Can anyone tell me where this Oldsmobile trim piece cam from. Can't find a repos anywhere. I'm curious of the year. This is my 72 Cutlass s which is a hodgepodge of 71 & 72 (shhhhh don't tell anyone) however this piece doesn't look to be either. It looks like from a 66 But I'm usually wrong about these things so I'm sure it's time to get schooled. Thx

 

If your talking about the strip that has OLDSMOBILE in it, that is correct for a 1972 Cutlass S. Do you have holes in your deck lid to attach this trim to it?

 

72, or 71? Or both? My '71 has that strip and it was my understanding it was for that year only. My '72 S doesn't have it nor does it have the mounting holes.


To the best of my knowledge they're not repro'd, and I haven't seen many available for sale. They seem to suffer typical corrosion issues over time. I did manage to find a good driver quality one in Portland a couple years ago.

 

I had one on a 1972. But I'm certainly not an expert at that, it could have been added over the years.

But if your car is a mix of 71-72 this trim piece would fit right in!

 

Smash72 (OP)'s car seems to be a mix of the two years. Best I can tell, my '71 with that strip is all original. My '72 without that strip has a '71 interior and engine but the trunklid appears to be original.


I've never done any research to establish whether it actually is a one year only item.

 

Interesting...I took a look through the "Vehicle Information Kits" available through the GM Heritage Center. Unfortunately each kit is missing numerous pages which might contain the definitive answers, for example about 70 pages of "Sales Points" missing from the 1972 kit. There doesn't appear to be any consistency between the kits as to what's included (ie Model Identification photos and diagrams) which doesn't help either.


But...


The 1972 model identification guide shows the OLDSMOBILE chrome strip quite clearly on the base two door Cutlass (F-87) only. The F-85, four door and S models don't display the strip.


The 1971 model identification guide only shows the 442; it's missing the other models which are included in the '72 manual. But...wayyyy down in the Owner's Manual section on changing a tire, it appears to show a 1971 car with the trim strip on the decklid.


No sign of it in the 1970 information kit.


So I think it can be safely assumed that the strip was used for both 71 and 72. Just a question of what models got it and which didn't.

 

my sons 71 cutlass s 2 door post has that trim piece on it to the best of my knowledge its original

 

sorry not the best pic

 

I have one on my 72 . It is the base Cutlass model so I think VI Cutty is correct. I was confused about it as well.

 

Years ago, I had a 72 Supreme. It had the individual letters spelled out.

 

Well I have two 72s both vins prove that. The one is a Cutlass s no trim piece no holes on the deck lid. My other 72 has this trim piece and the holes obviously. But the PO has added 71 parts especially interior. I've never seen this trim piece in any book or sales brochure so can I assume this to maybe be a 71 deck lid from your standard Cutlass not a Cutlass s I dont mind it but it is a little dull and doesn't shine up like chrome. Wonder if it's worth getting chromed and how it would look.

 

It could very well be the original '72 trunklid. If you go to the link below and look at the 1972 Information Kit, page 19 in the PDF file, you'll see the trim shown on a '72 model.

What I couldn't find any reference to is what cars got it and which didn't. Whether it was a trim option selected by the customer, randomly applied by the dealer or factory, only on certain models...I don't know.

https://www.gmheritagecenter.com/gm-...tion-kits.html

 

It did not come with that trim piece. I always thought of that trim piece as a '71 only application

 

Yes, the 71-72 Supremes, both hardtop and convertible, had the individual letters. Other models had different trim pieces.

 

My old 71 Cutlass holiday coupe had that trim but did not have any Cutlass S badges.

 

Gotta love GM in the 70's no rhyme or reason to anything. The build sheets showing up behind seats and stuff still crack me up. It's like a treasure hunt. Never found either one of mine. Also some of the vin number nonsense year to year most likely will never figure out some of this stuff adds to there charm IMO

 

Real quick this deck lid did have a wing attached which I removed and patched. Probably not much help though I think they were a option in 71 dealer option only in 72 however anyone could have installed it over the last 45yrs. There's no numbers on these wings are there. Still have mine sitting in the trunk I plan to paint it same as car in case I ever sell. I just won't put it on don't like them.

 

'72 Cutlass has no trim on deck lid, but '72 Cutlass 'S' , has thin narrow trim along lid and over tail lights and end of quarter panel, same as '70 & '71 442, As per parts book 743A. 8700872 & 8700873-4 & 8700868-9. Should be small screw holes under lid to attach trim.

 

My cutlass has exactly the trim the op is talking about . A strip about an inch thick that reads "Oldsmobile" . It only goes between the tail lights . My cutlass s had a shiny chrome strip about 3/8 inch wide that followed the whole length of the trunk lid.