learning about my 66 cutlass convertible

General Discussion

5 replies in this topic | 1,242 reads
callfrank1
Newbie
#1

i have a 1966 olds cutlass convertible new top new interior. just ran the vin on this site and it says a 442 option. this has me puzzled. any help? it looks like an all stock numbers matching cutlass. to add more this was pretty much a barnfind bought this a year ago. put it in my shop and havent touched it. car is gold. black top black interior. all there. very solid car. getting ready to do a restoration on this and want to take this car in the right direction. bucket seats auto. power top

Joffroi
Administrator
#2

1968 was the first year the 442 was actually considered a model. Prior to that and then again in 72, the 442 package was an option that you could get on a Cutlass. So it looks like you have a 1966 Cutlass with the 442 option. I’m not an expert on 66s, but I do believe 442s should have come with a 400 engine instead of the 330 you mentioned. You should check to see if the engine is original to the car. The engine should be stamped with a serial number that (if original) should match the last 6 of your VIN. This engine stamp is typically on the front driver side of engine, sort of like the location in the image below.


Image title

There is also the chance I programmed the VIN decoder with a bug. :-) You can always post it here (exclude the last 6 digits if you want) for others to verify.

callfrank1
Newbie
#3
Joffroi wrote:

1968 was the first year the 442 was actually considered a model. Prior to that and then again in 72, the 442 package was an option that you could get on a Cutlass. So it looks like you have a 1966 Cutlass with the 442 option. I’m not an expert on 66s, but I do believe 442s should have come with a 400 engine instead of the 330 you mentioned. You should check to see if the engine is original to the car. The engine should be stamped with a serial number that (if original) should match the last 6 of your VIN. This engine stamp is typically on the front driver side of engine, sort of like the location in the image below.


Image title

There is also the chance I programmed the VIN decoder with a bug. :-) You can always post it here (exclude the last 6 digits if you want) for others to verify.


callfrank1
Newbie
#4
callfrank1 wrote: thank you for the help. I will take a look today. Then I will post vin tonight the way you suggested. Also trying to decode tag
Joffroi wrote:

1968 was the first year the 442 was actually considered a model. Prior to that and then again in 72, the 442 package was an option that you could get on a Cutlass. So it looks like you have a 1966 Cutlass with the 442 option. I’m not an expert on 66s, but I do believe 442s should have come with a 400 engine instead of the 330 you mentioned. You should check to see if the engine is original to the car. The engine should be stamped with a serial number that (if original) should match the last 6 of your VIN. This engine stamp is typically on the front driver side of engine, sort of like the location in the image below.


Image title

There is also the chance I programmed the VIN decoder with a bug. :-) You can always post it here (exclude the last 6 digits if you want) for others to verify.



Trophyblue442
Beginner
#5

I don't believe the blocks were VIN stamped in 66

Joffroi
Administrator
#6

Really? How could you tell if cars came with the original engine?

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