There’s no doubt that if you look at their vehicle range from the 1960s, Oldsmobile produced some really interesting cars. I think that the 442 (or 4-4-2 to be more correct) was definitely one of them. Listed for sale here on Craigslist is this 1966 model. For sale with a clean title, this Oldsmobile is located in Lynnwood, Washington. This car comes with a clean title and an asking price of $32,950. My thanks go out to our eagle-eyed Barn Finds reader Michael who located this one for us.
The owner seems to be quite upfront when it comes to the faults in this car. Add to that the fact that he has provided 24 nice clear photos and you start to build confidence. He describes the paintwork as mostly original but admits that it’s not perfect, as you can see from this photo the paint is peeling at the bottom of the passenger side door. However, there doesn’t appear to be any obvious signs of the dreaded “tin worm” and the panel gaps appear to be nice and consistent.
It’s so nice to see some clear shots of the interior. So often a seller lets themselves down in this area. The dash appears to be in good condition, and the pad doesn’t appear to be cracked. The console looks good as well, but the interior isn’t perfect. Unfortunately, I think that I can see a crack in the rim of the wheel near the left spoke. I’m also a bit unsure of what is going on with the carpet near the gas pedal. Maybe this is normal, but I’m quite surprised that the sound deadening is so visible.
Apart from the previously mentioned issues the rest of the interior looks really good. The seats, trim and carpet all look good. I’ve been looking at the headliner on the rear pillar around the courtesy light trying to work out whether that is discolored, or if it’s a trick of the light. If the interior trim is original then I think that it goes some way to supporting the owner’s claim that the car has 40,000 genuine miles on the clock.
To me, this view is a bit disappointing. I freely admit that this car is over 50 years old and claimed to be an original survivor, but I was expecting things to just be nicer under the hood. That being said, what lurks here does possess some rather nice attributes. That 400ci engine was capable of launching this Olds from 0-60mph in around 6.5 seconds, so it was no slouch. This one is backed by the wide ration M20 transmission. It’s also a plus that this beast features power steering and power brakes.
I quite like this car because it is an interesting car from a golden era of American motoring. Do I like it to the tune of $32,950? I’m not really sure. While I really appreciate the seller’s candor in the ad I just feel that the appearance of that engine undermines the claim that the car has only done 40,000 miles. Once again, I could be wrong about that. Stranger things have happened.
I have always liked these cars. My first car was a 67 Cutlass. The “carpet issue” is merely the floor mat sliding around. Same thing used to happen to me.
UMy 66 wassame color post car automatic with a white painted roof. The dash was not woodgrain on the Supreme but it looks good. Maybe not too much, but a bit too soon.
I’m why they’re rare.
Nice looking car but somehow, I could never quite get past the absurdity of the nomenclature, “442” = 4 barrel carb, 4 speed transmission, and dual exhaust. Proof positive I suppose that the car’s owner can at least count to four but why stop there? Why not also include the 4 wheels, four headlights, 1 steering wheel, 2 bumpers, and 3 pedals? The car could then be referred to as a 44244123 – much more impressive.
Wouldn’t it make much more sense to have a name reflective of say, engine displacement or horsepower, or even torque – something of relevance?
It’s not like the other GM makes were much more creative. GTO stood for Gran Turismo Omologato, or Grand Tourer Homolgated in English. Pontiac never even certified the GTO for that FIA race class.
GS was Gran Sport. I mean what does that even mean? Ultimate sport? If so, then how to distinguish it from SS, which was Super Sport? Which was superior – Gran or Super?
@Superdessucke
“GTO stood for Gran Turismo Omologato, or Grand Tourer Homolgated in English. Pontiac never even certified the GTO for that FIA race class.”
Pontiac actually DID homologate the GTO with the FIA. Homolagation Number 180 for the GT class was issued to Pontiac on July 12, 1964. FIA’s database shows it ending that same day. My guess would be because none of the cars were ever entered in the GT class in an FIA sanctioned race. Was it a publicity stunt? Of course! But, it did go a long way toward legitimizing their use of the GTO name.
For details, see: https://historicdb.fia.com/car/pontiac-tempest-le-mans-gto
I remember back in the day the stringbacks derided Pontiac in the enthusiast mags for daring to use the GTO name. One of the gripes was that it was not homologated with FIA, likely the cause of the certification stunt. Interestingly, Ferrari also never homologated their original GTO with the FIA either.
Thanks Square. I stand corrected. But still, as you guys are saying, that was a complete publicity stunt in response to criticism.
Nonetheless, I’m not bashing any of these cars, I’m just saying that the names during this era were all kind of silly if you think about them.
Beep beep!
After the first model year the first ‘4’ stood for ‘400 c.i.’
In the early 60’s, I think about 64, the 4-4-2 was an option package available on all F-85 and Cutlass models except the station wagons. It was a high performance package that added these features. I am not sure, but I think I read that it was a police package offered as an option. In any case it was an easy jump to make the 442 its own model.
The first 4-4-2 was actually the B09 Police Apprehender package, came out in the latter part of the 1964 model year.
Here’s a good article: https://ateupwithmotor.com/model-histories/oldsmobile-cutlass-442-history/2/
According to my neighbor, on the order form the 1964 4-4-2 option was actually called the B09 Police Apprehender package.
