1972 "U" code

Is there someone who can help me with info on production breakdown on 1972 u code cars. I recently purchased this 72 supreme and was wondering how many were produced. Its a Lansing car so it also sounds like a build sheet is unlikely too be found from what ive seen on site.


Any info would be appreciated
Thanks Dave

Gary M

Don't know what the production number was but my black 72 was a U code. It was ordered with the 455 and black paint. I was told ordering the 455 gave you the cutout bumper with trumpet exhaust tips. Mine was considered a special order car because of the paint. Don't remember if the 455 was a special order item or not.

1969w3155

The bumper only came on the 442 equipped with the 455, not the Supreme or S.

joe_padavano

Pretty much, but just to be completely correct (and this only applies to the 1972 model year, as other years are different), the W29 442 package was an option on the Cutlass Holiday Couple, the Cutlass S Sport and Holiday Coupes, and the Supreme convertible. W29 was available with any engine offered in those models. As noted, only 455 cars with W29 (VIN codes U, V, or X) got the cutout bumper.

The minor correction is that all 1972 H/Os also got the cutout bumper. 72 H/Os were not 442s and while they got the FE2 suspension, they did not get the other W29 equipment. All 72 H/Os were also 455 powered. Thus, a 1972 H/O would have been a Cutlass Supreme (convert or notchback Holiday Coupe) and did get the bumper.

1969w3155

True, as they were certainly U code as well.

Allan R

I'd like to meet that couple... Keyboard again??

Dan, Not all the 72 HO's were U code, some were X code.

joe_padavano

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

1972 "U" code

Thanks I was more curious on u code cutlass supremes. Just trying to get an idea what I have. Was able to verify matching # on block today.

davebw31

Ah, NO on some of the 72 H/O s being X code, however yes too...... confused? My interpatition of what "some is" is way more than two (2). There were only two (2) Supreme H/O hardtops built with the Mercedes sunroof option, and built to X code (W30) specs. I do not have proof, however my Micro-Fisch machine setting on my desk said so, so I know this to be fact!

1969w3155

. Correct you are Allan, there was one for sale in JWO a couple of years ago, lasted one issue.

rktolds

Fun fact is the U code could come in many if not all A bodies. I have a Cutlass wagon U code. Three Olds friends have a Supreme,S hard top and 4 door. I don't need to but the supreme may end up in my shop next to the wagon. It needs a resto.
Good luck with yours. Ask tons of questions. This is a great site to hang out.

Matt

Gary M

Check the transmission for a VIN # also. Mine was on the driver side just above the pan. The shift mechanism partially hides it. Production number questions come up a lot. I never figured out mine but the U code is in my opinion very desirable. It doesn't equal the value of a 442 but the extra torque is fun to drive. I specifically looked for one when I found my black one.

joe_padavano

Correct. The L75 motor was available on ALL Olds A-body cars in 1972. For example, here are the pages from the SPECS booklet that show it available on the four-door F-85 Town Sedan and the Vista.

joe_padavano

Frankly, I would think that a U-code 1972 Cutlass would be worth more than a 72 442 with a 350 motor (especially since you could get W29 with a 350 2bbl single exhaust! ).

Gary M

Mine did sell for $38,000.00
The people looking at it were looking for the big block.

Diego

I have some stats from the GM Heritage Center. However they only go up to June 1972 so it's not complete production - a month is missing.

Additionally, it's for all L75 engines, so it would include V-code cars as well.

3200: 83 through June
3600: 2,359 through June
4200: 3,015 through June
4800: 4,860 through June

Allan R

Just curious, do you also have stats for the L77 engines?

Diego

Is the L77 the engine included with the W30 package?

Those numbers are known, but here's what I have:

3200: 17 through June
3600: 640 through June
4200: 113 through June

For Cutlass and Cutlass Supreme, that agrees with what's known for final production, right? So possibly several Cutlass Ss were built in July.

Plus, there's the Hurst/Olds W46:

4257: 23 through June
4267: 5 through June

You prob will want to know the H/O W45 too:

4257: 476 through June
4267: 125 through June

Allan R

Thank you. Nice breakdown according to models.

Actually I wasn't looking for the W45 or W46, but since you mentioned it, can you validate how many of the W45 HO's did have the L77? I'm under the impression it was very limited.

oldsmobiledave

Wouldn't the number be zero?

Diego

W45 had the L75, W46 had the L77.

oldsmobiledave

Exactly why I said zero.

joe_padavano

Hmm. That's more than I expected. Thanks. And since these total 629, it's all the 1972 H/O production, July data notwithstanding.

oldsmobiledave

To the best of my knowledge & recollection there were two X code cars built in July. Both were automatic trans cars one of which was the yellow hardtop that sold new in Edmonton Alberta. No idea about the other one. My X code 72 was built June 29th and is included in your numbers.

Allan R

Ok, my mistake on the W45. How many W46 HO's were produced, if you have that number.

Diego

Glance above. :-)

Remember, through June 1972!

joe_padavano

Which is still all of the H/Os.

oldsmobiledave

Allan. It is 28. 23 plus 5 as outlined above. Your typing faster than your brain in this thread. You must have a lot on your mind.

1972 "U" code

Thanks for all the info. I was able to verify serial number
on tranny as well as on block. So at least now I know it's a good 72
U code numbers matching
Thanks again Dave

Gary M

Great news! That definitely helps the value.

1970VistaCruiser

Which transmission code is correct for the 72 U code cars?

Rocketbrian

If memory serves me correctly, it would be OD. OW was used on the X code W30. The OG was last used in 71, on the separate 442 model.

1970VistaCruiser

Thank You

Sam Barrett

Joe, I have a 72 cutlass Supreme convertible with the W29 option. The car has the 4 speed tranny and believe it or not it has air conditioning. Is it possible to determine the number of that varity that were produced.
Thank you

oldsmobiledave

1972 442 production is known but there are no records of how many were produced with individual options other than transmission.

vette442

350 or 455 with the M20?

I've had several '72 4 speeds with A/C, by the way.

Terry

Sam Barrett

The car is a 350 with M20. Numbers match

Sam Barrett

Is it possible to determine how many 72 convertibles had M20 transmissions?

droldsmorland

131, W29 verts in 1972 got sticks, (vin 4267). We don't have the breakdown quantities on engines, carbs or which stick tranny these 131 cars had, at leat I do not. Sam, what letter is in your vin? I imagine either a J or an M? If so you should have the N10 rear bumper as well?

vette442

All 1972 cars used the M-20 trans. Cutout rear bumper was only factory installed on U and V W-29 cars, not 350s. Could be dealer installed though.

So out of those 131 M-20 cars, some were V code 455s. 66 Supreme convertibles had that L75 455/M20 combo - many were W-29s, but not all of them.

Terry