Hi all. I picked up a couple parts cars (so I have some spare body panels for my 66 as I drive it, accidents happen and parts can be hard to find at times). One of the body tags (https://datatagdecoder.com) decodes to “cutlass sports coupe 442 option”. Not sure if that means it is/was a 442 car or that 442 was an available option on the car (it does appear to be a factory manual trans car). It’s stripped so definitely no build sheet /RPO codes. Curious if there is any other way to determine if it is a 442 car. Once I know that I’ll see if there is a better use for it than just spare body panels (or maybe it’s still too far gone and that’s all it’s good for… it’s definitely stripped beyond my financial means to restore).

 

Do have a picture of the VIN or know the VIN #?

 

VIN won't indicate 442 in 66, and it's a Fremont car so the "normal" 442 indicators aren't on the data plate either.

There are people here who can decode the Fremont codes. They just have to see this thread. Maybe retitle it "decode 1966 Fremont data plate".

 

it would be nice if someone could decode the fremont acc.code 22745 as seen on your data plate .
Maybe its the fisher code for the 4 speed hump similar to the 2L code or even better the 442 5V nornal Lan code.

 

Good point. Sorry about that.

 

Vintage Chief - I do have the VIN but didn't post it given the dozens of threads I've read that say the VIN can't identify 442 option.
rocketraider - thank you for the suggestion. I tried to implement your suggestion but the top of my screen still has the original title?

When I searched the historical threads I essentially came up with "there are no known records from Fremont cars which can identify 442 option - only the build sheet can" (circa ~2015 post). I was hopeful someone managed to find some way to since then ....
I assume the answer is no, but I'll ask anyways. Are there any other things I could physically look for on the car? It's stripped down to a roller with the primary body on it (no fenders, hood or decklid)?

Thanks folks :-)

 

the 442 dual fuel lines and if an original 4 speed the frame for the manual cars is specific. also the rear quarter panels should be punched not drilled for the 442 emplems

 

lunaboy No fuel tank in this car but I can look for lines. What is specific about the frame that I could use to identify. What do you mean “Punched not drilled”. Any photos of these identifying characteristics you could share would be helpful/appreciated.

 

Nothing on a Fremont cowl tag will prove or disprove a car is a real 442. That's why nearly every 65-67 Fremont car is now a 442...
Fremont did not use the normal ACC codes on the 64-67 cowl tags. That five digit number has been shown to tie to the job number on the build sheet.

 

If rear axle and control arms are still in it look for "boxed" lower control arms and a rear sway bar bolted to those.

If taillights are still in it, 66 442 taillights are smooth surface. Cutlass taillights have horizontal ribs molded in.

Never understood why Fremont did things so diametrically opposite of what the other assembly plants were doing. They weren't the only one building multiple brands. Course there are documented cases of Fremont cars coming off the line with the wrong Division's data plate.

Just for the hell of it, snoop around Chevelle and GTO sites. Fremont was building them right along side Olds and Buick A-bodies. Some of those groups might have deciphered the arcane Fremont numbers.

 

Unfortunately all of those are bolt-on parts that can be easily added to any 1966 Cutlass or F85.

 

joe_padavano The Fremont shortcoming is sucky but I was hoping someone had recently cracked some magic code.
rocketraider Control arms on both cars (the one I posted a tag for and the other are not boxed). Both cars appear to be manual trans frames and different from my 66 auto trans frame (holes farther forward for manual trans crossmember and tab for z bar). The post car (the one I asked about) has quarter panel script holes plugged with body filler (unsure on the other as it's currently filled up inside with hoods, decklids and doors). The hardtop floor has clearly been cut for a manual trans, the sedan floor appears to have a factory floor opening for a manual trans.

At this point I'm pretty sure these are just run-o-the-mill hardtop (auto body on manual frame) and sport coupe (manual body on manual frame) cars. I appreciate everyone's help confirming this.

Follow up question on the manual trans frame - are the differences significant enough that the frame isn't worth hanging on to as replacement for my auto frame should I suffer a major accident (my 66 auto is not stock and uses a floor shifter/cable so auto shift linkage isn't an issue and I have no issue drilling holes for the auto trans crossmember)?

 

The crossmembers for the ST300 and the manual trans are in the same place. There should be no difference in the holes. The tab for the Z-bar is available repro and can be welded to any frame.

 

joe_padavano
In that case maybe they're converted auto frames or maybe they're manual frames.... I probably will never know :-)

The frame appears different from my auto car underneath (my auto car doesn't seem to have holes as far forward as these two cars) but I didn't take photos. Who knows...maybe my auto car had a frame replacement in its past since it's the one that is different from both parts cars? I can take photos of the frame differences but it'll be another day as the rain is back for the evening and the parts cars are outside. Ultimately, it appears they're going to serve the original intended purpose as spare body parts but I am a curious cat and still wonder how they started life ;-)

 

The ST300 is the two speed AT that was the only automatic offered in the 1964-66 Cutlass/442 cars. The dimension from the front of the bellhousing to the trans mount is exactly the same as for a Muncie or Saginaw manual trans. There may be EXTRA holes, but the crossmember will be in the same place.

 

10-4 Joe. Thanks for the info, I appreciate you sharing knowledge.

 

joe_padavano I must’ve been crosseyed when I looked. Frames all definitely match what you said, except mine has extra holes drilled farther back for TH400 crossmember.

I feel comfortable using these cars for spare body parts as intended. Thanks all.

 

1967 442s came from the factory with TH400s.

 

I thought I was following along....operative term is thought....did I miss the part about the 1967 442?

 

OK. Think I got it. Holes drilled further back to accommodate TH400 in 1967 - implied reference, correct?

 

The implication was that maybe it wasn't a 1966 frame after all, or maybe someone drilled the holes to accommodate a swapped-in TH400.

 

Ah ha. OK.

 

My 66 442 was built so late it had a 67 frame in it. Went to build a race car with a TH400 and found frame had existing factory holes for the Trans mount. It is a Lansing car too.