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Was looking at a few '73-'77 Olds online that the owners claim to be 442 cars. Looking at them as a father/son project. My son has proved to have good taste in cars and wants an "old" Oldsmobile (old to him is 1985! LOL!) Is there one or more things I can look at and bank on that the car is the real deal? If it's as simple as a glance at the VIN then that's pretty easy. It just seems to me that these years of cars could be very easily faked with paint, stripes and aftermarket or NOS parts. I like to call cars like this "Wizard of Oz cars." Alot of smoke and flash, but the owner doesn't want you to pay attention to the man behind the curtain! So is there any definite way to tell?
It seems to me that the years you are looking at were scarce and not all that in demand. I dont think many of these low compression smogged cars were cloned. If the badge-ing, striping, and design is there I would research and confirm based on what was said above.
i have a 74 Cutlass Salon, and a friend has a 73 442. Under the hood its the same and the interior is the same besides a 442 badge on the dash. i have learned that those years were a paint and handling package. so they may have bigger sway bars. they had different grills as well and the hood on 73-75 years.
442's were only built between 1968 and 1971. Now, Cutlass 442's which is every other year for the option will be more difficult to tell. For 1973-77 you'll have to see the build sheet or get a print out of the options. For cars destined or sold in Canada this is not too hard. Send the VIN to GM Canada and they'll send you a complete option list including how many were made, how many were imported etc. If the car was built for the US the GM History Centre MAY be able to help you. I have no experience with the GM History Centre so I can't be sure what they can do for you.
This will be the only way to tell unless the person selling the car can show you the build sheet sometimes known as the broadcast sheet usually found under the back seat and/or gas tank. For 1977 the 442 will have a sloped front end. However this can be added. So it's back to documentation to be absolutley sure.
The 1973-77 Cutlass 442's are gaining in popularity as the 68-72 cars are getting crazy in price. As they go up in price they drag the 73-77 cars up with them. From 1973-76 a 455 engine was still available however they became more rare as the decade progressed (from 4000 455's in the 1973 442's to 143 455's in the 1976 442's).
The early 455's put out more power from the factory however the later 73-77 cars handled and stopped better. Also, the later 455's were capable of all the horsepower the early 455's put out with some minor mods.
However, as stated above, the only way to tell if a 1973-77 is a real 442 is if you can find documentation that shows that option W29 was ordered for the car. W29 = 442. Good luck.
Last edited by 442much; February 5th, 2010 at 11:25 PM.
Another thing, for 1973-77 the first four characters in the VIN will say 3G37. (If I remember correctly could be F37 or G37 on a 73). It must have this "37" to be a 442.
The 442 will have a "37" body, fastback roof and large triangular quarter windows. Once you find this, that's when you'll need the paperwork to verify. If the car is anything other than a 37 body, or fastback, or has small quarter windows you can stop looking.
Look under the back of the car and see if it has boxed rear control arms and sway bar. That's a pretty reliable indication if a 73-77 S coupe body had the 442 package. FE2/F41 were available separately from W29 but not commonly ordered.
Look under the back of the car and see if it has boxed rear control arms and sway bar. That's a pretty reliable indication if a 73-77 S coupe body had the 442 package. FE2/F41 were available separately from W29 but not commonly ordered.
This is true. When the W29 package was ordered you automatically received the FE2 suspension package. However it was possible to order a non W29 Cutlass with the FE2 option. So, although it is helpful, still the only way to be 100% sure is to see the paperwork.
So I've been all over the internet searching to find out what exactly my 73 Cutlass is. It's G37 vin 1973. I obtained it on a lien sale for $1 regardless of what exactly it it I am completely happy with it. When I got it it's engine and transmission was removed. It has front and rear sway bars, clutch pedal hurst shifter, cast iron 442 decals, bucket swivels. The body style of the Cutlass S and 442 of this year are exactly the same. Any help would be appreciated. BASICALLY WHAT IM ASKING IS WITHOUT A BUILD SHEET HOW CAN I TEEL WHAT THIS CAR WAS FROM FACTORY. "Cutlass S" or "4-4-2"???????
i understand this thread is old but couldn't resist throwing this on here since I see a lot of you seem to have some deeper knowledge on this subject than myself.
BASICALLY WHAT IM ASKING IS WITHOUT A BUILD SHEET HOW CAN I TEEL WHAT THIS CAR WAS FROM FACTORY. "Cutlass S" or "4-4-2"???????
And basically what everyone is telling you is that you CAN'T tell what it was from the factory without a build sheet or original window sticker. The 442 package was just a suspension and emblem package in 1973-74, available on the Cutlass and Cutlass S models that year. There are NO indications in the VIN or cowl tag that "prove" the car was ordered with the 442 option.
Well even though you can't prove the W29 option w/o paperwork it appears to hv the correct stuff from what's shown. Biggest thing is you got one of the most rare cars, one of 2460 total in '73 had 4spd. Question is it the more desirable 455 or is it a 350?. Vin code will tell you that.
1567 cars built on G37 had M20, while 64 cars on F37 had M20. Sure it fits in one of those two catagories.
Well even though you can't prove the W29 option w/o paperwork it appears to hv the correct stuff from what's shown. Biggest thing is you got one of the most rare cars, one of 2460 total in '73 had 4spd. Question is it the more desirable 455 or is it a 350?. Vin code will tell you that.
1567 cars built on G37 had M20, while 64 cars on F37 had M20. Sure it fits in one of those two catagories.
Ok I guess I've reached the end of my search on this topic. I will possibly look in the popular spots in the car for the build sheet. This is one of the 350 4 speed cars. Came with out engine but I'm in the process of saving up for one to drop in her. Out if the 1,500 I wonder how many survived? I'm guessing not many.Anyways thanks for the feedback
G37 is a Cutlass S Hardtop Coupe, period. The 442 package was simply an option, not a separate model. Legally and per the VIN, this is a Cutlass S.
ok thank you I guess this was the answer I was looking for. Cutlass S with the 442 package. This makes sense. I always know where to go to get down to some good information. Olds forum never fails.
ok thank you I guess this was the answer I was looking for. Cutlass S with the 442 package.
As stated by others, without paperwork you don't know what you have. the vin will tell you which engine that it came with, which does not tell you that it is a 442. It is a Cutlass S, which could be ordered with a 350 or 455, with or without the 442 option.
I know this is an old thread,but my '74 cutlass I looked above gas tank and under rear seat. Actually found it behind the right (passenger side) rear interior panel and very good shape I'll ad. I wanted to find it because I'm only second owner and like to have something to prove it was ordered with 455. Good luck
I'm only second owner and like to have something to prove it was ordered with 455.
For a 1974 Olds (and starting with the 1972 model year), the fifth character of the VIN will tell you what engine it came with from the factory. You don't need the build sheet to prove it is a 455 car.
February 5th, 2010, 07:58 AM
'73-'77 442 How can I tell?
