Any one know what color this is. Also provide gm paint code if available. From the looks of the grills it's a 72 442.

 

That postcard/ad is for the 1972 W29 442. The color is Matador Red - code 75. The angle of the shot and light conditions make it appear otherwise.

These promo items were produced prior to the 72 model years being introduced at the showroom, and you can see evidence that at the time Olds still hadn't remembered to change the designation on the license plate. The 4M 344? The first 4 identifies the models 442 was available in (coupes only - Cutlass [base], Cutlass S hardtop, Cutlass S Post and Cutlass Supreme convertible), M is Lansing and 344 is the VIN designation that all 442's had from 68-71. 1972 was the year that VIN identification changed and ruined the identification process of the model and option. Only the W30 can be identified by the X in the engine code of the VIN from 72 on.

The side stripes, hood stripes, grills and blacked out hood louvers are all part of the 442 package. Also note no rocker moldings. What strikes me as strange is that this ad also shows the car with white wall tires instead of the G70 polyglass white letter tires it should have

 

Wow, Allan I would have thought the color was a bronze, copper, or something along those lines. Matador red that is surprising.

 

I'm having a hard time believing that is matador red.

The closest color in 72 looks like code 63 saddle bronze, but only closely.

1971 color code 62 bitter sweet pretty much nails it.

I made a comparison of the 71-72 colors at autolibrarydotcom. That photo sure looks like they were using older selections, maybe to get to press on time. We know the 72 models were simple carry overs from 71, in regards to the strike by workers... with a few changes.

There is an old but current thread still being discussed about other differences.

 

Allan I respectfully disagree & feel that the car in the picture is Saddle Bronze (Paint code 63).


What evidence do you have that clarifies this ad to feature a red car?

 

I can fully appreciate why you all may be skeptical of my statement. I'm basing my comment on facts in hand, not speculation.
I have:
The original postcard;
The original color ad from Road and Track back in 72.
The original 1972 Product lineup brochure (Page 36 if you're interested)

All of them are in mint original condition and not faded from exposure. The color doesn't come close to what is shown in the post. I know you only have my word on this, but on the Bible - it's Matador Red. I'll see if I can scan it and post it here.

Here you go, best resolution I can get off my scanner is 600 dpi. Had to resize it so it would fit on CO's database so that might affect crispness. Compare: I used the OP's IMG URL to paste his pic in here.

 

Here's the same car in an ad for AD Delco spark plugs

 

Last but not least, here's the postcard - front and back





So, I'm open to comments.

 

Wow, that's crazy in the difference of color, I had no idea. Nice job Allen, putting that in perspective.

 

Thinks to all for your comments, I really appreciate it. Am trying to find a nice color to go with my interior. I have some in mind. Saddle bronze, Kasmir chopper, or baroque gold something along those colors. My car was born cameo white and I don't want a white car.

 

Saddle bronze is a very nice choice, but I'm pretty sure you won't like baroque gold because it's not really gold. Have you thought about a darker green? BTW, matador red is also a great choice for a saddle interior. If you want to stay with OEM a recommendations the SPECS guide or Assembly manual has the exterior and interior trim combos. Then again, there's always black, which goes,with pretty much everything.

 

Allan, I have thought about sequoia green, but am not really sold on that color. I have been looking at all gm colors. I have a cm and have seen the combinations that was offered in 72.

 

Saddle brown interior was also available with Flame Orange. I know of two Flame Orange / saddle brown 72 W-30 cars. Perhaps a color you might enjoy.

 

Ivan's car in the bottom pic. I know he was trying to sell it a few years back.

 

Correct. He still has it. Too bad he hurt the engine drag racing @ Capital Raceway in September. Hopefully there was no block damage.


The other car belongs to my friend Bill in Medicine Hat. He is the second owner. That is a numbers matching original paint 4 speed car.

 

I like flame orange with white or black interior. It looks ok with saddle. Here's a picture with saddle and white interior.