Vehicle Description
1972 Oldsmobile Cutlass S 442 Hardtop
Though automakers were still competing for muscle car sales in
1972, the deck was stacked against performance, forcing a
reshuffling of offerings in several cases. The 1970s ushered in
more power-reducing federally mandated emissions regulations, and
increasing insurance premiums made ownership of fast cars more
expensive. Many of the new models also faced competition from their
like-styled predecessors, which were generally quicker and now more
affordable used cars. Oldsmobile's 442 became an option package for
1972, (as it was from 1964 through 1967), after it had been a
separate model line from 1968 through 1971. Coded W29, the 442
Appearance and Handling Package for 1972 consisted of hood,
bodyside, and decklid striping; hood louvers; 442 grilles and
emblems; wheel-opening moldings; FE2 Rallye Suspension, (with
heavy-duty front and rear coil springs and shocks, front/rear
anti-roll bars, boxed lower rear control arms, and wider 14 x 7
wheels); and a Hurst floor-shifter for the three-speed manual
transmission. Also, specifically stated in the description was
"Available with any engine". The 442 option could be ordered on a
two-door Cutlass, Cutlass S, or Supreme, (except the Supreme
hardtop), for 1972, so the Oldsmobile L34 four-barrel 350 that came
with the Supreme and the L32 350 two-barrel engine that was
standard in other Cutlasses could power a 442. Dual exhaust wasn't
even included with the 442 but could be added as an option. -Thx to
Hemmings.com
For consignment, probably the best year prior to the next
generation changeover, this sleek sporty and nicely designed
version was clearly a beneficiary of a full blown restoration in
the past. Purchased by our consignor in 2008 and professionally
maintained throughout his tenure, we give you a 1972 Oldsmobile
Cutlass S 442 with a pro-touring twist and definitely adding some
class and muscle at the same time to our showroom which includes
extensive rooms and halls of the Classic Auto Mall, a real standout
among others. Why do I make this statement? Simple, the miles deep
paint, monstrouslytoque filled 455ci mill, the built TH350 with a
Gear Vendors overdrive unit, and surgically clean interior. Add in
this car being a 2006 Powertour participant and scoring 991 out of
1000 points in the modified and street stock class at an Oldsmobile
Club Of America meet along with a 2001 All GM Nationals at Carlisle
1st place winner in its class and we now have a sure fire winner
that you can show, race, cruise, or just stand back and admire.
Exterior
Straight steel side panels with coke bottle form and factory dual
scooped W25 ram air hood with consistent gaps are all bathed in
trim tag matching Black paint. Up front, a split grille is flanked
by dual headlights on either side and a large chrome bumper below.
All is nice and tight and in good alignment with no rust or fading
on chrome. White accenting stripes are seen on the hood as well as
thin stainless wheel well moldings and rocker trimming that
accentuate the muscular lines. The roofline slowly slopes
gracefully to the trunk deck, where we see a rear spoiler attached
and as the trunk rolls downward it greets a beautiful V formed rear
bumper with dual exhaust outlets with a series of 6 square inset
tail lights on each side. This bumper is correct with the dual
exhaust cut outs as this car was originally equipped with the 350ci
4bbl dual exhaust K engine designator. On all 4 corners we have
15-inch polished American Racing Torque Thrust wheels all wrapped
in deeply treaded staggered width blackwall rubber. Very 70s and
very nice.
Interior
Opening one of the doors we are greeted by pristine textured black
vinyl that is horizontally stitched and buttoned with nice chrome
accents, window cranks, and vinyl wood grain panels with black
carpeting below. The front buckets in high back form have buttoned
and stitched front and back bolsters with some curved smooth
inserts, also in black. The rear bench is all vinyl and takes on
the style of the buckets. A look forward to the dash and a very
clean one indeed, with black color padded vinyl and curved metal to
match, and plenty of wood burl applique for this dash front. This
includes the round gauge cluster background and a black strip below
that houses the temp sliders and aftermarket AM/FM/CD radio. The
gauges include an aftermarket tach on drivers right and just below
the radio are a trio of supporting gauges along with the toggle
switch for the Gear Vendors overdrive. A rally steering wheel
fronts the dash and the console which sports a sleek design, houses
the automatic shifter. Clean black carpeting in great shape floods
the floors. The headliner looks good and tight and a shout to the
trunk interior which is beautifully preserved and restored with a
fuzzy black liner and custom side panels.
Drivetrain
Lifting the dual scooped hood reveals a 455 ci V8 that is not
original to this car now resting in the near flawlessly restored
engine bay. This mill is dressed to the nines with polished bolt
ons and braided hoses. Adding to the bling and the power production
are a pair of Edelbrock Performer RPM aluminum cylinderheads. The
intake is polished to a mirror shine that I may take time to use to
shave in later and a 4-barrel carburetor is lurking under the
chromed and polished air cleaner assembly. Bolted to the back is a
TH350 3-speed automatic now equipped with a 4th gear, and that is
overdrive courtesy of a Gear Vendors overdrive unit. Taking the
power handoff and turning it into tire smoke is a 10 bolt rear axle
with 3.91 gearing and a W27 differential cover. Just fabulous!
Undercarriage
Showing not even the slightest sign of the age of the restoration,
minor surface rust is on untreated components and black covers the
rest of the solid flooring and frame. Newer brake lines are on for
the brake system, power discs upfront and power drums for the rear.
The car rides on independent coil sprung front suspension, and a
4-link system with coil springs in back and this is the FE2Rally
Suspension. Dual exhaust that ends with highly polished trumpet
bell style tips are noted as well as Flowmaster mufflers assisting
the silver coated headers with spent fossilremoval .
Drive-Ability
As it looks, it performs and this car was a pleasure to drive and
experience, a complete throwback to the early 1970's. All buttoned
up and after a quick warm up I gently pushed the accelerator to the
floor and took off with rocket-like acceleration. Smooth shifting,
bias free panic stopping and a comfy cruise without even breaking a
sweat. All functions were working well during my tenure behind the
wheel and the added benefit of overdrive makes this car not only a
bruiser but also a sedate cruiser. "In man's search for a new
measure of excellence..."
What more can I say, other than just a beautiful example from 1972.
A wonderful restoration that hasn't even begun to show its age.
Here in our Hallowed Halls we get our fair share of classic muscle,
but rarely do we have the luxury of hosting the end of the muscle
era for a marque, hurry in, this Rocket is sure not to last.
3G87K2R113841
3-Oldsmobile
G-Cutlass
87-2 Door Hardtop Sport Coupe
K-350ci V8 2bbl Dual Exhaust
2-1972
R-Arlington, TX Assy Plant
113814-Sequential Unit Number
TRIM TAG
ST 72 33687-1972 Cutlass S 2 Door Hardtop
BDY R04744-Arlington Body #
TR 940 A51-Black Vinyl Buckets
PNT 53B-Saturn Gold, Black Top
09D-4th Week September
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot class...for more
information please contact the seller.
