Just bought a 1972 Olds 442 Ram Air 455 Convertible. She has been off the road since 1994. It is loaded with everything except tic-toc-tac and gauges. The engine had marvels mystery oil put into all the cylinders and spins freely. I wanted to try to start it up after I cleaned out gas lines and tank or replace tank? Were do U fund the build sheet? I am going to need all both quarter panels, drivers side fender, floor and trunk panels an probably gas tank and ? I hope the frame is good, i haven't crawled around under it yet. Any one know of a good body man in or around Knoxville,TN? Very excited about the car, my first car was a 1972 442 455 convertible, same color, but didn't have ram air and it had black interior instead of white, which I always wanted! I just don't know were to start! Sorry about all questions, I am sure I will have many. Thanks ahead of time for all the advice ahead of time!!!

 

If Lansing built, you won't find a build sheet, but maybe a broadcast card, under the carpet, under the seat bottom, under the rear seat/carpet. If Fremont, California built, you may find one on top of the gas tank.

 

Broadcast sheets could be found under the front seats, under the back seat, ontop of the gas tank, or i've even heard of the being in the headliner.

 

Build sheet & broadcast card

 

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Guys stuck in the 50's, when ya meet him you'll know/see what I mean, but as far as restorin classic cars, he's one of the best I know of round here!

Valley Road Body Shop: 423-745-6044, owned & operated by Buddy Lynn, he's just west of Athens, TN off CR 305 (exit 52 off I-75 South, Mt. Verd Road)......tell him Tim from Jacky Jones Ford Parts Dept. sent ya and he'll take care of ya.

If your like me, you'll walk around drewlin at what he's got sittin round workin on!!!

 

welcome aboard.
Others have already provided good info about build and broadcast cards. Just FYI, the broadcast cards were left by Fisher Body Works, Build Sheets were Assembly Line documents.

Check your VIN. If your car was originally a 455 it should start out 3J67U2()XXXXXX. If the engine code is anything other than U or X, it was originally a 350 car.

The term Ram Air is Pontiac. Olds calls it OAI (outside air induction).

 

"Ram Air" has become a generic term to describe any motor with air induction. I don't think it's improper to call it that for an Olds.

Tri-Power? That's a different story. :twocents:

 

Yep, she has the U and the engine number match the Vin. I had a 1970 Judge with Ram Air III and I knew the OAI term, but I have always called it Ram Air, guess old habits die hard. I will try to call it what it is from now on, thanks for correcting my terms.

 

There are several folks on this site who have started with 'rusted out beyond belief' project cars and are sinking a LOT of time/sweat equity and $ into them. It sounds like your car may become one of this elite club if the rust issues are what you're describing. What would be super cool is to find a broadcast card in the car that shows it as a W29 car. (Box 12 of the 72 broadcast card). That would give it automatic provenance as a documented 72 442.

Note: having the body restored at a pro shop (not discouraging this given your original request for info on that) will likely cost 2-3 times what you might be expecting. If you have a set budget right now, the general rule of thumb in this hobby is to double or triple both the $ and time estimates. Maybe even more. Only reason I mention this is it's happened to more than a few folks asking for the same issues you have? The U code cars are much scarcer and IMO worth saving unless it's a black hole.