I'm new to Oldsmobiles, but I have been playing with cars for 20 years.
I'm looking at a 1976 442. It has a 455 and a four speed trans.
How do I go about determining if it's an original 455 four speed car?
I'm looking for info on VIN decoding, production data, etc

 

Welcome to the site! Sounds like a cool car! I'm not familiar enough with that vintage to answer your question. If you don't get the answer here I'd encourage you to check out this other Olds site:

http://www.73-77olds.com/index.php



John

 

Welcome to our site!

 

What is the VIN?

 

That's an easy one. It is not an original 4-speed. Factory 4-speeds were not available after '73.

 

Welcome. There was a 5 speed manual option in 76.

 

Right, but that was not a high performance deal, it was only available with the 260 and would not bolt up to *or* hold up with anything bigger.

 

Starting with the 1972 model year, the VIN will tell you what engine was factory installed. An original 455 car would have had either an "S" or a "T" as the fifth character of the VIN.

http://service.gm.com/dealerworld/vi.../vincard76.pdf

 

Engine digit is an F. That would make the original engine the 260. I'll have to look and see what the numbers on the engine are. I'ts definately a 455 and may be worth buying for the drivetrain.
Thanks for the help.

 

I'll bet it was a 260/5 spd car to start with (relatively rare, actually), which would have made it pretty easy to swap the 455/4 spd combo.

 

yes a very rare car, post some pix when you can.

 

Does that mean that you could get a 4 speed in 73? I've read on other forums that you could, and still others (and members here) that say the 73 Cutlass / HO was only available with a 455/400.

So am I describing 2 different issues?
1. HO production
2. 73 455/4speed option

I would like to know because I don't have a CSM or AM for 73 and there's nothing on WAC about this either.

 

Okay, but I know you mean "nothing on WAC yet", because it is coming!

Yes, 2 different issues. In '73, the M20 4-speed was available on any 2-door Cutlass model. But its was not available with the H/O in '73.

 

That would explain a LOT! I sure hope I didn't upset any of the HO guys. I really am looking forward to when those new CSMs and AMs hit WAC.

 

Welcome to the forum!!!!!

 

In 1976, as stated, they never made a 455 4 spd in an Olds, although you could get one in a Trans Am. There should be a "T" in the VIN to indicate a 455 engine, but that would have been mated with a THM 400 tranny and you had to have power brakes too.

Your VIN decodes like this: 3 (Olds) / G ( Cutlass S) / 37 (2 door HT Coupe) / T = 455 / 6 = 1976 / M = Lansing / 123456 Plant seq. No.

Good luck and welcome.