After witnessing the quick success story Pontiac was experiencing with their new GTO, it didn’t take the design team at Oldsmobile long to figure out they needed a competitor, which resulted in the 442 with the first offering coming on the scene as a 1964 model. While lots of enthusiasts have their own opinion of what 4-4-2 represents, many agree it originally stood for a 4-barrel carburetor, a 4-speed manual transmission, and dual exhaust, although by the car’s second year, this got changed around a bit which we’ll get into shortly. But first, if you’ve been looking for an early example, this 1965 Oldsmobile 442 in Reno, Nevada may be worth considering. The car can be spotted here on Craigslist and comes with an asking price of $14,000.
We’d like to say thank you to Barn Finds reader Pat L. for his great tip here! For its first year, the 442 came standard with a 4-barrel 330 V8 and Muncie 4-speed manual transmission, but those who waited another year and bought a ’65 model got the new 400 under the hood with a 3-speed, unless the 4-speed or automatic box was ticked instead, so the perceived numbers meaning was now 400 cubic inches, 4-barrel, and 2 exhaust pipes. The seller says the engine and Jetaway automatic are both original components, and that the motor runs smoothly with fuel poured into the carb, but it’s going to need a gas tank flush as a result of sitting idle for a long period.
There’s not a whole lot in the way of history or past ownership stated other than the seller mentioning that the car is all original and complete, but the photos seem to depict a car that’s spent a lot of time in a dry and metal-friendly climate as I’m not spotting much in the way of corrosion, at least not on the body panels. No word either on whether or not that’s the original paint, but it’s got some patina so if there has been a respray at some point it wasn’t recently.
Two things struck me as odd when I checked out the inside, and that’s how good the bucket seats look compared to the rest of the interior, so they’ve obviously had some attention, but the second was that odd strip along the driver’s side floor. I did some research and found another 1965 Olds 442 with an exposed floorpan and noticed something similar, so I’m guessing this was the factory design although I don’t know what its function is, and maybe some of our readers can shed some light here. Regardless of what you believe 4-4-2 stands for, this one seems to have potential and I like that it hasn’t been tampered with too much already. What are your thoughts on this one?
Mike, that ‘strip’ along the floor is a conduit for wires that lead to the trunk, and rear, of the car. Accessories like the trunk light, for axample, are in there for protection.
Hi Big_Fun,
That makes perfect sense, and thanks for pointing this out! Surprised I’ve not run across that before but I don’t remember it.
I was looking at reproduction floors for a 1965 Olds 442 and noticed this one is designed with just a light indention in the assembly around this area instead of a raised conduit:
https://goldenstarauto.com/products/1965-1967-oldsmobile-442-complete-floor-pan-assembly-oe-style
Thanks so much for being a member of Barn Finds!
MY ’65 Malibu SS had the same wiring conduit. Big fun beat me to the post. 😊
Mike,
You’re welcome. I visit Barnfinds.com multiple times everyday. You and the other authors write superb articles – and you can tell you are all enthusiasts….
I would like to see this 442 with lightly buffed paint, new carpet and an overall detail. Sort the mechanicals, of course . Add the factory wire hupcaps with spinners for a knockout ride.
The 2 meant positive track rearend.
No it did not!
Nope! I worked at Oldsmobile and its Dual Exhaust.
I had a 1964 442 blk on blk. There was only 1999 made that year, but it didn’t come out until January.
2,999 for 1964 and 25,000 in 65
1964—-same year as the GTO introduction but there was no comparison horse power wise . I am surprised Olds was upstaged by Pontiac and it took them (Oldsmobile) a year to catch up. 1965 GTO-335 HP.
1965 442-345 HP ( 4 barrel )
I’d so love to bid on this and is simple to work on..Car guys in this area would definitely be able to do an engine overhaul..I’d keep everything the same after mechanical repairs and just give a good detailing..And drive it gently as an everyday car .
I always liked the 442 as much as the SS Chevelle and they are a bargain by comparison.
The Dr Oldsmobile’s motors held their own in the torque department.
My first new car. A 65′ 442. Burgundy red black interior, hard top. This 442 happens to be a “post ” model which are more rare than the hardtop. Looks like it has air but the interior is not stock. Mine was 4 speed and was equipped with wire wheel hub caps and Tiger Paws red line tires.
