When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
05A = time build code = May (05), first week of that month (A), 1968
019078 770157: These are codes unique to the Fremont, CA, assembly plant and no one that I know right now has any idea of what they mean.
2: This is a number stamped into the trim tag of which no one knows what it means. My '68 4-4-2 convertible has a 1 stamped into it. There have been a number of cars with a 1 or a 2 stamped into this spot but I'm pretty sure no one has any idea right now of what it means.
ST 68 = style/model year = 1968
34487: 3 = GM division = Oldsmobile; 44 = model series = 442; 87 = body type = holiday coupe (2-door coupe, no post)
BF = assembly plant = Fremont, CA
02182 BODY = Fisher Body number (has no relationship to the VIN on your car)
TR 945 = interior color and front seat type = garnet in color with bucket seats
B80 = option code = chrome roof drip moldings
R R PAINT = lower and upper body colors = scarlet for both
Wow, just looking at the side picture, it appears to me that yours did come with the side (W36) stripe. The 442 numbers are located a bit further forward and higher for cars without the stripe. Your numbers appear to be in the same position as mine and mind did come with the stripe. The stripe was originally painted onto the car. I've attached a page out of the '68 assembly manual that gives measurements of where the numbers go when a car came with the W36 stripe.
Where are you located? I notice the Oregon license plate, which looks to be the original one that came with the car (your car build date is the first week of May 1968, the Oregon license plate starts with an F which means it was issued in June - as also indicated on the plate, and the second letter C is consistent with a 1968 issue). My '68 was originally licensed in Oregon in April 1968 with the plate number DCY 799. If you are in Oregon, I'd use that front plate and register the car as a "collector". A collector car license comes with some restrictions but the price is certainly right!
Your wheels are from a '70 or newer car as they are 14X7. The '68-'69 SSII wheels were 14X6. The 7s always looked much better to me!
It appears your vinyl top was added. Looks very nice!
Thanks again for the info. I am logged in but cannot view your vehicles. I forgot to tell you my 442 is a factory close ratio 4 speed. I did purchase her in Oregon but I live in Northern California about 100 south of the Oregon Border.
Hi Michael,
Sounds like a very interesting car. What differential does it have? I had a brother who lived in Crescent City (sadly passed away 5 years ago) and his 4-4-2 went to his #2 daughter, now in North Carolina. It is also an M-21 4-spd car with a 3.42 anti-spin axle. From what I can gather, it seems to me that a lot of the M-21 cars came with 3.91 differentials.
It would be interesting to hear what you discover as you go through your '68. I know an Olds dealership owner of that era who had nothing but praise for Lansing cars, and nothing but disdain for Fremont cars. I could see it in the difference between my '68 (Lansing) and '69 (Fremont). There were all kinds of fasteners and body plugs missing from my '69 - the holes were there but the pieces to fill them were not. In some cases, the holes weren't even drilled! I'm glad I restored my '68 first as it helped immensely in restoring my '69.
I'm figuring you are either in Redding or Eureka!
I don't really have a page on this site for pics - just never set it up!
My 442 has a cloth interior did any come from the factory with this upholstery?
Also where can I find the code for the rear? Is it on the axle? I thought I had Posi but when I lay rubber there is only one track. What options could my rear be? My collection is housed in a warehouse just south of Redding. Thanks for all the info...
Michael, those seats didn't come from the factory like that. Is the material velour or velvet? Regardless, those are very skilfully done but in '68 the factory only offered perforated vinyl on 4-4-2s with bucket seats. The color looks about right, though, and the pattern is correct.
Sounds like your rear is a peg-leg or a very tired Anti-Spin unit. Surprisingly few of these cars seem to have been ordered with Anti-Spin. Probably the quickest way to identify the gear is to jack up the rear, and count driveshaft rotations vs. wheel rotations. Three driveshaft rotations for a wheel rotation = a 3.08 gear.
Last edited by BangScreech4-4-2; June 9th, 2018 at 04:07 PM.
Great looking hard top Michael, I also have the garnet interior but it's vinyl. My fender emblems are also close to the door but some time before I got the car the stripes disappeared. Soon to come back I think...
My '68 also came with the 3.08, which I believe was standard issue for 4-4-2 that model year. Mine did come with the limited slip axle, though.
Randy C.
Correct. 3.08 (or 3.07 for Canadian-built cars with the Type C axle) was the standard ratio with TH400, available as RPO G90 with all other transmissions.
Is there a way to find out the build number on a 1970 Oldsmobile 442 if the cowl plate is missing and I'm trying to get one recreated. I have the vin number and everything except the sequential serial number or body numbers that come after the Plant Letter. In my case the letter M indicating it was built in Lansing MI. I realize this is a strange request but any help would be appreciated. Many Thanks Lou
Location: Edmonton, AB. And "I am Can 'eh' jun - eh"
Posts: 24,525
Short answer is no.
However...
The VIN and Fisher body number are not related. The VIN is actually the build (final assembly) number. The FB tag simply will state things like the body number and style, plant, trim, paint, and seat option. Recreating a body tag borders on the questionable side. If it's not there, you have no way of authenticating what the information was originally on that tag. Since it's a Lansing car you also won't find a build sheet, but you MIGHT find a Broadcast card. That would give you the body number, trim, paint and some options. The card would look like this, but be specific for your car. Sometimes these are found under carpets, under seat springs etc. It's the only documentation that would give you the information you are seeking. Good luck.
April 14th, 2017, 04:49 PM
