I have a 1972 cutlass s and it will be original but should i keep it an s or put the 442 emblems and w29 kit?

 

How do you know that it is not a W 29? Have you found any factory paperwork? If it is not a 442, dont make it one. Keep it stock

 

i never said it was i said its a cutlass s but they did come in the 442 option with w 29 package and the emblems

 

I would go with the 442 emblems and paint only if you add the cut-out bumper with duels, rims, interior 442 emblems, and what the hell....throw a rear spoiler on! Have fun with YOUR car! Best of luck, Tom

 

ok im planning on adding the 442 emblems, 442 grill, cut out bumper, 14 x 7 ss2 rims, but i do not know what the interior 442 emblems are?

and thanks tom

 

I`m a 69 guy and not an expert on 72`s. But the glove box has a 442 emblem and possibly the door panels had rockets instead of " S". That was how it was on the 69 442. (dont forget to advance the timming lol) Tom

 

You will have a larger and better tire selection if you use 15 inch SSII rims.

 

Unfortunately, that's not how it was in 1972, since the 442 was demoted from separate model to a "handling and appearance" package. The glovebox emblem was the Cutlass or Cutlass Supreme emblem from the base car. The 442 glovebox emblem was not used that year.

 

Keep it a Cutlass S, you won't have to constantly explain it's an option clone and you'll stand out from the crowd, much cooler.
SSII or III wheels would be stylish and correct, the rest of that 442 stuff is just window dressing.

 

I agree. I had the same option and already had the emblems etc. Just couldn't do it. I had a 69 cheby elcamino cloned to ss396 as in my screen name. Nothing but questions on if it was original, and always having to explain that it was a clone. Nothing wrong with a Cutlass S. I did it my way, and have had nothing but compliments, here or on the street. It says Cutlass, and there are no more clone questions. A nice relief.
Edit- And it goes just as fast without the emblems!!

 

A pic.

 

Nice car Ziff!

 

its your car, do with it as you please, though I lean towards keeping it as a Cutlass but as others have mentioned the interior could stay the same and you can pop on emblems and a paint scheme and it would look real nice. And as Joe said in 72 the 442 was appearance and handling so you really aren't going against the attended 442 option usage anyway unless you are a purest. And real nice car Ziff396 very nice

 

Thanks. Obviously mine is not original. I also say just do as you want. I just stayed with the Cutlass theme, and added the hood, rear cutout bumper, and 442 grilles. Wheels are 15" SS1 wheel vintique's. Interior I added buckets, console, duel gate, and sport steering wheel. I shaved and finished the shifter hump off the steering column, however, I am looking for a floor shift speedo.
Either way you go, it's your car, Enjoy!

 

In 1972, as stated above, the 442 option was just that, and from the factory's perspective it was like any other option you could add, like radio, power steering, wheel covers. You could add those items and not have a "clone" and I feel if you add all of the option components and do it right, you have a dealer/owner installed option situation, not a clone. After all, the 350 engine was standard in the 72 442. Basically, make the car what you want. No one says it is a 455 clone is you add that engine. They just denigrate some owner added options, a hypocritical situation. The key is to represent your car honestly. It is "unworthy" imo to add some of the emblems and not follow up with the suspension pieces, etc.

 

I agree. I also knew that about the dealer/owner options on the 72. However, I chose not to still have to answer all of those questions when out and about. I haven't even shown her yet. I just got tired of that before.
And yes, mine has disc brakes, front fender braces, oversize aftermarket sway bars, front and rear, boxed lower control arms with UMI roto joint uppers (huge change from the stock ones with poly), factory traction bars (braces) and edelbrock shocks. I know the braces came on 4 speeds, but why not? Like I said, not original, but my way.
I just like the stock look on the outside and interior, but with alot of other things added. But anyhow, I still, could not put the 442 emblems on. I just sold them.

 

This is the first I've heard of the factory traction bars. Where do they go and how do they work?
Also I'll probably doing the same with my Cutlass. put the 442 options on it but leave it a Cutlass.

 

I agree with most to keep it as original as possible, while suiting your needs and wants as well. I have inherited my '72 Supreme Hardtop and it came with most of the good stuff from the factory, but the original owner (my Grandfather) had the dealership of purchase install the W-29 appearance package and the W-30 stuff that was still available in '72. However after the dealership installed the aluminum intake and the red (I know, only 10 W-30's in "72 came with red ones) inner fenders, he didn't like the "look" of the red ones and had trouble with aluminum intakes in his past so those were removed. The car came with FE-2, W-25, W-26, cutout bumper, G70 x 14 wide oval tires, 3.08:1 antilock rear and the 455. Sometime in the mid 80's my Grandfather put the Supreme grilles back on. And now that I have it I am going to take the 442 and W-30 badging off after a lot of deep considering on my part, even though it is documented that the dealership put those things mentioned on. I just want it to be as the factory delivered it in July of '72. You can check out the original shipping order for my car in my album.

As far as the factory traction bars, I think he means the lower control arms.