Time to answer for Santino
Cmon you think I’m gonna make my sister a widow? Just don’t insult my intelligence now tell me who was it that approached you?Answer:
It was Barzini.
Owned 9 Oldsmobiles and counting.
Buick isn’t sure if it’s a caddy or an olds but Oldsmobile knows exactly what it is just listen to that exhaust note no mistaken
Time to answer for Santino
Cmon you think I’m gonna make my sister a widow? Just don’t insult my intelligence now tell me who was it that approached you?Answer:
It was Barzini.
Owned 9 Oldsmobiles and counting.
Buick isn’t sure if it’s a caddy or an olds but Oldsmobile knows exactly what it is just listen to that exhaust note no mistaken
I had a convertible sister to this one. It never failed to chirp to tires at a 35 mph kickdown to get through the upcoming yellow light. When the Jetaway imploded, I hung a 4-speed in it. Paid $225 for it in ’74 and sold it for $225 in ’77. I had a ton of fun it it in the meantime.
This looks like a nice car at a fair price. I’m kind of stunned.
Tried to make an offer. Doesn’t seem possible to get thru the red tape. Probably a scam
I have an original white over red auto that I might be putting up soon. Original paperwork with sales order form etc. Absolutely stock. I am the second owner. Rock solid. Beautiful dash. Driver’s seat needs redone. I believe it is original paint except for one fender replaced in 70’s. Insurance never painted the inside as it is blue. Runs and drives but has been in dry heated garage for a while. It has moved up to third on the refurb list behind my 68 GTO and 74 Corvette roadster. Slowly trying to move them all.
I bought a 67 with the 4 speed hardtop air conditioning and a factory pull me over yellow paint with white interior. It was stock with the skinny factory tires that I just loved laying long burnouts with.
Brother had a 65 F85 with 3 pedals in the 80s. Him an I went to rip the tires down the street. My seat (passenger front) wasn’t bolted down..lol!
I had to grab the door and anything else I could when he launched it…then he slammed it into 2nd…chirped it and I wound up in the back seat. Man that was fun. When fun on 4 wheels only cost you a few hundred bucks to buy. Now people want the world for fixer uppers. I mean I get it. Things go up in value through the years, but we all want the prices we paid years ago..lol
Gm A-body wiring harness for back half of car, runs from under the dash down the length of floor towards the rear of the car. Car looks to be in good shape for a descent price. A big block muscle car all the way. 👍
As for the meaning of 442 it doesn’t really matter what you think it stood for. IT WAS 4SP 4 BARREL DUAL EXHAUST.
1965 442s were available with the Dearborn three speed toploader manual trans and the Jetaway two speed automatic in addition to the four speed Muncie, no matter what YOU think it stood for…
I’ve always wondered, was the name 442 an attempt of Oldsmobile at misdirection? Meaning, wouldn’t a prospective buyer initially think “442” would convey the cubic inches of the engine? Or was 442 always generally known from the beginning as 4-barrel carb, 4-speed, dual exhaust?
The 1964 advertising clearly shows that 442 means four barrel, four speed, dual exhaust. The engine that year was a 330. The 1965 advertising changed this to 400 cu in, 4bbl, dual exhaust, since other transmissions besides the 4spd were offered that year. For 1966 the carb options included the tri-carb and for 1968 there was even a 2bbl Turnpike Cruiser option, so the name meant about as much as “Rocket V8”.
Yes…and it was spelled out in a ’64 TV ad.
I’m impressed. It’s a post car, and it has buckets and console, factory A/C, power steering and power brakes, and it’s a good solid car. I hope it’s kept original, or restored to original, preserved and enjoyed.
The interior of the featured 442 ” look remarkably good ” because they are not original. I bought new In 65′ a 442, black interior.
Seats look recovered in factory design minus the buttons, door panel has the buttons, l like the other interior they had in 64 and early 65. I have both 64 and 65.
Ordered/purchased new in 65′ a 442 Cutlass Holiday Coupe in May 1965. It’s interior was “stock” and unlike this post and as far as a change in the interior design I disagree with your comment. These 442’s we’re produced in Fremont, California (20 miles south of Oakland. My Olds was ordered from LLoyd A.Wise Olds in Oakland, California.
