After all the discussion on the W30 vert that sold in Scottsdale with forged documents I am reconsidering making my 72 vert project a 442 clone. I realize my 72 vert would never be in this league but that deal made me realize that someday somebody could easily misrepresent the car. I am restoring this car for me. I plan to keep it a long time and would never consider representing it as anything but what it is regardless of what it appears to be. So I will build a nice Cutlass with 442 grills and some other options that I like. Having come from the Mopar camp it is easy to tell a fake from the VIN. I am learning this is not the case with the General's merchandise.

 

I was going to clone mine also and had alot of second thoughts after cloning a chebby once. I already had all the parts. So mine ended up 442 everything minus the emblems. I sold them and installed the original Cutlass emblems. I don't regret my decision.

 

Based on market trends it seems that a good quality clone will bring a few more bucks than a good quality Cutlass imho.

 

This whole debacle is unfortunate for us as Oldsmobile lovers. I doubt anyone here will ever know the REAL truth about what happened and some people's reputation may be at stake through no fault of their own.
Greed is a bad thing, and money can do some weird things to some people. I don't know enough of the facts (who really owned the car in Scottsdale, who faked up the paperwork, etc.) to form a true opinion one way or the other. This is not the first time a questionable car was sold through that auction house, and likely won't be the last. Like I said, I am not aware of all the facts, and for now I will wait and see.
Cloning or recreating cars for personal use is fine with me, so long as they are presented as such. But, when pricey (really any price) cars with suspect documentation are offered for sale WITHOUT the TRUTH being represented, IMO, those involved should be prosecuted and not just slapped on the wrist.

 

Make the car what you want IMO...TOTALLY AGREE! I call my Cutlass a WTED

Ted

 

As long as you aren't trying to sell it as something it's not, do what you want with it. Mine is a 72 Supreme.... but has 442 Grilles, W25 hood, rear bumper with cutouts, duals, buckets/console. That's why there is an automotive aftermarket... to customize your car.

 

As noted, honesty is the only policy to have. That being said, in 1972, the 4-4-2 was just an option, and could be had with a 350. GM didn't care, and didn't consider a car a clone if you correctly added an option, be it a radio, wheel covers, power steering, etc. Even today, no one refers to a car as a power steering clone car, or a radio clone.

 

I would agree, and also in reference to your '72 - a prospective buyer can not determine if the car is a factory 442 thru the VIN but they can determine if it was a factory big block car. I may have these flipped but V in the VIN designated a 455 4 spped, U was a 455 automatic & X was a W30.

IMO the market doesn't place that much of a premium on a 442 350 car compared to a '72 Cutlass S so i wouldn't sweat doing the car the way you want.

 

x2

 

X3

I built my car this way because I like this look over the standard Cutlass S. It wasn't because I wanted it to be more valuable as it will never be for sale.

 

X4 and nice looking supreme you have there. Any more pics of it anywhere?

 

Well said, sir.


BTW, where do you run that car in your avatar. I would love to see it in person....

 

I did the same with mine only I put the Oldsmobile emblem in the 442 grilles.
Anyways, I like my Cutlass S with the 442 look. Started out as white w/ green vinyl top and interior. Bench seat column shift. 350 car.

 

Car looks pretty damn mean. Really nice job.

 

Build it how you want and don't lie about what it is.

My "w30 clone" is a 70 cutlass convertible. I'm not going to put 442 badges on it or cutlass emblems. Just the rocket logo on the hood tounge and rocket logos on SSII's. it Does have 442 bumper and grills,w25 hood, w30 stripes, buckets, console, sport mirrors, sport steering wheel, posi rear and 455 motor. None of which it left the factory with. But I'm building it how I like, and I have no intentions of misrepresenting it.

 

Wow thanks for the responses and they are very different than I expected. I will probably stay the course with my original plan and proceed with the 442 clone recreation, tribute whatever you want to call it. Thanks for the support. Like I originally said I'm building this car for me and not to sell or flip. Probably no way I'll ever get my investment back but having a load of fun with the project.
The engine will be back from the machine shop this week, the posi and 3:42's arrived today and I hope to have the frame finished painting this weekend.. Should have some good stuff to post in the next couple of weeks.