Although it might create some debate, it could be argued that General Motors was the “king” of muscle car production during the 1960s. Ford gave us the Mustang, Torino, and performance offerings from Mercury. Likewise, the stopwatch confirms that it was hard to find anything faster than a Hemi-powered Mopar product. Meanwhile, General Motors offered the Pontiac GTO, the Camaro and Chevelle SS 396, Corvettes with big-block V8s under the hood, and the Oldsmobile 442. This 1967 Oldsmobile is a largely original classic with 61,000 miles on the clock. That is no idle boast because it appears the seller holds the paperwork supporting the claim. It needs a new home, with the seller listing it here on eBay in Clearwater, Florida. A solitary bid of $17,000 is below the reserve, although there is time for interested parties to stake their claim. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder T.J., who consistently uses a finely-tuned radar to spot classics like this.
Compared to many offerings within the muscle car segment, Oldsmobile’s styling of the 442 was quite conservative. It didn’t tread the path of high-impact paint shades, with its target market being more affluent buyers seeking a high-performance experience. This Olds features Code G Gold paint that holds a respectable shine. The Black vinyl top adds a touch of class, as does the spotless Soft Ray tinted glass. The seller indicates the car’s floors and frame are rock-solid, but a series of underside shots reveal heavy surface corrosion in spots that requires attention before it deteriorates further. Rust is present in some lower body extremities, like the quarter panels and rockers. However, those issues aren’t severe, and well-crafted patches should consign most to the pages of history. The trim and chrome are acceptable for a driver-quality classic, but the wheels aren’t original.
The luxury leanings of this 442 are exposed when we assess its interior. The original owner equipped it with air conditioning, power windows, a power front seat, a remote driver’s mirror, deluxe seatbelts, and an AM/FM radio with the optional “Bi-Phonic” rear speaker. The interior presentation is impressive, although the covers over the front seat block our view of the upholstery. The back seat is excellent, and there are no signs of abuse or UV damage. The A/C doesn’t operate, although it is unclear what the problem could be. The passenger side window sometimes struggles, but that could be nothing but a lubrication and maintenance issue. Otherwise, everything works as it should.
There was no denying the muscle credentials of the 442 when examining its mechanical specifications. The engine bay houses a numbers-matching 400ci V8 that sends 350hp to the rear wheels via a three-speed Turbo Hydramatic transmission. Power assistance for the steering and brakes remove the physical effort from the driving experience. With the ability to storm the ¼ mile in 14.8 seconds before winding its way to 129mph, the 442 was genuinely fast. The seller says this Olds is mechanically original and has a genuine and documented 61,000 miles on the clock. It comes with its original Window Sticker, Protect-O-Plate, and other verifying original paperwork. The 442 runs and drives well, making it a turnkey proposition for the successful bidder.
I made an initial bold statement that GM may have been the king of muscle car producers in the 1960s, and that claim is sure to spark debate. That is one aspect of the classic scene that makes it appealing. Different people will hold opposing views and will produce strong arguments supporting their beliefs. I could be wrong with my statement, and I’m willing to concede if I am. This will likely be a three-cornered debate that will be fascinating to read because Barn Finds readers can not be accused of lacking passion. What is your view on that subject, and are you tempted to pursue this 442 further?
Now I wish I would have kept mine. 😢!!
yeah harvey and your teal green(blue?) one was much better looking
The difference was, GM had more models to bring to the party.
Well if you want to nit pick, technically, a Corvette is not a Muscle car , and Mustangs and Camaros are Pony cars . The GTO, 442 ,SS396 and the GS would be classed as muscle cars.
Well then that leaves GM with an even bigger advantage. I guess the “king” is the one with the most marbles
“Muscle Car” – one of the most overused and misapplied terms these days.
Your definition above is right on the money.
