Oldsmobile launched its 442 muscle car in 1964 as a competitor to Pontiac’s GTO, with the 4-4-2 nameplate coming about as a reference to the original car’s 4-Barrel carb, 4-Speed manual transmission, and dual exhaust. By 1969 the 442 was already a year into its second generation and had proven itself to be a worthy contender in the muscle car market. If you’ve been looking for a nice driver-quality example that has already had the mechanical and cosmetic work completed, this 1969 Oldsmobile 442 may be a good car for you to take a look at. It’s located in Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania, and can be found here on eBay with a buy-it-now price of $36,000.
The seller of this 442 says that it has many new parts including a 454 LS6 crate engine, which was installed by the previous owner and produces 450 horsepower and 460 foot-pounds of torque. The motor features a 750 CFM Demon carburetor, HEI distributor, MSD Blaster coil, and some other goodies plus a flex a lite fan set up with a large aluminum radiator to keep things cool under the hood. Shifting is provided by a rebuilt TH400 automatic transmission, and the car also has a new driveshaft and Milodon 12600 gear drive assembly. The mechanical restoration was completed in 2007 and the drivetrain has less than 5,000 miles on it.
If you’re like me, the first thing you noticed in the interior shot was the third pedal. I’m thinking if I bought this car today, the first thing I’d do tomorrow morning is to replace the pedals with the automatic assembly parts, but that’s just me and the next owner may feel differently. The cosmetic restoration was recently completed and inside it includes new seats, door panels, headliner, and dash cover. The exterior features new bumpers, grille, headlight bezels, taillight bezels, plush a fresh respray of the correct Olds Glade Green paint. The seller says the finish looks nice but does have some scratches, dings, and imperfections. No rust issues are present, and the underside of the car looks to be in really good condition.
The current owner says that the 442 has been garaged for the last 25 years, and he has receipts and ownership history going back to 1997. He calls the car an absolute beast and says it’s very fast with lots of torque, and it sure seems to have all the right stuff for some serious road performance. There’s also an option to make an offer, so perhaps the Olds can be yours for less than the asking price if you catch the seller on a good day. What are your thoughts on this 1969 Oldsmobile 442?
Obviously a car built to drive and enjoy, not to nitpick over the lack of correct date-coded hose clamps. Chevy power bugs me though. It’s not as though the builder was too poor to afford an Olds mill.
I completely agree. Its such a shame they didn’t keep a 400 4 speed setup. Even a 455 nicely built if the original 400 was not able to be saved would’ve been great.
Probably a nice solid car in need of a drivetrain. It got the leftovers from something else and is back on the road. I agree an Olds wouldn’t have been that hard to score but probably missing the BOP parts after the engine too. Is what it is.
Why swap a slush box and keep the third pedal? Put the 4 speed back!
That would be the first thing I would do! Automatics are no fun.
“save the manuals”!!!
Lost me at “454“.
The 455 is “one louder” -Nigel Tufnel
Beautiful car, my all time fave A-body, not a wasted line on the whole car. The Bow tie motor kills it for me at that level though…
Blasphemy!
Just once i would love to see a non chevy v8 in a chevy.
I understand that not everyone is a purist- but a bow tie and a slush box in this car causes me to think of two words that start with “S”. “Stupid”, and “Sacrilege”. Leaving the clutch pedal intact is just insult to injury.
First thing I’d do if I bought it would be to sell the LS6/TH400 and source a proper Olds 400 or 455 and a 4-speed. A bad knee is a valid reason to replace a 4-speed with an automatic, but I can’t think of a good reason to replace an Olds engine with a Chevy engine in a 442. Even the front-wheel-drive Cutlass Calais 442 used an Olds engine.
Too bad the original builder couldn’t afford a real engine, and had to use a bellybutton over the counter consumer one. (I can gripe with pride, the original SBC in my ’92 Custom Cruiser has been replaced by an Olds 455, less cost, more power than buying a crate motor).
I agree with Rick- easily my favorite A body- sad it doesn’t carry a 400 or 455
Sacrilege putting in a 454.
Ls swap 70 442 on Copart, engine fire destroyed it. Why do they think it is such a good idea? And this pos recreation, he only pulled out of the garage to sell it because he saw everybody else trying get 30000 out of their cars.i wouldn’t give you a wooden nickle for it. And I have been an olds fan most of my life. This craziness has to give.
Too bad. No price break for missing that distinct Olds burble?
Bizarre remaining clutch pedal.
No mention of the rear gears.
Such beautiful lines on the Olds. Green paint look really nice on these.
Like everyone says a pure Oldsmobile set up w 400/455 and 4 spd would rule.
This powerful gm crate motor and automatic would be fine by me…i would add a Hurst dual-gate to the console.
Doesn’t seem right does it? I actually experienced the opposite back in the ’80s when somebody I knew put an Olds 455 in a ’66 El Camino. Didn’t seem right then, doesn’t seem right now.
There are just some things that shouldn’t be done. This powerplant, as much as I can appreciate a BBC doesnt belong in an Oldsmobile
I don’t think I’ve ever seen such unity among the commenters!
I remember a guy at the local strip running an early Mustang coupe pretty quick car too, saw the small block Chevy when the hood was off and I instantly hated that car, ha! Nothing more insulting in the world of motorheads than seeing a Ford with a Chevy engine. Although not quite the same feeling here that 454 belongs in a Chevelle or Camaro where it can proudly be displayed. Olds’ power for the mighty 442, they were hardly slow.
Not to be insulting but you are all missing the point, this car is on the road, I see cars all around that should be driven(Chevelle in driveway)yet aren’t fortunate enough to belong to someone with income to spare, so however it comes to be that cars get out of the barn and on the road, it’s fine by me