OK so I'm looking to buy a 442 and I want to see if it's real and not a tribute. is there a website I can go and check a VIN I went to the heritage site but did not find anything
Thank you for the help

 

What year is the car?
Some years a 442 can be identified by VIN, others not.

 

1970 442 w30

 

68-71 you can verify a 442 by the vin, other years you will probably need factory paperwork.
What year are you looking at?

 

http://vinmagic.com/1964-oldsmobile-vin-decoder/

 

Welcome aboard Rarity.

One thing to keep in mind during the original muscle era, W30 is only verifiable by VIN for 1972.

 

the vin will start 344, but your still going to need paper work to prove the car was ordered with the optional W30 package. You can check all the various components to make sure they are proper for a w30, and make sure the block and transmission have the matching partial vin stamped in the proper location.

Be aware that there are more 70 W30s now than Oldsmobile ever built, so do your due diligence to not buy a fake car.

 

And how !

Rarity, people have the audacity to even fake the overtly verifiable ones. The 72 version is an unmistakable unicorn and the games persist.

Here is a fake.

https://www.rkmotors.com/vehicles/12...KT4LIZ0PmuuupF

And below is a real one.

https://www.classic.com/veh/1972-old...46618-nOZ2JA4/

Yet both were advertised as W30s and both sold.

 

Summary: First thing first, confirm that the VIN begins with 344- to ensure that the car is in fact a 4-4-2. Then we can discuss potential ways of verifying it's a W-30.

 

Most important if it's a 70 W-30, the VIN needs to begin: 344870M if it's a hardtop. Make sure it has F heads as well. Good luck!

 

M stands for a Lansing build. All W-30's were built in Lansing.

 

The guy in the first example is very slick.
Notice that he says " W-30 VISUALS " in the ad copy.
1972 Oldsmobile 442 | RK Motors Classic Cars and Muscle Cars for Sale

 

Thanks for the help the vin does start with a 344670M here are some pics from the engine and trans what else should I look for

 

Holy cow! It's a convertible?

 

Looking good so far Rarity. It's a Lansing 442 which could be a W30, so far what's supposed to be there is there.

Check that the engine stamping matches the vin, and most importantly that the OW transmision has the vin stamped on the housing as well.

👍

The art of selling.

 

Post #8 here https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...umbers-118444/


Post #5 here https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...ission-140444/

 

I would be very careful with this. This is potentially a high dollar car and we all know that can give an unscrupulous character incentive to pull a fast one.

While the VIN establishes it as a 4-4-2, the evidence you have so far is necessary but not sufficient (as Joe P. likes to say) to prove it's also a W-30. Yes, as 69CSHC says, check that engine and trans numbers match, but also be aware that OW trans tags are available on E-Bay.

Where is this car being offered? Is it a dealer, a private seller, or is the car an upcoming auction entrant?

 

The other thing you need to post a photo of is the casting number on the cylinder head above the center two exhaust ports. It's relatively easy to turn an "E" head into an "F", significantly more difficult to doctor the casting number.