With POCI and Carlisle, I'm all spent. Nothing till Sept. Also, to back up a bit, some sources list the W-31 as Cutlass Supremes, but they really mean Cutlass S. They are two distinct trim levels for the A-bodies.
Corectomundo! Give that man a cigar! I never saw a Cutlass Supreme W31. Know people who swear their parents had one, but thinking the salesman probably fed them a line of B.S. at the time that it was a Cutlass Supreme even though it wa a Cutlass S. What was really neat about the Cutlass S in 68-72, was it is exactly the same car as the 442 and if you option it up, only difference is the grille, the badges, the 350 instead of that earth shaking small bore 400 (68-69), and your insurance bill. It was about 1/2 of what a 442 would cost. They had never heard about a W31, so why tell them? :bglasses:
My first car was a '72 Cutlass S sports coupe (post). Out of ignorance, I always called it a Supreme; what else could "S" stand for? It wasn't until about 10 years later when I started researching to buy my W-30 that I realized the S and Supreme were two different cars. Ignorance is bliss. And I've spent most of my life in complete bliss. I think this explains why we get ornery as we age. :rant:
The Supreme and Cutlass S were only two different cars from 70 on. Actually they were the same other than the Gbody (yes, that's correct) top and quarter panels even after 1970. The 68's and 69's were the same body except the trim. All used the same frames and chassis. Not sure exactly what the S stood for, but we always assumed it was for Sport. Marketing always did a good job of screwing around with things to give the sheister salesmen some elbow room to spin and bullshit the customers around. The Ramrod 350 and 400 decals on the engines of the 69 W31 and W30's, the changing from Cutlass to Supeme, to S etc. Even the oriinal 442 was spun after the first year when the automatic trans was made available for the girli-boys. :laugh: :laugh:
I don't know. I have no transportation, and last time I convinced my friend to go, but it the turnout was not great.
1969 442 Convertible ? While discussing a "deal" on selling my 1968 Camaro, the person tells me he has a 69 442 convt. in pieces that he wants to sell/trade. I looked the car over, factory 4-speed without A/C. The present motor is a built 455. What did these cars come with originally? He has alot of extra parts and it appears to be a legit 442, dash plaque, rear trunklid and fenders. The VIN # starts 344679. Any crucial areas to look for rot or rust? Thanks. Upstaged in Michigan.
car originally came with a 400. Look at the cylinder heads on the car now---there should be a large (1" tall or so) letter cast into each head just forward (rearward) of the #1 spark plug (Rearmost sparkplug on P side head). What letter is this on each one?....asking this in case it has some rare desirable heads on the 455. Convertible....Michigan..rust spots to check for?? Everywhere :laugh: Look at the usual spots for any a-body. Update if you find out more---the 4 speed is a desirable feature...especially in a convert.
442 ???? The heads have the letter "C" on them. It was rebuilt by a company out of grand Rapids Mi. who were big Olds people. So I am told. I sent you a PM regarding some other specifics. Thanks, Upstaged.
those are the correct heads for that year motor. Did you happen to look at the valve covers...I think they should be the "notched" covers--ie they have a sort of cut out or lowered area for brake booster and ac box clearance. Not critical but not the cheapest thing to buy if they are missing. Keep us up on this deal so we can all get the vicarious thrill of spending YOUR money :grin: Patton
1969 442 Sadly, the valvecovers are aftermarket items. I am in a real quandry about the VIN #'s. This car has been off the road(s) for 14 years. Plus, It is a 455 and I am unsure of the year of the motor. As for spending my money, I need alot of help managing it when it comes to these old musclcars. My girlfriend wil attest to that!!!! RGG/ Upstaged in Michigan.
There is a VIN stamp on that engine on a machined pad just below the deck line (where the head meets the block) at the drivers side at the front. The number will not match the car (only 455 in 69 was in the Hursts). The number there should be something like 9MXXXXXX, or 0MXXXXXX where the first digit denoted the year of the engine, the M denotes the assembly plant (assume it's a Lansing car here in Michigan) and the last 6 are the VIN sequence of the car ir originally came in. You'll be much happier with a 455 in that car than the original 400 as they are much more potent even in non modified stock form. They also respond well do normal hop up tricks. That 400 was an emissions engine and not really developed for performance.
442 Vin # ???? Any help in determining the VIN # on this 1969 442 convt. is appreciated. I read a couple of links on this series but I am still confused. The VIN is 344679 Mxxxxxx. Thanks, Upstaged in Michigan.
Your VIN breaks down as follows: 3 Oldsmobile 44 442 series 67 Convertible 9 1969 M Lansing Plant XXXXXXX Sequential serial number There's also a plate on the cowl near the windshield wiper motor that is the Fisher body plate. It will give you a lot more information like color, interior type, console or not, 4 speed or automatic (for the hole in the floor) and other interior options. (power windows, seat, door locks, deluxe belts, others. There are codes on there, best bet is to copy all the information and put a post in 442.com or realoldspower.com for help in decoding it. Don't be surprised if the "serial number" on the Fisher plate doesn't match the VIN on the dash. The VIN's were assigned after the body was made and shipped to the assembly plant. In 68 (maybe also 69) the Cutlass S bodies and 442 bodies were both coded as 3667, 77, or 87 even though the vehicle VIN was 4467, 4477, and 4487 rspectively. Cutlass S does not stand for Supreme. That was a separate series (4200). Significant different trim from the Cutlass S and 442 (which was identical).. :bglasses:
442 VIN Information Dave H. , Thanks for the clarification about the breakdown on the vin on this car. I appreciate it. I will probably make the person an offer and I think the 442 convt. will be in my barn, after I sell my 1970 Hurst Chrysler and 1968 Camaro. I may take 1 or both of these cars to Auburn over the Labor Day holiday. Upstaged in Michigan
Hey guys, Dad, my brother and myself just got back from up north. We attended a convention in Columbus, but also made a trip to Wisconsin to pick up some W31 parts. I spent 3 hours loading the trailer with parts that we bought from a man in Madison. We paid what we thought was a high price until we saw what all we got. Basically we got a whole 31 minus the frame and body. I mean everything. However it was bitter sweet because a very rare car is going to get butchered. This man special ordered the car when he was 18. It was always garaged and only recieved 48k miles to date. Now in his 50's he wants to go fast. So the 31 is getting cut up for a race car with a BBC powerplant! This car was awesome with original paint and never any rust. Always garaged too! It sucks to say the least. He found the build sheet 2 years back when tearing it apart. The sheet was slightly torn, so he threw it away!!! Couldn't believe that one. Anyway, we loaded up all the pristine parts and I tried my best to talk him out of the car, but I don't think it will happen. We offered him a 442 to cut up so we could have the 31. He said he was attatched to his car since he bought it new. How could someone attatched do that to a car? We will know something from him in the coming weeks. If he turns the offer down, we may just clone a 31. After all we have exactly what it came with orignally except the frame and cowl back with VIN. It may not be worth the cost to build, but we will feel better and have a show piece.
I didn't get the paint name or code. However, the hood is all original and in great shape. The color is a dark gold with black stripes. It's an automatic 1970 with buckets and the W-27 rear. Well, it did have all those things. Maybe we can put it back like humpty dumpty.
that's a terrible story....but at least you ended up with some good parts. :laugh: You ruined my dinner. Not like you haven't figured this out already but keep in touch w/the guy LONG TERM and maybe someday you can re-unite everything. W31's did not come with W27s---you should probably get rid of that part.
