1972 442 W/30

  • Condition: Used
  • Make: Oldsmobile
  • Model: 442
  • Type: Coupe
  • Trim: w/30
  • Year: 1972
  • Mileage: 22,000
  • VIN: 3G87U2M167376
  • Color: Green
  • Engine size: 455
  • Number of cylinders: 8
  • Power options: Air Conditioning, Power Windows
  • Transmission: Automatic
  • Interior color: White
  • Vehicle Title: Clear
  • Interested? Contact seller!

1972 Oldsmobile 442 w/30 Description

1972 U code 442 (W/30) 22000 miles original miles appraised at $52000.00 w/30 package added later.....1 of 1939 cars produced with 455 engine in 1972

VIN 3G87U2M167376 thank you for your interest, the car is RARE! NO RUST, All original survivor....

22,000 miles original... car is fast and rare..


The W-29 total also included the 772 W30 cars. A total of 1,939 cars were manufactured with the W-29 option and L-75 (U and V code) 455 engine

1972 MODELS
1972 the Serial Number identification plate was attached to the top of the instrument panel on the driver's side and is visible through the windshield from outside the car. VIN PLATE FOR 1972 MODELS 1st digit - Division -3 = Oldsmobile 2nd digit - Series - D = F85 4d sedan F = F85 2d Hardtop coupe G = Cutlass J = Cutass Supreme K = Vista Cruiser 3rd and 4th digits - Body Style - 36 = 4d Station Wagon 39 = 4d hardtop sedan 56 = 4d Vista Cruiser Wagon 57 = 2d hardtop coupe 66 = 4d Vista Cruiser Wagon 67 = 2d convertible 69 = 4d sedan 77 = 2d Club coupe 87 = 2d hardtop coupe 5th digit - Engine code - H = 350-2bbl V8 160hp J = 350-2bbl V8 175 hp (dual exh.) K = 350-4bbl V8 180 hp M = 350-4bbl V8 200 hp (dual exh.) U = 455-4bbl V8 250 hp (dual exh.) V = 455-4bbl V8 270 hp (dual exh.) X = 455-4bbl V8 300 hp (W30) 6th digit - Model year - 2 = 1972 7th digit - Assembly plant - G = Framingham, MA M = Lansing, Ml R = Arlington, TX Z = Freemont, CA Last 6 digits - Production number (sequence)
The W-29 total also included the 772 W30 cars. A total of 1,939 cars were manufactured with the W-29 option and L-75 (U and V code) 455 engine
This car came with the L75 U-Code Rocket 455 engine that had a "net" rating of 250 horsepower at a mere 4200 rpm and 370 ft. lbs. of torque at just 2800 rpm.

  • 8.5:1 compression ratio (actual was closer to 8.1:1)
  • 2.00" intake and 1.684" exhaust valves
  • .435 lift camshaft (part number 400117)
  • Quadrajet carburetor (part number 7042251)
Rarity of '72 W-29 442 with 455 and 3600 series L75 455 Production

The majority of '72 442's (non W-30) originally came with a Rocket 350 engine. The350 was the standard engine in the Cutlass, whether the car was 442-optioned or not (again not including the W-30 which came with a 300 horsepower 455). Below are some production figures that support the above statement:


80%, or 7,281, of the 9,073 non W-30 442s were 3600 series cars, which includes the Cutlass S Hardtop and Sport, Cutlass Cruiser Wagon and Cutlass Town Sedan; the 442 option was not available for the latter two. The remaining 20%, or 1,792 442s, were the Cutlass Hardtop (3200 series) and Cutlass Convertible (4200 series), some of which were also produced with the L75 455.

.By 1972, the muscle car era was unmistakably in decline due to the twin blows of rising insurance rates and soaring gas prices. The 4-4-2 name reverted to an appearance and handling option package (option code W-29) in 1972 on theCutlass Holiday coupe, CutlassSsport coupe and Holiday coupe, and Cutlass Supreme convertible. The W-29 option was not available on Cutlass Supreme notchback hardtops. The 4-4-2 option package, which carried a modest sticker price of $29, consisted of the "FE2" suspension upgrades (heavy duty springs & shocks, front and rear sway bars, boxed lower rear control arms, and 14- by 7-in [356- by 178-mm] wheels), side striping, fender and decklid badging, faux hood louvers, and a unique grille. The rear bumper sported cutouts for exhaust tips, but only when paired with the optionalL75455CID V8in place of the standardOldsmobile 350 V8.

Interior trims differed on each bodystyle for which the 4-4-2 option was offered, much like the early 1964–66 models. For the base Cutlass hardtop coupe, a baseline two-spoke steering wheel, and vinyl or cloth/vinyl bench seat was standard along with rubber floor mats (carpeting was optional); Cutlass S sport coupe and Holiday hardtop coupe featured full carpeting, deluxe steering wheel, courtesy lighting, and bench seats with cloth-and-vinyl or all-vinyl upholstery or optional Strato bucket seats; and the Cutlass Supreme convertible came with more woodgrain interior accents than the "S" along with an all-vinyl notchback bench seat with armrest or no-cost Strato bucket seats, between which a center console was an extra-cost option. An AM/FM stereo radio with a tape player was $363.[4]

4-4-2's could still be ordered with the additionalW30option, which included the still-potent L77 455 engine, which produced 300hp (220kW) and 410lb·ft (556N·m)s of torque and incorporated low-restriction dual exhausts. Other notable components of the W30 package included a lightweight aluminum intake manifold, the W25 fiberglass ram-air hood, anti-spin differential with 3.42:1 gears (3.73:1 available), and heavy duty cooling. Due to the low-vacuum at idle, air conditioning was not available, and power brakes were only available with an automatic transmission. Only 113 W30 convertibles and 659 W30 coupes were made in 1972, making this a very rare option.

1972 Model Year Spotting Tips: Silver grille with black surround, black headlight bezels, round parking lights in front bumper, 3-section horizontal tail lights.


Thank you for your Patience...... and for your interest!
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