blleach

I got a heck of a deal on a 1970 Cutlass Supreme about 8 years ago and just now getting her out of the garage. I have looked and looked but, can't quite decode all the numbers to make sure its an "all original and numbers matching car" like I was told. If ya guys could, help me decode these!

VIN: 342570Z1150945

Cowl tag: ST 70 34257 BF06630 BDY
TR 984 B80 50 H PNT
01D 294216 060388

I don't think its enough but, the only numbers I could see on the top right side of the block:
CFD 403 869

Allan R

Your VIN codes like this:
3 - Olds division of GM
42 - Cutlass Supreme
57 - Hardtop coupe
0 - 1970 production year
Z - Freemont production
1150945 - plant sequential number

The Cowl tag:
ST 70 - you guessed it - 1970
34257 - Olds Cutlass Supreme 2 door hartop coupe
BDY - 06630 body number (will also show up on the build sheet or broadcast sheet)
TR - Trim 984 - Gold cloth bench seat
B80 - Exterior drip scalp moldings
PNT - 50 Bamboo lower body color H - Gold vinyl top
01D - Built in the 4th week of January 1970
the other numbers are fisher details.

403 869 (If you look closely I think you will see the 869 is actually 859?)
Oldsmobile used a modified ORDINAL DATE CODE. Your casting (the head itself should be 230895, the head casting # should be '6' (below the #1 cylinder). This head was used on 1970 f85's (could also include Cutlass, Cutlass S and Cutlass Supreme) with an OAI.

GAOldsman

Vin
3 = Oldsmobile
42 = Cutlass Supreme V8
57 = 2 Dr hardtop notch back coupe
0 = 1970
Z = Fremont, California Assembly Plant
Last 6 #'s would be Sequential Number for that car at that plant (you posted seven #'s)

Cowl Tag
70 = 1970
34257 = as explained above in VIN
BF = Fremont, California
06630 = Body unit # (no relation to VIN)
984 = Gold Interior with bench seat
B80 = Exterior drip scalp molding
50 = Bamboo lower body color
H = Gold Vinyl Top (since we already know it's a hardtop)
01= January build date (1970)
D = 4th week (of Jan)
The rest are numbers that pertain only to the Fremont Assembly plant pretty much as "data processing #'s" that would've also been on build sheet.

blleach

Awesome!!! Thank you guys. From the sounds of it, it is original and matching! The interior and exterior both are exactly what you guys have decoded. Thanks for the quick responses. Will there also be a number somewhere on the frame? If so, where would this be located?

blleach

One more thing... Where could I find the "build sheet or broadcast sheet?" Or better yet, what exactly is the broadcast sheet?

GAOldsman

Yes the frame has a part # but I don't think it's visible with the body on. A broadcast sheet has all of the specific info as to how the car was ordered and just basically what the assembly plant used to build each car. It also has all of the options the car was "born" with on the sheet. They have been found everywhere from under carpet to above the gas tank but most were tossed because it was protocol. Here is one from a chevelle

Allan R

Yes, there are several places on the frame where the number is punched. Take a look at this thread: https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...ped-frame.html

Your car is a Freemont production so there is a good chance you will find one. Look in the following places:
* on top of the gas tank - yup, you'd have to drop it out.
* under a seat
* under the carpet
* tucked under the parcel shelf
* behind a door panel.

That is also where you'd find a broadcast sheet. The main difference between the build sheet and broadcast is the build is very comprehensive about all the car components. The broadcast card dealt mostly with the fisher options going into the car IIRC. Someone will correct the last part if I'm mistaken.

Scott showed you an example of a build sheet. Here's what a broadcast card looks like:

Allan R

Here's an example of a Freemont OLDSMOBILE build sheet for a 1972 442. Note it has the GVWR listed on the sheet also - something introduced with the drivers door sticker that year. This was a really nicely optioned U code car:

stevengerard

the frame stamp on my car is real easy to see, maybe cause it was a southern car. Its right under the drivers side door below the side view mirror. It faces out on the frame perpendicular to the ground, parallel to the doors. It was tough to find the first time but once I saw it - it was obvious

Allan R

You were lucky. I'm still torn on whether to damage the paint on the frame to find it. Great description of that location BTW. Not sure if all the frames were stamped facing outwards. What production line did the car come off? Kind of curious, the pics that John posted show the numbers on the top passenger side about where the mirror would be. That one's a Freemont car. (Z code)

stevengerard

Lansing - and its a convertible frame if that may have made a difference

Allan R

Could very well be. Aren't the vert frames heavier boxing than the regular ones? I think there may be a bit of a bevel on the edge of the frame the S doesn't have?

sammy

I have virtually the same car from the Freemont-My vinis342570z100891,built in August 1969-it was even gold!
I found the buildsheet under the gas tank-at the back right corner.
Also found carpet tags from allen industries dated Aug 11 1969 under the rug in the back seat floor.Also found the soft trim broadcast sheets in the back of the passenger seat and the same sheet under back seat ,tucked between the spring and foam.
Just thougt I would let you know-keep the forum posted!

Ted

sammy

Here's my build sheet for info...

Ted

vette442

From what I can tell, you didn't check the two most important numbers for "numbers matching" yet - the VIN stamp on the block and the transmission housing. Hopefully these match the VIN of your car.

Look in these locations:



Terry

vette442

As stated above, under the rear package tray is one of the most common places to find a build sheet on a Fremont-built 70-72 Supreme. Just look up under the tray from inside the trunk.

MDchanic

--- Your chiropractor will love you!!

- Eric

droptopron

JMO but unless its a car of pedigree I don't think matching #;s is that big a deal.

sammy

Sorry for my lack of something, but what is a car of pedigree?

Allan R

Ted, I'm going on a limb here but I think it means that all history of the car has full documentation, such as all original docs, protecto plate, original window sticker, build sheet, Olds welcome owner letter, bill of sale to every owner transfer, and record of all repairs etc.

I believe what droptop was alluding to is that most of us have nice cars that by this time are the 'mutts' of the dog world - not a bad thing - and a fairly accurate comparison (show dogs aren't as much fun to play with IMO). Just that most of the originality and ability to prove the cars history has been lost. I'm sure droptop will clarify. In either case I'm sure it wasn't a point of arguement, just an observation.

sammy

My point REALLY was that I had no idea what that meant-now
I do