Newbie to forum, but not Olds 442 ;)
August 10th, 2023, 07:54 AM
#1
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Join Date: Aug 2023
Posts: 7
Newbie to forum, but not Olds 442 ;)
Hey all, as the title says, new here, but use to have a '70 Cutlass S (that I am currently looking for)...and a '76 442, that was sadly sent to rust heaven.
Been lurking for a while, and noticed a thread where rocketraider wrote; "Post the first 7 characters in your VIN, and the information on the underhood body data plate. We can tell you what the car is, its original paint color and interior, its original engine, and when and where it was built."
I don't have the under hood info, and the only info I have on my dad's old '70 Cutlass S, is a scribbled vin number on an old insurance doc.
I tried it at the local DMV to do a search, and the number wouldn't work.
Can any one help me with this please??
What I think I have is vin #336870G...
The rest of the numbers are very legible, but factory code G is a real mess...so guessing G at this point. The 8 was also a guess...it could be a 5 or 6.
Thanks in advance!!
Been lurking for a while, and noticed a thread where rocketraider wrote; "Post the first 7 characters in your VIN, and the information on the underhood body data plate. We can tell you what the car is, its original paint color and interior, its original engine, and when and where it was built."
I don't have the under hood info, and the only info I have on my dad's old '70 Cutlass S, is a scribbled vin number on an old insurance doc.
I tried it at the local DMV to do a search, and the number wouldn't work.
Can any one help me with this please??
What I think I have is vin #336870G...
The rest of the numbers are very legible, but factory code G is a real mess...so guessing G at this point. The 8 was also a guess...it could be a 5 or 6.
Thanks in advance!!
August 10th, 2023, 11:35 AM
#6
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2023
Posts: 155
Hey all, as the title says, new here, but use to have a '70 Cutlass S (that I am currently looking for)...and a '76 442, that was sadly sent to rust heaven.
Been lurking for a while, and noticed a thread where rocketraider wrote; "Post the first 7 characters in your VIN, and the information on the underhood body data plate. We can tell you what the car is, its original paint color and interior, its original engine, and when and where it was built."
I don't have the under hood info, and the only info I have on my dad's old '70 Cutlass S, is a scribbled vin number on an old insurance doc.
I tried it at the local DMV to do a search, and the number wouldn't work.
Can any one help me with this please??
What I think I have is vin #336870G...
The rest of the numbers are very legible, but factory code G is a real mess...so guessing G at this point. The 8 was also a guess...it could be a 5 or 6.
Thanks in advance!!
Been lurking for a while, and noticed a thread where rocketraider wrote; "Post the first 7 characters in your VIN, and the information on the underhood body data plate. We can tell you what the car is, its original paint color and interior, its original engine, and when and where it was built."
I don't have the under hood info, and the only info I have on my dad's old '70 Cutlass S, is a scribbled vin number on an old insurance doc.
I tried it at the local DMV to do a search, and the number wouldn't work.
Can any one help me with this please??
What I think I have is vin #336870G...
The rest of the numbers are very legible, but factory code G is a real mess...so guessing G at this point. The 8 was also a guess...it could be a 5 or 6.
Thanks in advance!!
There is supposed to be a guy that can identify almost any Olds and he may be able to get you more details with just the vin #. I forget his name but maybe someone else can help with that. I’d love to know myself so I can see if he keeps documents and can provide duplicates.
August 10th, 2023, 02:20 PM
#9
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Join Date: Aug 2023
Posts: 155
You’re welcome! I don’t see any other plants in this book I’m using and don’t recall ever hearing of a Canadian plant for the Cutlass but I’m no expert. Someone else on the site may know more.
I also tried to dig around and see if there was a way to link a vin to a body number plate (on top left of the cowl, which I know you don’t have). I couldn’t find anything. But if you could tell me…
…I could speculate about what the body number plate would have on it (except for the code for the build date). It may not mean much unless you could find an expert who could use your vin to determine when the car was made. Just thought it might be interesting to have.
