blewbyu

Would like to decode the cowl tag, can anyone please help with identifing all the codes? Thanks

joe_padavano

There is precious little information on this vintage cowl tag, but here ya go:

ST70 = 1970 model year
34467 = Oldsmobile (3) 442 (44) convertible (67)
E = Linden, NJ assembly plant
597 BDY = Fisher Body sequence number
TR 977 = Ivory bucket seat interior
WA 4077 = Rally Red exterior paint (note that some plants used the "WA" paint codes, especially for special order colors)
A = white convertible top
01C = built third week (C) of January (01) 1970
A31 = power windows

blewbyu

Thanks Joe, That was fast!!! Kinda new to the Oldsmobile world so I have quite a few questions. Is this color a special order or a rare color? Also was wondering if there is anywhere to look in the car for a assy line build sheet? Is there a way to tell the engine size and if it is the original engine and transmission to this car? Since you were quick to answer my first question do you know the production numbers of the 70 442 convertibles? This car does have power windows, cruze control, trunk release button which I asume are all options?

joe_padavano

In the 1970 model year, Olds offered four so-called "special order colors", Rally Red, Agean Aqua, Nugget Gold, and Sebring Yellow. They were "special" only to the extent that there was an extra charge for them. These colors were not that rare at the time, and today, pretty much every Faux Four Two is painted one of these four "special" colors. Note that Olds also had a true special order paint program where one could get non-Oldsmobile and even non-GM paint colors. That is much less well known about and those cars are extremely rare and even more difficult to document.

A Linden car may or may not have a build sheet in it, and it could be almost anywhere - in the seat springs, under the carpet, in the rear quarter interior panels, or on top of the gas tank are known locations.

The block casting number will tell you the engine size. Your car came from the factory with a 455 and "E" heads. The block casting number above the water pump should be 396021F. There will be a VIN derivative stamp on the block. The VIN derivative uses nine of the 13 characters in the car's VIN. The first character of the VIN derivative should match the first character of the VIN, and the last eight of the VIN derivative should match the last eight of the VIN.

Olds built 2933 442 convertibles in the 1970 model year.

blewbyu

Here is pics of pad can you tell me if this may be the matching numbers block. Hard to get a clear pic. It looks double stamped? My vin is 344670E147224

hurst68olds

your 442's original engine & transmission would've been stamped 30E147224

that appears to be 34E105??? from a 1974 Linden, NJ built Oldsmobile

joe_padavano

^^^This. Not the original engine. It's double stamped, but both appear to be the same.

body 51

congratulations you have a very nice 442 in a desirable color Yours was built on the same assembly line as mine, about 3 weeks earlier

I found 2 build sheets for my car. One in the front bench seat springs, This one was so deteriorated that it fell apart.

The intact one I have was found behind the upper back seat. As mentioned earlier they can be found in numerous locations or not at all.
Good luck

blewbyu

Thanks Body 51

truckman5000

Are you selling this car?
just interested is all. Thanks

no1oldsfan

That would be a yes. It's in the cars for sale section now.