How can I figure out which hood is correct for a '71 442? I'm pretty sure it is not a W30. Thanks!

 

The assembly manual.

There were three possible hoods used on your car. If the car did not have A/C, it got this metal hood with vents at the base of the windshield.



Cars with A/C got the same hood without those vents. (Yeah, I know this is neither a 442 nor the correct hood for a Supreme hardtop. You try to find a picture of a 70-72 442 that DOESN'T have an O.A.I. hood...)



Finally, even non-W-30 cars could be ordered with the W-25 hood.

 

Ok, so this car DOES have A/C, but has the non-A/C hood on it. So either someone swapped the hood, or added A/C. I could probably find out if it came equipped with A/C through cowl tag or vin? I already matched up the block to the car with a positive match.

 

Also, being a '71, should it have the "Oldsmobile" nameplate on the hood as shown in the first picture? Thanks!!

 

That is a correct style hood for a 71 442. All 71s had the grills and the vents at the rear of the hood. It was only the 72 442s that did not get the rear vents if it had ac. Also it should have the Oldsmobile emblem as shown on the other pic so the hood is not original.

 

You are correct. I had confused the 71 and 72 cars. Thanks for catching this.

 

Here is a low mile original paint 1971 442 surviver showing the vents and the script. More stripe photos can be found here:

http://www.texas442.com/sidestripes/
http://www.texas442.com/71442stripes/