Someone Please help me, Data over load on ID of my Oldsmobile

Ok, so I have some questions. I’ve read lot of stuff everywhere
about the 72 Cutlass Supreme notchbacks not being 442s, w30 or w29 etc.

I have a 72 Cutlass Supreme notchbacks U coded VIN 455 with factory upgraded suspension, boxed rear trailing arms, sway bars front and rear, stiletto seats and floor shifter (Auto 400). My car dose not have hood with louvers or bumper cut outs. It does have duel exhaust and front disk brakes from factory, A/C and regular idiot lights/gauges and a clock. It also has rock panel molding and side body molding chrome.
I’ve been reading lots of comment on clones but my car is a factory big block would I be wrong in putting a 442 hood and stripes…..? No rear spoiler or 442 bagging. I would leave Cutlass emblems
Or is this car a one of a kind car and i should leave it be and just put paint and strips?
I’ve looked everywhere and can’t find much info or anyone how has one that restored.

I’m try to clean the car up and enjoy it

Any help would be great

Thanks
Kevin

 

Welcome to the site Kevin! I consider Terry (Vette442) as being our resident expert on 1972 Supreme's, SX, and anything else built on that platform in 1972. If he doesn't see this thread and post to it try sending him a PM or email. You can also contact him through his site of highoctaneauto.com

I may have missed your earlier posts, but if you haven't posted pictures of your car yet please do so. We all enjoy seeing pictures of and hearing about other peoples Oldsmobiles John

 

Hi Kevin,
Welcome to the site.
CS in 1972 was not labeled as 442. You could however get the W29 appearance/handling package with it (sounds like you got the handling from the sound of the suspension items you identified - that's called an FE2 option)

Well, having a U code does mean it came from the factory with a 455. And, that engine would have dual exhausts, without the cutout bumper. Only the 442s with the 455 in 72 got the cutout bumper - but it's a cool look that most people including myself like the look of and install it as an owner preference. The A51 (strato) bucket seats and console were part of a standard package for CS. The other option (no charge) was the A65 bench with armrest and column shift trans.

The gages you describe are pretty much status quo in CS except the clock, which is an option. The rocker panel molding and body side molding (8 pieces) were standard on CS. 442 badging was not. 442's did not have rocker panel moldings and were a different body style than the CS in 72. Even the 72 HO models did not have 442 badging.

The 442 hood you're asking about. Are you thinking the one with 'faux' louvers, or the OAI hood? Most CS came with the plain hood that didn't have louvers.

If you can post your VIN and cowl tag info, we can help you decode more of your car.

Sounds like you have a really nice ride. You can do what you want to make it your own. Most of us do. If you're a 'purist' and want everything to be factory correct, that's perfectly ok too. Main thing is to enjoy the car and have fun driving it/showing it off.

 

Saw the thread this morning before I went out the door then couldn't find it again until now. ; )

I assume this thread will get 101 opinions, which is what they all are including mine.

First, I agree with most of what Allan said . You could get the FE2 suspension of course but you could not get the W29 appearance package on the Supreme hardtop - just the convertible. You really can't "clone" a car that was not offered. You can make your car a 442 tribute, and unfortunately a lot of these on Supremes are poorly done and look crappy as a result. On this particular site, GAOldsman has a '72 Supreme with the OAI hood, 442 grilles and striping that is among the nicest executions that I've seen.

Nothing wrong with adding the OAI hood/setup since that could have been added by a dealer when new (Supremes were not factory delivered with these, unlike the Cutlass and Cutlass 'S', where it was an option). Same with the grilles, as these are bolt-ons.

Where the cars start getting "odd" looking is when rocker stainless and especially the side moldings get removed and stripes are added. The wider W-30 striping location is set up for the 442 and W-30 emblems in tandem, and always look funky with Cutlass emblems or even 442 emblems by themselves. Narrow "standard" 442 stripes work a little better. No stripes, no rocker moldings and no side moldings looks really blocky without anything to break up the panels. The biggest problem (if it can be considered one) is that when the side moldings come off, you need to remove and grind off the mounting studs prior to body work. Not hard to do, it's just putting them back correctly that is a PITA if a future owner wants to take it back to stock someday. Been there, done that on two Supremes....

Which takes me to my last points. You have a pretty rare beast - the U Codes were a small percentage of the 100,000+ Supremes built in 1972 and yours in nicely optioned from the factory. Once you mess with it too much, all the value of that originality goes out the window. If it were a 350 car or a non-numbers 455, I'd say go for it with stripes and the whole nine yards. You'll have people say "it's your car - build it like you want". True, but so many times, those same cars pop up on the market in a pretty short period of time and now they're messed up.

