Hey guys i'm just wanting to know how i can tell if I have a true 1972 442. I have not been able to find anything that says for sure how to determine this. the guy i bought it from said it was but just want to know for sure, hopefully with your help I will. Thanks

 

In 1972 the 442 was once again made an option, may be this link will help.

http://www.442.com/oldsfaq/of442.htm#442%201972

Nice ride

From a fellow C-BUS resident.

 

Considering a real 442 would have emblems and stickers all over the place indicating it is a 442 your need to ask the question pretty much indicates what you have is not a 442.

 

Unless it has an X in the vin without paper you will never know. In '72 you good have gotten a six clylinder with the 442 package(that would be a rare one!!). It was just an appearance and handling package. Earlier yrs you sould tell by the first three # in the vin 344...

Is the car org? Look for the build sheet. Whats the vin?(will tell which motor came in the car) What motor is in it now? Which Grills? Boxed lower trailing arms? Rear sway bar? Frame braces? What does the glove box say? Which rear bumper? Most of the above could have been added to the car. My '72 is the same way, no docks, wrong motor, but who cars its fun to drive!!! JKaz,

 

Yeah - one of none, actually.

Olds didn't offer a six in any car in 1972. The lowest HP engine that year was the 350 2bbl, single exhaust, 160 HP (VIN code H). That engine WAS available with the 442 package.

 

The best way to know for sure? Find the broadcast sheet (build sheet) if you can. If not, Send the VIN to GM History Centre or GM Canada Vintage Vehicle Services (if the car was sold to Canada) and they should be able to tell you what options it came with. Check them out on the internet to see what they offer first. You are looking for option code W29. If you find that code it will indicate that it's a 442. Good luck

 

It has the original 350 motor, it came with a 2 bbl carb. The previous owner put a new manifold and 4 bbl carb on it. I pretty much wanted to know just because I didn't want to buy the 442 emblems for it if it was not, don't want to be a poser. I agree the car is fun to drive and that is what matters lol.

 

Be sure to try to attend the Mid Ohio OCA car show the 20th of Sept 2009. It is held at the Andersons off Sawmill Dr.

 

More precisely if it was made in Canada, or sold new in Canada.

Other than the X code in the VIN if it is a W-30, there is nothing on the car that would verify it being a 442 in 72. It would take some form of documentation.

 

Does the car have Cutlass emblems now, or no emblems? If none, the best thing is to see how many emblem holes were filled in the front fenders. There will be six holes for the 442 emblems, fewer for others. Unfortunately, unless the filled screw holes are showing through the paint, you need to pull the fender to see this.

 

So what exactly does w29 mean? I know a man from my town who told me thats what he has. I'm just curious.

 

W29 was the RPO option code for a 442 most of the years that it was an option as opposed to a model (It was a model '68--'71 only).

 

Yep, W29 was the "442 appearance and handling package". It came with special paint stripes, 442 badges (except glove box - that stayed Cutlass), stiffer springs, rear sway bar, boxed lower control arms, and unique grilles that were mounted with the BACK holes on the rad support - if the front ones look like they had bolts in them once, it might be a clone. If you have all these, it would be interesting to see what Joes advice brings up.

 

The car doesnt have any emblems on the body, the guy that owned it before me had it painted and never put them back on. The only ones it has is the cutlass "S" on the inside door panel and cutlass on the glovebox.

 

You can see the holes if you pull out an inner fender well.