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Hi all
I've been trying to figure out if a car I found for sale is a real 442 or not. I've done a lot of research online but still am confused. I have the VIN number as well as the trim tag. The trim tag is odd because there are almost no options listed on it other than the color of the car and the interior having bucket seats. The VIN number is 338676Z128280. This number matches the trim tag. From my research I understand this car was produced in California. It's provincial white with blue interior bucket seats automatic console floor shifter and it is convertible. One thing that's odd is it looks to have regular Cutlass tail lights instead of the tail lights I normally see on a 442. Other than that it appears to be legitimate. I understand the early 442s were parts bin cars but I'm wondering if anybody could verify authenticity of this car. Trim tag
Last edited by carsofchaos; Sep 26, 2016 at 09:20 AM.
Hi all
I've been trying to figure out if a car I found for sale is a real 442 or not. I've done a lot of research online but still am confused. I have the VIN number as well as the trim tag. The trim tag is odd because there are almost no options listed on it other than the color of the car and the interior having bucket seats. The VIN number is 338676Z128280. This number matches the trim tag. From my research I understand this car was produced in California. It's provincial white with blue interior bucket seats automatic console floor shifter and it is convertible. One thing that's odd is it looks to have regular Cutlass tail lights instead of the tail lights I normally see on a 442. Other than that it appears to be legitimate. I understand the early 442s were parts bin cars but I'm wondering if anybody could verify authenticity of this car.
That is a Fremont vin # and there is no way to tell by the vin # or trim tag if it's a 442 or not. The vin # does not match the trim tag other than body style. If it were a Lansing or Framingham built 442,the 5V on the trim tag would tell you but the Fremont built cars did not have that info on the trim tag.
The VIN won't tell you anything, as the 442 package was an option that year.
Normally, the cowl tag would have a "5V" code indicating the car is a 442. Unfortunately, this is a Fremont car, and Fremont did not put the 5V code on the cowl tag. As a result, Fremont cars are easily cloned.
Unless you have the Protect-O-Plate or build sheet, there is no way to prove the car is real.
Damn Californians hahaha. Yes I was worried about not seeing the 5V anywhere on the tag so I guess that explains why nothing's there. I think for the price I'm getting it at it's going to be worth a gamble whether it's a real one or a clone. Once I have it back to my garage I'll start seeing if I can find a build sheet somewhere. One thing I find a little worrisome is it's got Cutlass tail lights.
Originally Posted by joe_padavano
The VIN won't tell you anything, as the 442 package was an option that year.
Normally, the cowl tag would have a "5V" code indicating the car is a 442. Unfortunately, this is a Fremont car, and Fremont did not put the 5V code on the cowl tag. As a result, Fremont cars are easily cloned.
Unless you have the Protect-O-Plate or build sheet, there is no way to prove the car is real.
One thing I find a little worrisome is it's got Cutlass tail lights.
Look inside the trunk for evidence that the tail lights have been removed and replaced (like marks that the nuts have been removed and reinstalled, for example). I assume this has a correct E-block 400 motor and Jetaway?
Yes the fender vents missing completely throws me. Were those specific to 442s or were they specific to the year 1966? If it was a standard Cutlass would there be a lot more information on the trim tag or were most cars out of the California plant missing trim tag information whether they were a 4-4-2 or not?
Originally Posted by tru-blue 442
Hmmm... Missing the fender vents and tail lights say Cutlass to me. And does it have
a hood spear too?
Look inside the trunk for evidence that the tail lights have been removed and replaced (like marks that the nuts have been removed and reinstalled, for example). I assume this has a correct E-block 400 motor and Jetaway?
Yes the fender vents missing completely throws me. Were those specific to 442s or were they specific to the year 1966? If it was a standard Cutlass would there be a lot more information on the trim tag or were most cars out of the California plant missing trim tag information whether they were a 4-4-2 or not?
There wasn't much info on the cowl tag anyway. Vents were specific to the 1966 442.
That photo really doesn't help. How about a picture of the casting number on the block? The paint color does look like 330 gold, but monitors differ and your mileage may vary.
Sorry guys got stuck at work so I'm just now replying. Yes the air cleaner that in the car is not a 442 air cleaner. However it is a 50 year old car and I have seen people grab whatever random air cleaner they can put on a car at some point. The car is coming from an estate sale so the person representing the car doesn't know much about it. Here's the only other engine picture I have. Even if it's not a 4-4-2 there's still nothing wrong with a 66 Cutlass convertible!
Yeah there's no 442 emblem on the dash that was one thing I noticed right away. We're trying to get the thing for $1,500 so even if it's not a 442 I think we're ok
QUOTE=tru-blue 442;956455]Cars, what emblem is on the dash? Quack, quack. What's the price if I can be so bold?[/QUOTE]
Light Blue interior looks very strong although door panels were hole punched for speakers. I think that this car has an odd color combination. Born Provincial White with a black top (C-2) and a light blue interior. Is there something missing with the generator being up by the power steering pump, like is this a smog motor or something. More picutures would be nice.
Thanks
Wayne
Joe, just a side bar question on 66 Cutlass Convertibles since we are talking about one. Sway bar came or did not on 66 Cutlass verts?
Thanks
Wayne
The boxed rear lower control arms and rear sway bar were only standard equipment with the 442 package (RPO L78 in 1966) or the Highway Patrol Equipment package (RPO B07). Of course, B07 was not available to the general public and not offered on the convertible body anyway. There was no separate RPO FE2 suspension package in 1966.
Joe, thanks for getting back to my comment. Spent a day last week lowering the rear bumper to install my new back up light harness. Noticed when I jacked up the car that there was a sway bar on my 66 vert. This discussion generated my question and your answer moved me to relook under the rear. Yes, sway bar and boxed control arms. The fasteners show a group of younger fastners.
I am not saying the car came with a sway bar and boxed lower control arms originally. I am assuming sometime in it's life the sway bar and boxed arms were added.
So does anybody have a few pictures of OEM boxed arms. Just another learning moment on Classic Oldsmobile.
Thanks
Wayne
another sign is pull the interior trim panels in the back seat area and look to see the fill holes from the Cutlass emblems. If there for sure a cutlass not a 442
Even if not a 442 (which it seems like it's not), I think everyone can agree that if you can get that car under $5k, running or not, you're getting a great deal.
I could use one of those spinners off the hubcaps if you get it and want to part with one.
I'm not here often but surprised I wasn't on this thread........I had a 1966 and had a perfect rechrome on the front and rear bumpers (I prefer those Cutlass tail lights) and then my last job was having those fake fender vents rechromed......never heard back from the place and after 6 months or so I found out the damn place burned to the ground and he didn't have insurance so he was hiding......when I finally found him he made excuses like he lost gold plated stuff for other customers......I had to point out those fender vents are not something you can just go to NAPA or a local junk yard and find.
And then further luck this fine looking repainted with many coats of what I called *refrigerator white* with all that chrome........was stolen in 2007 and never seen again.
I still have my 1970 Cutlass Supreme with the 455 that still looks new and last summer I finally put a HEI ignition in her to go with the modern starter that doesn't weigh 3 tons and het hot like the OEM boat anchor
Only got to drive her twice before the rainy season started but it is now like a modern version of a ROCKET .......drove it the 2nd time home in the dark and it had all 4 high-beams but putting her in low-beam I only had 2 lights on one side and nothing on the passenger side so that will be the first project in June when the rain might take a break
I also bought a .50 cal. Desert Eagle after that
I hope he did restore that convertible Cutlass though
Last edited by Supreme455; Dec 27, 2024 at 02:48 PM.
