http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...K%3AMEWAX%3AIT

hi i just found this car in my area is it a real 442??? i dont know how 2 tell on 72's, if it is im going 2 make a offer in person, id rather buy it than spend thousands on my 70 sx engine rebuild, thank again

 

Since the 442 package became an option again in '72 there is no way to verify by the vin so documentation is required to prove it was 'born with' the 442 option. The grilles, headlight bezels, and air cleaner (at least) on this car are incorrect for a 442. I'd be cautious.

 

what is the ucode the seller is talking about??

 

That would be the U in the VIN. That states the car came with a 455. Unfortunately it says nothing about it being an actual 442. The hood is not stock to the car unless someone decided to camouflage a standard air cleaner to look like it belongs there.

 

is there any way 2 tell at all if its a real 442??

 

That build sheet he says is in the "side panel" may have some info, otherwise there is no way to tell if it hasn't been cloned into a 442 optioned/W29 car without documentation.
It should have boxed lower rear control arms and a rear sway bar in any case.
I would be real suspect of the Cutlass emblem on the glove compartment door, I think that should be a 442 emblem if it has the W29 appearance and handling package?

 

I am no where near an expert,as I am just learning.

In 1972 the 442 carried the cutlass emblem on the glove box door.
I dont think its a 442 because of the external regulator mounted on the firewall. I am just about sure cutlasss had external voltage regulators and 442s had internal regulators.

The car does have cutlass supreme grills and whats is up with the fit on the sport mirrors?

 

did 72s have cut out bumpers?? if so the exaust tips are wrong for trumpits the tips turn down , ive looked at the pics 100 times each im starting 2 think its a cutlass ill see if it has 442 emblem holes or cutlass, i think im going 2 pass unless theres a build sheet, he said hed take 85 i figured that was a great deal if its real

 

A U-code Cutlass is desirable, 442 or not.

 

True.

Ask the seller if it has a rear swaybar under the axle and boxed lower control arms. (or get a picture of the underside rear) If not, then it did not come with the W29 package.

 

The build sheet is key, and as a Fremont car it likely has (or had) two 8x11 sheets. Popping that "side panel" (door or quarter trim piece I guess) and looking for a W29 is critical to proving it's a factory-born W29 442. Also check up under the rear package tray - you can look up under the shelf from inside the trunk. A lot of Fremont cars have build sheets up there. Check under the bucket seat bases and behind the plastic seat backs too.

As others said, U Code is 250 net hp L75455/TH40 combo. Cutlass emblem is correct on glovebox, and it should have the boxed arms/rear sway bar. A U Code W29 car would have the rear cutout bumper, so that's correct. Lack of tailpipe trumpets isn't. Should have Ga heads, not G. Have him look closely for a smaller 'A' next to that G.

Other things look like a hodge-podge though: Wrong later rims with the squarer bezels, Supreme grilles, bad hood striping (not to mention the decklid ones), weird mirrors, no trunk lock, non-stock color. Interior looks correct and is a Dual gate car too - always a plus in my book. ; )

Hope this helps.
Terry

 

What I don't understand is why he would try and sell it with the nice paint job and have the engine looking like crap in the pictures. I would have at least cleaned it up a little bit. My 2 cents.

 

Going back about 25 years I saw in a parking lot, a 1972 A body Olds badged 442. It did not have the cutout bumper as a matter of fact it had single exhaust. It had all the 442 badging . Being curious I actually lifted the hood(car was just a beater). It had a 350 2bbl under there. In 72' most everything GM went to options. No package options. All components had to be ordered seperately. Without the build sheet you can't be sure it's the real deal.

 

Yes it has a Dual Gate, but look at the steering column. The car use to be column shift, they didn't swap the steering column when they swapped the interior.

With that being said if your buying the car just to drive and save miles on your SX regardless if it is a real 442. If you can get it for a decent price and the car is in good condition. I wouldn't worry about it being a Cutlass or 442.

 

x2

 

Even if it's not a real 442 it looks good and sure looks worth the $8,500. You could finish cloning with new grill, numbers & exhaust tips.

 

thanks 4 the info you guys but i cant spend 8500 unless i know its a real 442, i 72 cutlass s with a big block is only worth a few thousand in my eyes, im still waiting for his call 2 go look at it, i dont think its real!!! if you look at the exhaust its wrong for trumpits, it has turn downs for a regular bumper with duals, a dual exaust with trumpits dosnt turn down its pretty much straight, ill keep you guys posted if he wont show it in person than that answers it!!

 

It looks like a work in progress. Tail pipes are wrong, it is missing the hood mldg at the back of the hood, next to the windshield. The engine compartment is trashed, also the mldg on the dash is missing. The 442 emblems on the fenders are gone.
I think someone just was fixing up his plain ol Cutlass. I say maybe $4000/$5000 tops. It will take work to finish. Good base and it is a little under 2 hours from me.

Gene

 

i dont think the hood is a original it looks 2 thick it looks like a all fiberglass hood 2 me

 

The body shop probably misplaced the entire hood latchdown system too. They never came with hood pins.

 

Maybe. The W25 hood was an option on 72 442s anyway. Air cleaner sure isn't set up for a factory fitted ram air hood.
Buildsheet is really the only way to go. Without it its an exercise in caution & faith. Looks like a reasonable car though. Did you manage to talk dollars to the seller?
Could be an issue if you did buy it though. There's only enough room in C.O for one certain car with stripes on the trunk (unless its a hurst /pace car that is)....There's a stripey green 72 and the owner bites.

 

For $2000 it would have been a steal, 442 or not.

 

SX455 what did you find out? Did you go for it or not?

Gene

 

The bidding was up to $5400.00 when the seller cancelled all bids and ended the auction. Just click on the bids and you can see the history.

 

That interior color is a horrible match for the exterior at least in MHO. You might want to check the color combo.

 

i emailed him twice and asked 2 come see it in person but he never responed after the 1st email where he said he just wanted the 8500 he had invested in it