This 1969 Oldsmobile 442 is claimed to be a true, original, numbers matching 442. Currently, there is a bid price of only $2,850b but the reserve has not yet been met, which the sellers indicate that it is low. The car is located in Cardiff by the Sea, California. The seller notes in the listing a VIN, 57,000 miles, and the say the car has a clean title. Thank you, local_sheriff, for the tip. You can view more here on eBay.
Under the hood, the seller says that they think everything original, including the 400 cubic inch V8. The transmission is a Turbo 400 automatic which has a 12 bolt rear end. According to the listing, the car does run and drive. It does have power steering, which they say works well. The car was once sitting in a backyard and covered with a tarp. There is some noted rust by the seller including the drivers quarter panel.
Inside, some of the seats have been stripped of their upholstery because one of the prior owners started to restore it but never finished. The carpet and headliner are also no longer in the car. The driver seat and a center console floor shifter are still installed. A nice creature comfort this car has is factory air conditioning but it does not have a belt on it to run it. They note that the glass is good all around.
This could be turned into a really nice car. Of course, it will depend on what the reserve is, but you could make a bid and get a pretty good start at owning a great project car. If what the seller says is true, it might be a good driver as well. The seller provides a lot of different information and details that you can sift through. It might be a good thing to go see it and check it over if you are seriously interested in purchasing this Oldsmobile.
As of this writing, it has been bid up $3,550, and eight hats are in the ring. I think this car will be sold and treated to a restoration. If I bought it, I would not be able to bring myself to repaint it in its original color.
Looks a good car to restore. On a side note the olds 12 bolt is basically a 10 bolt with a 12 bolt cover. I like this car
Good point! The real 12 bolt is a Chevrolet differential and was rarely shared outside of Chevy. The Olds unit is completely different (no C-Clips for example securing the axles and only 10 bolts securing the ring gear as you mentioned) and is fairly rare, I believe ’68 & ’69 (maybe ’70 too) but that’s it.
It is an issue on rebuilds as the the true Chevrolet 12 bolt components will not interchange with this Olds unit.
The 1970 GTO 455 was one of those cars (US built) that had the Chevrolet 12 bolt axle, the 400 engine GTO received the standard 10 bolt Pontiac rear. You could get a 12 bolt Chevy rear in the Canadian built 442’s, and the Buick’s.
John, were there actually built 442s in Canada? I was under the impression those were sourced from the US due to low sales figures…?
There were Canadien 442’s, don’t remember the years. The Chevelle wasn’t there until 1970… they were previously called a Beaumont. They were in interesting mix of Pontiac and Chevrolet parts, and some Beaumont specific things as well. I’m not certain about the Pontiac name, but I think they had an Arcadian model that was sort of a Pontiac, but in 1970 things changed with GM in the US and Canada, they were basically the same cars.
Thanks for responding John; it’d be interesting to know what years GM Canada churned out 442s.
As for the Beaumonts I’ve known them for decades, though sadly I’ve only seen them IRL at two occations(’64 and ’66).IMHO the coolest of the A-body bunch!
There were Canadian 442’s built in 1968/69, not sure about other years.
Sitting down at the beach in northern coastal San Diego county, almost thought I recognized it. Come on down to check it out, if the car don’t work out it’s still a pretty place to drive around and sight see.
Engine bay looks to be a bit rough compared to the rest of the car, dash looks okay. Curious what it will sell for, more curious about how well it performs. 442’s are sweet.
Odometer has either rolled. The motor is blue so was either repainted or replaced. Factory color is bronze for 400. Yes, Canuck 442’s got the Chevy 12-bolt. Olds “O” axle is 8.5″ ring gear vs 8.88″ for Chevy. Only used 3 years and had design differences between the years. Really not a fun axle to have unless you are going for original.
I thought 442’s had 4 speeds..guess I thought wrongly..wouldn’t be the 1st time..not even 1st time in last 5 minutes
The only year one of the 4’s stood for 4spd was the first year of production, 1964. For many years after that it meant 400, 4 barrel and dual exhaust.
Steve R
4bbl,4spd,dual exhaust?
Ok.not so after 1968
As Matt mentioned, the first year was the 64, it had a 330 V8 with a standard 4 speed and dual exhausts… in 1965 the engine grew to 400 cubic inches, and an automatic was also offered. The 442 name was popular, so it lived on. Kind of like the 1970 Chevelle SS396, they continued the name even though the engine grew to 402 cubic inches. The name was out there, why mess with success? This car is the same color combo as my 69 442 W30 convert, same hood stripes (although this car the stripes are incorrect coming down that far in front), the tan interior and a matching top. I actually was a very eye-catching car. This one needs help, but so far the price is very reasonable.
I suppose from ’70 on up 442 stood for 455, 4 barrel and two exhaust pipes. Kind of a weird name for a car, GTO or SS396, Road Runner, now those are names people completely understand.
The 1970 and 71 were 455’s, the 72 had the 350 as the base engine, although the 455 was optional.
I seriously doubt the average stroke from back in the day knew what ‘Gran Turismo Omologato’ meant, let alone how to pronounce it.
John DeLorean did!
John DeLorean did!
Not Gas, Tires and Oil……?
I did! My dad used to subscribe to Car and Driver, I remember the article well, I was 12 years old and it made a huge impression on me! I’ve had many GTO’s, from 1964-2006, and I still have a 65 4peed Tri Power Convert. As far as names for the GTO… Gas, Tires and Oil, Garbage Truck with Options, Got Too Old, and a couple more I can’t remember.
John, how about GranTempist Option, heard that was the name in the early designing stages, keepin it quiet from the upper brass, no red flags so to speak.
Is it just me from looking at the pictures this car got a quick bondo and base/clear coat? Funny they did not do the trunk lid.
350 mid 1970’s olds engine, blue valve covers. 130 hp. Will not be like a bronze 400.
Interior a complete loss.
But if it sells under 5 grand it is worth trying to fix.
Match this with the convertible up top and a lot of weekends and a real nice ride .
Oldsmobiles 350’s from 66-72 were painted gold. The 69 442 with a 455, the Hurst Olds (only 455 equipped 69’s) were painted red. The base 400 in the 442 in 1969 was painted bronze. They get more confusing with the 70 to 76 455’s being painted a metallic blue, and the 350 from 73-77 was also metallic blue. Oldsmobiles all look alike for the most part externally, and all have the 10 bolt valve covers. The oil fill tube is also metallic blue, so you likely have an engine swap and it could be a 455 or the later 350. You have to check the numbers to see what you really have.
The trunk lid clearly shows signs of the clear coat peeling off.
I stand corrected… there is a photo of the engine stamping with numbers matching the VIN. This tells you based on the blue valve covers and oil fill tube being blue this was taken apart and either parts swapped or painted, you have to wonder why
This is a strange one.
But I digress.
Color is crap.
Not worth 5 grand
I had a 1969 that was built in Canada , I miss it …Great car !