Did some 442's have chrome trim on the side of the body? I'm assuming it's a clone.

 

I'm guessing that is a 72. If that's the case it was an option for any Cutlass (I think....not sure about Supremes) because they got rid of the model as it's own.

 

You are correct. When RPO W29 was ordered on a 72 Cutlass, that lower rocker chrome was deleted.

 

This is from the 1972 inspectors guide. Note the "delete items" under RPO W29".

 

I'll also add that those wide hood stripes were not offered in 1972 on the metal hood, either. The factory stripes looked like this:

 

Is it just me, or is the chrome that is supposed to be on the drip rail painted? It just looks too thick to me for it not to be on there.

 

Also note that W29 cars had the Oldsmobile script relocated to the hood just over the high beam headlight

 

There isn't any drip line trim on the car. It was RPO option B80 and also required RPO B85. It was included automatically on RPO C08 which is vinyl roof. Also, unless this car shows PNT 19 19 it's someones repaint special (which is highly likely) as none of the A body cars in 72 offered black as a color choice.

 

I'm afraid you have that backwards. You could order RPO B80 drip rail molding by itself. If you wanted B85 sill molding, then B80 was also required. Maybe you meant to say that B80 "also WAS required WITH RPO B85". Note also that this only applied to the Cutlass S models (body code 3677 and 3687). The B85 sill moldings were not available on the Cutlass models (body code 3287). Back to the car in the first post, if you zoom up on the photo, it appears that there is a push-on vinyl edge molding on the unpainted drip rails. Look closely at the corner where the A-pillar transitions to the roof - you can see that this vinyl molding is wrinkled as it goes around the corner. Factory stainless trim was three pieces with a separate angled corner piece to fit that transition. It's also obvious that the window fuzzies at the sill have been replaced with poor repros, since they are also wrinkled going up the curve at the rear quarter windows. Of course the side pinstripes are not correct for a 442 either. I'm not trying to pick this apart, but it has clearly been redone and is not a real 442.

 

my

brother in law was given a red one like that when he graduated from college.but his was a bench seat.350 2bbl single exhaust.i still have the 7a heads.

 

the drip rail stainless was an option I believe. Sorry I pulled this page up and got distracted for about 45 minutes and did not know this had already been addressed.

 

Actually Joe, I got that directly from the 1972 SPECS for Cutlass S

 

Again, from the 72 SPECS, that would be for the Cutlass model only, and apparently only Sedans

 

You're right, I missed that completely. I was focused on the B85 line and didn't read far enough on the B80 line.

 

I do have to admit that there appears to be controversy about this topic in the product information Brochure. The Cutlass (3F87)which isn't even listed to have B80 appears to have it in this product display, and no B85 with it either. I guess it comes down to whether the SPECS or Brochure are on the same page so to speak

 

Well, here's the Inspectors Guide, which clearly shows that B80 was not available on the 32-series cars and that B85 was mandatory with B80 on the 3677 and 3687 cars (only).

 

Yes, I saw that too but elected only to post the SPECS portion. Says the same thing. Actually though the 32 series cars DID have the option for B80 molding, but it was Sedans and Cruisers, not coupes. IMO a lot of people just like the look of the roof line stainless and added it for aesthetics more than anything. I have both the B80 and B85 for my 3687. Interesting that the B80 is stainless while the B85 is anodized aluminum. To me that makes no sense.