wjhurd

Good after noon Gents!
I have a 1974 Olds 442 I'm listing on eBay and locally. I really need your big Oldsmobile brains to make sure this is a 100% genuine 442. I do not want to misrepresent in any way! This car has gone through some changes over the years, and I want to help this person get the best out of this sale.
So here's some picts of things.
VIN# 3G374M4D129027
Cowl Tag:


What I know so far...
Has the M 5th digit 350 4Bbl dual exhaust (No longer original engine)
Cowl tag decoded-
ST 74 - model year 1974
3 - Oldsmobile
AG37 - Cutlass S 2 door (Hurst option available)
D - Doraville GA assembly plant
53556 - Production sequence
955 - ???
AN7 - Swivel bucket seats
11 11 - ???
05A - Build date May ???
73X- ???

I know that in 1974 there is an option code W29 to validate this is a true 442. But I cannot find a broadcast sheet or anything else to make 100% certain.

And here are a couple of picts of the car. Its located in Upstate NY near Rochester.




So if you guys can help me I wold greatly appreciate it! If you want more details about the car I can post more details and picts.

Thanks in advance!

joe_padavano

Nothing on the cowl tag or VIN can prove a 1974 is a real 442. Sorry.

wjhurd

Where can I find this?

joe_padavano

Where can you find what? The meaning of the cowl tag is described in your chassis service manual. The 442 was simply an option package in 1974. The cowl tag decodes as follows:

ST74 = 1974 model year
3 = Oldsmobile Division
AG = Cutlass model line
37 = Coupe (Cutlass) body style
D = Doraville, GA assembly plant, which is very interesting because that wasn't an Oldsmobile assembly plant for the 1974 model year
53556 BDY = Fisher Body sequential ID number (not related to the VIN)
TR955 = Red vinyl interior
AN7 = Swivel bucket seats
11 11 PNT = Antique White upper and lower body color
05A = built the first week of May, 1974
73X = Compaticolor interior

wjhurd

Joe thank you for the Decode on the cowl tag.

I'm looking for anyway to validate this is a real 442 and not some other odd trim.
The car has, as you can see, been repainted, so the body tag stickers are long gone. I was hoping you fine gents could point me in the right direction to confirm this is a real 442.

joe_padavano

Short of a build sheet or window sticker, you are unlikely to find anything that is concrete proof. The 442 option only included the suspension, grilles, and emblems. The "M" in the VIN shows that the 350 4bbl motor was original.

stan 65 cutlass

try looking under the seats, in the springs for paper documents

wjhurd

The current owner did... Nadda

wjhurd

OK, so I pose this question... From what I have given for information, does this look like its the real deal 442?

Allan R

A Fisher body card may have been left under the carpet, package tray, rear seat, sometimes behind a door panel. The build sheet may be on top of the gas tank if you want to look that far.
Joe is spot on that the VIN and cowl tag won't help prove anything other than original colors etc. If you do find a Fisher card, look for the W29 option. That will prove its original build was as a 442. Other than that it's just a 74 Cutlass S with 442 badging.

I really hope you find the documentation you're looking for.

Allan R

BTW what's with those ridiculous hood scoops? That's an obvious add on anyone with knowledge of Oldsmobile would cry wolf about. There are aftermarket fiberglass goods with OAI look for this year.

wjhurd

HAHAHA!!! I know right?!
He was trying to replicate the earlier 70's with the scoops.
With some gentle effort, they can be removed and there is good paint.

Gary M

I was wrestling with the idea of commenting on the scoops and think that they don't help the value of the car. Other than that it's a great car.

wjhurd

Thanks... Its a very solid car, floors and trunk are super clean, there was a right lower QTR repair with new metal done, other than that, she's not a bondo buggy.

I'm not a fan of the fake scoops either.

I'm going to list her as a 442, as he swears up and down the car is a 442.
If you all would like the full run down and picts, I can add them, I have 100+ including a video of the monster 495 stroker 500ph/600tq beast of an engine running.

Allan R

If he's interested in increasing the curb appeal have a look at this site
vfn fibreglass

Check the Oldsmobile 73-77 442. That hood is awesome. I know someone who has it in his 76 442 and it just oozes class.

Your friend likely has a 442 but just needs a way to prove it.

Allan R

joe_padavano

I'll take the dissenting opinion. The scoops on the 70-72 hoods were designed to mimic the width and angle of the grilles and leading edge of the hood. The aftermarket versions for later cars don't do this, and the resulting discordant lines are not visually pleasing in my opinion. It would look a lot better if the manufacture took the time to fix the leading edge of the scoops.

Allan R

No problem Joe, you can take whatever position you want. I simply pointed out there's another option besides the ones that are on there. From what I understand the OP is going to suggest restoring the hood to original look. IMHO the VFN hood looks very nice on the 73-76 cars, as it does blend in the hood contours to the header panel quite nicely. Everyone has their opinion. When these cars were new, I thought the front end designs were hideous. I never did care for the swept ridges on the sides, because they were so prone to chipping and rust.

Now, if they'd built the 73 like the original concept design I might argue to leave it as stock. I really like the flowing lines of the rendering. Too bad it ended up being bulky on the front.

droptopron

Besides the dopey scoops, didn't all '74 get the faux vents in the middle of the hood (viewable here)? Does this car have them?


http://barnfinds.com/copart-finds-cl...-on-the-cheap/


If not I'd say that is a check in the not a 442 column

damaged442

All 73-75 442s had the louvers in the hood. This car appears to have them. The Lee Press On Scoops need to go though...


Like stated repeatedly above, without seeing W-29 on some paperwork associated with the car, you will never know or be able to prove its anything other than a Cutlass S.

droptopron

My eyesight, its not so good any more


[QUOTE=damaged442;1026143 The Lee Press On Scoops need to go though... [/QUOTE] Dude, that's funny

joe_padavano

Agreed, however the reality is that no one "clones" the 73-77 442s. The market isn't strong enough to warrant it.

Allan R

The G body guys might argue that with you.

Koda

Precisely. Sure, sell it as a 442, but it is going to, especially without the original engine, make about 500 bucks worth of price difference. These years' cars would only ever peg the speedometer when going off a cliff, so it's not like it's a performance thing.

Allan R

Koda,
Now THAT'S downright funny. You should be a stand up.

joe_padavano

What do G-body cars have to do with a comment about the 73-77 cars?

Koda

Thank you, thank you. Take my four door.....please.

Allan R

I don't know how that ever got typed. I've admonished my fingers accordingly. They were supposed to type "The 73-77 Forum guys might disagree with you". There. Now I've had a Snickers bar..

Allan R

ok, ok
So you know why Chicken coops have don't have 4 doors right??
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Cuz then they'd have to be called Chicken Sedans.....