He didn’t mention every “muscle car”
I Had a 396/375 Chevelle, a 427/435 Corvette, and a 427/500 (?) L88 Nova. Does it really matter that by your definition I had a muscle car, a sports car, and a subcompact? They were all bought to go fast (quickly) in the quarter, and I raced against the same cars. One of the fastest was a 427 souped up SS Impala, I swear with power steering, windows, and seats! It once had AC, but couldn’t handle the RPMs, was it a luxury touring car?
I am not trying to be jerk, and I believe proper language is vital, but I don’t get how and to whom, I would need the correct labels. With anyone I would discuss the cars would know the difference, and most likely more than I do about them.
Please, where do you express the detailed identifiers? Are those classes used for car shows?
It’s loaded to the gills. By 1967, GTOs, 442s, GS400s, ans SS396s were very popular among mainstream buyers. Most were optioned out like this with low number rear ends and a lot of options, as opposed to stripper drag cars with ram air, solid lifters, 4.11 gears, and 4-speeds.
I was 14 when this car came out. Mike Warrens’ parents bought a brand new one and he took me for a ride and scared the crap out of me! I have no idea how fast we went but it was WAY faster than my Mom or the speed limit would allow!
Got out of the service in ’67 and took over payments on a 442 exactly like this one color and all except for the tranny. Mine was a three speed in the floor with a Hurst shifter and bench seat. After a couple years of abuse when I had to replace the clutch I found FoMoCo cast into the heavy transmission housing. Rumored it was due to a union strike ?? I swear, any explanation on this ??
Only one explanation I can think of, what were y’all smokin back then?. Lol. Never heard of such a thing, I don’t think Ford and GM even have the same bolt pattern, let alone the same size input shafts.
Corvettes also had the FoMoCo 3 speed and the base transmission. There is on for sale at a lot in Tampa, a 68.
The bell housings had an extra set of mounting holes accommodating both the Muncie and Fomoco/Dearborn trans.
The Ford 3-speeds were also used in base transmission GTO’s during the ’65 and ’66 model years. I’ve always believed it was due to their strength and first gear synchro. The early Borg Warner 3-speeds were weak sucks with a non-synchronized first gear.
The Ford transmissions required modified bellhousings on GTO’s, so I bet your Olds had one too.
The “Dearborn” (don’t call it a Phord) three speed was used from mid-1965 through the 1969 model year in the A-body cars (and through the 1971 model year on the Olds B-body cars in column-shifted form). It was the base equipment trans in the 442 for the 1967-69 model years. The Toploader three speed was much stronger than any three speed that the General had, until the HD Muncie three speed was released for the 1970 model year. Every BOP bellhousing made from 1966-1972 (and actually later) came with two trans bolt patterns, one for Muncie and one for Ford transmissions. The Dearborn used the Ford bolt pattern but a GM-style input shaft and bearing retainer.
I don’t think the bell housing was modified. I removed the FoMoCo 3 speed from my 68 442 and bolted in a Muncie 4 speed. No changes required other than a new shifter.
A friend has a 68 tempest with thee speed on the floor, also a toploader
Don’t know about union strike but all gm used the Ford Dearborn for their 3-speed floor shift applications!
In 1976 the used muscle cars were being bought by us high schoolers, unbeknownst to us, $500-$800 would give us a car that drank fuel and was easy to maintain, we all drove the doors off of them then off to the junkyard. Now nothing under a ’95 exists in those yards.
Since I’ve never smoked or taken any illegal drug rule that out. My first car was a 36 Ford coupe I put a Merc Flattie in. Then a ’51 Belair HT I put a 303 Olds with a LaSalle 3spd and a 57 Pontiac Rear. All of this and was driving a ’57 Olds HT tri-power when I was drafted when I turned 19 in ’66. Got a ’71 W-30 442 after the ’67 after I got out. My point is I’m not blind or stupid and know a thing or two about Oldsmobile and was positive about what I was looking at. Doing a restoration I put a clutch in my daughter’s ’67 Mustang 6 cyl. It had a 3 spd (damn heavy) cast tranny years later that looked just like the one that I had years earlier..Just because some people don’t believe doesn’t mean it’s not true LOL . Just finished a 90 Silverado SWB custom ( I’m 77) with a
71 W-30 468 Cu in Alum head rollermotor with FI etc . Never lose the PASSION !!
Yes, gm used the ford 3-speed.
