I'm trying to figure out what the series numbers referenced in the service manuals refer to. It looks like they might correspond with the last part of the VIN code or do they simply refer to "A body, E body, etc". Am I in the ballpark or does it refer to something else entirely? Any help would be appreciated.

 

Yes to the partial VIN! Like your car should be if it's a 442 series 4400
44 (442)
00 (body style) i.e. 87=holiday 77=sport coupe or post 67=drop top

Pat

 

Olds used a variety of series number references in the various factory publications. For example, in the assembly manual, they use "35" to refer to the A-body line, such as "35W30" to designate that a particular illustration refers to the A-body cars with the W-30 option only. Same thing for "35C60" which is A-body with A/C only.

The 4400, 4800, etc. series refers to models. 4400 is the 442, 4800 is the Vista Cruiser, etc. This corresponds to the VIN and Fisher Body model designations. Note that starting in 1972, the model designation was changed from two digits to a single letter to free up a character in the 13-character VIN to use as the engine code letter. The Fisher Body tag still used the two digit model designation and there is a cross reference in the CSM.

 

Working from memory, but seem to recall a table in the first chapter of the service manual that decodes the body styles/series.

 

Hooked, you are correct. Right in front where I didn't read. Thanks to all for the help.