How can i decode this
October 29th, 2014, 11:21 AM
#1
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 7
How can i decode this
I'm trying to figure out what I'm working with in plans on bringing it back to original. I'd like to learn more about this cars history as well. And where are some good places to buy parts. Any input appreciated in advanced and if there are certain do's and don'ts let me know so I dont make the same mistakes
Last edited by dedeaux89; October 29th, 2014 at 11:24 AM.
October 29th, 2014, 12:02 PM
#4
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Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: southeastern Michigan
Posts: 14,168
I make that to be a 1971 442 2-door hardtop (34487), built at Lansing in the first week of March 1971 (03A). Lower body color lime green (43), upper body or vinyl roof color black (B), jade green vinyl bucket seats (932), and heavy duty rear floor mats (B35).
How close is this to what you have?
How close is this to what you have?
October 29th, 2014, 01:20 PM
#5
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Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 7
I make that to be a 1971 442 2-door hardtop (34487), built at Lansing in the first week of March 1971 (03A). Lower body color lime green (43), upper body or vinyl roof color black (B), jade green vinyl bucket seats (932), and heavy duty rear floor mats (B35).
How close is this to what you have?
How close is this to what you have?
I can tell it used to be green. It is a 71 hard top black vinyl its got black interior. no floor mats. Is this car special or rare at all?
October 29th, 2014, 01:39 PM
#6
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Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: southeastern Michigan
Posts: 14,168
Floor mats or anything not stuck down can easily disappear after 43 years.
As far as rare or special? The 442 guys can likely give you a better answer, but it doesn't sound any more or less special than any other '71 442. The cowl tag is actually sparse, so there weren't that many Fisher Body-installed options on the car. Only the B35 floor mats. No tinted windshield, drip rails, power antenna, deluxe seat belts, or any of several dozen other possibilities.
It's no more rare than any other '71 442, and '71 442's are certainly around.
One thing is that 1971 was the last year that the 442 was it's own separate series in the Olds lineup, so that makes it somewhat special. From 1964 through 1967, and from 1972 and later, the 442 was an option package on the Cutlass lines. Four four model years, from '68 through '71, it was its own series.
It will always have value because it's a 442, regardless of exactly which options are on it. You say you want to bring it back to original, which is an admirable goal. What does it need? We'd love to see some photos.
As far as rare or special? The 442 guys can likely give you a better answer, but it doesn't sound any more or less special than any other '71 442. The cowl tag is actually sparse, so there weren't that many Fisher Body-installed options on the car. Only the B35 floor mats. No tinted windshield, drip rails, power antenna, deluxe seat belts, or any of several dozen other possibilities.
It's no more rare than any other '71 442, and '71 442's are certainly around.
One thing is that 1971 was the last year that the 442 was it's own separate series in the Olds lineup, so that makes it somewhat special. From 1964 through 1967, and from 1972 and later, the 442 was an option package on the Cutlass lines. Four four model years, from '68 through '71, it was its own series.
It will always have value because it's a 442, regardless of exactly which options are on it. You say you want to bring it back to original, which is an admirable goal. What does it need? We'd love to see some photos.
October 29th, 2014, 03:20 PM
#9
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: McMurray, PA
Posts: 1,781
October 30th, 2014, 09:26 AM
#12
Randy C.
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Albany, OR
Posts: 3,245
Good places to buy parts:
On this site if you are looking for original replacement parts - there are a lot of good and reliable vendors right here.
If you are looking for reproduction parts, try Fusick (www.Fusick.com) in Connecticut. They have their catalog on their web site. They are very reliable as well and they know Oldsmobiles. Another great source (mechanical parts only) is Supercars Unlimited, near Portland Oregon (www.supercarsunlimited.com). Their catalog is also on-line and they do have some used original parts.
As well, think about joining the Oldsmobile Club of America. They have a monthly publication called Journey With Olds that advertises parts and sources for parts. Likewise, if you have a local OCA chapter, join them, too. Most local chapters have monthly newsletters that advertise vendors and parts.
Do's and Don'ts:
This can boil down a lot to personal desires. I'm more of a purist so, when I restored my '68, I wanted all the parts to be as original as possible, complete with correct part numbers and, if those parts had build dates stamped into them, a date that would be consistent with the build date of the car. I had to find a carburetor, distributor, coil, alternator, starter and water pump to make my original engine complete and I found them in the sources I mentioned above. When I had the car painted, I went with the original color, which isn't too exciting (white with black interior) - the Olds red for 1968 would have looked a lot better - but I just like what is on the trim tag to match what I see on the car.