IIRC, the first use of Ford 3spds at GM was on Pontiacs in 63? When you’re old, it’s amazing the ‘facts’ you can recall from nearly 60 years ago! Being a car nut for an even longer period probably helps as well.
You are correct, Olds used the “Dearborn” 3 speed as it was called, as the base transmission through 1969. The other GM divisions used it as well.
Hmm; wonder what’s under those front seat covers🤔
Jerry Bramlett is right! The base 3 speed tansmission in early GTOs and 442s was none other than FoMoCo’s full synchromesh top-loader 3 speed. The Ford box is a tough tranny. I worked in a Shell station in ‘66-‘67. Serviced a friend’s ‘65 GOAT. While under the Pontiac took a look at the Hurst shifter and trans – there it was: FoMoCo cast on that 3 speed.
The 3 speed manual in the the 60’s GM cars were indeed Ford units
Thanks to the Barn finds readers for the vast knowledge. I had never heard such a thing as a Ford transmission in any GM. Product.
Sometimes some people on here can be overly opinionated and rude to others, but everyone has a right to their opinion.
Just my 2 cents.
I have loved cars for many years and at 83, do I hear 84, really enjoy the comments of those who do know something about cars and the details that could make or break a deal.
Keep it up guys.
Up until 1969 when Muncie came out with the HD 3spd, GM did not have a strong enough 3spd to hold those big engines so all except Chevy used the Detroit transmission which was the top loader Ford Three speed. And Chevy just used the Muncie 4 spd. After that the HD Muncie was the three speed of choice, and it actually had heavier gears the the Muncie 4 spds did.
I heard that a long time ago that GM used Ford three speeds, didn’t believe it until now. Talking about strange bed fellows but anything’s possible.
Ford used Quadrajet carburetors and Saginaw steering boxes. Not really uncommon.
And then there’s American Motors who used Ford, GM and Chrysler components!
Ford did use a Quadrajet, but only on the 429 Cobra, just for a year or two. Wasn’t aware of Saginaw gearboxes, but they did use Saginaw pumps on Econolines.
My first new car was a 1967 442, almost identical to the one in this article. Mine was same color ,with no vinyl top, just a white painted roof.
Stock rear end ratio was 3:08, that made for a very fast car,however it was not really quick off the stop lights.That was the evening recreation in Beckley,WV.
At that time you could order all the accessories , and speed equipment thru the local dealer. My Olds dealer in Oak Hill , West Virginia installed the 4:66 Olds rear gearing on a rack in their service shop.That ratio really lit the car up,and was a perfect gear for stop light racing.
A month later I had saved up enough money to order a set of headers. So one evening I asked my dad if I could use the phone to call California, his answer was, “not on my phone your not”! So I took a pocket full of quarters to the local grocery store. They had a pay phone on the outside wall. With my page out of the latest issue of Hot Rod magazine, I proceeded to call Jerry Jardine, who was well known for tuning drag race Oldsmobiles. He told me they did not have a set of headers in stock,however he had just seen a 1967 442 at the locals dealers lot. So he took his tape measure,and note pad down there to draw up something that would fit, and be a 4 into one design. When I received the headers in a few weeks they fit perfectly. And the sound was fantastic !
As time went by I would add other pieces of speed equipment, a neighbor down the street had a 1968 Olds 442, he stopped by one day and asked me if I wanted the ram air system off his car ! He was selling the car,and the dealer would not give him anything for his accessories.
Of course I wanted the ram air ! This was the system that had the two scoops hanging under the front bumper,it was an improvement over the smaller 1966-67 version. Mechanically that was all I bought for the car.
