Where can I find what the differences are in the '69, '70, '71, '72 cutlass models? All the different W designations are confusing to me as I am just getting into the Olds cars. Which models (years) are interchangeable with other years? I'm going again today to look at a '69 442 with a buddy and have received a lot of good information from a previous post here about what to look for.but still have these questions. Also, are these years considered 2nd generation or what?

Thanks all

 

Check this site.
http://www.oldcarbrochures.com/stati.../dirindex.html

There are brochures if you need to find some information.
Wayne

 

Welcome. The first gen Cutlass/F-85 cars are actually the 1961-63 Y-body cars. Most people overlook these. The 64-67 cars were the first A-bodies and the first full frame cars. The next grouping is 68-72 and then 73-77. The 64-72 cars have a lot of similarities and many mechanical parts interchange among those years. During the 60s and early 70s GM was on a two year minor update/four year major update cycle with these cars. The 1972 cars are an exception for other reasons - the colonnade-styled cars were supposed to be released for the 1972 model year but were delayed due to a strike, forcing the 71 models to be pressed into service as 72s at the last minute with very minor updates.

Throughout this period, some sheet metal interchanges within the two year cycle, but most of it is one year only - especially core supports, bumpers, grills, and hoods.

W-machine equipment and available options varied from year-to-year. The one thing to be aware of is that there are far more Faux-Four-Twos on the road today than Olds ever built, so be sure you know what you are looking at before putting down hard earned cash.

 

442 dot com has some good info in the FAQ section. Most of the info is good. You will see most of the known option coded here as well.
Your 69 is most similar to the 68, but it has nuances of a 70 in it too. 69 is the first year for the key in the lockable steering column.

http://www.442.com/

 

The operative term being "most"...