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It's been a while since I have posted anything and the last few times I did all of you experts helped me more than you know. The knowledge on this site is impressive. There in lies the reason for my return, looking for an answer to a question that I'm guessing someone or many someones will have an answer for. Just for an update and I know many won't remember any of my prior questions for help, but I have pretty much completed the long list of repairs to my car and it is pretty damn sweet. I have a 72' 442 W-30, i.e. X-Code, and I know most of the stats on numbers as far as manufactured cars, but does anyone know how many of the 772 two door hardtops that were made, had bench seats with column shift automatics? It couldn't have been many. I ask because that was what mine was from the factory. I have zero history on the car and whomever found it and did a semi okay restoration on it, made it a bucket seat dual gate hurst. Which I'm okay with at this point, but having this car as an original bench seat model has to make it pretty rare 52 years later. Chime in!!!
Last edited by puck4higgs; Jan 15, 2025 at 10:01 AM.
X marks the spot in ‘72. Bench seat / column shift was probably standard, Strato buckets and dual gate optional. Many on here will chime in with actual dealer option lists and possible build quantities. They will also ask for more photos, like I will.
Often under appreciated, the 72 W-30 was a mighty force to reckon with, and easily verifiable via an original VIN.
It's definitely an X-code as per the VIN. The fact that it was a bench seat is signified by the Tag under the hood. But I was under the impression there were more buckets than benches, even if the bench was standard. There are very few pics of the bench seat models that I've seen. Just assuming there are probably fewer of them in existence.
Last edited by puck4higgs; Jan 15, 2025 at 01:34 PM.
There were certainly more bench seat cars produced by Oldsmobile than around today - most put buckets in like yours. Also, your thread title doesn’t attract much attention, not even sure how I stumbled on it. If you post again with “72 W-30 real X code question” or something similar, you’d get more action. And post some photos too!
X marks the spot in ‘72. Bench seat / column shift was probably standard,
From 1967-1971, bucket seats were standard equipment in the 442; the bench seat was a credit option. For the 1972 model year, standard seating varied with the model, since the 442 was demoted to an option package. The OP's car is a Cutlass S Hardtop Coupe. Standard equipment for the 1972 Cutlass S with 442 and W30 package was the bench seat and four speed with Hurst floor shift. Automatic was an extra cost option. And once again, don't confuse rarity with desirability or value.
I was waiting for Joe's reply also. And good enough. Thanks as always for your expertise. Rarity is what it is, it is rare regardless, to say that I'm disappointed with the buckets is not the case. If it were to ever go through a top line concourse restoration then original it would be. And that's not likely as long as I own it.
bench seats with column shift automatics? It couldn't have been many.
Console and buckets is muscle car concept more than reality.
Most are swapped in. Yes of course many a muscle car came with buckets and console but the quickest were usually bench. The king of the hill 1970 LS6 Chevelle is a bench seat car, Oldsmobile's all time quickest car the 66 W30 is a bench seat car... Oldsmobile last performance hurrah the 72 X code was a bench seat car...
that is an unmolested 14,000 mile 70 LS6
that is a 1966 W30
that is a 1972 W30
and that is another 1972 W30
At the end of the day, desirability doesn't supersede authenticity.
Volo cars of course felt the need to compensate for the fact that the last 72 W30 posted above was a bench car in their ad. "Nice bench seat so you can sit close to your sweety!" Volo Museum. Instead of just saying its 100% correct...
And AIs takes are hilarious.
And once again AIs take is hilarious.
AI is clearly taking note from the concept that most guys have about muscle. AI clearly doesn't know enough to know better. The fact is most are F85s. F85s are ultra base model bench seat cars.
Clearly there is a long way to go till it can be blindly relied upon.
P.S. AI is accurate on the Chevelle ! One out of 3 ain't bad ...
