Hello all! Recently acquired a 1966 Cutlass Holiday Hardtop Coupe. It has 442 badges where they should be and a factory teach on the end of the dash, rear sway bar and limited slip axle tag. Was wondering, if based off the cowl tag and/or VIN if there was a sure way to tell if it's the real deal? I appreciate any answers.

 

Hi there! I just posted in the newbie forum and learned after posting, my question belongs here... I think. I recently acquired a 1966 Cutlass Hardtop Coupe. It has 442 badges where they should be, factory tach, rear sway bar and limited slip axle. I was wondering if there was any way from the cowl tag and/or VIN to tell if it's an actual 442. It now has an automatic transmission and a 330 2 bbl in it now. Any helpful hints or answers would be cool. Thank you very much.

 

can you post a pic of the dataplate, vin, or read it off, some 66 guys here will help you
and welcome by the way

 

can you post pics of the vin and data plates, or read off whats on them, some guys will help you out,
and welcome

 

 

I merged your 2 posts, welcome to the site.

 

I can offer this much off the Data Tag:

10 A -Fish Body ***. Date- First week October
BF- Fremont Cal. built
RR Paint- Target Red Top and bottom
Trim 987- White Vinyl

Thats it for me but there are others that will chime in on being a 66 442. There is a lot of expertise on this forum. Its an interesting discussion. Pictures would help. We like pictures. Fremont 442's are difficult to verify. BTW did you get any paper with the car. The red warranty book may be of great help. Have fun with your 66.
Wayne

Here is your VIN decoded.
Year: 1966
Division: Oldsmobile
Series: Cutlass
Body: 2dr Holiday hardtop
Plant: Fremont, California
Serial Number: 101155

 

Welcome to the group... The 330 is not original to a 442 in 66... Therefore, either the engine is a transplant or it is not an actual 442...

 

Unfortunately, the Fremont plant did not use the 5V code on the cowl tag that other plants used to designate a "real" 442 in that year. For this reason, Fremont cars are the most frequently cloned.

 

isn't there a specific '66 442 frame, upper control arm mounting? or is that only the 4-speed cars?

 

Or he has mis-identified the engine.

 

Post some pics of these areas of your 66 engine. They will go a long way.

 

Being a Freemont car there is no cowl or vin that will tell us it is a 442. Being an automatic there is no frame indication either. How many fuel lines does it have? Pictures of front, side and back also would help with correct or incorrectness of things. Oh and the dash.

Welcome you will find lots of knowledge and help on this site.

Larry