If you look closely at the rear wheel wells on that 67 Olds, you will notice there is a lot of space in there. As time passed I upgraded the rear tires first a pair of 8″ wide Mickey Thompson wrinkle walls, then later a set of 12″ wide Goodyear Stock Car Specials, on 8″ rims. That was the maximum width tire I could fit. As a bonus they were treaded tires, so they also passed WV. State inspection !
Looking through some old papers I had saved I found the window sticker fot my 1967 Olds 442, guess what the car costs when bought new in Charleston,WV. $2879,plus tax. Those were the days!
The tough Ford top loader 3 speed was designated the “3.03” 3 speed and eventually grew into the top loader 4 speed. In the early 70s, production moved to Mexico and a new name was attached to the 4 speed: “Tremac” . I had a pal in 1967ish that bought a new Bonneville convertible with a 421 and that 3 speed. Why? you might ask. Back in those days if you checked the box that said “4 speed” your insurance automatically went up. :-) Terry J
TREMEC not Tremac. :-) Terry J
I’m 71 and have never heard the term top loader..what’s it mean all you car gurus? :)
Fish: If you look at the tranny you see that there is a large cover bolted onto the top. When manufacturing or rebuilding that tranny, that cover, once removed, allows the components and gears to be installed (loaded) from the top unlike most 3 speeds that have a cover on the side and thus are “side loaders”. :-) Terry J
Wes Holliday’s recollections of the good times he had with his 442 is a fun read. That’s the way it was! Gears, headers, cheater slicks and tuning. I was running my ‘66 Fairlane 390 GT/A on a nice sunny day at Kent Pacific Raceways in ‘66. C Pure Stock. Sticks and Automatics grouped together for Pure Stock. No headers, slicks allowed. First time on the strip for the Fairlane. Started off winning two runs against 442s. A ‘65 and a ‘66. Third run against a ‘65 GTO started well but by halfway that tri-powered 360hp 389 pulled me easily. My racing on that day was over.
However the joy of watching dealer sponsored A – B – C stockers and more wasn’t over! There was Pete Kost racing his ‘66 Olds 442 that at that time held the National Record for C Stock. He was running mid 12 second E.T.’s with the, for 1966 only, tri-power 400. Beautiful Olds in silver/black vinyl roof sponsored by the Northwest Oldsmobile Dealers. It was set up perfectly with the headers, optional over the counter camshaft that GM offered for the 400, gearing, and true slicks. It was a kick to watch Pete take the win that day even if it was over a well set up black Fairlane GT390. I liked them all! Buick Gran Sports, 442s, GTOs, Cyclone GT390s, Plymouths, Dodges, and never forget the Chevelle SS’s – be they 396s or hard running 327’s.
Well, guess I learned something new, GM used Ford transmissions. Wait!! What?!! GM used Ford transmissions?!! Lol. Love it.
I had a ’67 SS 396/375 with 4-speed, .410 gears, bucket seats, viny top, and the engine bay was chromed up. Essentially the same engine lost 50 hp when moved from the Corvette to the Chevelle. It listed in the mid-$3,000’s, I paid $3,200 out the door.
No wonder only the rich kids and gainfully employed adults had 442’s, this ride is within $2,000 of a Corvette 427/435. Those 442 guys rode in chilled cars (AC), that shifted its self, with power this and power that, and even a AM/FM radio with rear speakers! I think the 8-track was an option they declined, or it may not have been available it intermediates until later, I just don’t remember.
I would love to tool around in this looker! It is nice!
My oldest brother had a 69 442 with the fomoco 3 spd manual also.
Besides using the Dearborn 3 speed back then, they also currently use a co developed 10 speed auto trans.
I bought a one owner 36K miles 66 396/325 with the spreadbore Holly in the late eighties. Convertible 4 spd reverse lock-out, knee knocker tach, clock in the consul I put a fresh coat of Roman ? Red paint, new top, and a USA-1 interior and the family and I were ready for the parades. First owner would start it up and drive it in the parades in it’s later years and put some diesel in with the gas for upper lube ? anyway everyone thought the eng was wore out cause it smoked at little so I bought it right! Finally sent it to Florida to my son as he would get alot more sunshine use rather than me here in Wyo LOL
Where at in Wyo neighbor?
