I have a 66 442, or what I think is a 442, how can I tell it's not a clone? VIN#335176m380265, any help would be appreciated, thanks.

 

The VIN won't tell you because the 442 was just an option package in 1966, not its own series. That VIN decodes as a 1966 F-85 Deluxe 2-door hardtop with an L-6 engine built at Lansing, Michigan.

Could you get the 442 option on an L-6? I don't think so. This certainly sounds like it could be a car where someone has dropped in a V-8 and rebadged it as a 442.

 

Hey, welcome to CO. I noticed you were here for a few posts back in June/July but we never welcomed you then. Glad to have you back with us. That 455 still running strong?

 

The only way to know for sure if it is a 442 would be if you found a build sheet or broadcast card or if the care still had the dealer invoice. So what if it is just a Cutlass or F-85, you still have a good car.You could have had a 442 with a 6 but not that year.

 

So am I correct about the VIN? It indicates that the car should have an L-6, right? If the 442 package came only with a V-8, doesn't this indicate that the car is most definitely not an original 442, and that finding the build sheet isn't really needed to prove or disprove this.

In other words, the VIN alone can't prove that it IS a 442, but it can prove that it is NOT a 442. Correct? Or am I missing something?

 

In 1966 the third digit would tell you the engine type . If it said 4 you had a F - 85 V-8 6 would be a F-85 deluxe and 8 would be a Cutlass V-8 You would be correct Jaunty75. Still love the 66 Cutlass even if it is not a 442.

 

Thanks for everyone's input, I appreciate it.

 

post the trim tag codes. That will help tell the story. A pic of the trim tag is even better!!

 

I'd say you're spot-on. That 3rd number being odd means it's a 6 cylinder car so it can't be a 442. To the best of my knowledge in 1966 442s only had the 400ci with either the 4 barrell or the triple carb set-up.

 

I'd say you're correct. After all, in 1966, one of the 4's in 4-4-2 stood for the 400 cubic-inch engine.

It wouldn't do to have a 250 cubic inch Six in there. What would that be? A 2.5-4-2? A 4-2.5-2? I'm not sure which of the 4's stood for the engine.

 

If it is a 442 Lansing built car,
it will have a V in column 5, on the trim tag.

http://www.oldsmobility.com/oldsmo/v....php?f=12&t=18


Jim

 

That's true for all assembly plants except Fremont. Unfortunately, a six cylinder car can't be a 442.

 

Good looking Olds.

 

Since the 4-4-2 package was an option, you "could" start with a 6 cylinder and (back then) buy all the parts from GMPD to "convert" it to a 4-4-2, but it would be an "owner installed option" not a factory installation. You decide whether to call it a "clone" because an owner adding a radio or wheel cover option doesn't make the car a clone. Most people, however, don't install all the correct parts, just some of the appearance stuff. That is just plain incorrect on a technical level, and the "fraud" word often follows. . .

 

Technically any '66 Cutlass could be cloned and sold as a 442. Unfortunate for buyers.