The glory days of the muscle car era were fast receding by 1972, meaning that many potent badges were becoming shadows of their former selves. Oldsmobile’s 442 was no exception, although the company still pitched it as a more luxurious alternative to the opposition. This 1972 Convertible is all that and more, presenting superbly following a recent frame-off restoration. The auction action confirms how much people like this classic, with thirty-three bids submitted since the seller listed the Convertible here on eBay in Old Bridge, New Jersey. This has pushed the price to $41,700, which is below the reserve.
The 1972 model year was supposed to witness the introduction of the Third Generation 442, but circumstances conspired to delay the launch by twelve months. Therefore, the 442 greeted 1972 with relatively minor changes that didn’t represent a huge capital outlay for the company. The first owner ordered our feature ’72 in Nutmeg with a White power top. Faulting its presentation is seemingly impossible, with the car having only covered a few miles since receiving a frame-off restoration. Nothing escaped the builder’s attention, helping to explain why this Olds would look at home on a showroom floor. The paint has an incredible depth of shine, the panels are laser-straight, and there is no rust to cause potential buyers concern. The chrome and other bright trim pieces have been restored or replaced, and the Magnum 500 wheels are new. The only non-original body panel is the hood, which the seller admits is a Thornton reproduction that is faithful to the factory item. There is no doubt that the Convertible will turn heads without even trying.
The luxury leanings of the 442 are demonstrated by the interior, which features air conditioning, power windows, a tilt sports wheel, Rally gauges, a Tick-Tock-Tach, bucket seats, a console, and a His and Hers shifter. The only apparent addition is the radio/cassette player, although sourcing a correct unit for total authenticity might be possible. As with the exterior, nothing inside this classic deserves criticism. There is no wear, no marks, and no imperfections that would cause the buyer shame if they hit the road with the top down. Once again, “showroom fresh” would be the best term to describe this interior.
The first owner teamed the entry-level 350ci V8 to a three-speed automatic transmission, deciding not to splash the additional cash on the optional 455ci powerplant for this 442. The 350 generated 180hp and 275 ft/lbs of torque, providing competent performance at a time when engine powers were dropping dramatically in the face of tougher emission requirements. Potential buyers won’t be shocked to learn that this car’s mechanical components received a big helping of TLC during the restoration, and the spotless state of the engine bay doesn’t flatter to deceive. The suspension, brakes, steering, and fuel system all received attention, while that V8 should sound sweet exhaling through the stainless steel dual exhaust. Everything that could be done has been, meaning that the buyer won’t need to spend a dime beyond the purchase price before hitting the road in this turnkey classic.
The seller confirms that this 1972 Oldsmobile 442 Convertible has only clocked 500 miles since its restoration ended, helping to explain its lack of visible flaws and defects. The bidding tally and listing statistics suggest that someone will have a fight on their hand if they wish to take it home, but that process typically helps people to appreciate things more than if they are handed to them on a platter. The 442 may not have been a fire-breather by 1972, but it is still a handsome car that will turn heads. Hitting the “loud” pedal will produce a wonderful V8 bark, something that may be little more than a memory in new cars if buyer trends continue. Someone needs to give this Olds a new home and drive it as its creators intended. That way, if V8s do disappear from new car showrooms, the next generation of enthusiasts will receive a clear understanding of what has been lost.
Absolutely beautiful. Very high quality restoration, really nice colors. I was surprised that Olds offered the 350 in the 442 later on in the early 70’s. But still, even in ’72 emissions choked down engines its enough to get out and have some fun with the top down. Its a a lot of money, but I’m sure it was wayyy more than that to restore this one. Very nice.
It’s a pretty car, but not much more than a Cutlass with sway bars and a big hood, sorry but a small block 442 too spend all that time and money on. Maybe was their first car, but smiles per mile is what it’s about.
Its a Cutlass, 442 was a Cutlass option in 72. Need a build sheet or window sticker as vin wont confirm. Could be a “tribute”
Nice clean car however, but AT and 350 isn’t that exciting.
OK, greybeard from a fellow boomer. Let’s say this tops out around 50k give or take, and the car is what the seller says. You have a decent sized car that’s modern enough to function in modern traffic, beautiful enough to turn heads everywhere you go, and cruise top down at speed. The radio is aftermarket but looks period correct. If I had extra money to burn I’d stash a modern unit in the glove compartment for satellite and Sandisk, but that’s me. I live at the edge of the Driftless Area in NW Illinois where in a couple miles you can go from arrow straight straight roads to wooded rolling hills. It;s a driver’s paradise. This time of year you get the added thrill of cresting a hill to see some 15 foot wide farm equipment chugging along or some deer staring stupidly at you. Practical enough to take on trips to town, some real fun to drive. Go down to the AutoMall and see what you can get for this price. Stuff like this doesn’t pop up often. BTW, I think you are right it’s a tribute.
