1973 Cutlass

[Darlow1]

Hi everyone, I have the opportunity to purchase a 1973 Olds Cutlass. I already own a 1974 Olds 442. Two things that I know are different are the shape of the rear windows, and the design of the marker lights on the rear quarter panels. Does anyone know of any other differences between the two bodies? I have pictures, the doors look identical, as do the fenders and the deck lid and it does have the same frame as well. Thanks, David

[joe_padavano]

I know the back bumpers are different. 74 had a 5 miles per hour back bumper with the hydraulic shocks. The 73 did not. I don't know if this results in a change to the back edge of the rear fenders, however. I'm also pretty sure the front bumper, grilles, and possibly even the front fenders are different.

[Jim's rare 80]

Hi. I owned a 73 for many years. The driveline is now in my 80. The only things the same between 73-74 bodies are hood, doors, and trunk lid. Rear quarters, rest of front clip, even headlight bezels are slightly different. The rear glass could have been the same, depending on model. The supreme had small quarter windows, and a bent back window. The Cutlass "s", or salon, 442, had more of a fastback stlye, with longer quarter windows, and a flatter back window. If you are looking at a parts car for your 74, a 75 would be closer than a 73. Hope this helps. Jim.

[Darlow1]

Are there any other parts of the VIN that indicate a 442 as opposed to a Cutlass Supreme? I ended up picking up the car, it is a 73, and a cutlass supreme. The frame is showroom, with solid doors, fenders, quarters and a nice core support and it has all the interior components. I paid $400 for it, which I think is a steal. I have seen 442's with the cutlass type of side rear window, the smaller one, and the rear window with the angle in the center. Then other 442's with the longer sloping side rear window, which my 74 has. The 73 would take a lot less time to restore. Any thoughts? Thanks David

[joe_padavano]

Originally Posted by Darlow1

Are there any other parts of the VIN that indicate a 442 as opposed to a Cutlass Supreme? I ended up picking up the car, it is a 73, and a cutlass supreme. The frame is showroom, with solid doors, fenders, quarters and a nice core support and it has all the interior components. I paid $400 for it, which I think is a steal. I have seen 442's with the cutlass type of side rear window, the smaller one, and the rear window with the angle in the center. Then other 442's with the longer sloping side rear window, which my 74 has. The 73 would take a lot less time to restore. Any thoughts? Thanks David

The 442 package was only an option on the 73-77 cars, so it won't show up in the VIN. ALL 442s in those years used the sloping roof, not the Cutlass Supreme squared off roof. Any that you've seen with the Supreme roofline were fabricated, not factory. The 73-74 H/O also used the sloping roof, the 75 H/O used the squared off Supreme roof.

[Jim's rare 80]

Hi. Check out this link. http://www.442.com/vcs/oldsowners.html
This is a real (although modified) 73 442. When you get to the site, you can check out pics of almost every year. As stated by Joe, the 442 option was only an appearance package that came with the sloped roof. The only vin difference was engine, and tranny combo. You could order the 442 "package" with a 350, or 455 engine. My Supreme had a 455 orriginally. If the 73 is a more solid car, make a 442 clone. Only those few who really know,... will know. Best of luck. Hope this helps. Jim.