Mark71

So I am relatively new here, but I am trying to come up with some plans for my car. I have a 71 Cutlass Supreme Convertible with a 350 Rocket and 350 Turbo trans, bucket seats and floor shifted. It has been repainted in its original Matador Red.

I had been really thinking about turning it into a 442 Tribute when I bought it as I think the "perfect 10" is such an awesome, unmistakable model. It confuses people who don't know of it, but is immediately clear to any car guy.

So anyway, on the way home from work, I passed a ******* perfect 72 442 in Matador red! That got me thinking...

Should I turn mine into a 442 tribute? Or does "everyone" do that with their Cutlass restorations? Is there anything wrong with doing up a Supreme? Was the Supreme in 71 ever offered with OAI? Doubtful....

Any help or opinions are welcome. It is a longer-term plan, so I am just getting started on it now.

Mark

snowballs442

Mark
It is up to you. It is your car and you have to live with it and drive it.
You will run into people on this site who will say keep it a Cutlass and dont ruin the car. Others will say do it to your taste. If you go that way tell everyone that it is a tribute. I am one of these that say keep it a Cutlass.
My days of changing a car into something it is not are over. When I buy a car I keep it stock and that is the way I like it. I have seen tribute cars that I like but I dont do that anymore.
71 Supreme offered with OAI? Sure why not? The hood could have been ordered as option W-25. Even on the lowly F-85 or the station wagon. If not you could get these items behind the parts counter.

NightStalker

Mark,

As stated above, it's your ride so modify or keep it original... your choice.

I have an original 1965 442 and a 1969 Cutlass 442 W-30 (Clone). I own them both so I do with them as I please.

The only responsibility I believe anyone has, is to be truthful with potential buyers when/if they decide to sell.

Cheers,

NS

GreekDog

I have a 72 that I kept original. I have it with an OAI hood but I kept the badges as Cutlass Supreme. Some people say that you'll fetch more money on resale if you keep things original. If you plan on keeping it for a life time then you should probably make it what you want.

To make it a cosmetic clone is pretty inexpensive. The OAI hood is the most expensive thing and I've seen them go for 2k+ regularly. The badges, grill and misc emblems and such can probably all be bought for a few hundred bucks.

w-30dreamin

I am one of the guys that say,it's your car,do what you want.As long as you don't lie about it when selling.

My personal perference with clones or tributes is to keep them accurate.In your case for 1971,the 442 was only available with a 455 engine and 400 trans.The 350 wasn't available on a 442 until 1972.

Yes, a 1971 supreme convert or 442 convert could have been delivered from the factory with the OAI hood and air cleaner assembly.

Lady72nRob71

I say go the 422 way!
Might be a 'perfect 8', but then make sure there is a 455 in there!


I would say leave it a Cutlass, but add the OAI hood or different grilles if you like them better.
However, it is your choice. A clone is 'ok' if you refer to it as such.

droptopron

It's your car. Do what will make you happy but be up front with it. With regard to original vs clone for resale, IMO that applies to a car with pedigree. For a Cutlass convertible I feel either way the value will be driven by the quality of the car.

vette442

Well, the '71 442 convertible could have been delivered with the OAI setup from the factory, but not the Supreme.... Dealer-only on 70-72 Supremes.

I'd vote to add the hood if you want to get a more aggressive look, but to not start removing the Supreme side stainless and putting the 442 emblems on it. You just end up with a half-baked poser (in my opinion).

Terry

GAOldsman

W-25 option COULD have been had from the factory on any Cutlass or Cutlass Supreme in '72.

GreekDog

hey rob-

I like the 442 grill but dont want to change all my emblems to be 442. does the 442 grill only support the 442 emblem?

Nilsson

Where is the satisfaction in buidling a clone only to know it is just that a clone. Would it not be more satisfying to keep it what it is and customize it somewhat? Example, make it a 442 but leave the badges off it saying it is so.

w-30dreamin

ok,now I'm confused. One person says w-25 could not have been ordered on a 71 supreme. Another says w-25 could have been ordered on any model for 72.
Everything I have read led me to believe w-25 could have been ordered on any model A-body between 70-72.

Last thing I want is to spread bad info,so let's get this straightened out please. thanks guys

w-30dreamin

In my case there is satisfaction in building a clone and no satisfaction in customizing.
I cannot afford to purchase a real w-30 so I will build one,I can afford that(except the heads).I did manage to source a set of factory warranty replacement w-30 Ka heads.Even more satisfaction in building a clone that does look correct as far as details and small parts.

Anyone can throw aftermarket performance parts on a car to give it their own touch and personality.
Not everyone is willing to do the research and looking to obtain the correct parts for a factory look.

Everyone has their own opinion and I respect that. The above is my opinion.

GAOldsman

I don't know right off hand if a '70 or '71 - 34257 (Cutlass Supreme hardtop coupe) or 34267 (convertible Cutlass Supreme) could be had with W-25 (OAI hood) myself. I could find out rather easily. I do know that '72 was the first time a 455 was offered in the 34200 platform. And any '72 Cutlass Supreme could be had with a W-25 hood with 4bbl 350 or 4bbl 455 if you special ordered it as so and checked the box. I have proof of mine being purchased as so, with the latter 455 4 bbl, dual exhaust, W-25, W-26, etc... All of the Cutlass platforms and only the Cutlass Supreme Convertible platform could be had with the W-29 option (442 appearance package) in '72 which was no longer a model in itself in '72. Unless you count the pace car then that's a different ball of wax so to say.
Scot

Mark71

Honesty is a requirement - not an option. I would never tell someone it is an original 442 if I did convert it. I am just not that kind of guy.

