Having sat in dry storage for a number of years, the owner has decided that it’s time for this 1966 Oldsmobile 442 to emerge from hiding and move on to a new owner. You will find it listed for sale here on Craigslist. The car is located in Wilmington, Delaware, and is being offered for sale with a clean title. The price of ownership of this 1960s classic is $10,000.
The seller states that the car is original and essentially complete. All that is missing is the spare tire and jack. The 2-door post body has been repainted at some stage, and the paint is flaking away in some places. According to the seller, there is some minor rust in the lower quarter panels, and also some spotty rust in the trunk floor. I also spotted some rust in the hood. If that’s all that is present, then it may be a solid project car.
The interior will need work. The front seat covers will require replacement, and the dash pad is cracked. The dash itself and the console look to be in original, undamaged condition. It looks like the door trims and rear seat may only need a clean, but the rest of the trim and the headliner are an unknown quantity. I guess though, at the end of the day with a project car with the potential value of this one, those are probably minor considerations.
Under the hood is the 400ci L78 engine which produced 350hp. Transmission is the 2-speed Jet-Away automatic, and the car is also fitted with power steering and power brakes. The seller doesn’t indicate whether it is the original engine or the condition of it. It has been sitting for a number of years, so hopefully, the engine at least turns freely. I do note with a note of cautious optimism that the seller basically says of the whole car that it needs non-major work, so hopefully, that includes the engine.
We’ve looked at a few 442s in recent months, and good ’66 models seem to command prices from $35,000 upwards (although today I did find a fully restored one for $100,000!). I’ve been scouting around at project-grade cars, and these seem to range in price anywhere from $7,000 to $15,000 depending on the work required, along with the seller’s level of optimism. Using those cars as a guide, if this car is as solid as the seller claims and needs no major work, then its pricing seems to be quite competitive.
How do you get into the damn thing? It looks like there’s a cinder block wall about 1 inch from either side.
Probably the same way the mice got in…
Probably left in neutral with blocks in front of the tires, just take those away and pull it out.
What if the rear tires have gone flat? Now I’ve got you.
There is a foot on each side.
Mmmm chewed up passenger seat mouse nest. Probably if it were pulled out it would be gone from the belt line down.
Wish this one would have been like one of my Dads many Oldmobiles! The coolest was a white ‘68Vista Cruiser with a light blue interior! This 442 is a nice start to a classic ride!
The turbo-encabulator skor bearings are prone to failure on these cars when they sit for an extended period and are very expensive to reticulate. Better have them checked by a professional before putting down any money.
Um,
What?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ac7G7xOG2Ag
Love the old school STP sticker. Original owner of this car had slicked back hair and wore jeans with white tshirts. Probably smoked Camels too
There is a foot on each side.
I thought a 442 was 4 speed
442 stood for 400 cubic inches, 4 barrel carb, dual exhaust.
I thought it was 4bbl 4 speed and dual exhaust.
It only stood for 4bbl, 4spd and dual exhaust during its first year of production. In 1965 an automatic became available.
Steve R
I think it was, four headlights, four wheels, and two bumpers.
Over the years, the marketing dept took many liberties with exactly what 442 stood for. Four barrel was always part of the formula.
Ironic that the most coveted 442 is a 66 car with the optional 3×2’s!
Dual exhaust was the only constant. I owned one of those rare 3×2 cars. My 442 was 4 (hundred cubic inches) 4 (speed transmission) 2 (exhaust pipes). 10mpg IF I kept my foot out of it.
I guess “dry storage” just means it was parked under a roof. Seems like concrete or cinder block walls are conducive to moisture seepage and condensation issues.
There is a nice 66 442 survivor that’s been put up for auction on eBay several times in the last few months, it keeps topping out in the $15,000-16,000 range, and a well presented 66 442 convertible only managed to reach $20,000. Both of those put this car to shame. I’d be surprised if it makes 50% of its asking price, that’s only if the seller pushes it out into the sunlight and takes better pictures.
Steve R
Good point Steve. Theres a starting point that’s too high for this car and lots others. If somebody paid this price after new parts and paint, you might as well buy a turn key driver or spend a tad bit more for something nicer.
Still available after 21 days tells you all you need to know…
Yes 442 did stand for the Four speed as mentioned. However there was an automatic option evey model year. I like the fact it is red with white interior. I would put turbo 400 in with correct gear indicator. Hopefully car has retained original 400, .The earlier 400 engine better engine than the 68-69 400 engines.
My first ‘real car’ after three Corvairs was a silver-blue/white painted top post car, 50,674 miles, one owner new car trade-in that I got in early ’71 for $850. GREAT CAR! A/T like this one would hold first to well over 60. I SHOULD have gotten in a whole lot more trouble than I did in that thing. Now, I like the ’67 a shade better for the TH400 and more prevalent disc brakes.
Why does this one seem a little shaky to me?
First thing I notice is no pics of the body although owner had it taken out of the garage for the other pics. Rust hole on the hood says a lot. Not a problem for the hood as you simply get another, but what about the rest? I had a 66 442 hdtp with Jetaway trans.442 version was beefed up and despite me racing and beating it non stop it for several yrs it was fine. This 442 has unneeded Power brakes. Interior upholstery not a problem to get as mice ate up one seat. STP decal underhood, hoping the guy just liked the decal and did not use the product. A lot of rust work to repair it’s why it’s not in pic. Here is a 67 442 with a 455 installed in super shape on Craigs in Mpls. https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hnp/cto/d/1967-oldsmobile-cutlass/6732519798.html So if you look hard enough getting a better body, it’s easier/cheaper to get a rebuilt 400 etc than doing all the body/interior work. I prefer the 66 442 body/design myself. Performance wise, with super tuning carb, ignition/timing, set of 1″ 3/4 equal length headers, the Jetaway and 3:23 gears, and M&H slicks like I did 13.90s-80s easy. Same gears, and slicks both with 1 3/4 headers, I simply could walk away at the strip from 67 442 TH400. Later with a 425 w/upgrade, 70 W30 cam,TH400 manual V. body, 4:33 gears Holly carb and highrise edleb, with 69 W30 Ram air added, mid low 12s. Like I say, I would rather find a good body/frame/interior and hunt for correct engine than doing all the body/frame work. But if you need a 66 442 red,
post, body…$$ and all the parts there…have at it!
Oh yeah, someone would ask for proof. Mn Dragways 1971, my blue 66 stock engines against the 67 442. Walkaway.