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, monstrously toque filled 455ci mill, the built TH400 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 appliqué 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 cylinder heads.  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 TH400 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 FE2 Rally 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 fossil removal .

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 classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 vehicles for sale with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle barn find collection is on display. This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.