Just wondering is there any identification to look for so I can authenticate A 76 442

 

The 442 was an option package in 1976, so there's nothing in the VIN or on the cowl tag that will "prove" it's real. Frankly, the values of the 73-77 cars aren't to the point that clones are common. In 76 the 442 package was only available on the Cutlass S Colonnade Coupe, so the VIN will start 3G37xxx. Note that this is necessary, but not sufficient for the car to be a 442, as most 76 Cutlass S Colonnade Coupes were NOT 442s.

 

Thanks Joe this was very helpful

 

In addition to what Joe has posted, authenticating a 76 442 comes down to an educated guess.

Outside of original paperwork, the main thing is that the car looks correct and has everything it should have. Now years of various ownership and those that may not have been so keen to originality can skew this. In the end it may come down to being a gut buy...

77s, are almost as hard to authenticate but at least the nose was exclusive to 442s for 1977. If purchased as just a 1976 Cutlass S you are in the best position, after all these 442s have nothing that the regular Cutlass S couldn't come with save for the paint scheme, billboards, emblems, etc. In my opinion the appearance package isn't worth much.

 

I just bought a 1977 Cutlass S , with apparent 442 trim , the nose header panel is quite different from the flat header style , I’m searching for a pair of decent grilles which appear to be quite different on the 442

 

Congratulations, I love that body style. The slant nose is the icing on the cake for me. Only models that ever came with it are, 1976 Cutlass S, 1976 Cutlass S 442, 1977 Cutlass S 442.

1976


1976 (what a beauty!)


1977 (notice the very obvious difference in grills.)


1977 (non 442 Cutlass S no slant-nose)

 

Look under the car. If it has rear swaybar with boxed control arms, odds are good it is a 442. FE3 and F41 suspension include those and could be ordered on all Cutlass series, but came with W29.