When I first saw this 1971 Oldsmobile 442 Convertible, my instincts told me to class it as a survivor. While some would agree with that assessment, others would argue that the color change performed by a previous owner would undermine the survivor tag. Regardless of your school of thought, it is a tidy vehicle that its new owner could enjoy immediately. The seller has listed it for sale here on eBay in Warrington, Pennsylvania. Bidding sits at $30,000, with plenty of time remaining on the auction.

Muscle car sales were plunging by 1971, but there were still eager buyers clamoring for cars like this 442 Convertible. These beasts offered excellent performance, handsome good looks, and a relaxed wind-in-the-hair motoring experience. This Convertible rolled off the production line in late 1970 wearing Saturn Gold paint. A previous owner elected to apply Ebony Black in around 1980. It is lacquer paint that has accumulated its share of chips and marks. It continues to shine well but would benefit from a cosmetic refresh. That will leave the next owner the decision of whether a basic repaint is the best option or if returning it to its original shade might maximize the long-term investment potential. The panels are straight, and the seller states that the only rust is a small spot in each lower front fender. The white soft-top looks good, the chrome is consistent with a survivor-grade car, and I can spot no issues with the glass.

When a buyer ordered their new 442 in 1971, it rolled off the showroom floor equipped with a 455ci V8. This car’s V8 should produce 340hp, which finds its way to the rear wheels via a three-speed Hydra-Matic transmission. With Oldsmobile targeting the more luxurious end of the muscle car market with the 442, their inclusion of power assistance for the steering and brakes is no surprise. If the owner pointed this beauty at a ¼ mile, it should despatch the distance in 15.2 seconds. The seller indicates this Convertible is in sound mechanical health and has 56,000 genuine miles on the clock. They don’t mention verifying evidence, so we must take the claim at face value. It is numbers-matching, and that monster motor offers no shortage of performance. The car will lay rubber in second gear, which is no mean feat.

The Convertible’s interior is tidy upholstered in Black vinyl. It has no pressing needs, although the seller mentions some small rips on the driver’s seat. These aren’t visible in the supplied photos, so it is impossible to determine whether they are repairable. If they prove beyond help, a set of covers for the front buckets retails for approximately $400. The rest of the interior shows promise, and I can’t spot any aftermarket additions. It isn’t loaded with luxury appointments, but the console and factory AM radio are welcome features.

The seller claims that this 1971 Oldsmobile 442 Convertible is 1-of-1,096 442s across both body styles equipped with an automatic transmission. I’ve been unable to confirm that figure, but it is 1-of-1,304 Convertibles, which still makes it a rare beast. If potential buyers can verify the transmission claim, that raises the rarity stakes. It is a tidy vehicle ready for immediate fun, but it would eventually benefit from a cosmetic refresh. If you found it in your workshop, what would you do? Would another coat of Black grace its panels, or would you return it to its original shade? It looks great in Black, but its relative rarity would motivate me to opt for the Saturn Gold. Do you agree?