I just purchased a 74 cutlass with 442 logos. Has a with 455 auto trans. I've been scouring the Internet for pictures of this configuration. It is black with a pair of gold stripes running front to back. The gold stripes are also on the seats front and rear. Front seat is a split bench. The hood has louvers in the center similar to the hurst olds. It doesn't have the Hurst shifter or any H/O logos. This is my first Olds so I am still learning where to get info and parts. Appreciate any info provided


Tim Thomas, Redding, Ca

 

Welcome to the site Timi. The hood, emblems, and stripe look correct to me for a 442. I don't think in anyway its a Hurst. The engine sure looks like its been there a while. You can look for the engine number under that bracket where you pictured the "J" head letter. I think your engine number should read something like 34M285739..

 

If my eyeballs are not fooling me, that 5th digit is a K ? If so that was a 350 when it left Lansing. Also cowl tag says 66 66 that was Cinnamon.

Pat

 

19X is for compaticolor interior combination.

 

I read the fifth character of the VIN as an "M", not a "K", but either way, the car was born with a 350, not a 455, so that's not the original engine. What trans is in the car, a TH450 or TH400?

As for the trim tag:

ST74 = 1974 model year
3 = Oldsmobile Division
AG = Cutlass model line
37 = 2dr coupe
LAN = Lansing assembly plant
395313 = Fisher Body sequential build number (NOT related to the VIN)
TR 957 = White vinyl interior
66 66 = Cinnamon poly
04B = Second week (B) of April (04) 1974 build date
A52 = Bench seat
19X = Black vinyl top

 

Black Vinyl top would be BB would it not? And it would be next to the paint code would it not?


Are you sure the 19X is not for a compaticolor interior? This was discussed once before. Not sure if it was here or on Facebook.

 

I'm certainly not an expert on the 73-77 cars, but I was going from this:

http://www.73-77olds.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4759

 

Keep reading on the second page of that thread. 19X is not black vinyl top.


"19X- black compaticolor interior accents (dash, carpet, seat inserts)"

 

Got it, thanks. Be interesting to see a photo of that.

 

Looks like a 1974 442. Without a window sticker or broadcast card, no way to verify it 100% but all the cues are there.


1974 442 were built on G37 "S" coupe platform but they, and Hurst/Olds, used the F37 base Cutlass front sheetmetal- header panel (w/o parking lamps) and lower bumper (which as you see incorporated parking lamps). 442/Hurst shared the louvered hood and black plastic grilles.


I also read the engine code as M, but whether K (single exhaust) or M (duals) it was still born with a 350. To its credit a J-headed 455 is era correct.


Build date is interesting because that's the timeframe they were building the 74 Hurst/Olds. The Hurst-bound cars (all either black or white) would have had all 442 equipment except badging factory installed and been pulled off the Lansing line for delivery to Demmer for the vinyl top modifications and striping.


Interesting car and appears in good condition, and will look good either left black w/ gold accents (the marker light bezels should NOT be painted gold) or put back Cinnamon. Someone went to some trouble with interior, and since the white plastic components always dry rot, I'd leave the inside black.

 

Thanks everyone for the info. It follows my suspicions that the motor was changed to 455 sometime as well as the entire car repainted. It must have been someone's pride and joy at some time. I does look like the interior was white at one time because white shines through where ever the interior trim is scratched. The interior trim is deteriated quite a bit.

I found some gas credit card receipts under the seats, going to try to track down the original owner/s.