Hello, Happy Holidays you have a newbie to your site. A California Gal that has switched from Pontiac's to Oldsmobile's. So far it has been a blast.
I just purchased a 1972 Oldsmobile Cutlass Convertible.
It does not have a motor, transmission and the front seats are wrong.
I believe it is a Lansing Michigan Car 455, automatic, with a Bench front seat.
I took out the back seat, the gas tank and checked in the doors no build sheet.
I would like some help with decoding the Data Tag.
Thank You so much for your insight.

DATA TAG READS:

ST 72 34267LAN318262
970 65 B PNT
2BA65

 

I'll take a shot at it but there are others on the site better at this than me. Here goes:
72 = model year = 1972
3 = GM division = Oldsmobile
42 = body = Cutlass Supreme
67 = body type = convertible
LAN= assembly plant = Lansing MI
318262 = Fisher body production number at the Lansing plant
970 = trim number = either a notch back bench seat or strato-bucket seats, in either case, black in color and vinyl in fabric (see further info below)
65 = lower body color = Flame Orange
B = convertible top color = black
2B = I don't know
A65 = seat type = notch back bench seat

Someone else will jump in to provide what "2B" means and correct my mistakes!
Randy C.

 

Hi Randy, Thank You I would really like to know about the seats? I have two donor cars one with Buckets, the other with bench. Do you know how to nail it down? Also the convertible has four speed pedals. The pedals look to be factory installed and there was a 4 speed thrown in the back seat. Someone hacked the 4 speed floor hole though and I'm not sure if it is automatic or 4 speed.
Any help? The Vin reads
3J67V2M153754

 

If i am not mistaken the V in the Vin # means it's originally a 455 4 spd car. I also believe the 2B means it was built in the second week of Feb.

 

Welcome to our site! My guys here are the best, and they will be chiming in eventually. They'll get it figured ou!

 

Yep, a factory 4spd 455 270hp. Cool a very desirable car. Welcome.

 

Welcome to the site! My reference book agrees with Randy, that A65 means notch back bench seat. Someone else will have to add in, is that the center fold down arm rest bench? Sounds like a very nice project car, congrats on acquiring it! John

 

You Guy's are the best. You just made my Christmas. I will post photo's through the restoration.

Best Regards
The newbie 455gal

 

Hmmmmmmmmmmm, Guy's a factory 4 speed with a bench seat? is that right?

 

It wasn't unusual to see a bench seat equipped car with a four speed.It all depended on the person who ordered the car.If you would prefer buckets, go with them instead.

 

Welcome

You could get a 4 speed with only a bench seat in a Vista Cruiser too so I don't see why not.

If the car is a V code convertible, and it sure looks that way, it's really a rare car.
According to the V code registry only 66 were built if I'm reading it right.
Vette442 is the expert and that's his site, I'm sure Terry will be chiming in if he catches this.
You may want to contact him, he's a member here and his email address is on his site too.

Too bad the original engine is gone, nowhere to be found huh? The previous owner didn't take it out for himself and sell the car or anything like that? He may not have known what he had, don't mention it if you inquire or the engine could get expensive fast if he does have it around.
I don't know how much that missing engine would effect the desireabilty or value if it matters, you never know, wouldn't bother me at all.

If it was what it appears to be and is that rare I would keep the car all original myself, bench seat and all.
A bench with a stick is way cooler than buckets because it's so different than the norm IMO.
Wheel covers if it had them too, every Olds around has Rally wheels... or will eventually.

http://www.highoctaneauto.com/newpage7.htm

 

A65 is definitely (quote) "Seat, Custom Sport Front - includes center armrest and bright mouldings, N.A with D55 or W26 Coupe & Convertibles"
That's straight out of the resto guide. And the "V" means it's a 455ci with a "wide ratio" 4 speed.
.......and welcome !

 

OK, we're ready to see photos now

 

Welcome aboard

Please post some pics pronto.

We love pics

 

Quite rare also. Very cool!

 

You Guy's have been great!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So here is Merry Christmas.
I purchased two other 72 Cutlass Supreme outside of this deal. One was suppose to be a donor but it is a solid Bucket Seat car. All the dash is complete including radio. Vin reads 3J57K2Z122824. I have the original motor and tranny but it is out of the car anyone have a interest?
The other is a strong runner with rebuilt motor and tranny, perfect interior looks like I will need the bench out of that. A clear California title vin reads 3J572Z111665.
I will part out the donor if you all have interest in some of the parts. The center console is perfect, no cracks or breaks only the shifter plate needs to be replaced.
The buckets are great cores. The backs and all hardware including the head rest are very nice. I can shoot you over some photo's. If you have interest in some parts.

Again Thank You for all the help.

 

Great find, good luck with your build, 4-speed with bench seats are my prefered setup. Always have liked my gal sitting next to me, not way over there.

 

Looks like there's a character missing in this one. There should be a letter indicating the engine between the "57" and the "2".

 

Aaahhh... Citcapp.... you're soooo sweet!

 

!st to 2nd OOOOOOOOOPS grab knee
2nd to 3rd OOOOOOOOOPS grab leg
3rd to 4th OOOOOOOOOPS Get you head slapped off.

 

Yep the good old days. Bucket seats are fine for racing. Drive in movies would have been a drag with bucket seats.

 

That's funny Jamesbo!!!

......Drive in movies would have been a drag with bucket seats.

They sure would have been!!! One of my boyfriends had a big old Pontiac Catalina...

 

A wagon is four on the floor and two in the front seat.

Pontiac Batalina???....long black hair?....the drive-in?........NOW I know where I know you from Sandy!

He sold that car after you dumped him because of all the memories of your halcyon days together it held.
I've heard some stories.





'nuff said.

Back on topic...what food was it???

 

......A wagon is four on the floor and two in the front seat.

That sounds like not much movie watchin gets done! Oops... spilled my coke...




Pontiac Batalina???....long black hair?....the drive-in?........NOW I know where I know you from Sandy!


Sssshhh... don't tell anyone.....


watch out for them crawcrabs....

 

Bench seat is the way to go, even with an automatic on the column! I was forever grateful when my dad traded in the '67 Cougar with buckets and a console for this '68 4-4-2 convertible with a bench seat. I was a senior in high school - and that bench seat was the greatest thing since sliced bread!
Randy C.

 

Ok, Bench it is know just to find a Drive In. Question is how hard is it going to be to find a Bench?
I have the perfect bench Seat, Custom Sport Front - includes center armrest and bright mouldings, As Mr, Col Wickham put it. Problem is. It is in a really solid running car.
I hate to part the car just for the seat. Any ideas?

 

Thank You for the Hospitality much appreciated. I feel like I need to break out the Steaks, Apple Pie and Drinks.

Your photo reminds me of the Speaker my Mom's yanked out of a Drive in with her Chevy Belair window. Darndest thing the window cracked but never broke. That's a window.

 

Hey 455 gal - I'd love to add your car to my V Code registry at http://www.highoctaneauto.com/newpage7.htm . Please send pics and info! Also, you'll see links there that have a lot of information about these cars. If I'm not mistaken, this is the first Flame Orange V Code ragtop to turn up.
Terry
vette442 @ hotmail.com

 

Also, you should be able to turn up a nice bench seat with minimal trouble. A lot of people took out their nice ones to put in buckets over the years.

 

I think I missed this thread when it started so just wanted to welcome you to out site. Welcome to CO.