Agree. This car is asking for a 455.
if real it’s still a low production convert and will gain in value. good color combos. very nice. wish i still had my 71.
I’d make a Roy Munson tribute car
Like Greybeard stated, you cannot identify a 442 in 1972 from the VIN, other than a W30 which would have an “X” in the VIN. As such ’72s are the most cloned, copied and tribute-ized faux faux twos. Short of a build sheet, broadcast card denoting the option W29, or window sticker, there’s just no other way to verify that the car is authentic.There are some tells, like many people will leave the rocker trim that comes on Cutlass’ and Supremes but not on a 442. Obviously, this car does not have that. That does not mean the car is legit, just that someone paid attention to detail if this car started life as a Supreme. This car was bid up to around 55k on eBay a few weeks ago. The seller had an ad on Marketplace for 72k. 1972s do not bring the money of their 1970 cousins. If the bidding in the first auction was legitimate, if I were the seller, I would’ve taken the money and ran. It’s a 1972 with a 350 and no documentation. Not a knock on the car, it does look nicely restored, but one needs to be realistic what the market will bear for such a car.
So they picked the car up with a rope through the windows and then removed the frame?
It’s BODY-OFF! What’s so hard to understand??
Ram Air 🐏
Very nice restoration by one of the best in the business. That Olds Rocket 350 is no slouch, but obviously doesn’t possess the prowess of the legendary 455, which was available as an option in ’72. Hope the owner didn’t alter the factory dash to fit the aftermarket radio.
This is like the car Roy Munson drove in Kingpin, LOL!
The seller description in eBay reads real weird. Almost like it was translated from another language. That along with some of the other comments raise a red flag. But it is a real nice car.
“Frame-off Frustration”
maybe the truth
i live in australia and have a 69 442 and a 70 supreme and a 4 speed 350 convertible,i am a mechanic and a well tuned rochester on a 350 is about the same in performance as a 455, both the 400 and 455 are too long in the stroke i was arrested in sydney in 1985 doing 140 mph in the supreme on the f4 freeway to the blue mountains, people dont know quadrajets, laurie Simon
I hear ya on the Quadrajet carb! However,
I have a 70 Cutlass SX W-32 with Quadrajet 4bbl and had a friend who had a 72 Supreme 3 speed auto… even with my 3.08:1 open ended rear end, my factory spec big block 455, left the 72’s 350 in the dust!
Cheers!
I hear ya on the Quadrajet carb! However,
I have a 70 Cutlass SX W-32 with Quadrajet 4bbl and had a friend who had a 72 Supreme 3 speed auto… even with my 3.08:1 open ended rear end, my factory spec big block 455, left the 72’s 350 in the dust!
Cheers!
So the “K” in the fifth position of the VIN shows that this car was born with the 350 4bbl single exhaust motor. The 180 HP net quoted in the writeup is correct for that original form, but Olds rated the VIN M dual exhaust 350 at 200 HP. Obviously this car has had the duals added during the “restoration” (sorry but I have a different definition of “restore” vs. “modify”. The cutout bumper and tips were also obviously added. NO Olds A-body with a 350 ever came with that bumper except for the 1970 Rallye 350, and NO, you could not “order anything you wanted”. Naturally this begs the question of what else was added during the “restoration” – dual gate? hood? disc brakes? 442 emblems? Pretty car and I’m sure there was more money put into it than the current bid price. Nice cruiser, but don’t go picking any stoplight races.
This machine looks VERY Much like an Olds that I used to see on the roads in Somerset N.J. back in the late 70’s and early 80’s.
Then to find out it is being sold from Old Bridge. Hmm?
The svelte, long and curly-haired brunette young lady that lived in the area and drove that Olds was as beautiful as the car, ever more so, and that’s saying something.
Good memories.
Now long ago times.
if it were a factory 455 it would have a “U” in the vin. most 72s i have come across have been 350 cars. really need a build sheet or window sticker to be 100%. this a nice car done well and is a good investment that will gain $. to buy and flip for a killing no way. good luck.
If I had a dollar every time I heard someone say I should not have sold it………. however not one time I ever heard someone say they regretted losing their first girlfriend. LOL
Here we are again. Give someone a donut and listen to them complain that it has a hole in it. Please, this is as fine a car as any of us will have to drive and all we can do is carry on about the 350 motor? tsk tsk
I had a ’70 Buick Skylark with a 350, and it was a beast! Did they detune them that much two years later?
The Buick 350 is completely unrelated to the Oldsmobile 350. About the only thing they share is the distributor cap and rotor.
Couldn’t have said it better. Too bad all the nay sayers didn’t include pictures of their perfect cars with perfect drivetrains for everyone’s scrutiny.
This is a beautiful car
With the cost of fuel today rising every day. It may be a good thing besides the 350 rocket I had in my 68 S convertible was a very strong motor. I’d still make it an awesome tribute especially with my desire to own a true 455 W30.