I recently acquired a 1972 Cutlass Supreme 442 Convertible. Now an individual is telling me it is not a 442? All my research indicates it is, but since it is a 1972 and 442 was a build option, who knows?

Has anyone had success in contacting GM to acquire build information?

 

Did your new car have any supporting documents, broadcast cards, window sticker, anything?

 

Post some pictures of it.
It may be one but you will need to find evidence of it. Even if it's not all is not lost if the price was right.
What research did you do that told you it's a real 442?

 

I followed the internet guidlines for 442 as far as springs, front grille, rear tail lights, torque bars etc. The individual I acquired it from provided nothing. It has had the original 350 4-barrel removed and a 455 installed. It has a center console automatic (Not a hurst), A tech at Year One decoded the Vin and Mfg tag to the following:

In 1972 the 442 model was an option package for a Cutlass and, as such, this cannot be determined from the numbers or codes on the car. You will need something which lists the options for your car such as a build sheet, dealer invoice or window sticker. Here is the number breakdown:

Vin:
3=Oldsmobile
J=Cutlass Supreme
67=convertible
K=350 4bbl
2=1972
M=Lansing plant
111828=sequence number

Firewall Tag:
ST72=1972 model
34267=Cutlass Supreme convertible
LAN=Lansing plant
227250 BD=body number
09A=September first week (71) time built
A65=seat code, probably bucket

 

what gary said

w no docs you cant tell if your car is a 442, the slight except is an X in the VIN indicating W 30

good news (kinda) cant prove its not a 442 !!!

for 72 442 was no longer its own model but merely a stripe option package so a 72 442 could have come w 350 or 455...

models w U or V (or the above mentioned X) would be 455 equipped cars originally. so its apparent your car came w a 350 (K Vin) but may still be a 442

 

442 or not, that's smokin hot!

 

I agree.. the 442 sport package in 72 did not come with a wing.

 

Olds did not keep these records for cars built prior to 1977. They can't tell you anything about your particular car from the VIN or cowl tag, not even the dealer who originally sold the car.

 

Wing had to be added by some owner down the line. It was not a factory option at all in 72 and also not available on a vert any year....

Looks like the interior has been redone, but if the carpet isn’t new look for a broadcast card under it. I found one in the driver side foot well, and a partial in one of the buckets in my car.

Beautiful car in any case!

 

First, since they are extremely easy to clone, there are about ten times as many 1972 Faux-Four-Twos today as were built. Without a build sheet or original window sticker, there is no way to prove if the car is real or not.

As noted, no 1972 Oldsmobiles ever came from the factory with a wing (that option was discontinued for the 1972 model year) and no convertible ever came from the factory with a wing in any case (and since someone will try to claim otherwise, Olds did not install the wings on the 1969 H/O convertibles, Demmer did).

No 350-powered Olds (except the 1970 Rallye 350) came with a cutout back bumper or trumpets.

No non-W-car ever came with the wide side stripes.

Given the aftermarket intake, aftermarket A/C, Holley carb, disc brake conversion from a drum brake car, and 1980s wheels, I'll assume the hood is a repro as well. None of this gives confidence that this is an original 442, but even it it was, the "K" in the VIN shows that it was born as a 180 HP 350 4bbl single exhaust car. Enjoy it and don't worry about what it was originally.

 

Congratulations, that is a beautiful car!

 

I’m certain it’s a clone. I think you should cut your losses and sell it to me.😜

 

I agree very nice looking.

 

great looking car, enjoy it as is