Got an interesting one here maybe for 1968, will upload pics. The VIN says its a 442 but data plate says Cutlass Supreme Holiday Coupe. I saw somewhere that this could occur for a legitimate 442 in '68 and '69, which I think is true here but you folks are the experts so thanks in advance for your help. Oddly, I think the data plate says it has a bench seat but this has buckets and is factory (supposedly) 4 speed manual; also says paint trim is V V, which should be Juneau Gray (?), but sure looks like original paint and like a burgundy color. THANKS IN ADVANCE!

 

your 33687 is correct for 68 442 and you are correct that the 68 442 shares the same fisher body as the cutlass S body but not the Supreme 33657 body. The eng block id pic looks like a 66 67 400E block; Much better than the later 68-69 400 G block that would be correct for your car.

 

Looks like your car originally had a rally stripe, W36. Cool.

 

Yes, it is well documented in the Fisher Body Manual and the Oldsmobile Parts Book (among other places) that real 442s got 344xxxxxxx VINs and 336XX cowl tags from the factory for the 1968 and 69 model years. Fremont cars actually switched to 344xx cowl tags long before Lansing. My Lansing-built 68 W-30, 69 Hurst, and 69 442 all have 336xx cowl tags.

 

what in the pic(s) suggest original W-36 stripes ? it doesn't look like the emblem is centered across the bottom of fender width. Or is it ?

 

The fender numeral placement is unique to the W36 stripe. They do appear to be correctly centered and below the wheel lip

 

Wow, it is nearly impossible to find a photo of a 1968 442 on Google Images that DOESN'T have (incorrectly applied) stripes.
Ironically, the only one I could find was the "stripe delete" convertible that has been discussed here in length previously. Note the distance from the "2" to the leading edge of the door vs. where the emblems are located on the OP's car.

 

Re: Decoding the VIN and Cowl tag.



3 - Oldsmobile division
44 - model: 442 (most people use the 344 to identify this series)
87 - body style. 2 door holiday coupe
8 - model year digit (1968)
M - Final assembly plant: Lansing Michigan
334546 - final assembly sequence number.




04A - Date code the body was assembled at Lansing Fisher Body Works. 04 = April, A = first week. No specific dates are assigned unless you can find the broadcast card in the vehicle.
ST-68 - Model Year 1968
3 - Oldsmobile Division of GM
36 - Product Line = Cutlass (already discussed by Joe P)
87 - Body style = 2 door Holiday Coupe
LAN - Lansing FISHER Body Works (separate from final assembly)
BODY 337220 - Body number assigned by FBW. Not related to VIN
TR 950 - Trim Black Vinyl Interior (likely a bench seat as Buckets were trim 940)
PAINT V V - Juneau Gray Upper/lower. (I'd also guess the missing W36 Stripe might have been white or red)

Just guessing it might have looked similar to this somewhat lighter paint scheme sans vinyl roof. But no doubt your car has been color changed from factory.

 

Ally...I thought factory stripes are centered on the fender heel, which doesn't seem to be the case with the red car (unless you're showing an incorrect W36).

 

 

The red car (mine) used the exact same fender measurement picture that Joe posted above. When I did my car that was the only resource available. If it doesn't look right, it's because of the angle of the picture or the partial fender pic. What Joe's pic doesn't show is the Saffron fenders were cut off forward of the stripe. Here's a pic of the passenger side. You can see it was cut. I don't have a full pic of the driver's side (I don't think anyone does). The stripe is not perfectly centered

 

Here's the Assembly Manual drawing. It's pretty clear here too:

 

Mike, I kind of thought that was your car just back from paint. I noticed the masking tape along the fenders to protect the hood fitment. Has it been 8 years already since it was done?

 

This is exciting! Thanks to all you experts. So far I've been able to confirm its a true 442 car, rolled out of factory Juneau Gray top/bottom with W36 stripe, likely white or red. Seller said he believed it is a numbers matching car, But unless the cowl tag / data plate is off then it had a front bench seat (trim 950) which means buckets put in later and not orginal 4 speed right?. Also a comment above said engine code is probably from earlier 66-67 motor but still a 400. So, since I guess the cowl tag / data plate and VIN can't provide any answers with regard to original transmission. is it still possible the 950 trim indicated was put on an actuall 940 car with original buckets and 4 speed? Or Am I just dreaming. And since it was a first week in April production car could the motor still be original also?

 

 

 

Short answer is no. The factory didn't make mistakes like that. If you want to authenticate the engine and transmission, check the VIN deriviatives on the block, and transmission. IF they show a Lansing build and the last 6 numbers of your VIN, you have the original equipment the car was born with. That's about as scientific as it gets for now.

Not if it is a 67 engine. Production for your model year ended in late June of 68. Factory retooling for 69 and production start again in late July/early August so there would be inventory for the 69 model year. My car was built 04A in 1972. I happen to have the broadcast sheet that shows it was cobbled together starting April 7, 1972 and authentication from GM that it finished production on April 10, 1972. Everything that the original documentation shows is exactly what the car came with.

 

If you need help finding the engine VIN derivative look at this. You might need to ungunk the stamping plate, but usually a cell phone can get a good shot for you.

 

A 1967 or earlier block will not have a VIN derivative stamp.

 

Ooops. I should have remembered that. Thanks for the wake up call.

 

 

Ahhh I see...I believed the stripes were supposed to be centered on the heel of the fender but that factory diagram says otherwise. They are a smidge closer to the door edge.

 

Correct. Olds started using VIN derivative stamps on the block and trans case with the 1968 model year in response to federal requirements that were put in place then. In prior years, the engine and trans unit numbers were keyed to the VIN on the Protet-O-Plate.