Is there a resource to help me figure out what the correct badging should be on my 1972 Cutlass Hardtop Coupe with a 350 in it. After research on this site I know mine is incorrect; I have 442 emblems all over it and (trunk, grill, etc.) and a Hurst/Olds fender emblem. I dont want to perpetrate a fraud...is there a website or something?

 

The locations are contained w/in the 1972 Factory Assembly Manual.

 

 

Just an FYI. In 1972 442 was an option package available on the Cutlass not a separate model like in other years. It’s possible your emblems are correct if the car was ordered with the 442 package. Pics would help clarify.

 

^^^^ What he wrote.

 

My 72 442 Convertible had Cutlass Supreme Grills and the wrong/ fender 442 emblems on the trunk lid
I thought the 442 emblems were added and it was a bad attempt at a clone. I bought all new NOS Cutlass grills and emblems for it
Than I took out the Bucket seats to recover and found a Broadcast card that showed it had the W29 option.
PO must have damaged the 442 grills so replaced them with the cheaper Cutlass grills
Before you give up on thinking it is a real 442/W29 look for documentation, you never know

 

Thanks @Vintage Chief . I will also take pictures and post tonight or tomorrow.

 

Take a picture of both the cowl tag & VIN tag and post it. It will assist us/you in garnering a little more information regarding the vehicle. Do you know if the vehicle has been repainted from its original color?

 

So here are some pics - sorry it took so long.

 

That is a Cutlass Supreme. No 442 was ever built on the Cutlass Supreme Hardtop platform. No spoilers on any Supreme and not available at all in 72. 442 grills and wrong stripes. Other then being not totally correct it does look like a nice car.

 

Looks like it’s missing some body moldings as well.

 

And it isn't a H/O, either. It's a Supreme Holiday Coupe to which someone added a wing, stripes, 442 emblems, 442 grills, and H/O emblems. None of those parts came from the factory. It appears to be a repaint, so the cowl tag will tell you the original color. By the way, the white-painted SSIII wheels with snap-in centers aren't original to the car either. None of this is a criticism, just a statement of fact. If you like the car, enjoy it.

 

Re-read Post #8 (above).

 

I'm going to go out on a limb and predict that the VIN starts 3J57M2...

 

I believe it's a nice looking vehicle. As the OP stated he doesn't (apparently) want to "perpetrate a fraud". Not certain what the OP's overall end-point intentions are for the vehicle, but having the cowl tag & VIN would certainly provide some solid information regarding the birth of the vehicle from which the OP can make (perhaps) more informed decisions regarding history and moving forward.

 

Actually it starts with 3J57K2 . My goal is really just to have a cool car to drive...just not trying to be like one of those d-bags that slap GT emblems on a 6 cyl Mustang.

 

I really like the color you have on this car. Could you tell me what it is, or code? I want to do almost exactly the same thing with mine. Except no 442 or HO badging, Cutlass Supreme only. I like the 71 442 grilles and the headlight surrounds. The wide side stripe is only correct for W30.

 

After failed attempts at matching through "auto paint stores" I was able to eyeball a PERFECT match - https://www.sw-rodandrestocustomcolor.com/colors/PCRS41