https://www.ebay.com/itm/1972-Oldsmobile-442/123882038836

I was falling deeply in love with this one while watching it on eBay. The seller ended the auction early. I assume he scored a deal off line because it isn't relisted. He refers to proof of the W30 providence because of an "X" in the VIN (not posted on the auction). Can anyone elaborate on that? I thought paperwork was really the only way to validate a 72 442.

Also, were red inner fenders installed in 72 as part of the W30 package?




How about the absence of a console? That tends to lean me toward a owner inspired conversion from an auto. Am I wrong?

 

In 72 the X in the VIN designates the W30 engine.

No red inner fenders in 72. I have heard rumors of early production cars having them, but I have not seen any original cars having them.

Console was an option in 72.

Don W

 

Thank you for the info, we really don't know how early this car is in the production sequence. That might of been helpful.

tc

 

1972 was the first model year that the engine code appeared in the VIN. An "X" in the fifth position of the VIN signifies that the car came with the L77 motor used in the W-30 package. In PRIOR years, there is no way to prove a W-30 is real without paperwork.

 

Thank you Joe.

 

I'm sure I'll be corrected on this if it's not the case, but I was under the impression that the 72 442s had the chrome dash bead regardless of engine/transmission option. This one appears it never had one. I remember my 3 on the floor 72 442 with a 350 had that bead and it wasn't anything super special. Part of it came loose and I broke a couple inches of it off on the driver side and it bugged me for the longest time until I bought a new one for it. It also had the seat belt warning light bezel on the dash, but I'm guessing it was because that car had the rallye gages and not the standard gages like the one in discussion here?

 

Yes on the light.