Number 12! 1972 Oldsmobile 4-4-2(?)
By 1972, Oldsmobile’s 4-4-2 package could be ordered on any V8 Cutlass, and only paperwork dating to the original order or sale distinguishes a real 4-4-2 that year. This 1972 Oldsmobile in Fall River, Massachusetts might be a 4-4-2, and the seller claims the early (VIN 12) unit appeared in Oldsmobile advertising pictures as well. I could also be a descendent of Viking Kings, but that remains equally indeterminant. I’ve got that paperwork around here somewhere… not really. Check out more pictures and details on Facebook Marketplace, where $39,500 lets you write the next chapter of this Oldsmobile’s story. Thanks to OldsmobilesForever and ClassicOldsmobile for some details.
The seller may have run out of film before photographing the interior and engine bay, but this picture dates to when Russell Glantz wrote up the same car here on Barnfinds in 2019. We didn’t record the asking price then, but five years in the Old Bay State shows no visible improvements in its condition. When nicely preserved or renewed, two-tone GM interiors from the ’70s add a classy flair to the cockpit compared to the ho-hum all-black.
Rear styling is super-slick in the final year of this body style with nicely integrated bumper-mounted taillights and no valance between trunk lid and bumper top. This also adds a accentuated visual rake that compliments the fastback C pillars and quarter panels’ bulging wheel arches.
High-end Oldsmobile collectors probably know all about this #12 car, but I couldn’t find any such evidence. An immaculate restored ’72 on YouTube claims to be VIN 1, so that’s interesting. You’d think they’d have passed the camera over the VIN. Maybe it simply includes the digit “1.” This car appears to be a legitimate Number 12, and buyers will closely inspect the seller’s documentation regarding it being a real 4-4-2 and something from GM documenting #12’s use in its marketing campaign, none of which made the listing. Do you think this early production 1972 Olds is the ad campaign 4-4-2?
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Comments
This Olds has been for sale for a long, long time. 72s don’t command the same dollars as earlier years. Being a U code helps but considering the condition, low production number or not, near 40k is the reason why it has been for sale for so long. You can find restored 72s for less money. Personally, I really like the 1972 model year Cutlass and Supreme, but they just don’t garner the same love as the 1970 model year and that is reflected in what people are willing to pay for them. This could be a nice driver and a fun project but the seller needs to reevaluate their asking price if they’re serious about selling.
I agree that it’s priced higher than it should be, but it is a cool piece of history that appears to be unmolested and ready to restore. I’d say the low VIN and the “probable” corresponding use in period advertising adds some value to this car to certain collectors (but not as much as the original U code 455 adds).
Never a good sign having a wheel chalk with an automatic. My mom had a 72 convertible with the 442 package but also with a 350. It handled very well and for the smaller engine it wasn’t as bad as one would think. Wire wheel covers to boot! It could keep up with a 71 Grand Prix with a 400. A really nice driving car. Lost track of the buyer years ago as I really wanted to buy it back.
cool rare piece but needs a lot of work. would be nice to see condition of under the hood. 40k price and at least 40k to redo. a lot to gamble but may bring good $ if there are docs and at the right auction especially if Thorton restorations does the work
So we’re gonna double the price due to some unavailable documentation?
The low VIN is a somewhat interesting prospect. Sequence doesn’t mean it was the twelveth or thirteenth down the line but rather that is what the order of scheduling. Nevertheless it is a cool car worthy of preservation of you can pry it away from the owner.
Built the 2nd week of August ’71. It’s a very early car missing some “standard” ’72 items like the seat belt reminder tacked onto the top of the dash. I had a very late build 1970 Cutlass (built August ’70) with some features that didn’t show up until ’71 on most of the cars.
He’s dreamin’.
So if it was built in August of 1971, how could it be featured in an ad that was used in August, 1971 magazines?
Good point. Seeing how August issues of any magazine are typically put together by June or July, it seems unlikely that an ad featuring this exact car was really in August issues of anything. Seller claims “Certain things were done to the 442 to prep it for the photos which are still present on the car today” I’m curious to know what this “ad prep” entailed. Regardless, it IS one of the first cars made in ’72 so unless they dressed up a ’71 as a ’72 for the ad sometime midyear, it could be the one in the ad. Again, even it it is, it’s questionable how much value people will put on that.
There are always a number of pilot cars built for management shows, marketing and press review. Some could well be retro fitted current product. That would have been easy for ’71 to ’72 as the A and G bodies had only minor details to distinguish them from one another. GM anticipated the colonnade body to be a ’72 until the union strike delayed development.
To all the experts come and look at the car instead of passing false information.
Yes the car is mine. Tired of the tire kickers on this site. The seatbelt tags are dated E-71. Facebook only let me place 10 pics of it so that’s why they’re are no other pics. I can send any pics desired. It wouldn’t be a miracle for the car to be built and pictures taken to advertise it as the NEW MODEL in the same month so please be realistic with your negative comments as well. It has 442 written in oil marker with a July date written with it on the underside of the hood. I’ve also contacted GM of Canada along with the US version to try and get info but nothing found yet.
Don’t get your ire up. There are always neighsayers on these sites. Some of us just like to talk “car” and find this a good forum. There are those with a lot of good input. They are able to clarify distinct details of cars through ownership or first hand contact. Please don’t let the keyboard warrior prevent us all from learning something new.