Hi,

Someone can help me to decode my cowl tag. The previous owner told me that it's a 442.

IMG_1213.JPG

 

Hi and welcome aboard.

I'm not an expert on the early 64-67 models like some of the others but I'm going to take a stab at answering your question.

1. The PO says it's a 442? That is not too likely IMO because this car was built in November of 1963 for the 1964 model year. The 442 package was a response to Pontiacs introduction of the GTO (Gran Tourismo Olimagato) and didn't enter production till around March of 1964. Any of the 64-67 experts can clarify that. Since this is a Lansing car I believe it needs to have a Column 4 code of V to qualify it with the 442. The 1964 SPECS guide (second revision of Feb 1964) doesn't even show the 442 option so I'm thinking no on it being originally a 442.

2. The cowl tag decodes as:
11D - Body built at Lansing Fisher Body Works in the 4th week (D) of November (11)
Style 64 3267
64 - 1964 model year
3 - Oldsmobile
32 - f85
67 - Convertible
LA - Lansing production
Body 2378 - number assigned to body shell by Lansing Fisher Body Works
Trim 967 - Parchment white interior
Paint V - Holiday Red

ACC
Col 1
T - Power Drivers seat?
Col 2
L - Hole and Mounting Plate, Floor Shift Manual Transmission, 4-spd

 

Nothing wrong with a '64 Cutlass droptop, though. Beautiful cars! Welcome to CO.

 

The "2L" code for the floor shift 4spd is a necessary but not sufficient condition for a 442. Unfortunately, the tag won't "prove" that the car is a 442, only that it could be. Olds also built non-442s with four speeds in 1964.

 

Hi Allan, I don't have any other paperwork. I was thinking about the date as well. Thanks a lot for your help.

 

In this case though, doesn't the date of manufacture prove that it ISN'T a 442?

 

Good catch, I missed that completely.

Of course, that didn't stop the ebay seller from claiming that green 64 faux-four-two was an early "prototype"...

 

Yes, "authenticity" is only limited by the imagination of the seller.

 

There is no identification on the data plate, the 4V that AllanR mentioned is specific to the 65 442.


As others have mentioned, the production date of 11D on your car is too early in the model year (November 63). The earliest 64 442 is dated 3D(last week March 64), at least that's what my aging mind remembers. Another less known identifier were the 3.36 gears, either open or posi.


Regardless, a 64 vert with 4speed is a great ride!!

 

Not true of all 65 442's. The Freemont cars did not have the 4V designation. That was a Lansing thing.

 

Good catch, I wasn't being thorough. Saw the data plate was from lansing, and fixated on that plant only. Yes, Fremont (down the road from me), had there own way of doing things. Need to rely more heavily on the frame identifiers, control arms, etc; but that isn't full-proof either, because I've seen both 64 and 65 manual tranny cars with the 442 frame number (both Fremont and Lansing)