Hey guys I have a 1972 Oldsmobile Cutlass, my question is how do I find out if it is a cutlass, a cutlass supreme, or a cutlass s?


Its a 2 door hard top with a 2 barrel v8

 

the supreme was a 'notchback' style for 70-72 the cutlass and cutlass s were 'fastback' styles.

I think a pic of the cowl tag would tell more about your car

 

There are 3 styles.
Hardtop, no post,(slope back)
Or 2 dr post, slope back.
Or Supreme, (notch back)

This is open for discussion as far as
the S option goes, it's also a slope back.
But could be a post car too.

 

okay so I just posted a picture of it would you guys be able to look at it and tell me?

 

Looks like a base model Cutlass, to me! Slope back, no "S" badges.
What was the difference in the "S" model? I'm assuming it went [Base < S < Supreme]?

 

its certainly a cutlass not a supreme may be an S although it doesnt have the s badge on the side

 

Appears to be a hardtop Cutlass.
Nice save.

 

To answer your question and resolve whether it's a base Cutlass or Cutlass S, check the VIN. If it starts out
3G87H2 - it's a Cutlass S
3F87H2 - it's a base Cutlass

Your picture is too blurry to see if there are any S emblems on the front fender. BTW why do you have the back end jacked up so high?

If the car came from the factory with a 2 bbl 350, the engine code should be H. 1972 production the majority of Cutlass models were equipped with the 350 2bbl or 4bbl. The 350 L32 2bbl was standard on the 72 Cutlass and Cutlass S, but could be upgraded to the L34 4bbl at minimal extra cost.

 

Looks like an old Polaroid shot from the 70's

 

Air shocks baby...Far out and groovy.

 

it was actually my grandpas before me, he passed it on to me before he passed away, he bought it right after he got out of the army. he told me that he jacked up the back with leaf springs to give it more of an aggressive look. sorry the picture is so blurry that's the only one I have. he started tearing it down because we were going to rebuild it together before he passed. so I joined this website to try and figure some stuff out. I actually live in Alaska and the car is in Idaho so I am not sure if it has the S badges but ill certainly have my family in Idaho check it out for me. thanks for all the replies I have really learned a lot.

 

[QUOTE=Allan R;654028]To answer your question and resolve whether it's a base Cutlass or Cutlass S, check the VIN. If it starts out
3G87H2 - it's a Cutlass S
3F87H2 - it's a base Cutlass

Thanks Allan, if this is right then I have a Cutlass S. Where did you learn this from? from my research it said that the G just meant cutlass, so if you could clarify a little more for me I would appreciate it?


VIN PLATE FOR 1972 MODELS

1st digit - Division -3 = Oldsmobile

2nd digit - Series - D = F85 4d sedan
F = F85 2d Hardtop coupe
G = Cutlass
J = Cutass Supreme
K = Vista Cruiser

3rd and 4th digits - Body Style - 36 = 4d Station Wagon
39 = 4d hardtop sedan
56 = 4d Vista Cruiser Wagon
57 = 2d hardtop coupe
66 = 4d Vista Cruiser Wagon
67 = 2d convertible
69 = 4d sedan
77 = 2d Club coupe
87 = 2d hardtop coupe

5th digit - Engine code - H = 350-2bbl V8 160hp
J = 350-2bbl V8 175 hp (dual exh.)
K = 350-4bbl V8 180 hp
M = 350-4bbl V8 200 hp (dual exh.)
U = 455-4bbl V8 250 hp (dual exh.)
V = 455-4bbl V8 270 hp (dual exh.)
X = 455-4bbl V8 300 hp (W30)

6th digit - Model year - 2 = 1972

7th digit - Assembly plant - G = Framingham, MA
M = Lansing, Ml
R = Arlington, TX
Z = Freemont, CA

Last 6 digits - Production number (sequence)

 

Are these the same for a 73 as well?

 

I thought only the supremes had the notchback roofs.

 

The information is readily available from the Chassis Service Manual, Assembly Manual, Fisher Body Manual, SPECS booklet, and Dealer selling guide, Olds refrence books, etc + a lot of accumulated knowledge in my gray cells.

Not really. Have a look at this 1973 GM Decoder and you'll see the differences

In the 70-87 era (and RWD 88 model years) the Supreme Body did have the notchback design. Keep in mind the body styles were similar in the following years: 66-67, 68-69 (but no notchbacks), 70-72, 73-77, 78-80, 81-88. The term 'notchback' is more of a colloquialism we've attached to the CS intended to infer a 'formal' roof line. I believe that's where the term "Baby Limousine" was coined for the CS lineup.

 

Allan is correct. 1972 was an unusual year for Cutlii nomenclature. The VIN F "F85 2d Hardtop coupe" actually carried a "Cutlass" emblem on the fender and was called "Cutlass" in the marketing literature. The VIN G "Cutlass" was called the Cutlass S in the marketing brochure.

Actually, for the 1973 model year, the VIN model definition was changed to match the marketing names. VIN F was defined as "Cutlass" (matching the 1972 marketing name but not the 72 VIN definition) and VIN G was defined as "Cutlass S" (again matching the 72 marketing name but not the 72 VIN definition). J was defined as Cutlass Supreme for both years.

For 1970-74 that is correct. In 1975 Olds expanded the Cutlass model line and included other models with the notchback roofline like the Salon and later the Calais.