costpenn

Thanks for all the responses on this thread originally in the 442 forum. (I'm reposting here to better reflect the subject)

Here's a revised list based upon the addtional info provided by all the respondents. My hope is that somehow this might become an informal "sticky" reference document or a "Spotter's Guide" and someone else undertake a 1970 to 1971 Olds A body difference list.

1971 To 1972 Olds A Body differences

1) 442 front grilles - colors
2) 442 front grille emblems - colors
3) Front headlamp bezels - painted black on 72's
4) Front Stone sheild emblem
5) Original headlamps - different T-3 logo design on 72's
6) Back to external voltage regulator on 72 442's
7) No red wells on 72 W-30's ( mostly...)
8) 442 not a separate VIN desginator (W-29 package thing)
9) W-29 hood stripes - 72 only
10) Seat belt warning system on 72's (72 only seat belt retractors, dash harness, body wiring harness, speedometer with belt light or U21 dash mount light assy, 4 speed jumper wire harness) maybe more items different such as the seat assy themselves?
11) Rear spoiler not available in 72
12) W-27 clutch not available in 72
13) Interior wood grain different
14) Some interior material patterns different - (grain)
15) M-21 (close ratio) not available in 72
16) Rear taillight lenses
17) Convertible top harness (from power source to switch) different in 72
18) No 442 badge on glovebox on 72's
19) Quite a few different exterior color options bewtween the two years
20) No 71 Hurst Olds
21) No 72 SX
22) 6 Cyl. not available in 72
23) Horn relay moved from fender to firewall in 72
24) Side terminal battery cables introduced in 1972 (some execeptions)
25) Standard rear end ratio changed from 2.56 to 2.73 in 72
26) Halo vinyl roof not available in 72
27) Standard steering wheel revised in 72
28) Wide chrome body side molding discontinued after 1971
29) Ebony Black (code 19) not offered in 1972.
30) Rad support modified slightly to accept new eggcrate and horizontal bar grills.
31) Eggcrate on Horizontal grilles move forward in stone shield in 72
32) Grilles in 72 are plastic instead of pot metal in 71
33) Grille mounting bracket redesigned except for 442 models for 72
34) Hoods on 72 AC cars did not have rear vent piercing
35) JL2 becomes standard brake package on A bodies - Jan 72
36) Standard hubcap changed in 72
37) 72 Cutlass S moves "S" from sail panel to front fender by Cutlass script in 72
38) F-85 nameplate disappears - becomes the 4 door Cutlass Town Sedan in 72
39) A/C thermal limiter switch introduced in 72
40) Hood and Grille moldings have a different design in 72
41) Slight change in P/S pump/resevoir for 72
42) Front bumper guards set closer together on 72 vs. early 71's
43) Sunvisor length shortened on non convertibles in 72

Some other possible mentioned differences:

Door strikers
Seat Belt Bolts
Thermal Vaccuum Swich goes electric in 72

mmurphy77

Looks good so far. You may want to clarify the seatbelt warning lamp for '72. The lamp became required part way into the model run (all GM models) so early build '72s may not have the warning lamp on the dash.

Mr Shifty Sidney

costpenn
15) M-21 (close ratio) not available in 72

I think this is correct
M20 (wide ratio) was the only 4 speed available on the 72 models
M20 (wide rato)was available on the 71 Cutlass models (not sure of availablitly on 442s)
M22 (close ratio) was available on the 71 442 models
M21 (close ratio) was available on the 70 models, not the 71-72

Don W

costpenn

Don thanks for the correction, and you have one of the coolest screen names ever.

Any other additions or corrections? Someone out there must have a similar list of 70 to 71 differences.

StickW31

i beleive the warning light on the top of the dash was associated with a Rally pac in 72

11971four4two

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