Texas442

I have a door shell from a rust free 72 Cutlass Supreme. I noticed it has the peak molding on it. Was this molding an option on all 70-72 Cutlass? Could you get it ordered on a 442?

Allan R

Wrong terminology. That's B85 molding. Answer is no, not all cars were produced with that option. Most had the thin bead molding.

FYI Peak Molding refers to the thin stainless that run full length of the body along the top fenders, doors, and quarter panels on 68/69 models.

joe_padavano

Yes, it was optionally available on the 442. My 1970 W-30 has the B85 molding.

Allan R

Actually, to be complete in the answer, it was an option on ALL the Cutlass Coupes (which doesn't include the CS vert). It wasn't an exclusive to 442 option. The B85 door molding fits the entire A body coupe lineup. Where it differed was the quarter window reveal. The B85 quarter glass moldings that are hardest to find are the ones for the 3687 and 3677 models.

BTW, thanks for correcting the title of the thread Joe.

joe_padavano

I wasn't the one who corrected the thread title.

Boiler_81

My 1970 W30 also has the B85 molding. It must have been a low take rate option. I haven't seen very many with the option.

Rocketbrian

Just for further info, the B85 moulding was standard equipment on the 70-72 Cutlass Supreme hardtop if the option C08, vinyl top was ordered.

Texas442

Thanks for all the valuable information. I've only seen this molding on a couple of cars here. I guess most people take them off after a repaint.

spf1410

My car has B85 also. I seem to remember the term "Belt Reveal Molding" - does anyone know if this refers to B85?

Allan R

Yes.

DJS70cutlass

My 70 "S" has these moldings as well. Were they standard on the "S" by chance? ......seems like most that I see have them.

Rocketbrian

They were a rare option on both the "S" and the 442 hardtops. As Allan stated, the door mouldings are the same for the Supreme and the "S" models. It is the moulding for the quarter panel that is very hard to find as it was specific to the fastback roofline. It took me quite a while to locate them for my 71 442 that I am restoring. I then sent them to have the anodizing removed and then rebuffed. They make quite a difference in the look of the car.

Diego

From the numbers I have from the GM Heritage Center (through June 1970, which means July production is unaccounted for), 12.8% of 4-4-2 coupes built in 1970 had B85.

Allan R

According to that information, of the 16,397 442 coupes built in 1970 2098 had B85 moldings. That however doesn't address the number of f85/Cutlass/Cutlass S that may have been ordered with B85. In 1970 this total (excluding 442's) was 111,578. So if the percentages are about the same, that would make the approxamite grand total for 1970 alone:

02,098----442 coupes
14,282----Cutlass/f85/Cutlass S
16,380----Total
=====

Notes and presumed:
1) This is ONLY for the fastback coupes; not verts. Includes post and Holiday coupes.
2) Doesn't take into account post June production, so numbers could be slightly higher.
3) The 71 and 72 production is not factored either. There were undoubtedly a fair number of coupes in those respective years with B85 molding.

Net belief: There should still be a fair number of surviving cars that may have the B85 moldings.

I searched for 2 years before I found the rear quarter B85 moldings for my 72 Cutlass S. They need a specific fastening method to install which is slightly different than the conventional bead molding. As Brian notes, these are anodized pieces, not stainless so they don't just 'buff out' unless you're extemely lucky. Another option to anodizing is powder coating. Depends on your budget. I think Brian's budget is bigger than mine as his curved fastback moldings were NOS when he bought them IIRC.

Diego

The percentages are not the same, which is why it's not a good idea to make an approximate estimation.

Allan R

Do you have percentages for B85 3387 and 3377 models from 1970-72 that were not 442s? After all, the B85 is exactly the same part numbers for the related models in those years.

Diego

Yeah, I can post them later.

Rocketbrian

Would you have stats for the 71 442, model 4487 ?

Diego

Yeah, and it'll be for the full model year too - no missing July!

Rocketbrian

That will be great. Not to bother you too much, but do you have production stats for all options? I would love to know how many 71 442s came with the bench seat, A52, as mine did. It was a credit option. My apologies for for going off topic a bit. Thanks.

Diego

Here's 1970 THROUGH JUNE 1970 (so for you folks who are ADD, this is most of production but not total:
B85
3577,3587: 3.3%
3677,3687: 7.9%
4257: 1.1%


1971 - this is TOTAL production through July:
B85
3500: 4.4%
3600: 7.6%
4200: 0.8%
4400: 15.1% (approx 950)

A52:
4400: 15.5% (approx 973)

1972 THROUGH JUNE 1972 (so for you folks who are ADD, this is most of production but not total:
B85
3600: 5.6%
4200: 0.4%

Rocketbrian

Thanks very much for the information. Interesting to know.