This 1971 Oldsmobile 442 represents a major project for its new owner, but it is not beyond saving for the right person. It is also one of those cars with a good news/bad news story about it, but we’ll get to that shortly. You will find the car listed for sale here on eBay. The Oldsmobile is located in South Beloit, Illinois, and comes with a clear title. The seller has set a BIN price of $5,000 for this 442, although there is an option to make an offer.
Okay, let’s look at some bad news first. There is some pretty major rust to be addressed in this Olds. Dealing with what we can see first, there is rust in the lower areas of both front fenders. There is also rust in both quarter panels, although the rust on the driver’s side looks repairable from the outside. The passenger side quarter will need to be replaced, as it is pretty bad. The other great unknown is what, if anything, is hiding under the vinyl top. On the positive side, the rockers look to be solid, as do the trunk lid and the original ram air hood. What we can’t see is apparently pretty unpleasant. While the majority of the frame is said to be solid, it is cracked in two at the back just in front of the bumper mount on the passenger side. The trunk floor is completely gone, and the floors themselves are also rusted, but the seller is unsure of exactly how bad these are, as he hasn’t lifted the carpet to have a good look.
I think that we need some good news, and we’ll start with the interior. While it needs a complete restoration, the interior is complete and unmodified. The rally dash is all there, including the tachometer, and even the original radio is still there. It also looks like the dash pad may have survived without cracking.
Okay, it’s back to the bad news. The car is being sold as a roller. The original 455ci engine and M22 transmission have both been removed by the original owner. The seller is the car’s second owner, and he purchased it as a roller. However, all is not lost. When the engine was removed it was apparently still in running condition. The seller is willing to put the buyer in touch with the original owner, as he believes that the original owner may be willing to sell the original engine and transmission. If this doesn’t come to fruition, the seller also knows where there is another ’70 455 and M22 that may offer an alternative.
The 442 is a car that is continuing to command some pretty impressive prices in the market. While this one is not a W30, it still has the potential to be a nice car. It has a lot of rust to be addressed, but if the frame is solid, then repairing it is quite possible. For me, the sticking point is the motor and transmission. The car is going to be worth considerably more money in the future if it’s a numbers matching car, and I would want to be pretty certain that I could secure the original engine and transmission before I committed to this as a project. What do our Barn Finders think?
Hmmm, wonder if the original owner is a relative? Sounds fishy to me. You gotta really like 4-4-2’s to be willing to take on rust like this.
That’s a lot of money for a rusty roller. I wouldn’t buy this car unless I could get the original engine and transmission from the previous owner at the same time. The sellers assertion that he won’t give you the previous owners contact information until you purchase the car is too self serving. If those parts exist, they likely aren’t available or are too overpriced.
Steve R
Original power train is gone. However I know the guy that has it, probably a family member. Knows where another 70 455 is, as well as another m22. It’s raining 442 parts? So trunk pan is gone and frame cracked off just in front of the bumper mount. But the rest of the frame is good. I’m not sure there is 5k in parts. And he can deliver it. Well the world has literally gone mad. Only thing missing is BJ or Mecum auction prices of same model. Ugh Calgone take me away. Do they still make that?
Lol & I do believe they still make it Calgone that is but dont hold me to it.If not I think this guy knows where he can get some.
Rotten body and frame…Plus what kind of ransom does the guy want for it?Takes all kinds, I guess….good luck to the new owner…..
Cheers
GPC
And he seems to be able to locate all the m22s a guy could want! Wonder if he even knows the difference between M20/21/22 or is a muncie a muncie to him? Seems fishy and high priced for whats being offered.
Without the engine and trans this is just a pile of rust. Who in their right mind would pay over a 1000 dollars for this. I wouldn’t pay that. All these cars being dragged out of ever junkyard in America and greedy sellers asking crazy money for them.
I don’t think you could get these with an M22. Just M21 for the W30s.
Hi guys, I just found this garage find 71 olds. I tried submitting it to your tips link but the link keeps saying invalid.
Sorry, Charlie. I’ve sent better than this to Pick-a-part.
I Picked up this one yesterday for $6,000. U-code 455 TH400 442 car with perfect floor and trunk pans. Special order Viking Blue. Wheels Are hideous but the original rallys are in the trunk. If you look a little you can still find a solid car at a decent price so no need to deal with extensive rust and no engine or trans.
Well someone thought this 442 was a good deal cause it’s sold. Go figure that one 5k for a rotted roller people have lost their minds.