The 1972 Cutlass "V Code" Registry
Ah, memories... During 2002-2003, I had *two* V codes in my garage (note the plates). The white 442 convertible was sold in late 2004 (dumb move), but the dark blue Supreme hardtop is back in the garage as of May 2006 after having two interim owners.
The "V Code" Registry attempts to track the few Cutlass Supreme notchbacks built in 1972 with the L75 455 and M20 4 speed transmission. I've always been a fan of the '72 Supreme styling and figured that there had to be some "ultimate" ones built with a 455 4 speed drivetrain. These are very special cars, as no 455 manual transmission Supremes were built in 1970 or 1971, just TH400 automatic cars. (see www.sx455.com) In 1972, you could finally get a big block stick in this body style, but only 77 were built.
I placed a Cars Wanted ad on 442.com in early 2001. I heard from one owner who was interested in selling (I eventually bought his car 3 years later), and Greg Mross provided a copy of a 1980 letter with official Oldsmobile production numbers for 1972 cars built with the 270 net h.p. L75/M20 (which is designated by a V in the VIN, hence the "V Code" nickname). This letter was from the late, legendary Helen Earley (who was in Oldsmobile Public Relations at the time), and was drafted before much of this detailed production information was lost due to a fire in the 1980s (link to this letter below).
In any case, these cars fascinate me and I have attempted to document as many as possible with the help of the other V Code owners out there. The registry quickly expanded to include the convertibles (66 built) and fastbacks (maybe as many as 751 built) as well. If you have one of these cars or know someone who does, please contact me at vette442@hotmail.com.
1980 letter from Helen Early with V Code Supreme Production Numbers
V Code Specifications - by Greg Mross
Correct Muncie 4 speed Shifters & Diagrams / Where to find your 350/455 engine and trans VIN stamps
V Code Air Cleaner and Air Deflector Reinforcement Info and Pics
1970-71 Cutlass Supreme 4 Speed Production Figures NEW! (Added 4/21/09)
*** FOR SALE *** 1972 Oldsmobile 455/M20 dual snorkel air cleaner
Getting benefit from this site? Any small contribution towards the ~$150 a year that it costs me to host it would be greatly appreciated! You can Paypal me at my vette442@hotmail.com ID. Thanks much!
Cutlass Supreme Hardtops (77 built)
Terry Divelbliss' Cutlass Supreme hardtop 1
Terry Divelbliss' 1972 Cutlass Supreme hardtop 2 ** Updated 8/11/10 **
Dan Guild's Cutlass Supreme Hardtop
Buddy Holt's Cutlass Supreme Hardtop
Brian McCall's Cutlass Supreme hardtop
Steve Minore's Cutlass Supreme hardtop
Greg Mross' Cutlass Supreme hardtop
Gary Perigan's Cutlass Supreme hardtop
Hal Pike's Cutlass Supreme hardtop
Black Cutlass Supreme hardtop - *8200 original miles* - Unknown Owner near Buffalo, NY
Cutlass Supreme Convertibles - including W29 442s (66 built)
Steve Aumann's Cutlass Supreme convertible
Jim Ballinger's Cutlass Supreme Convertible
John Ebbs' Cutlass Supreme convertible
Jay Ghirardi's 442 convertible
Doug Gosselin's 442 convertible
Phil Grande's 442 convertible new owner details
Cliff Hardaway's 442 convertible
Wayne Harvey's Cutlass Supreme convertible
Anthony Lombardy's 442 Convertible
Jay M's Cutlass Supreme Convertible
Michael Norman's 442 convertible
James Orcutt's Cutlass Supreme convertible
George Pauuw's Cutlass Supreme convertible
MIA - Unknown owner in San Diego area
Cutlass / Cutlass S fastback hardtops - including W29 442s
Gilbert Bustamante's Cutlass S
Tim and Krystal DeMoranville's Cutlass S hardtop
Rich Grabits' Cutlass S hardtop
Ralph Hurtado's 442 (for sale in California)
John Keller's Cutlass S hardtop
Kent Malik's 1972 V Code 455 M20 442 hardtop
LR Newton's silver 442 hardtop
Dave Sandvold's cameo White 442 hardtop *1980's photos added 6/25/09*
Louie Venir's Flame Orange 442 hardtop
Cameo White 442 for sale in Wisconsin
Primer /Sequoia Green 1972 442 hardtop (now a 350/auto)
Orange 442 hardtop (dealer pics from November 1999) MIA
Viking Blue 442 hardtop - Volo Auto Museum MIA
Yellow 442 hardtop in North Carolina May 2007
Matador Red Cutlass S hardtop *Deceased*
1972 factory 350 4 speed Supremes
These babies are super rare too....
Viking Blue 1972 Cutlass Supreme 350 4 speed hardtop - blue bench int. * Updated 08/11/10 *
Viking Blue 1972 Cutlass Supreme 350 4 speed hardtop - blue bucket/console int. ** NEW Added 8/11/10 **
Jason Daubert's 1972 Cutlass Supreme 350 4 speed hardtop
John Joyce's 1972 Cutlass Supreme 350 4 speed hardtop
Bob Kerr's 1972 Cutlass Supreme 350 4 speed hardtop
Ronnie Reid's 1972 Cutlass Supreme 350 4 speed hardtop
Tom Stoker's 1970 Cutlass Supreme 350 4 speed convertible (Coming Soon!)
1972 Cutlass Supreme 350 4 speed hardtop - CT
1972 Cutlass Supreme 350 4 speed convertible MIA
1972 Pewter Cutlass Supreme 350/4 speed hardtop (On Ebay Sept. 2001 - Wisconsin) MIA
1972 Viking Blue Cutlass Supreme convertible 350/4 speed (On Ebay Nov. 2001) MIA
1970 gold Cutlass Supreme convertible 350/M21 4 speed (2003) MIA
I believe I have uncovered a couple more of these hardtops since 12/05 - stay tuned. I will be adding info on a few others that I turned up in prior years.
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