twilightblue28A

The seller has a 1972 Cutlass convertible with the W-25 hood,350 4 barrel engine,notched bumper with dual exhaust,and boxed control rear control arms and a sway bar. The seller is clearly advertising the car as a Cutlass convertible,but notwithstanding the seller's representation,it is difficult to distinguish from a 442,especially in 1972,unlike 1970, in which the VIN(344) clearly distinguished the car as being a 442. In fact, I am most familiar with the 1970 442 having been the owner as my first car. My lack of familiarity tells me there is little difference in the 1972 Cutlass versus the 1972 442. In fact, can someone describe the difference beside the badging. Does the VIN identify the 1972 Cutlass from a 1972 442? If I buy the 1972 Cutlass, I will be honest and advise a passenger or anyone asking that the car is a 1972 Cutlass with 442 added options. Isn't that a true statement for this year? If not,please advise why not. Under no circumstances will I misrepresent the car to anyone as being a 442 irrespective of no material differences. I believe this position is unique as it applies to the 1972 models where features were added from the factory,including the suspension.

twilightblue28A

Can anyone help me with my 'to clone or not to clone'. I'm located as the last post on this issue. Thank you,

RetroRanger

Yes the 72 442 was a stripe option so no vin identifier. And the 72 442 could have a 350 as well.

Only interesting vin ids are u v and x for bb, bb4sp, and w30

Bfg

I once had a VW Bug and put a couple of Cadillac emblems on the car. Had a lot of people fooled but when I went to sell it nobody wanted a little Cadillac!

twilightblue28A

You have missed my point or haven't read my post. I clearly expressed that I will not misrepresent the Cutlass as a 442!! I also asked for material differences between the Cutlass and the 442,since my understanding is that a Cutlass can be optioned from the factory with 442 options. You comparing a a VW to a Cadillac by changing the badges also misses my point. You suggested many people were fooled by a little Cadillac. Again,I clearly expressed that I will not misrepresent the car to a passenger or even to you. In your example you specifically and knowingly intended to "fool" and deceive!

Can someone describe the mechanical differences between a 1972 Cutlass and 1972 442. I'm not concerned about badges, but more concerned about mechanical differences that can't be ordered on a Cutlass but can be ordered on a 442 as factory options. This is especially confusing since '72 Cutlasses were ordered and 442 options were added as factory options to effectively make a Cutlass a 442??? Any difference in the VIN numbers? Thank you

oldcutlass

Instead of resurrecting a thread that does not pertain to your model year, I moved your question to your own. I also combined the other thread you started with the same basic question.

joe_padavano

In 1972, the W-29 option was the 442 handling and appearance package. It included the 442 grilles, emblems, paint stripes, and FE2 suspension (springs, shocks, and rear sway bar with boxed arms).

Note that FE2 was available on any Cutlass model separately, so the rear bar doesn't prove the car is a 442.

Also note that the cutout bumper was only factory installed on big block cars, so it's been added to this one. Likely the hood was added at the same time. Since this isn't a W-30, there is no way to prove it's a 442 from the VIN.

Phantom197

All 72 442s did NOT not have the rocker panel trim while all cutlasses did have it. I hope you know what the rocker panels are and if not just look at the metal strip under the door on a cutlass and then see it missing on a 442. I looked at a 72 cutlass that had all 442 parts minus the trumpet tips (did have 443 bumper) and it had rocker panels. Definetely not a 442!

twilightblue28A

Thank for your info on the Cutlass and it's rocker panels. I
am looking at a '72 Cutlass "442". The car has no rocker panels and has a 455 and Th 400 transmission. Next mission:get the VIN and see if any numbers support the big block or if it's a transplant. I'm trying to determine the heads also. Anything I may have missed. Twilightblue28A Thanks

twilightblue28A

I did find the car was made in Michigan and one of the VIN numbers on this big blocks Vin is the letter U! What does the letter U identify,if anything. Also, bumbers are notched. Thanks, Twilightblue28A

RetroRanger

factory big block

twilightblue28A

Thank you, this car has a Vin U. What does the u identify,and also what is a BB? Twilightblue28A thanks

droptopron

Interesting on the '72's - you have no proof that it is a factory 442 but you do have proof it's a factory big block car. I was recently in the market and what I found was that SB 442's (with or w/out documentation) don't draw much of a premium over a base Cutlass. This is prob due to it's status as an appearance package. But a U, V, or especially an X would draw a premium. I think of it this way - in '69, '70 & '71 442's were the high performance Olds midsize. In '72 that was the V code & U code, regardless if it was in a coupe, convertible or Supreme.

Phantom197

U code i am pretty sure means big block so 455. The 4bb and 2bn are carbs. A 4bb is a 4 barrel carb. Not sure why they do it that way but they do. I think that a 72 cutlass s with 442 stuff, notched bumper, no rocker panels, #s matching big block is probably a 442. Worth more than a small block cutlass, but less than a 70-71 442. By the way, how much does he want for it? Advertising as a cutlass. If it was a good price and a hardtop I would definetly buy it as I dont like verts or supremes. Good Luck! I am also looking for my first custlass, as my first car! I am only turning 16 in february!

twilightblue28A

I think I figured it out. The letter U identifies BB (Big Block) This car has a big block. Now, next step to match the numbers. Thanks so much, Twilightblue28A

twilightblue28A

Guess what. When I turned 17 my first car was a new 1970 442 W-30 convertible with air and automatic. I loved that car. I've been looking for a 70 442 convertible with ac and automatic. Really hard finding a real documented W-30

TheGrumpyGuy

Hey! I just turned 16, my family does not do birthday presents after 12 so I bought myself a 1972 cutlass. Mine seems to be a clone, it is a cutlass S with a 455 and 442 badging but the bumper is not notched and the vin shows that it was a cutlass S with a small block. How has your cutlass been going?