I have a 1966 Oldsmobile 442 that my Dad bought brand new. I’ve been researching the cowl tag, as I have been told my car was not an actual 442, because it has a chrome strip down the center of the hood. . I do have the “V” on the cowl tag so I know it’s a 442. I’ve researched all the numbers till I get to the last two lines starting with the E. I’m not much of a car guy, so any help would be appreciated.

 

The last two lines are the ACC (accessory) codes. There were five groups of code letters designating options on the car.

Group 1
E = tinted windows
O = two tone paint - specifically the trim that separated the paint colors (note that the J-C paint code shows Forrest Mist (J) lower and Provincial White (C) upper colors)

Group 2
K = Firewall punchout for air conditioning
L = mounting hole and plate for four speed floor shifter
R = rear speaker

Group 4
F = outside remote control mirror
C = chrome window sill moldings (RPO B85)

Group 5
V = 442 option (RPO W29)
Y = deluxe seat belts

The hood with the chrome spear is not original to the car.

 

I really appreciate the information. The chrome spear, I’m really confused about. I wish my Dad was here to ask about this. Could the spear have been a dealer add on?

 

Either hood was replaced with a Cutlass hood or someone added the spear. Regardless it seems to be a real 442. Like to see some pictures.

Wayne

 

Thanks…here’s my 4-4-2…

 

Bill, very, very nice. I have seen a number of this paint combo in one Olds or another. We have here in a Tri-Power 66 with the same scheme with a white interior. Love those 66's.

Wayne

 

Thanks Wayne…that’s the reason this car has stayed in the family. It was a daily driver until 1977. The rest of the time it has been stored many places, including a barn. I was the last driver for 2 years, and I could not part with it. I was too young to remember my Dad doing some changes to the car, about the only thing I remember is that he changed the wheels to Magnum 500s.

 

Your father had good taste!

 

Well hope you have a great time with your 66 442 Oldsmobile. I don't have a 442 but my 66 Cutlass convertible is a factory 4-speed car and I do lover her. She surprises a lot of Oldsmobile owners and enthusiasts.

Wayne

 

The '66 model year is my favorite A-body of all the Oldsmobiles, possibly because my parents had a '66 F-85 Deluxe when I was learning how to drive! Yours is a beautiful car - the ultimate 4-4-2 in my opinion!

Randy C.

'68 4-4-2 convertible (family-owned since new; Best of Class (13b) at the 2011 OCA Nationals in Reno NV)
'69 4-4-2 convertible (a nice driver)

 

Don't let people push you around with bad knowledge. Your car's pedigree is not based on the hood.

 

Thank you Diego…as I said before, I’m not much of a car guy. So when I was told about the chrome spear, I was really confused. If I was guessing, the spear was a dealer add on at my Dad’s request.

And I want to thank everyone in this thread for their help and the very nice comments….Bill

 

Very nice car!

And welcome to the site.

I agree your father had good taste.

The 66-33817 on your cowl tag is the year and model, and 3817 is the holiday coupe.

Your car has some interesting trim on it. The lower rear quarter and rocker moldings did not come on the car. They were only found on the F-85 Deluxe

 

Thanks Rocketguy…that even adds more questions. Did my Dad have this done, or was this a dealer add on for whatever reason. The car has never been in a crash, so a lot of questions with probably no answers. Thanks…Bill

 

It certainly wasn't a dealer add on as it is incorrect for the car, just like the hood.

If I were to see this car out in the wild, I'd consider it a bad clone, with a cowl tag transplant. However, two things are against that, which are we are assuming the car's history is as you have told it, and being that egregiously off with the duplicated chrome, yet being spot on on getting the two tone right to the tag, is improbable. Perhaps your father wanted more bling and had the parts added after purchase.

 

Thanks Koda for the input. The dealership where my Dad purchased the car has been out of business for many years and my Dad has been gone for many years. I guess the questions about the add ons will remain just that…questions. I’ve had the car in some type of storage for the past 40 plus years. My plans are restore it soon, I’ll have to really look at these items when I do.

Bill

 

Was it ever crashed? That might explain the hood swap.

 

 

Look...in days of yesteryear, many car dealers will more than willing to go the extra mile to install ANYTHING on ANY car if it meant reducing inventory & putting a check mark on the SOLD board for that month.

 

My point is, that isn't some rare factory-built car. How is the dealer installing the parts after delivery any different than me doing it in my garage?

 

I understand...I was agreeing w/ you.

 

Whatever! It's a great looking car and unique. Thanks for showing.

Wayne

 

All from those two pictures?

As for the cowl tag, by the looks of the sealer on the rivets and matching patina I disagree.

 

It helps to take my entire point in context, not to pick and choose specific bitching points.

 

Everyone…thanks for the kind comments and the help you have supplied. The chrome spear and the bottom trim will remain an unanswered question. Those will be two items I’ll really have to look at in restoration. My Dad purchased this car from Hendrickson Motors, Greeneville, TN in 1966. I wish I had the answers, but it doesn’t really matter. It’s my 4-4-2 and I’m very proud of it. Thanks to everyone again…Bill

 

Amen!! So many cars came this way and that way back then. It happened. Love your car. Love the history. Pictures pictures pictures please 😁