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?

**Fast67VelleN2O** · #7 10-10-2010, 04:54 PM

Just an update for an old thread.... Looked at the car in question today. It was already sold, however, it was an X code vin. Column shift bench seat car that had A/C. I guess it was a real deal car. Rotted to the ground and missing some parts, but I guess with the X code vin, it was a real deal W30 convertible. It was sold for $7,000. Sorry but no pics.

-Matt

**TimG** · #8 10-11-2010, 04:09 PM

1972 X code 442's and Hurst Olds Cutlass Supremes (X code Pace Cars) could not be equipped with Air Conditioning. This is a fact……….

al8apex · #9 10-11-2010, 06:32 PM

yet, stated above the VIN had an X and the car had factory air ...

**TimG** · #10 10-11-2010, 06:50 PM

Something wasn't right if it was an X code with AC.
The X code had to be a W30 car and for some reason this wasn't available with AC in 1972. Talked with the owner of two X code '72's on Saturday at a local large car show and confirmed this again. The V code was rarer and could be had with AC.
He has a Cutlass Supreme coupe HO X code. This is a rare car as the X code was a W30 442 and these weren’t available in the Cutlass Supreme coupe. The only way you could get an X code in a Cutlass Supreme coupe was if it was a Hurst Olds. He also has a low mile Cutlass S W30 442 X code.

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