Can anyone verify 442?
#2
Can't really verify from the VIN, but here is what your VIN says:
3 G87 M 2 M 243370
3 = GM division = Oldsmobile
G87 = model series and body type = Cutlass S hardtop coupe
M = engine = 350ci, 4bbl carb with dual exhaust (L34)
2 = model year = 1972
M = assembly plant = Lansing MI
243770 = assembly plant sequential number
There should be a trim tag under the hood with more info on it. I don't know if it will say if you have a real 4-4-2 or not, but take a picture of the trim tag and post it with this thread. Folks here will be able to tell you what the trim tag says as well.
Randy C.
3 G87 M 2 M 243370
3 = GM division = Oldsmobile
G87 = model series and body type = Cutlass S hardtop coupe
M = engine = 350ci, 4bbl carb with dual exhaust (L34)
2 = model year = 1972
M = assembly plant = Lansing MI
243770 = assembly plant sequential number
There should be a trim tag under the hood with more info on it. I don't know if it will say if you have a real 4-4-2 or not, but take a picture of the trim tag and post it with this thread. Folks here will be able to tell you what the trim tag says as well.
Randy C.
#3
Can't really verify from the VIN, but here is what your VIN says:
3 G87 M 2 M 243370
3 = GM division = Oldsmobile
G87 = model series and body type = Cutlass S hardtop coupe
M = engine = 350ci, 4bbl carb with dual exhaust (L34)
2 = model year = 1972
M = assembly plant = Lansing MI
243770 = assembly plant sequential number
There should be a trim tag under the hood with more info on it. I don't know if it will say if you have a real 4-4-2 or not, but take a picture of the trim tag and post it with this thread. Folks here will be able to tell you what the trim tag says as well.
Randy C.
3 G87 M 2 M 243370
3 = GM division = Oldsmobile
G87 = model series and body type = Cutlass S hardtop coupe
M = engine = 350ci, 4bbl carb with dual exhaust (L34)
2 = model year = 1972
M = assembly plant = Lansing MI
243770 = assembly plant sequential number
There should be a trim tag under the hood with more info on it. I don't know if it will say if you have a real 4-4-2 or not, but take a picture of the trim tag and post it with this thread. Folks here will be able to tell you what the trim tag says as well.
Randy C.
#4
1971 was the last year that the 442 was a separate model with a unique VIN. Starting with the 1972 model year, the 442 was demoted to a "handling and appearance" option. Nothing in your VIN will prove or disprove that the car came from the factory with the 442 option. The cowl tag unfortunately won't tell you anything either. Only the build sheet will tell you that.
This is unfortunately why it seems like nearly every 1972 Cutlass has been turned into a Faux Four Two.
This is unfortunately why it seems like nearly every 1972 Cutlass has been turned into a Faux Four Two.
#5
1971 was the last year that the 442 was a separate model with a unique VIN. Starting with the 1972 model year, the 442 was demoted to a "handling and appearance" option. Nothing in your VIN will prove or disprove that the car came from the factory with the 442 option. The cowl tag unfortunately won't tell you anything either. Only the build sheet will tell you that.
This is unfortunately why it seems like nearly every 1972 Cutlass has been turned into a Faux Four Two.
This is unfortunately why it seems like nearly every 1972 Cutlass has been turned into a Faux Four Two.
This particular car is a beautiful survivor with bucket seats and a console shifter, a newly rebuilt 350 to factory specs as well. I was looking for a nice driver and it caught my eye. It sounds like this car is only worth what a nice Cutlass would be as the 442 option cant be proven, and no real premium can be assigned to it?
Last edited by Fummins; March 7th, 2016 at 02:10 PM.
#7
" It sounds like this car is only worth what a nice Cutlass would be as the 442 option can't be proven, and therefore no real premium can be assigned to it?"
===
That sounds about right. Unless it has a broadcast sheet or some sort of documentation.
===
That sounds about right. Unless it has a broadcast sheet or some sort of documentation.
#9
Beings it's a Lansing car, it's highly unlikely there is a build sheet anywhere on the car. If the owner has original purchase papers when the car was new, or anything like that, it would help.
Randy C.
Randy C.
#10
And people crap on the 307 motors...
Keep in mind that we're talking NET HP, not gross HP as was used in prior years. You can't really compare the two.
#11
So at the wheel HP rating right? Here isw the cowl tag, its hard to make out...
#12
No. SAE net is at the flywheel with all accessories, exhaust manifolds, air cleaner, etc, as installed in the car. Prior years used gross HP with open air cleaner, free flowing dyno exhaust, no accessories, etc. Neither is a rear wheel rating.
#13
Back in the days when that change was 'new' the popular algorithm to calculate how net compared to gross was to add 20% to net to see what it would have been in gross hp of earlier years. So, very roughly estimated, 200 hp net would be the equivalent of 240 hp gross. Still puny but to meet pollution requirements compression was dropped and timing was changed and exhaust gasses recirculated and air injected into exhaust and catalytic converters required etc. None of which helped performance. Those were dark days in terms of performance. But how things have changed now where hp is back up and can be bought from the dealer in a new car. Just wish Olds was still around. Sigh.
Jerry
#14
#15
And I wouldn't make fun of a 200 HP (net) Olds engine from '71-72 timeframe unless you've actually driven one (tuned right). I'll take any day a 200 HP Olds engine with a broad torque curve over a peaky 250 HP modern engine that doesn't even pick up until you're approaching 4000 rpm.
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