Dave Hurd

I'm looking for some guidance on a '72 Cutlass Supreme SX.
Third owner says all is original in the drive train.
It has a Rocket 350 with Auto Transmission.
However, all that I find in reference to this car is it came with the 455 engine, not with the 350.
Can anyone confirm if it could be ordered with the 350?
Pictures show the SX badge but we all know how easy that is to put on the car.
Thank you.

mrolds69

It can't be all original, an SX, and have a 350. An SX by definition is a 455.

scott_442

I don't think an 'SX' was even offered in 1972....2 yr production only on the 'SX'...70/71.

stlbluesbrother

Exactly right.

redoldsman

This is another of those one of none.

joe_padavano

The engine and trans may be original, but the SX emblems certainly are not.

I find it mildly amusing that people have jumped from making 442 clones to SX clones now...

scott_442

Maybe this clone head actually gave it some thought instead of just slapping on incorrectly spaced '442' emblems by realizing a Supreme would have to be a 'vert to even be considered a true '442' so why not go the 'SX' route instead. An idea with merit until you realize the car you're cloning wasn't even built by the factory. Coming to an Ebay near you soon.

Keegan

I'd be interested to see pics! These "one of (n)ones" are always entertaining. Great ways to learn the real ones from the fakes.

oldspackrat

Several years ago I cloned my car into a Vista Cruiser SX. Obviously they never made such a thing, but it is my version of "what if". I used all the parts that the factory could/would have used if they did make such a car. I've seen 442 Vista Cruisers but never a SX so I thought I'd be the first to make one.

Dave Hurd

I have pictures a plenty.
What can you find that isn't correct?

jensenracing77

Welcome to CO. The only thing not correct that I see are the SX emblems. No SX available in 72. Someone added the emblems. Still a very nice looking car!

1969w3155

No SX in '72, all were 455's (1970-1971), you can verify what engine your car came with via the 5th character of the v.i.n., even if it is a factory 455, still not an SX, and there ain't a dang thing wrong with a factory 455 in '72.

oldsmobiledave

SX badge placement is not even close to where it should be. Why do people do stupid crap like this?


It is a nice looking 72. Enjoy.

vette442

In addition to the SX emblems which are wayyyyy off from where they would be placed on a real '70-'71 SX, this car has a 4 barrel air cleaner decal on a 2 barrel housing. That's an easy fix though. ; ) That car should have an H or J in the VIN for 350/2 barrel.

It's also missing the rear quarter panel stainless trim behind the rear wheels (it should have the same type trim as the doors/fenders down the middle).

Looks good at first glance otherwise.

Terry

Dave Hurd

More pictures.

1969w3155

Other than the cloning attempt, it appears to be a nice clean car, enjoy it as it is.

Koda

The funny thing is, being a convertible, it could have been passed off as a 442 in 72 a lot easier than a SX.

Joffroi

I knew when I saw "72" and "SX" in the title this was going to be a run thread to read. As everyone said above, definitely not an SX. But yea, that car looks very clean.

Allan R

As others have said - not an SX in 72, for reasons stated.

The other really distinctive thing SX models (70/71) had was the wide body side moldings all the length of the body, with shorter wheel opening moldings that matched the height of the molding. They did not have rocker moldings either, as the 72 SX "clone" does.

All SX's came standard with the dual cutout exhaust bumper too.

Keegan

It's amazing how people can mess up the smallest details trying to clone a car like this. Especially when there are so many experts and enthusiasts out there... What sticker are you talking about vette442? I didn't know there was a special identification between 2 and 4bbl by a sticker.

Koda

The sticker on the air cleaner lid.

1970cs

I think he is talking about the sticker on the oil fill tube.

Pat

vette442

The silver decal on the air cleaner lid that says 'Oldsmobile Rocket 350' - the one on the car in question is the larger decal for 4 barrel air cleaners. It's supposed to be applied inside the recessed inner area, which is significantly smaller on 2 barrel air cleaner lids, that's why the sticker is slapped on along the outer edge. The 2 barrel decal is smaller and fits right in there.

Correct 4 barrel lid and decal:


Correct 2 barrel lid and decal:


Terry

driverchoice

looks like nice car but mirrors are wrong too ,correct style but there off something else because they sit at a weird angle

1970supremevert

this is where the fender emblem should be

Fun71

I thought all '70-'71 Supreme models had the wide belt molding and the '72s had the anti-ding strip as an option. Both my '70 Supreme hardtop and my '71 Supreme convertible had the B85 Exterior Belt Molding listed under Standard Equipment on the build sheet.

vette442

All '72 Supremes had the thin side stainless trim strip - it wasn't an option.

Terry

joe_padavano

Yeah, those are off a Camaro

drop top olds

A Cutlass with a 455 from the factory would have a U or V code in the VIN, would it not?

Yeah, I thought those mirrors looked to be way off. Not close to the way mine are set.

Dave Hurd

" That car should have an H or J in the VIN for 350/2 barrel."