I just really find the bold 442 to be so awesome, especially written across the "tooth" on 69 and ups (see the attachment).

So I know I could put a 455 in there as some Supremes were equipped with it. But I have the same question that GreekDog did. Can I put in 442 grilles and put Cutlass Supreme badges on 'em? I really like the look of the 442-style grilles...

Also, is it bigger blasphemy to make a 442 clone or to put a Chevy mill in it? Mind you, I am not planning to put a Chevy in there, but how much of an insult is it in comparison?

For those who asked - yeah, I am keeping this car for the long haul - as long as I can!


-Mark

ziff396

I just really find the bold 442 to be so awesome, especially written across So I know I could put a 455 in there as some Supremes were equipped with it. But I have the same question that GreekDog did. Can I put in 442 grilles and put Cutlass Supreme badges on 'em? I really like the look of the 442-style grilles...



Here they are!

oldzy

Cutlass Supreme FTW! Can't beat that OLDSMOBILE lettering on the trunk. Add hubcaps and 14" whitewalls, and oh ya... you are ready to go. Everyone has a '442' and rimzzz these days.

Mark71

Ziff - holy... that's awesome. I going to buy some of those regardless whether I make mine a 442 or not.

I've gotta put up a picture at some point - the previous owner of my Cutlass "mounted" the trim on my grilles using wood screws. Because when you think about mounting metal trim to metal grilles, clearly the first thing that comes to mind is wood screws.

-Mark

Aceshigh

It's your car, do whatever floats your boat.

Cutlasses are known as a Gutless where I'm from (Chicago)
442's are known as performance cars.

I personally think that the OAI dual intake hood and spoilers on 442's improve the looks of the Cutlass.
That's why my car is a 442 tribute. My car is going alot more custom because modern technology
has given a rebirth to the modern muscle car era. So for me, keeping it all original is boring and
slow by comparison.

Again, just my opinion.

GreekDog

did you tweek that badge to fit the grill or did it just line up perfectly? do you have any more pictures of your car? thats a very unique paint scheme!

Aceshigh

You can do whatever you want.
You'll upset the purists, but that's no big deal.

Same answer......
It's only an insult to the purists. Do whatever you want to the car, it's yours.
If it's a run of the mill Cutlass, it's not going to affect it's selling price all that much either.

Put in a modern GM LSX motor with a 6 speed manual.
That will greatly improve the value.

droptopron

I don't know if this will help but here is my '70 convertibale with OAI hood, belt line moldings & Cutlass emblems. I added the hood after it was painted. If I ever redid it I'd be more lilely than not to clone it. I guess when its not yours its a clone, when it is its a tribute or a recreation.

401.jpg

131.jpg

GAOldsman

Love that '70 vert droptopron!! I see nothing wrong with that.
Scot

Nilsson

stevengerard

Add the hood and tweak the other items you like such as the grilles, but I wouldn't take the trim off or other badges either bacause it then means body work. I also wouldn't swap enignes just for the sake of an engine swap unless you are serious about adding performance. My 442 is definitely quicker than my neighbors Cutlass but not that much. Since I don't race it, does it matter? Nope! and his car has never over heated, mine has.

marzgtp1

I say do what you like! I'm going with the ram air hood on my 1970 f85 post I like the look I also have the rear wing and a 455, I also kept the f85 badges.

Aceshigh

Badass with the OAI hood. It's just a much better look IMO.
Have you considered the 70 442 grills also??

vette442

The 1970 and 1971 SX455 were all 34200 Supremes. There were also a handful of other 1970 Supremes with 455s/M40s that were not Y79 SXes - these have turned up in my decade of gathering these cars all over the web for the SX registry. More accurately, 1972 was the first time you could get a 455 and 4 speed (L75/M20) in that body platform (V in the VIN).

1972 factory option sheets for the Supreme show the OAI hood being available on all but the L32 2 barrel 350, but specific to the convertible, not hardtops. This would make sense since the W-29 option was also available on convertibles and the hood was often ordered to supplement that package. I've specialized in 1972 Supremes for 21 years and have yet to see a standard Supreme hardtop showing a factory-installed W-25 hood on a window sticker or build sheet. If you have bulletproof paperwork to show otherwise, I'd love to see it to add to my knowledge base.

The '72 Facts and Feature manual for sales reps also specifies "Availability: Available in Cutlass and Cutlass S Coupes with Rocket 350 or 455 V-8 engines (L34 or L75). Included in W30 Performance Package. Not available with Hood Paint Stripes (Y73)."

Terry

ziff396

I believe that I had to drill maybe 1 hole. Otherwise I used the supreme plastic backer plate, and it covered the original holes in the grille.
Here's a few old pics. Maybe I will get some new ones soon outdoors. Last one is thanks to Big Jerr Oldspower, and on ROP. Thanks again Jerr for my sigpic here also!

GreekDog

nice! I thought the stripe on your hood was blue initially which was why I said the paint job was unique but now I can see thats its black. Either way its a beautiful car. I think you've convinced me to go with the 442 grill but keep my emblems.

w-30dreamin

Great info here,thanks guys.

Mark71

@DropTopRon - Sweet Cutlass man. I think you just helped me an awful lot just by posting the pics! If things work out my way, some day far off in the future, my Cutlass might look that good.