My opinion? OAI hood/setup - sure. 442 grilles - sure if you like them. Stripes? Not worth starting to get into things that can get expensive to put back. Just do the accent pinstripes higher up on the fenders and quarter panels that many Supremes had. Let your car keep its Supreme identity and avoid all the explaining you may need to do at shows and cruises. ; )

...and as was stated earlier, pics Please! I'll find and post some other pictures that may give you ideas.

Terry

p.s. - I may be picking up another U Code '72 Supreme very much like yours but with the Rallye Pack and bench seat. I obviously really like these cars. This would be my 8th '72 Supreme hardtop, five of them factory U or V 455s.

 

As a start, I always liked this one that was on Ebay several years ago, even as rough around the edges as it is. Has 442 emblems, but kept the CS side moldings and stainless.

7.jpg

1-1.jpg

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And a few more....

white72csramair.jpg

white72csramairnose.jpg

72cscvsdlwhtramair.jpg

72csconvtanramair.jpg

72csconvnordicramairssI.gif

 

I respect your opinion and recommendations for Kevin. However, if you refer to the SPECS for 1972 you will find that W29 option is offered for all CS models. Option cost with W39 (hurst shifter) 70.00. Option cost without W39 - 29.00

http://wildaboutcarsonline.com/membe...ECS_Jan.72.pdf

 

Notice how it specifically states "(Conv.)" in parentheses at the end of the W29 section, before it lists the prices with and without the W39 Dual Gate Shifter. No hardtops, just convertibles. Same with the W25 OAI hood option above it on the spec sheet.

In the 20 years that I've been on online Olds forums and in Hemmings, etc. before that, nobody has come up with any evidence that you could get a W29 442 on a Supreme hardtop in 1970-1972 - nor has a documented car surfaced. If and when someone does come up with one, I'll be thrilled. I'd love to have a legitimate '72 442 Supreme but I've looked high and low since 1986 or so, trust me. All tribute cars so far....

Terry

 

Hello everyone Thanks for fast response.
Vette442 thanks for the pics, my cars side moldens are a little different than the green cutlass. The previous owner took them off and left the little screw stud there so I will have to search eBay or somewhere to find them. My cutlass is work inprogres I wanted to do a frame of but unforunaly I just don’t have the room so my plans are to clean it up with paint, interior and motor work (adjust vales, timing, valve covers etc) and enjoy. It’s funny but you don’t see many U coded CS out there
I’ve all ways liked these cars; they really stand out among the rest.
I’m not going to go crazy I want to leave the car as original as possible, so I’m not going to ad strips on the side, just pin stripes and the two on the new hood. I love the way the green Cutlass looks.
I will post some pics of cars just got to get it out of garage
Any ideas on where to locate side moldings? Who’s going to have a decent hood?
I almost bought one on eBay last week.
Thanks

 

Rumor has it that Parts Place now has a steel lined W25 hood for sale. It's part number BP1153T. They don't have a price listed - you have to call them. If it's as good as their 70 hood that would be nice. The pricing for the 70 hood was around 700.00 Hoping this one is similar. If you call them, please post the price for us, ok?

 

Will do, Thanks

 

Purely my opinion but I like the look of either hood & the cut out rear bumper but don't care for a wing on these cars & especially the 442 emblems. People that do that are cloning a car that never existed. Plus, since a '72 442 could be had with a 350 2 bbl your U code is more of a "special" car.
I'd love to see pics of your ride. Post some when you get a chance.

 

Terry,
I have to admit, I learned something new about these cars on this thread. After I read your post, I still wasn't really convinced - thought maybe it was 'open' to interpretation based on where the () were placed in the print. So I went to the big leather bound sales book and looked up the W29 and 442 options. On page 34, Olds clearly states: One of these days, I'm going to have to carefully read the whole book. Sorry if any of my comments may have sounded improper. I really thought I was right. Sometimes it's hard to accept that, especially when you still think you're right?? - I have to keep reminding myself periodically to keep an open mind. If my post reflected otherwise, I aplogize and sure hope you won't hold it against me.
In the meantime, I've just had a slice of 'humble pie' and I have to say it wasn't as bad as most folks make it out to be. Cheers!

** Product Equipment Changes - 1972 Oldsmobile Product Selling information Book.