Hi Everyone.

First post. Can someone please help me decode the cowl tag on my '66 Cutlass? I've spent a bit searching the archives, and the net, and I'm getting conflicting information.

This is what I have so far:
VIN: 338176Z117779
Year: 1966
Division: Oldsmobile
Series: Cutlass
Body: 2dr Holiday hardtop
Plant: Fremont, California
Serial Number: 117779

Engine Block: 390925E

Cowl Tag Data:
03B
ST 66-33817 BF04876
TR 987 JJ
028802

So:
03B means 2nd week of March 1966
66-33817 means 1966-Cutlass F-85 V-8 Engine Hardtop Holiday Coupe
BF04876 means Fremont and 4,876th car off the line
TR 987 means Champagne Bench Seats
JJ means Forest Mist Top and Bottom

What does the 028802 stand for? And why are there no option codes on the plate? Does it mean it had no options?

Thanks,
Mike
'48 MGTC
'66 Olds Cutlass
'06 S4 Cabriolet
'08 S8
'08 Camry Hybrid AKA The Blandmobile

 

Welcome. Unfortunately, cowl tags from the Fremont plant were different than those from other plants. The six digit numbers are codes unique to Fremont and there is no know decoder for them. The option codes were not used in most cases on Fremont cowl tags.

 

Thanks Joe. Is there any other way to get some provenance for the car? Any way for GM to tell me what options were stock or whether it was a factory 442?

It's currently badged as a 442 with the L69 Tri-Carb setup and a W30 forced air kit (including the cabling for the battery in the trunk). The Air Cleaner is fiberglass and not original. I'm going to assume this not one of the original 54, nor was it a dealer installed W30 kit, but you never know.

Thanks,

Mike

 

I had a hunch that was coming.

Unfortunately, since Fremont cowl tags don't have the "5V" that indicates a factory-built 442, they are frequently cloned. Unless you can find a build sheet, there is no way to prove the car is factory-built. Unlike Pontiac Historical Services, there is no resource for historical Oldsmobile build sheet data. Sorry.

 

The 54 were all made in June in Lansing. It is unusual (I haven't seen it before) for a 66 3817 to have the rectangular wiper motor.

 

Thanks again Joe. Yeah.... I've read a lot of threads with people not knowing what they have. We get that on the MG forums as well (where I'm extremely more knowledgeable.) It's the nature of getting a '66 where the VIN doesn't specify 442.

You're just confirming what I already suspected. It's too bad there's no historical society for Olds. I wonder why.... the records must exist somewhere.

Truthfully, it doesn't really matter. I'm happy with what I have. Even if it's a clone, it was done well. The car was restored in your neck of the woods (Maryland).

Warm Regards,
Mike

 

Thanks. I didn't catch that they were all made in June in Lansing. I'll research some more on the wiper motor.

-Mike

 

One more question.... what's the general consensus on here as far as signatures?

If it looks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, is it acceptable to refer to it as a 442 L69 W30?

 

I don't think so.

I know that Freemont built 442s (same as they did with later generations) but IIRC only the Lansing factory cranked out W30's. The 1967 W30 has red inner fender liners and yours doesn't. IMO, it's not a W30 because it was built at Freemont. If you don't know the cars Provenance, (not providence btw) you can't refer to it as something you don't know for sure.

Another thing? Could it be a trac pac car, which is also highly desirable? Maybe but you'd also need documentation to prove that. I'm sure others can jump in and comment further about this issue. I'm more of a 68-72 guy, but I appreciate the early 60's Cutlass/442 offerings too. Heck, I learned how to drive in a 67!

Look at this link, The owner of this car restored it as he wanted it and look how he's representing it. This is just a suggestion. In the Olds circle you know you'll get called out at car shows if you represent it as what you're suggesting.

Either way it's up to you to decide. From where I sit looking at your pics you have a hell of a nice looking ride and I can't imagine what a blast it is to drive.

 

Thank you Allan. Yes, my thoughts are that it's possibly a Track-Pac car. No '66s had the red fender liners, but that's a moot point.

I have no way of proving it one way or the other. The answer won't impact my enjoyment, not even a little bit.

(and thanks for the catch on provenance. i swear, the older i get.....)

 

Duh on my part. I overlooked that it was a 66 instead of 67!! I'm right with you there on the age thing...

 

I looked around on the internet and eBay. I estimate a 60/40 split between the round offset wiper motor and the rectangular motor, respectively. This includes F85s, Cutlasses, and 442s in both models. It also includes claimed survivor cars. The power brake booster doesn't seem to matter either.

Can you recommend any books that are generally accepted as authorities on mid 60's Olds and/or 442s?

 

I mostly use the factory parts catalogs. 3800 series were supposed to come with the round wiper motor. If you had a factory shroud, the car might be called "track pack" using Curt Anderson's nickname for them. Either way, it is a conversion with some reproduction parts. Making such a conversion, originally using 230195 "Induction pkg," was accepted by Olds engineering.