DocBink

I have a 72 cutlass supreme convertible. The vin just xx57xxxxxxxxx shows it just as supreme and not convertible. Did the supreme just use the code 57 for hard top and convertibles? Thanks

Vintage Chief

Well, it appears (from my readings at least), 1972 was a rather odd-ball year in terms of what was released and what the numbers all meant to some degree, but I'm pretty certain GM Oldsmobile retained the same BODY STYLE identification scheme in 1972 as they did in 1971 (I don't know when they changed VIN number styles in many of the years; but I'm modestly certain the BODY STYLE number remained the same for 1971 & 1972).

With that said, from my 1971 CSM:
BODY STYLE
67 = Convertible
57 = Hardtop Coupe

4speed455

Convertible should be 67. Maybe you read it wrong, or maybe yours was converted to a convertible? Any pictures? Does it have a fully boxed frame?

DocBink

I dont have it at my house yet...looks worse than it is.

Haven't been able to get under it yet.

Vintage Chief

Back to your original question, as well. Post a picture of the VIN tag.

You haven't stated where you read the VIN number. Did you read the VIN from the Title or a Registration document? The DMV may have made a mistake; or, did you read the VIN off the VIN tag on the vehicle?

Hdmike444

Mine has 67 FWIW

DocBink

Going off title...i got go back and check against vin on car. Thanks.

joe_padavano

No. 57 was the body code for all Supreme Hardtop coupes (notchback roof) and 67 was the code for all convertibles. There is no fuzz on this whatsoever. Are you sure that you're seeing a "5" and not a "6"? What does the cowl tag say? Better yet, post photos of both the VIN tag and the cowl tag.

70W-32

Hope this isnt a re-vin.

DocBink

Thank you all....brushed vin off so we could see it. Guess what 67...title was wrong. Rest of #s match so hopefully tag agency can fix.

FN723

Here is a government site you can check the vin number for the info you are looking for. https://driving-tests.org/vin-decoder/

Allan R

Based on the pictures and you stating it's a 72, and if the original engine is the standard L34, your cars VIN should start out as 3J67K2(Letter)XXXXXX The placeholder for the letter will determine what plant the car was assembled at. Could be Lansing (M), Arlington (R), Fremont (Z) or Framingham (G).

As a matter of interest, you can validate if the engine and transmission are original to the car by checking the VIN derivative on the engine stamping pad, and the transmission.

Also another point of clarification - The Cutlass Supreme was the only body style that the Cutlass convertible was offered on in 1972.

Good to hear you found the correct VIN number was 6 instead of 5. Should be an easy fix when you register the title in your name. Another place you will find the VIN if the inside of the car doors haven't been painted? There should be a GM blue sticker about halfway down. In 1972 the sticker not only had the cars GVWR registered on that sticker, it also has the date of manufacture (month/year) and VIN. Your cowl tag is a whole different story. It will tell you other information not related to VIN, including the cars original paint and roof color.

Welcome to the world of Oldsmobile. There are plenty of guys on the site who sell decent parts, and there's also a lot of reproduced parts for these A body cars.

rcorrigan5

Hope your state doesn't make you walk a miracle mile to get the title corrected. I had to jump through a bunch of hoops on my '68 because somewhere in the distant past someone had recorded a "B" on the title where an "8" should have been. It was pure luck that one of the state patrolmen at the inspection station was an Olds affictionaldo who knew VINs and where on these older cars (specifically, engine and transmission) an inspection could occur to verify with the VIN that it really was an "8" and not a "B".

Randy C.

DocBink

I hope it will be easy, Oklahoma seems to be a little easier than most states. The seller is surprised too, i think it will be problematic. Thanks for concern...i just can wait to start on the renovation. I used to have a 72 supreme in 1988 but not a convertible.

Allan R

When you say 'renovation' does that mean it will be a restomod, or did you mean restoration?

DocBink

Going as original as i possibly can but might change interior color and paint...haven't decided yet. But it will be a total gut job.

DocBink

Got it changed to 67....tag agency sent someone out because the owner of car knew owner of tag agency. Had it changed by dmv in one day. Got title back in my name in 3 days with corrected vin. Man good to know people i guess. Thanks for all the input!

Vintage Chief

That worked out great...happy for you!

jaunty75

That site appears to work only with 17-character VINs, which means it's of no help to any car made before 1981.