1972 Oldsmobile 442

W-30 Conv't. Convertible

8 - Cyl.

Automatic

3J67H2M226380

Gasoline

1972 Oldsmobile 442 W-30 Convertible This car is just like your father's Oldsmobile! This is a fine example close to what a 1972 Oldsmobile 442 455 big block W-30 convertible looked like when it was ordered from the factory 40 years ago. If it were a true W-30 it would have an X in the vin number. Listed above is the vin number and you can clearly see that there is no X. This is however the original numbers matching Rocket engine. I checked the numbers on the block myself. Prior to 1972 the vin numbers in all 442's started out with 344. This was the way to determine whether that specific car was ordered from the factory with the 442 option. In 1972 you can only verify engine size and if the numbers match the engine block from the vin number. The last several numbers in this vin number do appear on the engine block. Personally numbers never really mattered to me as long as the engine ran great, but I do believe most of the other components on this car are original to the body. The most important numbers to match are on the block, so those were the only numbers I learned how to check. I suggest if the other numbers matter to you on the other parts, that you make an appointment to come out and visually inspect the car for yourself. This car is for the guy or gal that always wanted one back in high school, or had one and wants to recapture that feeling once again. There is no finer muscle car on the planet than a 1972 442 in my eyes. I eat, sleep, and live for 442's, so I put my heart and soul into this car. I would like to start out with some back round information on the 1972 W-30 model. Out of the 113 made only the first 10 W-30 convertible models in December of 1971 came with the red fender wells. All 1970 and 1971 W-30's did have red fender wells, so making this Olds look correct for 1972 I left the wheel wells black. According to the Olds Faqs website that anyone can look up online, 1971 was the last year that the 442 came as a separate model. They also state there is no such thing as a fake 442 in 1972. The 442 was an ordered option in 1972. Whether it was ordered as a 442, or from a local dealer, or a private owner installed all the 442 options they are all Cutlass Supreme or Cutlass S bodies. This is why all 442 convertibles from 1972 have Cutlass Supreme on the glove box door. I purchased this car back in May of 2003 from a girl who lived two blocks away from where I grew up. I'm not certain on the mileage being accurate, but I knew of this car since the early 1980's. I always saw this car driving around the neighborhood, and it took me over 20 years to obtain it. It was hard for her to give up a car that she enjoyed for so many years, but I persisted and was very thankful she decided to part with it. She ended up purchasing one of those newer Cutlass convertibles from the 90's. She was kind enough to have a new gold convertible top installed especially for me. She stated that the top alone cost $2500, but shortly after we agreed on a price and I moved the car up to Wisconsin. This top has been put down less than a dozen times. I never had a chance to enjoy this car, since I just got around to finishing it this past week. It has the W-25 forced ram-air induction dual snorkel hood. The primary chrome twist downs and secondary locking mechanisms are in place and functional. This car has the D-35 dual sports-styled outside mirrors with the drivers side being remote controlled. It also has the D-55 sports console, and the N-34 custom sport steering wheel with an original tan vinyl horn button. There are new brake pads on the JL-2 factory power front disc brakes. The power brake booster unit, and the master cylinder were recently changed. This Olds has the infamous W-35 rear-deck lid whale tail spoiler. There is a nice set of Defender SRX+4 Radial 70's raised white lettered tires on a matching set of Super Stock II wheels painted in Saturn gold to match the stripes. The Super Stock wheels have bolt-on centers with beauty rings. I am unaware what gear is in the 10 bolt rear-end. The trunk had some minor patchwork and then was detailed. I tried to place all the proper factory decals throughout this car to make it appear as it did when it rolled out of the factory to the showroom floor. The trunk carries a full size Super Stock spare, so if there is ever a mishap the car will look right after a quick tire change. The trunk mat is original from 1972. The jack and base are in original condition with the rubber sleeve to hold the crow bar for stowage. The rubber is still near perfect on the part that attaches to the bumper. They obviously had very little use to stay in such good un-restored condition. The rubber gasket around the trunk lip was also replaced. This body was painted with Ebony black lacquer code 19 with the hood and side stripes painted in Saturn gold code 53. The chrome is all in nice driver quality condition all around the car. The rear cut-out