-350/2bbl/single exhaust.

Any information is greatly appreciated!

G

 

I would think that if all other parts of the VIN are not confusing then the F should also not be a problem. F means F85 2 door hardtop coupe. H is 160HP 350 2bbl. However, the 4 is not right as there should be a letter in that place indicating the assembly plant where it was made. None of the possibilites seem to jump right out and suggest they might look like a 4 but perhaps it is an R, indicating Arlington, Texas. Other possibilities are G, M or Z.

 

F means cutlass, D= F85, at least in this vin decoder..

http://members.aol.com/drewinva/olds/vin/vin72.htm

 

Interesting that on that VIN decoder F and G both are listed identically as "Cutlass" with no other distinction. I also wonder if that D is a four door or two door F85. I just looked at 442.com since all my reference is at home.

 

F is listed as "Cutlass 3287" and G is listed as "Cutlass 3600", whatever that means..

 

It would be a concatenation of the series and body style - except the series as a number doesn't apply in 1972 so, I can't guess where he got them for a '72 VIN. You could try to use them as they applied to earlier year models but that would be indeterminate. Also, the 00 in 3600 isn't right and doesn't match for the body styles listed in '72. The 87 in F87 (from his VIN) would be the same 87 in 3287 - meaning 2door hardtop coupe. So, what's a 00? In my little experience it is how literature referred to the 36 series car without regard to the entire range of possibilites of body style.

Doing a quick sanity check, though, I've never heard of a 1972 F-85 or, at least, nothing that was actually badged as such. But, then again, I've killed a whole lot of brain cells over the past 30 years since I've been messing with the things so there's no telling what I've forgotten. I don't have a '72 service manual at home so maybe someone that does, or maybe just someone that has this all in their head, will drop by. I have marginal faith, at best, in web references.

 

That is essentially my sanity question as well. The webby VIN decoder i've found on two different sites suggests the car is an F-85.... Of course assuming my available resources are accurate, I was going to guess it identified as a cutlass S, which would make a G Cutlass a what?

 

Im sorry, it is in fact a "R" plant car... that 4 is a little too close my R button before a cup of Coffeee.

 

This list flanges right up with the VIN breakdown that I was looking at. I cannot vouch for that breakdown but that's what it said. Just put the second digit series letter together with the third and fourth digit body style numerals. I'll paste it in below and try to verify later. I'll bet that sales code anomolies are self explanatory - it's s-a-l-e-s-m-e-n! lol


1st digit - Division
3 = Oldsmobile

2nd digit - Series
D = F85 4d sedan
F = F85 2d Hardtop coupe
G = Cutlass
J = Cutass Supreme
K = Vista Cruiser

3rd and 4th digits - Body Style
36 = 4d Station Wagon
39 = 4d hardtop sedan
56 = 4d Vista Cruiser Wagon
57 = 2d hardtop coupe
66 = 4d Vista Cruiser Wagon
67 = 2d convertible
69 = 4d sedan
77 = 2d Club coupe
87 = 2d hardtop coupe

5th digit - Engine code
H = 350-2bbl V8 160hp
J = 350-2bbl V8 175 hp (dual exh.)
K = 350-4bbl V8 180 hp
M = 350-4bbl V8 200 hp (dual exh.)
U = 455-4bbl V8 250 hp (dual exh.)
V = 455-4bbl V8 270 hp (dual exh.)
X = 455-4bbl V8 300 hp (W30)

6th digit
Model year - 2 = 1972

7th digit - Assembly plant
G = Framingham, MA
M = Lansing, Ml
R = Arlington, TX
Z = Freemont, CA

Last 6 digits
Production number (sequence)

 

Hey, 70OldsW30, that latest post is the best info I've seen on VIN descriptions. Is this the same for a 1971 Cutlass? I'm trying to better understand my VIN. My car has an aftermarket 4bbl and manifold. I'm trying to determine if the orignal is 2bbl or 4bbl. Thanks. Larry

 

You won't get that from the VIN. Olds changed the VIN configuration starting with the 1972 model year to include the engine designator. This was done due to increasingly strict EPA requirements on emissions certification. Prior to 1972 there was no indication of the engine in the VIN (other than six cylinder vs. eight).

By the way, this is also why 1972 uses the letter designations for model instead of the Fisher body two digit designations. Concatenating the two digits into a single letter freed up a position in the VIN for the engine code.

 

Hi G,
Don't know if you got this resolved.
Here's what the 1972 Oldsmobile Chassis Service manual says about the lettering.
f85 is series 33269 vind code D
Cutlass has 2 series listed:
series 33287 is VIN F
series 33600 is VIN G

 

Thank you so much for this information, it was extremely helpful!