SRT

I have a 72 cutlass supreme convertible. I'm wanting to convert it to a 442 package. From what I can tell sway bars,Grill and emblems along with cutout bumper is about all I need to do. 442 on the trunk fenders and Grill. No 442 emblem on the interior. My question is will the 442 emblems either use or cover the cutlass emblem holes on the fender. Im assuming it does mount with holes. Also from what I have been able to read you could also get the Ram air hood and cut out rear bumper without the 442 package. Is this correct?

redoldsman

It would help a lot if you told us what year the car is.

SRT

Wow Thanks. That would help. lol 1972

Fun71

No, the emblems have a different mounting hole pattern.

4speed455

The OAI hood was an option. The cut out rear bumper was part of the 442 package. Also the 72 442 didn't have the chrome rocker moulding that the Cutlass Supreme convertible has.

Diego

I think I learned several years ago that the 1972 4-4-2 with the base engine suffered the indignity of not including dual exhausts, so the notched bumper (an important trademark, IMHO) was not standard.

joe_padavano

The cutout bumper was standard equipment when you ordered a 455 with the W29 package ONLY in 1972. It was NOT available with the 350, period, and was NOT installed without the W29 option (except on the H/O).

SRT

Thanks for all the info. I will have to go back and reread the articles that stated the cutout bumper was an option even on the normal cutlass as was the ram air hood. BUT I'm sure your info is correct. Another question. Could you get a cutlass Surpreme with a column shift and bucket seats?

joe_padavano

The W-25 Outside Air Induction ("Ram Air" is Pontiac's brand name) was optionally available on any 2dr Cutlass with a 4bbl for $154. It was also available on the wagon by special order. See the Cutlass page from the Salesmans SPECS booklet. It was only available on the Supreme Convertible in the Supreme model line.




Yes. On all A-body cars, the bucket seats were an independent option from the trans shifter. On Supreme coupes and convertibles, bucket seats were standard equipment (bench was a credit option). The three speed column shift manual trans was the base transmission. If you ordered the optional automatic, you got a column shifter, even with bucket seats. If you wanted a floor shifter with buckets, you needed to also select option D55.

SRT

Thanks for the wealth of info. looking at the rpo codes for the cutlass supreme it seems the N10 option is dual exhaust does not say anything about cutout bumper so I'm assuming all dual exhaust if ordered came with cut out bumper. There is an article explaining the complex options that the 72 cutlass could be had with here. http://phscollectorworld.blogspot.com You may have seen this already but it appears from this article that the dual exhaust with cut out bumper could be had if ordered but was not standard even on the 442 unless a 455 or w-30. But I have to add also that if this forum knows nothing about a cut out dual exhaust option for a non w-30 or 442 car then it must not had been available. The data is sometimes a little confusing when it comes to specific cars and options available. Well I'm putting the cut out bumper on my supreme because I like it. 9 out of 10 would not know if it was offered or not. lol Thanks again

joe_padavano

Do not assume.

Your link doesn't work, but again, you could NOT get the cutout bumper on any 350-powered car ever except on the 1970 Rallye 350. W-31s did NOT get the cutout bumper. 1972 442s with 350 did NOT get the cutout bumper.

You could NOT get the cutout bumper on a 1968-72 Cutlass with a big block UNLESS it was a 442 or a Supreme SX or a 1972 H/O.

I don't know who "phscolletorworld" is or why they are an expert on Oldsmobile options, but as I said, your link doesn't work. Lots of people have added cutout bumpers to dual exhaust cars. I did that myself on a 350-powered 72 that I owned back in the early 1980s. It just wasn't factory.

droldsmorland

Get yourself a Fusicks, Year One and The Parts Place catalogs for the small detail parts you will need throughout the project (available hard copy for the coffee table and on line). Fusicks and Year One are my 2 favs. You will need proper tail pipes, trumpets, tail pipe hangers and the right dimension which to weld (not clamp) the trumpet to the tails. Boxed rear lower control arms have to be present to install an OEM rear sway bar. Dont attempt to install it in non-boxed arms. Get the sway bar shim kit too. Grills are expensive but are a MUST for the right look. Please resist the urge to put W30 strips on the body...
Pay attention to the small 72 specific details like interior emblems, body emblems and lack there of if it was a 442 etc. While I dont encourage the clone, tribute thing, as the 71/72 Supreme holds a special place with me, so long as you dont ever try to call it a 442. I think adding all the above, keeping the Supreme body emblems is unique and will look sharp.
I have witnessed two C/S factory ordered with the W25. One Holiday one vert. Both hoods were solid body color, no insert color...very cool look. The vert was a non factory color, dark purple on black. Liken it to U code 66 Toro Dubonnet. Definitely was a repaint. Im not sure the non 442, W25 mandated the hood treatment in 72? Joe will set this one straight.

joe_padavano

Actually, the SPECS booklet will. As noted above, RPO W25 "Includes Special Hood Paint Scheme" on all cars ordered with this option.

droldsmorland

Thanks Joe! Wasnt sure on the 72s but Im learnin...

SRT

I understand, ITs very obvious You know what your talking about. I appreciate all you info. Looks are everything. lol If a car looks identical to a 442 then to anyone that sees it going down the road its a 442 even if its not OEM. I actually owned a Ralley 350 in 1977. Loved the car. Got hit from behind knocked into another car. Joe your the man. You might even be older than me. lol

droldsmorland

SRT...Who.... Joe... he dont no sheet....:^) You have been officially blessed by the Padavano Oldsmobile gods! And welcome to the site were all here to help.

SRT

LOL thanks. I'm still debating on going all the way with the 442 look. That w-25 hood is to die for. Little pricey though. appreciate your input. So answer me this. Could you get a 442 equipped cutlass supreme convertible with colume shift and bucket seats. If so thats one thing I would not have to change. And Yes Joe is the man.

joe_padavano

Absolutely. In 1972, all Cutlass convertibles were Supremes. Even if you got the 442 option, it still said Cutlass Supreme on the glovebox. And yes, buckets with a column shift AT was definitely a factory available configuration in that car.

Levellord

As I did (partially) the same 442 cloning to my 72 CS I remember that the 72 Convertible Supreme had the emplem "Supreme" on the glovebox; regardless if it came with 442 option. In other words, a 72 Cutlass Convertible had never "442" on the glove box.
Check if you have the chrome moldings at the bottom of your body; I think you couldn´t combine stripes and chrome molding options in 72.

As originality was and is for me less important than the look of my car, I might be wrong; if so I am sorry but I am pretty sure that the olds-specialists will correct me hopefully very fast.

Edith says: Joe was faster :-)

SRT

YEs I do have the chrome moldings on the rocker panels. Would like to have the Ram Air hood but there seem to be several to choose from. Is the steel frame an absolute when buying the ram air hood. Will an all glass hood hold up? Who has the best fit out there. Prices vary from around 600- 2500 dollars big swing.

SRT

Well after reading and looking at factory brochures to make an authentic reproduction 442 out of a 72 vert. I will need to remove the lower rocker panel molding, Change the grill. change the trunk lid, add 442 emblems and change the hood. Did I miss anything.