bumper is genuine GM and was re-chromed. As you stand behind the car the dual exhaust is music to your ears, with new factory chrome trumpet tips running out both sides of the cut-out bumper. The engine compartment was carefully detailed with all the little parts that are usually missing after all these years. The pre-heater hose that comes off of the air cleaner and attaches to the exhaust manifold on the passenger side was just replaced. This car was ordered with factory air conditioning, and everything seems to be in place except the belt. A/C was never a concern of mine in a convertible, so I've never attempted to charge it. It looks like the period correct R-12 system is still in place. That is a nice option to have, but the cold A/C will be left up to the next owner. The convertible top goes up and down very nicely and locks up like a glove. It does have a rear glass window, and the well liner was replaced last week. I have a black convertible top boot that will be included in the sale. I have always felt that the GM A-body drop top mechanisms are second to none. The sound system is an Alpine AM/FM cassette player with two speakers in the rear behind the back seat. Fortunately the previous owners never cut the kick panels, rear side panels, or the door panels to install extra speakers. That was typically done to all these cars back then, but this one somehow escaped that fate. Plus the dash was never cut up, and a factory AM/FM could easily be re-installed if the next owner has one. The dash pad is in nice shape, and still has the chrome trim around the perimeter. The original owners manual is included in the glove compartment. The gas gauge and speedometer work well, but the factory clock is intentionally stuck on 4:42, the best time of the day!! All three gauges still light up at night, and all four interior lights work well. This car really looks sweet at night with the top down as you open up the door and all the lights go on. I believe this interior combination is the most elegant looking you can have in a muscle car. The drivers bucket seat is a 4 way power bucket seat, and a rare option for 1972. I took pictures of the bucket seats with and without the aftermarket seat covers to show their condition. I just purchased the seat covers for the summer months to keep the other material in good condition, and so legs don't get burnt when the top is down with the sun out when re-entering the car. The entire interior shows very well as seen in the pictures with only minor imperfection. The carpet was recently replaced with very plush front floor mats. All three seats belts are in place for the rear seat, and both front seat belts for the front bucket seats. The letters in the console all light up when you shift gears. The console door needs a new hinge, but the light also works inside the storage compartment. This car really was well taken care of for its age. The headlights, bright lights, turn signals and license plate light all work well, but the horn and the lighter do not. It may be a fuse, so I will look into that. New wiper blades and a new factory tinted windshield with the built in antenna was installed two days ago due to a small split in the original. The oil, oil filter, air cleaner, pcv valve, spark plugs, wires, and both belts were all replaced last week to prepare this car for sale. This car runs with a relatively new DieHard gold battery. The floors and frame on this car are in good condition. I don't remember the previous owner ever driving it in the harsh Midwest winters, and I certainly never did. The undercarriage was originally undercoated from the factory, so that's why I believe this car held up this well after 40 years in existence. Everywhere you drive this car people are attracted to it like a magnet. You must be prepared to be the spectacle of your neighborhood. These cars are getting harder and harder to come across. This is an investment that I believe will continue to rise as these cars have been known to consistently climb in value. I attended the Barrett-Jackson West Palm beach auction in Florida of 2009 to help sell a friends 442. His 1971 black with white striped 442 W-30 convertible replica sold for $86,000. Two hours prior an authentic 442 W-30 convertible sold for $173,250. Why spend over $100,000 on a true W-30 car when you can enjoy one that looks the same for less than a quarter of the price. It took an exorbitant amount of time, money, and effort to achieve this W-30 look. Here is a prime opportunity to acquire a dream car at a nominal price. I try to list everything I can think of when I write a description, but if there is anything you feel I may have left out please ask. I pride myself in answering every question in explicit detail with the utmost honesty. This car is being offered at no reserve on a quick 3-day auction and will sell to the highest bidder on Wednesday evening at 7:30 pm central time. Please only bid what you can afford to spend. Bid now and bid often! Good Luck and Happy Bidding!!