Is it a 442 or not ??
#1
Is it a 442 or not ??
I'm looking at a '72 Olds that the owner says is a 442, and says that in 1972 it was an option to get a 442 and you could order it with a 350 engine. With that engine it did not have the cut out rear bumper, but did have the emblems. He also said that the vin wouldn't tell you if it was a true 442 or not. My question is how can you tell if a 1972 Olds is a true 442 ? I'm seriously considering buying this car in the next day or two, so any info would be appreciated asap.
Thanks
Tom
Thanks
Tom
#2
#5
I have a friend who has a '69 442 and he says the vin will have a (44) in it. I think it was a 44, but I remember it was two numbers and he swears any '69 442 WILL have those two numbers in the vin., otherwise it is a clone. Is he correct, and if so, is it only in 1972 that the vin WON'T tell if it is a true 442 ?
#7
The VIN for '68, '69, '70 and '71 will tell you if it is a true 442. In model years before and after that, 442 was an option so the VIN won't tell. There are things to look for, however, with the '72 model year. You could get either a 350 (with "7" heads) or a 455 (with "G" heads) in a 1972 442, and either had a 4bbl carb. You could get an auto or manual transmission and dual exhaust was standard. The 455 engine 442 cars came with the notched bumper; the 350 engine 442 cars didn't get the notched bumper (some people have later added the notched bumper). Either 4-4-2 engine option had front and rear sway bars with boxed lower rear control arms and their was a 4-4-2 decal on the air cleaner. That's about all the telltale signs there are, as far as I know.
Randy C.
Randy C.
#9
Eric,
I agree with you.
I know in earlier years, there are like 3? different front sway bars used. The difference is on the very ends, where there is a little arrow type thing. The way that arrow is aligned tells what type of model it is used on. I think the FE2 suspension was available & maybe standard?, only with the 442 option in '72? If your '72 Cutlass has the 442 option, it should be evident by that specific sway bar. Not many people know about this & almost on one would swap theirs out I wouldn't think.
See your local factory service manual for more details.
I agree with you.
I know in earlier years, there are like 3? different front sway bars used. The difference is on the very ends, where there is a little arrow type thing. The way that arrow is aligned tells what type of model it is used on. I think the FE2 suspension was available & maybe standard?, only with the 442 option in '72? If your '72 Cutlass has the 442 option, it should be evident by that specific sway bar. Not many people know about this & almost on one would swap theirs out I wouldn't think.
See your local factory service manual for more details.
#10
Good call, Scott! The ends of all of the different size sway bars had characteristic shapes.
I thought that they were in the CSM too, but it turns out I found them in the Inspector's Manual.
Hope this helps!
- Eric
I thought that they were in the CSM too, but it turns out I found them in the Inspector's Manual.
Hope this helps!
- Eric
#12
In 1972 the 442 was a decor package. I believe you could even get the 350 with a 2 barrell and single exhaust. I was not aware you could get the cutout bumper as an option with the 350. I am sure some of the resident experts will speak up.
#14
You're not lazy - I wasn't going to do it either... but then I got curious, and started looking around, and then I found the picture, and then I figured oh what the heck.
Also, I had more important things to do that I really wanted to avoid, and this helped .
- Eric
Also, I had more important things to do that I really wanted to avoid, and this helped .
- Eric
#16
Good on ya Eric!! I woulda done it too, there is always crap around here to do but I can keep myself pretty busy doing "research" on the computer. It helps I have one in the garage
#17
Nope, sorry. The only 350 powered A-body to get the notched bumper was the 1970 Rallye 350. All others got the straight bumper and turndown tailpipes with dual exhaust, including the 350-powered 1972 442s. You could not order the bumper as a separate option. It was standard on all BBO cars, however.
#18
1972 350 4bbl was standard. Could order 350 with 2bbl and you received a $33. credit. Dual exhaust was standard with L75 (455) and L75 (W30) but Could order N10 (dual exhaust) with 350 or could be added later. Inspector book states that N10 could not be ordered with with L75 or L77 and this is due to the fact that dual exhaust and cut-out bumper was mandatory with the big blocks.
#19
There is a certain option that shows in some VINs that can verify the car as a real 1972 442.