Another thing I did was add some options that weren't originally on the car. However, any option I added didn't involve making changes to any metal in the car - they were simply "bolt on" options. I figured it was OK just as long as I could convert it back to original if needed (I have the original window sticker). For instance, I changed the original AM radio (front speaker only) to a factory AM-FM radio with a rear speaker. I also changed the idiot lights to factory gauges. I swapped out the standard speedometer for a "speedminder" speedometer and I removed the blank pod in the dash and installed a tic-toc-tac. And I removed the points and condenser and installed a Pertronix ignition in the distributor.
I believe you will get a lot of variance on "do's and don'ts", though. The bottom line is that it's your car and you need to make it the way you want it to be. The beauty of this site is that you can get all kinds of valuable input as you make your car the way you want it to be. And, there are lots of vendors here that will have the parts you need as you progress towards the car you want. As far as I am concerned, this is the best web site going for Olds enthusiasts and I've learned so much from the people here who are what I consider "the experts" on Oldsmobiles!
Randy C.
On this site if you are looking for original replacement parts - there are a lot of good and reliable vendors right here.
If you are looking for reproduction parts, try Fusick (www.Fusick.com) in Connecticut. They have their catalog on their web site. They are very reliable as well and they know Oldsmobiles. Another great source (mechanical parts only) is Supercars Unlimited, near Portland Oregon (www.supercarsunlimited.com). Their catalog is also on-line and they do have some used original parts.
As well, think about joining the Oldsmobile Club of America. They have a monthly publication called Journey With Olds that advertises parts and sources for parts. Likewise, if you have a local OCA chapter, join them, too. Most local chapters have monthly newsletters that advertise vendors and parts.
Do's and Don'ts:
This can boil down a lot to personal desires. I'm more of a purist so, when I restored my '68, I wanted all the parts to be as original as possible, complete with correct part numbers and, if those parts had build dates stamped into them, a date that would be consistent with the build date of the car. I had to find a carburetor, distributor, coil, alternator, starter and water pump to make my original engine complete and I found them in the sources I mentioned above. When I had the car painted, I went with the original color, which isn't too exciting (white with black interior) - the Olds red for 1968 would have looked a lot better - but I just like what is on the trim tag to match what I see on the car.
Another thing I did was add some options that weren't originally on the car. However, any option I added didn't involve making changes to any metal in the car - they were simply "bolt on" options. I figured it was OK just as long as I could convert it back to original if needed (I have the original window sticker). For instance, I changed the original AM radio (front speaker only) to a factory AM-FM radio with a rear speaker. I also changed the idiot lights to factory gauges. I swapped out the standard speedometer for a "speedminder" speedometer and I removed the blank pod in the dash and installed a tic-toc-tac. And I removed the points and condenser and installed a Pertronix ignition in the distributor.
I believe you will get a lot of variance on "do's and don'ts", though. The bottom line is that it's your car and you need to make it the way you want it to be. The beauty of this site is that you can get all kinds of valuable input as you make your car the way you want it to be. And, there are lots of vendors here that will have the parts you need as you progress towards the car you want. As far as I am concerned, this is the best web site going for Olds enthusiasts and I've learned so much from the people here who are what I consider "the experts" on Oldsmobiles!
Randy C.
October 30th, 2014, 10:24 AM
#13
Just an Olds Guy
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Edmonton, AB. And "I am Can 'eh' jun - eh"
Posts: 24,525
Is that a glasstek hood? Not all 442's came from the factory with the W25 hood, but it does help make the car look more aggressive. If you want to complete that look, you'll also need to add dual exhaust and cutout rear bumper, and do the proper side/deck lid stripes.
Just an add on to Randy's sourcing info? Here's a thread that discusses who the good vendors are (and the ones to stay away from)
Where is the best place to buy "correct" replacement Oldsmobile parts?
Just an add on to Randy's sourcing info? Here's a thread that discusses who the good vendors are (and the ones to stay away from)
Where is the best place to buy "correct" replacement Oldsmobile parts?
October 30th, 2014, 12:30 PM
#14
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 7
its fiberglass. I'm gonna put the original on soon as I can go pick it up from the guy that has it
=Allan R;758962]Is that a glasstek hood? Not all 442's came from the factory with the W25 hood, but it does help make the car look more aggressive. If you want to complete that look, you'll also need to add dual exhaust and cutout rear bumper, and do the proper side/deck lid stripes.
Just an add on to Randy's sourcing info? Here's a thread that discusses who the good vendors are (and the ones to stay away from)
Where is the best place to buy "correct" replacement Oldsmobile parts?[/QUOTE]
=Allan R;758962]Is that a glasstek hood? Not all 442's came from the factory with the W25 hood, but it does help make the car look more aggressive. If you want to complete that look, you'll also need to add dual exhaust and cutout rear bumper, and do the proper side/deck lid stripes.
Just an add on to Randy's sourcing info? Here's a thread that discusses who the good vendors are (and the ones to stay away from)
Where is the best place to buy "correct" replacement Oldsmobile parts?[/QUOTE]
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