Hi All,
Been viewing the site for a while, but this is my first post. I've had my car since the mid 90's (see the image below of me when I first brought it home). It is badged as a 442, but I think someone just put a lot of work into putting on some 442 parts. I bought it with a rocket 350 and th350 trans. Younger me thought that was WAY too small, so bought a 455 from a delta 88. Spent some time porting the heads (see photo below), had the engine machined and balanced. I built it following the mondello tech reference guide.

Bought and rebuilt a muncie 4speed, put it all together, broke in the cam, but never got the car on the road. It sat for 25years until I finally had time AND money to work on it. I flushed the fuel system, turned it over by hand a few times, primed the oil system and tried to see if it would start. I have a video of the results, but looks like we can't post videos but I think I posted the audio file. It started right up! Amazing! It was doing some "funny" things, and since it sat for so long, I just decided to pull it (last photo) and go thru it all once again. It gives me the opportunity to check on younger me's work.

Younger me put in some parts that I'm questioning as to why I thought that was a good idea. I'll start a separate build thread for it though. Just wanted to introduce myself to you all, and to show you some vintage photos of the car (and me). Thanks!


First car I bought with my own money.

A few years later, got the big block. Machine shop had a lot of ford blue left over, hence the color.

Spent my Christmas vacation porting the heads.

25 years later, pulling the motor to go thru it again.

 

Welcome!

And be sure to post any questions. There are experts in every field on here. We're good at solving problems.

 

Thanks VC455! I'm sure I will have lots of questions. Thanks!

 

Cool that you still have the same Oldsmobile. Younger me definitely did some dumb things.

 

Welcome to the site. Look forward to seeing and hearing about your progress.

 

Guess I never thought of it that way. You're right, kind of amazing that I was able to hold on to it for that long. Thanks! Friend of mine wasn't so lucky. Once he moved out, his parents had his car scrapped. Ugh.

 

Interesting project, I like the historical aspect -- I'm following.

Can't tell from those pictures whether it's a '71 or a '72, but if it's a '71, a VIN starting with 344- will confirm 4-4-2 status.

 

Welcome to the site!

 

Thanks BangScreech4-4-2. It is a 72. According to the VIN, it originally came with a 2bbl. So I'm assuming it wouldn't be a 442. But the first 3 of the VIN are: 3GB. Here is an image of the body tag as well:

 

Thanks 2blu442 and don71!

 

Looks to be Viking Blue, a sweet color. In '72 the only way to confirm that it was a factory 442 is with paperwork. The 442 was availbale with the 350 2bbl as the base engine. I wouldn't worry about it though, just enjoy it.

 

Thanks 1969w3155. Strong advice. I should just enjoy it. Thanks!

 

Cowl tag says code 63 63 - both upper and lower - "Saddle Bronze".

 

Thanks v8al! In the trunk I can see scratched paint that has the gold under it. I do like the blue better though. I believe it had a white vinyl roof, at least that is what I remember peeling small pieces of off.

 

I've had a buick for almost 25 years. I bought it when i was 19 and a freshman in college. Did mostly the same as the OP. As an adult I'm unearthing some of my "resto" work..

Maybe this is why i admire anyone who is willing to dive into a project head first.. even with mixed results.

 

Welcome aboard! Looks and sounds like a great car and a fun project!

 

The trim/cowl tag you posted says both the upper and lower paint code is 63. That means the car did NOT originally come from the factory with a vinyl roof. The roof was painted the same as the body color.
If the car originally had a white vinyl roof installed by the factory the trim/cowl tag would be coded "63 A".

Of course a dealer or other entity could have easily installed a white vinyl roof after the car was delivered. Lots of things happened to these cars over the last half a century or so.

 

72 = 1972
3 = Oldsmobile division
36 = Cutlass
87 = Hardtop coupe body style
G = Built in Framingham, MA
55526 = Body unit number
947 = Trim combination number - White interior.
A51 = Strato bucket seats
63 = lower body color - "Saddle Bronze"
63 = upper body color (roof) - "Saddle Bronze"
02A = Build date 02 = February, A = 1st week.

 

Good luck to you and your project

I’m a big fan of blue but I think that saddle bronze top and bottom with a white interior is a very attractive combo. 50 yrs later those earthy colors sometimes seem dated when all one knew or saw is a faded washed out old paint job but when I see fresh paint in bronze gold or green etc I am always impressed.

 

Welcome!