Ok, everybody... I'm a huge fan of 442's... Right now I am in the market for another classic car... I'm deciding between a 442 and camaro but definitely leaning more towards the 442... I was really originally going to buy a 1970 model but ran across a 1972 442 convertible that I'm interested in... This is what I understand so far doing my research on 1972 442's...

'72 442, it's really a Cutlass S with the 442 option added, not a true 442 model car. You would actually refer to it as a Cutlass S with the 442 option. Which in most cases consisted of a suspension and stripe package. Other options were the OAI hood, 442 rear cut bumper. So, if you want to tell if the 442 option was added by the owner of dealer/factory just look very closely at the emblems, and other options and see if they were added correctly/professionally. That's it. OK.

I can't copy and paste this so here is the link to read a 1972 GM VIN
http://service.gm.com/dealerworld/vincards/pdf/vincard72.pdf

I don't see anywhere on the vin to know if the car is a true 442 because it said it was an option and I don't see that info on the vin? Maybe a decoder will know????


I don't have the Vin # on the car yet... I'm going to ask the guy for the Vin but he is supposed to be emailing me some more pictures... He said he needed a few days to get me the pics and as soon has I get those I will ask for the vin#... He is over 200 miles away from me one way so I want to make sure everything is in order before I drive that far...

Like I said once I get the vin number and run the number into a decoder will the decoder know for sure if that car had the 442 option from the factory?

Any other advise would be greatly appreciated...

 

In 1972, the 442 convertible was based on the Cutlass Supreme. The VIN will not tell you if it had the W-29 option. Only a broadcast card, build sheet or window sticker will tell you that. A lot of the "cloned" cars will have mistakes that may tip you off based on badge, wing and stripe-happy "restorers". Less is often more on original '72 442s - thin pinstripes on the sides if it's not an X Code W-30, no cutout rear bumper/trumpets on 350 cars (H,J,K or M in the VIN), Cutlass Supreme emblem on the glovebox door for a convertible, no decklid spoiler from the factory on convertibles. If I see every single popular option on a car - OAI, rallye pack, sport mirrors, dual gate shifters, 442 grilles/badging, sport steering wheel, etc. - with no paperwork to back it up, I start to get suspicious. ; )

When you get the VIN, post the second letter - the one after the '2' in the middle. This designates the assembly plant, and we can tell you where to check for a build sheet/broadcast card, as each plant generally left these things in different places.

Terry

 

Make an attempt to look at the back side of the fender emblems to see if there are filled holes. This can be usually be done with a flashlight with the doors wide open.
This is how I verified mine as being a clone (PO said it was anyway...)

If it has the hood with side louvers, then there should be an Oldsmobile script on the front left of the hood. This was also missing on mine.

Also, the W29 pkg got boxed lover control arms and 7/8" sway bar on the rear suspension. Front bar was still only 1".

 

Ok, as soon as I get the Vin I will post the second letter...

 

Might as well post the whole thing.

 

Well the guy said he needed a couple of days to send me some pics... After about 4 days I didn't get the pics so I sent him a reminder... Now its been a week and a half and still haven't received... So either he sold the car or not in a huge hurry to do anything... Since he is over 200 miles away from me a I want the pics before I do anything else... I guess I will keep looking...

 

Good luck with the search for the right car.
Bought mine on faith as well as there were no broadcast sheets etc with it.
As well as the optional ram air hood (metal & f/glass) plus correct bumper, badging, stripes, dual gate, trailing arm suspension, sway bars etc..it has black plastic inner guards. Don' know if they were part of the 442 package for 1972 or an optional extra.
Just a nice car though. They ride & handle like new cars but turn a lot more heads. Let us know how you go.
Cheers

 

Except for the 70-71 W-30s that had red plastic inner fenders, every single 1970-72 Cutlass and 442 had black plastic inner fenders.
Terry

 

Is that right? Mines the only one I've ever seen close up. So all 70-72 Cutlass cars, even 72's without the 442 option, had plastic inner fenders? I didn't know that.