#20
#21
1972 350 4bbl was standard. Could order 350 with 2bbl and you received a $33. credit. Dual exhaust was standard with L75 (455) and L75 (W30) but Could order N10 (dual exhaust) with 350 or could be added later. Inspector book states that N10 could not be ordered with with L75 or L77 and this is due to the fact that dual exhaust and cut-out bumper was mandatory with the big blocks.
#22
Correct again Joe, maybe I worded it weird or something. But anyone could order correct mufflers and fluted tips and cut out bumper right over the parts counter back then. Hence "the added later" part.
#23
Just an Olds Guy
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Edmonton, AB. And "I am Can 'eh' jun - eh"
Posts: 24,525
Stirring the pot...
Not in 72. The only thing that will be helpful about a 72 VIN is the engine code and the manufacturing plant. All Hurst Olds were Lansing cars. Only 4 plants built 442s in 72: Framingham, Lansing, Fremont and Arlington. (codes G, M, R, Z). IIRC Most 442's were from Lansing. But unlike previous years, in 72 there was nothing in the VIN to specify 442. That's why documentation (bill of sale, window sticker, build sheet, broadcast sheet) is so important for authentication of this model year.
#24
Yup that would be an X and that would identify it as a W-30 and 4-4-2 naturally.
Scott...what about the "U" and "Z" codes????
#25
Just an Olds Guy
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Edmonton, AB. And "I am Can 'eh' jun - eh"
Posts: 24,525
Allan the X in the VIN is the ONLY way in '72 to tell only by your VIN if in fact you do have a 4-4-2 as mentioned above by TK. The X stands for W30 which automatically gave you a 4-4-2 by default. however the U code in your VIN or any other letter other than X in the VIN did NOT represent 4-4-2 solely and were used on all platforms including but not limited to Cutlass, Cutlass Supreme, 4-4-2, etc...
Thx Scott,
Should have read the CSM a little more carefully; there it is on 0-2
#26
Just an Olds Guy
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Edmonton, AB. And "I am Can 'eh' jun - eh"
Posts: 24,525
#27
Basically thomaswatk the only way to tell in 1972 if it is in fact a 4-4-2 (with no X in the VIN) is by original window sticker (be leery of repops), dealer car order sheets, build sheets, etc... As mentioned above documentation is everything! Nothing personal but most everyone cloned the '72 4-4-2 and it takes a well trained eye to see past the easy stuff to bolt on and appear to be right. Hope this helps brother
#28
Thanks to everyone for all of these excellent responses. I know about everyone cloning these cars. I sold a great looking '68 Cutlass conv., and the guy started cloning it the next day. To each his own I guess.
We looked this car over as well as we know how. We checked behind where the 442 badges were to see if there were any holes there or any holes filled where another badge would have gone, and found nothing out of the ordinary. It appears to be an all original car with the metal line from the fuel pump to the carb., (old quadrajet ) and the metal line from the exhaust manifold to the choke. The exhaust looks old with the pipes turned down just in front of the bumper, etc.. Guess I'll never know for sure but I'm going to say it's a 442 anyway. Who can challenge it with any degree of authority ??
Thanks again guys.
Tom
We looked this car over as well as we know how. We checked behind where the 442 badges were to see if there were any holes there or any holes filled where another badge would have gone, and found nothing out of the ordinary. It appears to be an all original car with the metal line from the fuel pump to the carb., (old quadrajet ) and the metal line from the exhaust manifold to the choke. The exhaust looks old with the pipes turned down just in front of the bumper, etc.. Guess I'll never know for sure but I'm going to say it's a 442 anyway. Who can challenge it with any degree of authority ??
Thanks again guys.
Tom
#29
Actually, it's not. There were a handful of 1972 H/Os built with the W-30 motor and those would also have an "X" code in the VIN. The 72 H/O was based on the Cutlass Supreme, not the 442 and there are actually 34257 cars with the "X" code in the VIN. (OK, as a stickler, they are actually 3J57 VINs...).
#30
Just an Olds Guy
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Edmonton, AB. And "I am Can 'eh' jun - eh"
Posts: 24,525
Actually, it's not. There were a handful of 1972 H/Os built with the W-30 motor and those would also have an "X" code in the VIN. The 72 H/O was based on the Cutlass Supreme, not the 442 and there are actually 34257 cars with the "X" code in the VIN. (OK, as a stickler, they are actually 3J57 VINs...).
