1972 Oldsmobile W30 Convertible basket case

**Fast67VelleN2O** · #1 05-25-2010, 01:19 AM

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

**Xplantdad** · #2 05-25-2010, 02:16 AM

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

**SuperNovaSS** · #3 05-25-2010, 03:04 AM

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

Jason

StealthBird · #4 05-25-2010, 04:48 AM

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

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

442w30 · #5 05-25-2010, 06:39 AM

I think Xs are more cool. :-)

JOZW30 · #6 05-27-2010, 03:02 AM

"V" code 72 Cutlass/442's are pretty cool too........

Matt, what color combo?

**TimG** · #7 05-27-2010, 03:38 PM

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.

The Dude · #8 05-27-2010, 05:15 PM

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.

442w30 · #9 05-27-2010, 06:56 PM

<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.

**TimG** · #10 05-27-2010, 10:52 PM

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.

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