The owner tells me the vin on the car has both the H and the J in it.
I think you told me it should have one or the other.
He wont give me the entire number.
So what I am seeing is that this is a Cutlass Supreme and someone just added the SX badge for whatever reason. Looks to be a nice car.
Part of the ad reads like this:
The car has original motor and trans there is only 74,000 miles on this car. When I bought the car the oil pressure was a little low so I put in a new oil pump, rod and main bearings oil pressure runs 25 ideling and 55 driving now witch is real good.
A little worried about the engine work. Seems a bit odd.

redoldsman

I think I would turn and walk away from this one. With only 74,000 miles there should not be an oil pressure problem. While this car looks nice there are some things that are odd like the Camaro mirrors and the SX badges. If he won't give the VIN I would forget it. That is just me.

Allan R

He's right there's an H and J.
The VIN should start out like this: 3J67H2

What it means in 1972 is:
3 - Oldsmobile division of GM
J - Cutlass Supreme (model)
67 - Convertible (body style)
H - Engine (350 2bbl @160hp)
2 - 1972 model year

What this also tells me is that whoever ordered the car specified the 350 4bbl delete. The base engine in all 72 Cutlass Supreme's was the K code 350 4BBl (180hp). That's kind of unusual as it only gave a rebate of a whopping 33.00

Personally I think changing it to a a 350 2bbl lowers its overall valuation and I would state that in any negotiations you may enter about this car. The TH350 transmission is a good unit and was typical to find behind the 350 2bbl or 350 4bbl.

The oil pressure sounds normal. I wouldn't be worried that parts failed and had to be replaced. A low mile car might be a little gummed up from non use. Gelled oil could easily plug up the oil pump. Like you though I'd ask about the bearings. How much damage was there? He should know the answers to these questions.

BTW, just for your curiosity the full 72 VIN should be like this:
3J67K2(G,R,M,Z)XXXXXX Where the letter codes show production assembly lines at:
G = Framingham
R = Arlington
M = Lansing
Z = Freemont

The X's will indicate the sequence of the build at the production line. Each line started production at 100001. If you want to know when the car was actually born, look at the cowl tag. It will have a build date code (eg: 04D) where 04 is the month of production and D represents the week. In this case it is 4th week of April 1972. Since 72 production started usually in July/August the car could also have a date code of (eg: 09A) which would mean the first week of September 1971.

What kind of options does the car have? (and BTW don't let him tell you the convertible is an option - it's not, it's the body style and included in the base price of a CS vert.)It should have either an A65 split bench seat with center armrest, or A51 strato bucket seats. Both were standard with the CS at no extra cost.

4speed455

Actually they are off a 73 and up cutlass or the like. The camaro mirrors are the same as the 71-72 cutlass mirror. FYI

Dave Hurd

This has all been extremely helpful and I am most appreciative of all the input from everyone. Especially the vin number breakdown. Thanks!
The car is not heavily optioned. PW, PS. PB., bucket seats w/console, AC.
Third owner with 74k. Owner says original owner had till about 5 years ago, then traded to a dealer. Dealer sold to VT owner, VT owner sold to him.
Car is in NY, I am in ME so can not just drive over and look it over. Wish I could. Don't like buying sight unseen. Anyone know of a reputable appraiser in that area. Peru NY. Upstate near the lakes.
I need some eyes.


Looking to replace the attached. BML!

RetroRanger

Hey Dave did you check CL at all if your hearts not set on a 72 there is a nice 71 on nh cl ( not mine no affiliation w the seller) it's been off and on over the past year. I'm sure there's others too but this one came to mind. I'm w you don't like buying sight unseen....

Here's a link to the 71

Fun71

Thanks, I wasn't certain about that. I thought I remembered all the '72s I saw back in the day having it but wasn't sure.

Allan R

Options I can see or you have listed:

A01 - Tinted Glass; includes A02 (42.00)
A31 - Power Windows (113.00)
M38 - TH350 Transmission (215.00)
C60 - Air Conditioning (397.00) N47 required
N47 - Variable Ratio Power Steering (113.00)
D55 - Console (59.00) not available with A65 split bench seat
D35 - Sport mirrors (22.00) these are suspect on this car though
N67 - SSIII wheels (72.00)

The hood is correct - it doesn't have faux louvers, nor does it have the cowl piercings. This is correct for 72 CS with AC. The color of the car appears to be Bamboo (PNT code 81, and the interior appears to be TRM code 979 Saddle)

The body side moldings are not OEM. If they were they would be metal based with vinyl inserts, and there would be another molding on each quarter panel. Here's a picture of the 72 CS vert that shows proper side moldings.

Dave Hurd

Nice looking '71 in NH
I am set on a '72 for two reasons.
One I really love that look in every way and that is why I had one before.
Two, it is the last year of that body and that makes it more valuable down the road.
Thanks for the link.
But I want one that I can drive with little or no repairs needed.


So, hypothetically speaking of course, if I were to offer something for this one, what would you all think it worth, with all its flaws?

Allan R

Tough question to answer especially since there's nothing stated about mechanical condition or work done. No pics of the interior condition... what range are you thinking? Just based on looks, it could go from 12 - 16K at the high end. That 2bbl 350 H code is going to hurt the value a lot. Being a vert does tend to make up for that a lot though.

Dave Hurd

I was thinking $10-12k with all the issues to make it right again.
Asking $16 but seems high for it.
I'm thinking there is more to it than meets the eye tho.