I don't know if the info is 100%, but it's in the databook and price guide for 442 1964-1986 (Motorbooks International) The information says that out of all 72 production there were only 659 W30's (fastback/notchback) and 113 W30 verts.
Total production of 72 442's is listed at 10344 and I'm guessing most of them would be 350's?
#31
Actually, it's not. There were a handful of 1972 H/Os built with the W-30 motor and those would also have an "X" code in the VIN. The 72 H/O was based on the Cutlass Supreme, not the 442 and there are actually 34257 cars with the "X" code in the VIN. (OK, as a stickler, they are actually 3J57 VINs...).
#32
Just an Olds Guy
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Edmonton, AB. And "I am Can 'eh' jun - eh"
Posts: 24,525
Bye the bye does anyone know if there were any Supreme hardtop coupes other than the H/O's in '72 to actually have a W-30 and the X in the VIN? I know it wasn't "available" but we all know there were "special" builds to slip through the cracks and '72 was probably the end of all the "slips" through the cracks.
#33
Scott, see above. If the info in my book is accurate there must be around 770 W30's that weren't HO's. That's got to include a fair number of Supremes, as the data I've got shows it to be a mix of fastback/notchback. Inevitably, there will probably be some 'slips' that made it through as you already noted. Do you really think the record mgmt really got much better after 72? Great question BTW.
#35
If the car is original and untouched maybe you can find a build sheet or broadcast card somewhere. IMO if its a small block car the spread isnt as great in '72 between a 442 & a Cutlass. I wouldn't obsess about proving its authenticity. If you can great. If not, that's cool too. Enjoy the car.
#36
Just an Olds Guy
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Edmonton, AB. And "I am Can 'eh' jun - eh"
Posts: 24,525
#38
3 = Oldsmobile
J = Cutlass Supreme
67 = Convertible
K = 350 4bbl
2 = 1972
M = Lansing, Mich Assembly Plant
228980 = Production #
342 = Cutlass Supreme
67 = Convertible
LAN = Lansing, Mich
477950 = Fisher Body Sequence #
977 = White Strato Bucket Seats
- = Possibly a special order lower color
A = White Convertible Top
J = Cutlass Supreme
67 = Convertible
K = 350 4bbl
2 = 1972
M = Lansing, Mich Assembly Plant
228980 = Production #
342 = Cutlass Supreme
67 = Convertible
LAN = Lansing, Mich
477950 = Fisher Body Sequence #
977 = White Strato Bucket Seats
- = Possibly a special order lower color
A = White Convertible Top
#39
Just an Olds Guy
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Edmonton, AB. And "I am Can 'eh' jun - eh"
Posts: 24,525
3 = Oldsmobile division of GM
J = Cutlass Supreme
67 = Convertible
K = 4 bbl Rocket 350 engine (180 hp)
2 = check digit represents model year 1972
M = Lansing production
228980 = build sequence at Lansing
Your cowl tag decodes as
ST72 = 1972 production
3467 = Cutlass Supreme convertible
LAN = Lansing production
447950 = Body number
TR977 = White seats/interior
BDY = You didn't put in the paint code
BDY A = White vert roof color
If you have bucket seats in the car, the cowl tag should have A51. Otherwise you likely have a split front bench seat with armrest - option AP5
Interestingly enough, your car was produced at the same factory and same time mine was. If you have a broadcast sheet from the car you will find it was built in April of 72. My cowl tag body number is 442325 and was built on April 7, 1972. Your car was likely built in the 3rd or 4th week of April. Easy enough to find out. Look carefully at your cowl tag. At the bottom left close to the tag rivet should be 3 number/letter stamps. The first 2 represent the month, the last is the week. So your car should have something like 04C, 04D or possibly 05A.
#40
It has the A 51, but the number on the left side at the rivet is O5B.......
You mentioned a site that has a ton of info, free to use, etc., but you didn't name the site.
Thanks for all the help
Tom
You mentioned a site that has a ton of info, free to use, etc., but you didn't name the site.
Thanks for all the help
Tom