Here’s an interesting article on that and the rest of 4-4-2 history: https://ateupwithmotor.com/model-histories/oldsmobile-cutlass-442-history/
After the first model year the first ‘4’ stood for ‘400 c.i.’
That definition was for the 1964 only. Starting in 1965, it stood for 400 cubic inches(then 455), 4 barrel carb, dual exhaust. But eventually the name lost any meaning at all.
If you really knew Oldsmobile’s you would know what the 4-4-2 stood for, so on that note I will tell you so you will know. The first 4 stands for 400 cid engine and the second 4 stands for 4 barrel carburetor and the 2 stands for dual exhaust. So now you know the true meaning of 4-4-2.
Or is it 4-barrel, 4-speed, and dual exhaust? Hmm…
For that large amount I would expect the tic tach Olds in the dash instead of a vacuum gauge on the console.
The gauge cluster “tic tach” wasn’t available until 67,but you could have ordered a stand alone tachometer,that would have been left of the dash right inside the driver vent window.
This is my 66 Cutlass,with the tach. as you can see it’s a project. But I’ve always liked white cars with red interior, Plus I have a 4 spd. and a 442 grille,fender vents. Wasn’t lookin for the 442 stuff it came across my way via a trade.
Nice car, the add is concise the photo work and presentation let me know the car intimately with my first browse. The price is so high my intrest in this car is low. Great add
Huh? I think someone needs to open the shed door when tuning his jalopy. Dirk, that is the most obtuse collection of words I’ve ever seen. High on fumes, drunk or drugs? Can’t figure it out.
“I freely admit that this car is over 50 years old and claimed to be an original survivor, but I was expecting things to just be nicer under the hood.”
I think that a good portion of the problem is the original color of the engine – 4-4-2 engines were painted a medium gold. When the paint fades, it looks like rust in photos. There is some surface rust on the driver’s side inner fender, but not anything unexpected for a 50-year-old car. The rest of the engine compartment seems to be fairly neat and tidy – and – with the exception of the air cleaner – there’s no evidence of bolt-on-itis. I like this one – even the color – and especially the hubcaps, which definitely give it some ‘sleeper’ appeal!
As for the price, I don’t think that it’s very far out of line. Definitely on the high side, but finding one of these cars as untouched as this one is no easy task!
It also would have been nice if the seller had taken some up close pictures of the lower rear quarters and some of the places that have paint issues. It makes you wonder how bad it is if no pictures were taken within 20 feet of the car. He also didn’t need the same number of pictures of the interior as the exterior since what will ultimately support the high asking price is the body and paint.
It’s good to see a 4spd car surviving in nice condition. Far too many are column shift automatics or 3spd manuals.
Steve R
The “tic-toc tach” wasn’t available until 67, but you could of ordered the stand alone tach on the left side of the dash, right inside the vent window.
There’s a good chance I put the right side rear wheel molding on this car when it was going down the assembly line in Lansing Michigan in 1966.
Gary
Nice youngmobile, plenty of power, but it doesn’t jump out at me like a GTO or SS 396 Chevelle of the same year.
Not that it couldn’t handle either of em though.
Cool old ride.
Nice looking 66! The woodgrain applique on the dash is not original on any 66 or 67 Cutlass, but surprisingly it looks like it belongs. If this car had factory a/c I would be all over it at that price.
Further comment; the tailpipe do indeed appear to be original, very hard to find a true original exhaust system on these 442s. The chambered pipes gave them ar highly identifiable sound unique only to Oldsmobiles of the era. As stated before I require a/c and actually prefer the switch-pitch turbo 400 as well as the 67 model over the 66, along with tilt wheel and Rally Pac gages If this cars equipment fits your desires my recommendation would be to act fast with an offer. Super nice offering here best I can tell.
Not even close to a $30K car.
@SquareLeft. How do you explain the rust around both the power steering tank and the brake master cylinder, as they were never painted gold originally?
C’mon seller!? Close to $33k and no close ups of an obvious paint issue on the passenger door, bubbly seats and an engine bay that looks like an old warship sitting in port. Think I’ll stick with my driver 67 Gran Sport clone…purchased for $2,950 ten years ago and barely any service other than basic maintenance and tires since.
Does anybody know why the front end looks so high compared to the rear?
All the “rust” in the engine compartment coupled with the new upper radiator hose and low mileage indicates to me that the problem might have been a hose leak spraying old coolant/water inside the engine compartment…. for a while.
I really like this car! Whomever gets it will enjoy it I am sure! I really can’t comment on the price tho! These cars were known to be very fast in its day!
They also handled and rode really well, especially compared to other muscle cars of that day.
Why are most of you people griping about the car, the name ,the pictures…..you’re not going to bid or buy it ! It’s a very nice car for its age that has been taken very good care of. I’m curious, what do you guys have sitting at home?
Amen, nice rare car and during its run in the 60-70’s the 442 nameplate commanded respect. Still does in my book.
@ diehardchevy. My thoughts exactly. Lot’s of criticism, no intention of buying.
I own a torally original, unrestored survivor 67 442 post with 21,000 actual miles and the engine looks very similar…I have had people say..”Why don’t you paint the valve covers etc?” Remember, they are only original once. I’m not saying this ’66 is or isn’t but I have owned dozens of 442s, so it ain’t my first rodeo….
buy it if you like it or quit pickin’ at it.