1972 Oldsmobile W30 Convertible basket case
 

Answered a craigslist ad today for some parts and went over the guys house. This car was sitting in the backyard, extremely rough and partially taken apart. Claims it to be a real W30 vert. I look inside and its a bench seat column shift car. How do I tell it is original or not? Or do I need a buildsheet.

Thanks,
-Matt

Re: 1972 Oldsmobile W30 Convertible basket case
 

Paging Canuck or Don Breen! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/headbang.gif[/img]

Re: 1972 Oldsmobile W30 Convertible basket case
 

Doesn't the VIN give you the engine designation in 72?


Jason

Re: 1972 Oldsmobile W30 Convertible basket case
 

Starting in 1972, all the GM cars used a new VIN numbering system, and the 1972 Olds W-30 cars were identified with an &quot;X&quot; in the 5th digit of the VIN, Pontiac's 455 H.O. cars used an &quot;X&quot; (in the 5th position), then for 1973-1974, the &quot;X&quot; represented an SD-455. Buick used a &quot;V&quot; from 1972-1974 to identify the Stage 1.

So I say.....X's and V's are cool. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/smile.gif[/img]

Re: 1972 Oldsmobile W30 Convertible basket case
 

I think Xs are more cool. :-)

Re: 1972 Oldsmobile W30 Convertible basket case
 

&quot;V&quot; code 72 Cutlass/442's are pretty cool too........

Matt, what color combo?

Re: 1972 Oldsmobile W30 Convertible basket case
 

X codes could not be had with AC, so if the car has AC it's not an X code or W30. The only non X code in '72 was the X code Hurst Olds.

I hope my Olds facts are correct, I'm a big fan of 1972 X code 442's and Hurst Olds cars.

Re: 1972 Oldsmobile W30 Convertible basket case
 

If its an X code, its and X code. Its in the VIN, that cant be faked. So if it has A/C and X code, its a W30 with A/C. The only pace cars with X codes are W30 Pace Cars, which have been found. Most Pace Cars are NOT X code.

Re: 1972 Oldsmobile W30 Convertible basket case
 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: TimG</div><div class="ubbcode-body">X codes could not be had with AC, so if the car has AC it's not an X code or W30. </div></div>

Not sure about 1972, but in 1970-71 it was possible to get AC with a W-30/auto combo. I don't see why 1972 should be any different.

Re: 1972 Oldsmobile W30 Convertible basket case
 

Again, I'm pretty certain that the X code could not be had with AC in 1972. I do know that you are correct about AC being available with the W30 in '70 and '71.
I do know that non track Pace Car's were available with the X code, a 442 collector in Austin has a Hurst Olds '72 Pace Car with X code and, of course, no AC.
He also has a low mile X code 442 Cutlass S that is just amazing. No AC on it either.
I follow the '72 X code 442's pretty closely and I've never seen one with AC.