65 442 sport coupe as in this post ! has a different interior than a 65 442 holiday hardtop. Don’t know why Oldsmobile had to change the design between the two. But that interior is correct for the sport coupe. I personally like the hardtop interior better might even change mine over.
I believe this is not a POST car. Both windows go down with no post showing. Just wide chrome on both.
Sorry but you need to clean your screen. This is clearly a post car, as shown not only by the photos but also by the VIN and cowl tag photos in the CL ad. 33827 is a Cutlass Sport Coupe, which is Olds-speak for a post coupe. A Cutlass Holiday Coupe (hardtop) would have a VIN and cowl tag that started 33837xxxxx.
Best deal on Barn Finds in a while. I’d swap a four speed in this thing in the first weekend of ownership……..
Plain Jane wants to introduce you to her cousin plain Joan.
Really now Mike… shame on you LOL… That plastic conduit channel under the rug was pretty standard from I’d guessmost 1958 and up GM models. Taailights and maybe a rear speaker and rear window blower all chased through there…
Davo This 442 was made in Lansing MI. The Fisher Body tag has Lan on it.
I had this car’s convertible sister – same colors and the Jetaway. Never failed to chirp the tires downshifting at 35 mph to get through that pesky yellow light ahead. That car ate starters. I heard the first year for the 400 engine had the starter mounted too close to the exhaust routing and it cooked them.
The starter is in exactly the same place on every Olds V8 built from 1964-1990. The passenger side exhaust manifold on the 400 motor was exactly the same casting from 1965-1968. Nothing was changed as far as the starter was concerned.
Good to know. The guy at Nationwise told me when I returned a starter for the guarrantee. I bet I put four on the car. The were properly aligned – they just cooked.
Had a gray or silver with the 2speed Jet-a-Way. My car was for sure a 2dr post.. Back then I saw very few on the road that had the post. This car does not have the post,if you lower the back window and front window it is a 2dr.“ hardtop”.
One thing I will never forget is the torque it had. Kick it into passing gear and it would snap your neck. Love to have another two door post but would settle for this one.
Take a look at the photo of the metal frame around the door window in the CL ad and then explain how this is not a post car
https://images.craigslist.org/00y0y_2vv3aQ01AuO_0CI0t2_1200x900.jpg
You are right I looked at lots of pictures and i couldn’t find any with windows rolled down. I dont now how to read the vin. Its a post car but would like to see one with the door opened. Thanks
The link I provided is a photo with the door open. The frame is obvious.
Yes it is. was this pic on the listing? If I wasnt in Michigan I would buy it for sure.
That photo is from the CL listing
If Glen F wasn’t in Michigan, he’d buy it, for sure! Where is the ROFLMAO emoji when you need it the most? I love these non-car buying, internet muscle car experts…that wouldn’t buy the car if it was next door and $500.00 but, just always have to give the readers an excuse as to why they can’t buy it, lol. It’s like they can’t help themselves.
I really, really love this car because it reminds me of my high school ride, ’65 Olds Cutlass F85 2 door hardtop w/330 and 2 speed on the console. Same built-in tach too. Originally blah blue, previous owner painted it 1973 Corvette yellow. I wish I knew then what I know now but I know it’d never be for sale if I still owned it. IMHO, the looks of this car far outshines the other GM offerings of ’65. $14K is a steal!
The tach was included with the console on the 1964-65 cars. You couldn’t get the console without the tach.
I understand to each his own and I bleed Oldsmobile but the 65’ GTO is a masterpiece.
Michael Berkemeier Im like most people that dont like to buy things sight unseen! Let me know if you are going to buy it. LOL
Hello :I got a 1967Olds 442 yellow/black top ,400 motor 4b dual exhaust but it’s came with the his and hers 400 transmission I got the car from my girl friend brother as he went back on his second trip back to Vietnam
Guys do your research always… yeah right here on barn finds less than a year ago via ebay. Somehow the red wasnt so red, there was more rust than stated thats been masked in the quarters, floors, and trunk..and plenty of other changes for the flip.. or whatever is going on. Talked with the number on the ad, Im glad I didnt buy it!
https://barnfinds.com/well-documented-1965-oldsmobile-442-sports-coupe/
Mine was black on black post. From the factory with no a/c, no power steering, no power brakes, bench seat with no carpet (rubber) and Muncie 4 speed. Couldn’t have made many like that one. One I should have never let get away.