I also tried to dig around and see if there was a way to link a vin to a body number plate (on top left of the cowl, which I know you don’t have). I couldn’t find anything. But if you could tell me…
- Exterior color (black, dark blue? - can’t quite tell)
- last six of vin
- bench or buckets (looks bench based on headrest height in second pic)
- cloth or vinyl
- interior color
…I could speculate about what the body number plate would have on it (except for the code for the build date). It may not mean much unless you could find an expert who could use your vin to determine when the car was made. Just thought it might be interesting to have.
Last edited by 72442TwiceOwned; August 10th, 2023 at 02:57 PM. Reason: Correction
August 10th, 2023, 03:21 PM
#10
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Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Colorado - Front Range
Posts: 2,405
The VIN does not provide any clues, in and of itself, as to when a particular vehicle was built. The Body Trim tag does. It will give a month and week of build. Yes, cars were "built" in Canada. Oshawa, from imported US parts. GM of Canada can provide provenance of how an Olds was spec'ed from the factory if you give them the VIN and $$$. OP's car was built in Framingham, per the "G" code in the VIN. The last six digits of the VIN are the GM build sequence number. Unless out of sheer luck, they will not match up to the last six of the Body Trim tag. But those last six of the VIN will be part of the "VIN derivative" on the engine block and transmission. That's how you determine so-called matching numbers for those two components.
August 10th, 2023, 03:36 PM
#11
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Join Date: Aug 2023
Posts: 155
The VIN does not provide any clues, in and of itself, as to when a particular vehicle was built. The Body Trim tag does. It will give a month and week of build. Yes, cars were "built" in Canada. Oshawa, from imported US parts. GM of Canada can provide provenance of how an Olds was spec'ed from the factory if you give them the VIN and $$$. OP's car was built in Framingham, per the "G" code in the VIN. The last six digits of the VIN are the GM build sequence number. Unless out of sheer luck, they will not match up to the last six of the Body Trim tag. But those last six of the VIN will be part of the "VIN derivative" on the engine block and transmission. That's how you determine so-called matching numbers for those two components.
By the way, do you know the name of the guy that’s recognized as the absolute expert on all of the olds production data and can identify and provide details about most olds? I’ve seen his name a few times over the years but it escapes me right now.
August 10th, 2023, 05:21 PM
#12
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2023
Posts: 7
You’re welcome! I don’t see any other plants in this book I’m using and don’t recall ever hearing of a Canadian plant for the Cutlass but I’m no expert. Someone else on the site may know more.
I also tried to dig around and see if there was a way to link a vin to a body number plate (on top left of the cowl, which I know you don’t have). I couldn’t find anything. But if you could tell me…
…I could speculate about what the body number plate would have on it (except for the code for the build date). It may not mean much unless you could find an expert who could use your vin to determine when the car was made. Just thought it might be interesting to have.
I also tried to dig around and see if there was a way to link a vin to a body number plate (on top left of the cowl, which I know you don’t have). I couldn’t find anything. But if you could tell me…
- Exterior color (black, dark blue? - can’t quite tell)
- last six of vin
- bench or buckets (looks bench based on headrest height in second pic)
- cloth or vinyl
- interior color
…I could speculate about what the body number plate would have on it (except for the code for the build date). It may not mean much unless you could find an expert who could use your vin to determine when the car was made. Just thought it might be interesting to have.
As BackInTheGame noted, the rest of the vin really wouldn't add much...unless I found a candidate and want to make sure it was the actual car!
August 10th, 2023, 05:25 PM
#13
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2023
Posts: 7
The VIN does not provide any clues, in and of itself, as to when a particular vehicle was built. The Body Trim tag does. It will give a month and week of build. Yes, cars were "built" in Canada. Oshawa, from imported US parts. GM of Canada can provide provenance of how an Olds was spec'ed from the factory if you give them the VIN and $$$. OP's car was built in Framingham, per the "G" code in the VIN. The last six digits of the VIN are the GM build sequence number. Unless out of sheer luck, they will not match up to the last six of the Body Trim tag. But those last six of the VIN will be part of the "VIN derivative" on the engine block and transmission. That's how you determine so-called matching numbers for those two components.
PS, I'd be thrilled if the car was found...the chances of the original block being in there would be on another level!!
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