When we write for Barn Finds, some car prove to be relatively straight-forward, while others can send you chasing your tail researching a particular option or package. This 1966 Oldsmobile 442 is just such a car. You will find it listed for sale here on Craigslist. Located in Brooklyn Park, Maryland, it is offered for sale with a clean title. The seller has set a price of $9,900 for this 442.
It’s this little badge that has caused the confusion. We know that the Cannibal was sold as a dealer option package by Brace Olds in Kansas City, Missouri, but establishing just what comprised the Cannibal is harder to define. While some people believe that it was simply a promotional gimmick by the dealer to sell more 442s, it appears that there just might be a bit more to it. However, this is a bit hard to confirm. It appears that Brace Olds may have fitted the badges, but also added a Posi-traction rear, and also fine-tuned the engine timing and carburetor to improve performance. Information on this is a bit hard to locate, so if one of our Barn Finders can shed some light on this, I’m always happy to listen and learn.
This 442 has a few dings and dents, but actual rust seems to be in short supply. There might be a tiny amount starting around the rear window and in the lower quarters near the wheel arches, but what we can see in this shot looks to be the worst of it.
The interior of the Olds also looks to be quite clean. The dash and pad look clean and free of cracks. There’s a wrap on the wheel, and it looks like the tops of the door trims might be discolored. There may also be some seam separation starting on the driver’s seat, but overall it looks like the majority of the interior might respond to a deep clean.
This 442 is a numbers matching car, so the original engine, transmission and rear end are all still in place. In 1965 Oldsmobile increased the engine capacity for the 442, and this engine is the 400ci V8, which is backed by an automatic transmission. The car features power steering, power brakes, and air conditioning. The A/C will need some attention, as it currently doesn’t work. However, the seller does state that the car runs and drives well.
The 442 remains a popular car, and solid examples are selling well. This one is a solid example that can be driven and enjoyed exactly as it stands, or the new owner could undertake a restoration. Exactly what comprises the Cannibal Pack, and whether that adds anything to the value of the car is open to debate. So, it’s over to you Barn Finders.
Hi Adam, I really enjoy your writing. I don’t see how you all keep up with all the year models like you do. This “’65” Olds 442 brings up a personal memory.
I located a ’65 model 442 many years ago that truly represented what the early 442s represented, a 4 barrel, 4-speed and, dual exhaust factory hot rod. I just happened to look up a road lined with rental homes that I had driven by my whole life, but never had any reason to use. The car was 100% original with a dark blue exterior, light blue interior, bucket seats, console and that iconic Olds “442” engraved 4-speed shifter with black shifter ball. I could not believe my good fortune. I got the short history on the car from the second owner and was told the starter was bad. So I made a deal to buy it on the spot. I went back at the same time the next day to pay for the car and get the title. It was gone. There was no sign of the car only a little oil on the spot where it had sat just 24 hours earlier. The owner’s residence was vacant too. I could not be too upset as no money had been exchanged, but I was pretty miffed at the time. I later learned to laugh at the experience and used to joke that the guy had such “Pre-Seller’s” remorse that he moved the car and his residence rather than to face me.
Please change the year in the title of the post to 66 . Thanks in advance .
Cmarv
Don’t you mean change the year in the title from 66 to 65? This 442 is a 1965.
Agree. This is definitely a ’65.
I can just hear the conversation between the dealer and his supplier of dealer ID badges, usually placed above the rear bumper:
“No, instead of Brace Olds in large print and city and state below, we want “CANNIBAL” on top and “By Brace Olds” below.
“Whatever you say, Bub”.
Decent car but for the money I would rather spend it buying the red 66 Ford Galaxie 500 featured earlier.
Boy! That is a toss-up for me!! The Olds needs more work. The Ford isn’t a true survivor…. List continues…,etc.
Cool Olds, but that price is a bit dear. The ’65 isn’t quite as popular a 442 as later year models, and it needs some work to present well. Great place to start, though, for a bit less money.
I had a 1964 Cutlass 2 door post with bucket seats and a factory tach mounted in front of the shifter. No tach on a 1965? Option?
Here in SW Forida iused to see new Camry’s with a “Polo” edition badging. Sounds better than Cannibal.
The console and tachometer were the same option code, so if you got a console (auto or manual) in 1965 you got a tach.
It’s up at the very front, so maybe you just cannot see it or it is missing on this car.
Yeah. Need a lot more pics
Dig it!
442 = 4 spd 4 barrel 2 exhausts.
That is correct for the 1964 model year.
In 1965 onward, 442 stood for 400 cubic inches, 4 barrel, dual exhaust. You could get a 3-spd manual, 4-spd manual or 2-speed “Jet-away” automatic transmission in 1965.
You could also get a 3 speed Hydramatic for a little more money. Some years called a ST-400. The 2 speed was called an ST-300. (ST is short for Super Turbine).
Correct GVW for 1965…but I’ve won a lot of bets on what it originally meant and the police option package 4 door.
Ken, the 3-speed auto didn’t appear until 1967.
1964 to 1966 are my favorite Cutlass. My uncle had a 64 small V8 (330?) with a 4 barrel and a 4 speed. Nice car!
Is this the same car?
https://barnfinds.com/cannibal-special-1965-oldsmobile-442/
It sure looks to be the same car. The ad even states it was found in a Nebraska barn, where the original ad was from.
The price has been reduced to $8900.
Here’s all I could find …
car was on e=bay in 2016…https://www.flickr.com/photos/splattergraphics/35579931392/in/photolist-Wt3cev-Wd5s1Y
Personally, I’m surprised it hasn’t already sold. I’m wondering if the pictures aren’t revealing a problem? There’s a solid following for the first gen 442’s, and one with a special dealer package would add value as well as bragging rights! If I didn’t already have my hands full, I’d be seriously looking at it.
What special dealer package? A stinkin’ badge?
The seller said to google it for info. From what I can find, looks like you’re right. Just a badge and a smart marketing ploy back in the day! 😂
that’s not a 66, I had a 66 f-85, it could be a 64 or 65 442
Like this and not too far off on price.
Not true the TH-400 (ST-400)was an option that most cars were ordered with.
2nd was 4-speed. 3rd was ST-300 2 speed. That was gone in 67 when the TH-350 3 speed came out. It was used on 350 cid motors.
Ken, you’re terribly mistaken.
A-bodies didn’t have a 3-speed automatic available till 1967, and the TH350 didn’t come out till 1969.
I had a friend who, in 64, bought a new 64 GTO that had the 2 speed automatic. I recall how it would wind up to (at least) 60 in low gear. I can’t understand how anyone could not consider the 442, or the GTO’s in 64, 65 as muscle cars. What planet do they live on?
TH-400 came out in 64 first in Cadillacs then Buicks.
Well the responders that claim there were no 64 automatic cars are definitely wrong.
There were no automatic 1964s, that’s for sure, but this is a 1965.