Aren’t you the Ford guy that gave me a hard time, said I’d lost it ?? LOL I’m in S/C, mountain town of Encampment. 453 Pop and loving’ it
Yeah, that’s me lol. Nice area over there, Riverside/Encampment, I’ve hauled a lotta heavy equipment in and out of there. I’m in Cheyenne. Didn’t mean to give you crap, that transmission thing just kinda took me for a loop. I’m 66, and like you, I still got the passion. If I remember right, there’s a shop in “downtown” Encampment, that does some good stuff.
442 didn’t equal 4-speed, 4-barrel, & dual exhaust? I saw some of the autos, I think I recall they did some kind of mental gymnastics to encompass them. Now you experts are telling me they were offered with 3-speeds and tri-power? So they should have been called 332’s? I am not that surprised by the 3-duces, I had a ’58 olds with the J-2 package.
Thanks for the info and entertainment.
The original 1964 was equipped with a 330 4 barrel engine, 4 speed and dual exhausts, thus, the 442. There was no other engine or trans. GM tweaked the 442 in 1965, with the addition of the 400 engine, 4 barrel and dual exhaust. The 65 brought the first automatic transmission, and a 3 speed manual, 442 then meant 400 engine, 4 barrel, and dual exhaust, no mention of the transmission. 1966 also was the first W30, with a Tri-Power, so was that a 432? 1970 was the first 455 CID. 1972 the base engine was the 350 in the 442. So you could call it all sorts of names if you wanted to. But the original designation was 4 barrel, 4 speed, dual exhaust. Call it what you want…
I am sure it was just like the 409, GTO, 396, the 442 was known as the standard of performance when first offered. Advertising guys were not a stickler for facts, they sold cars.
19sixty5, thanks much for your explanation. So many here know so much more about cars histories it’s quite educational. Example; years ago while at a Corvette show we were talking and Dennis commented that when he lived in Miami he knew a guy who had built the C2’s in St. Louis. He told Dennis that if they ran out of a certain bolt, for instance, they’d run down to a local hardware store, buy some of the right thread pattern and use them-to heck with the letter(s) on the head of the bolt.
Let me join you in praise of those here that are not only so well informed, they seem eager to share it. And rarely are there arguments unlike many sites I have left to escape the bickering.
Thank you to all the nice guys,
Neil
No wonder it took so long to order a Corvette, in 1968 it was nearly 3 months from when I put down a deposit to delivery. If they had to shut down the assembly line for someone to go to the hardware store, get a bolt or two, stop for beer and get bwck.😀😁
Our village hell raiser worked at the Corvette plant, I am pretty sure he was the reason we got the admonishment, “Never buy a Vette made on Monday”.😊😁
Here, here!!! 😂😂😂
We lived in and my kids graduated from Burns, sound familiar?
I don’t mind making a bold statement….the Olds were the badest, fastest, cars coming out of the Lansing, Michigan Plant……
It all comes down to just 2 words….
Compression Ratio….Olds had it mastered…..😊
Actually the Buick 455 had the most torque of any other car at the time. 510lb.ft.
True and false… in 1967 both the GS 400 and 442 (both 400 CID engines) had identical advertised torque ratings at 440. The 1970 GS 455 Stage 1 had 510, the W30 had a measly 500…
The Stage 1 cars were a true beasts!
A couple states to the southeast, in St. Louis there was a car being made that just needed one word:
Horsepower – I once was street racing a Judge and missed third gear, still beat him by 10 car lengths or more.
Olds were great cars, I had a ’58 J2 (3 duces), but they couldn’t run with Corvettes or any of the well tuned Hemis (the 6-Paks were a draw).
Tires/traction and weight were equally important.
My 1967 442,with dealer installed 4:66 gearing, could smoke the 12″ Stock Car Special rear tires. Lots of fun !
Don’t think we can get away with that today.