In response to the success that Pontiac was having with its new GTO in 1964, Oldsmobile unveiled the 4-4-2 (also 442) as a mid-size muscle car. It began as an option of the F-85 and Cutlass models and became a series in its own right from 1968-71. The seller here offers a rather rough ’66 4-4-2 that needs restoring. We’re told the engine is numbers matching, but that would make it a 400 cubic inch V8 instead of a 455 as the seller indicates. Located in Moneta, Virginia, this Olds is available here on Facebook Marketplace for $4,500. Our thanks go to Keith for the tip.
The 4-4-2 name is supposed to stand for a 4-barrel carburetor, 4-speed manual transmission, and dual exhaust (although some maintain the “2” stands for a limited-slip differential at the rear wheels). 24,180 4-4-2s would see the light of day in 1966, overshadowed production-wise by the GTO which turned out to be the bigger seller.
Little information is provided by the seller, so the photos have to carry the load. The body seems to be somewhat straight, but the black paint is seriously showing its age. It’s hard to tell about rust but given the amount lurking around the rocker panels when the passenger door is open, you can’t rule it out. The interior needs attention and the bench seat does not look like one the car would have left the factory with, in either style or fabric.
These cars can easily be worth the mid-five figures in considerably better condition than what we see here. This is a big project that will consume a lot of time and money, but can you get to a $50,000 car without going into debt?
The Olds 455 did not debut until 1968, so…
Right on the money Dan.
The 455 was limited to only the Hurst/Olds until 1970 when GM lifted their ban for intermediate use.
The block casting number (shown in the FB Marketplace ad) is a 1966-67 425. The seller is clueless.
I don’t think the shifter is factory, It has a HANDCUFF Steering Wheel. Going to take some $$$$$ to get it back. GOOD LUCK
I always thought a 442 was a 400 cid, 4 Barrel with dual exhaust.
In 1964 the 442 only came with a 330 and four speed.
In 1965 it came with a 400 and your choice of 3spd (including column shifted), 4spd, or AT.
In 1966 you could get 3x2bbl carbs
In 1968 you could get a 2bbl version
In 1970 the only engine was a 455
By 1972 you could get a 350 2bbl single exhaust
Don’t confuse a marketing name with reality. When was the last time a BMW 325 had a 2.5 liter engine?
First problem is that there are no numbers that “match” on a 1966 Oldsmobile. Olds didn’t start stamping VIN derivative numbers on the block and trans case until required by the feds in the 1968 model year. Yes, if the seller has the Protect-O-Plate, the engine unit number will be keyed to the VIN. Of course, nowhere does the seller talk about the P-O-P. More to the point, the ad shows the 389244 D casting number of a 425, which is definitely NOT factory installed (despite what the interwebs may claim). Of course, one has to laugh at any “matching numbers” claims when the car has pretty much every factory part replaced with aftermarket. It will only take $20K to make this a $15K car.
By the way, exactly NO ONE claims that the “2” stands for limited slip (or even “anti-spin” as Olds called it).
No pics of trim tag or vin to prove it to be a true 442. Bench seat after market shifter and a 455 suggest it to be a basic cutlass with and one.
I had a paper route and the hood I had to go through wasn’t the greatest part of town. As a kid it was a gig I took it in stride. I learned more about commerce and people that would take years for the average person. All when the paper cost only 10 cents. I was the ambassador who provided the news.
I remember a guy on my route that had a 66 442 and four speed. I would often see it rumbling by. Any car with aftermarket wheels caught my eye and was cool. It lived at a house I had to stop at.
Then one day the mighty Olds was on jackstands. The trans was removed for a clutch install out in the driveway. It was that way for a few weeks. It had 10″ Cragar wheels and L60’s out back with skinnies in front. It had factory bucket seats. Dark blue. Racing stickers provided a laundry list on the quarter windows. Everything on the street it seemed had at least one STP decal.
Handing the guy his paper I asked the status of the Olds, He offered it to me for $300. I was 14. Having that would have been the greatest thing. I had the money but couldn’t talk the parents into having a car set around. True story.
A friend of my parents had a 67 Cutlass. That is all I know except for the fact that it was a beautiful car. The car was regularly stolen. She finally traded it in on a 60 T’Bird. I said that I wich that she had given a chance to by it. She made one of those all knowing statements.”You couldn’t afford it.” I wonder how she would have known that?
Looks like a B&M ratchet shifter, those are only use on automatic transmissions
Yeah, so? You can see where the stock column shifter was removed on the steering column. If your point is that the car didn’t come with a four speed, most 442s came with automatics. It was only the first year (1964) that they only came with four speeds. The AT and 400 motor became available with the 1965 cars.
The rear Oldsmobile emblem on truck. Lid should be black,for it to be 442, or am I the only one to notice?
Good eye. That is a Cutlass trim strip – it’s not only the paint that’s different. Of course, that part could have been replaced in the last 55 years. The cowl tag is the proof (unless it’s a Fremont car, of course…).
My mom had a 1966 Olds 4 4 2 that she and dad bought new. I think it had been a demo. car. Auto. on the column , 400 engine, bench seat. White with what I always thought ( for Old’s at least ) was a cheap red interior . After 25 years of not running I was able to very carefully coaks ? it back to life with much W D – 40 in th cylinders , using a breaker bar on the crank ( finally got it moving ) and then fuel from a can , it fired right up. Smoked for a short time and then ran fine. I sold it about 2008 for $4,500 . Bought a beautiful 1959 corvette for $32,000 .