We must sometimes dig below the surface to discover the relative worth of a project candidate, and such is the case with this 1965 Oldsmobile 442. Its exterior looks pretty tired, and there is visible surface corrosion. However, it has no significant rust issues and retains its numbers-matching mechanical components. The first owner loaded it with factory options, adding to the desirability. The seller has listed the Olds here on eBay in Dufur, Oregon. They set their BIN at $9,800 with the option to make an offer.
Pontiac caught everybody by surprise with the success of the GTO, prompting other marques within the General Motors empire to vie for their piece of the action. Oldsmobile joined the party in 1964 with the 442, aiming to combine muscle car performance with a more luxurious motoring experience. This 442 rolled off the line in 1965, ordered by its first owner in classy Burgundy Mist. The tired paint is only part of the story, with the car exhibiting wide areas of surface corrosion. However, it is far from a lost cause, because penetrating rust is restricted to an area around the back window and the trunk lip. Otherwise, the remaining exterior surfaces are solid, as are the floors and the frame. The driver’s side rear quarter panel was replaced years ago, and the passenger-side one requires massaging to be returned to a straight state. Most of the trim and glass look reasonable, but the windshield is cracked. My instincts tell me that the best way to tackle this build would be to entirely dismantle the vehicle.
Oldsmobile elected to slot a 330ci V8 under the hood of the first-year 442, although it produced a very healthy 310hp. Things changed dramatically in 1965, with the 400ci powerplant replacing the smaller motor. It generated, according to the company’s Sales Brochure, 345hp and 440 ft/lbs of torque. This car also features a two-speed “Jetaway” automatic transmission, a 3.23 Posi rear end, and power assistance for the steering and brakes. Although it wasn’t as fast as the GTO, this 442 provided performance that justified its muscle car tag. The seller confirms that this is a numbers-matching vehicle that hasn’t seen action for at least twelve years. Three cylinders are dead, suggesting that an engine rebuild will form part of the restoration. The state of the transmission and the rear end are unknown, but both will require at least a thorough inspection to ensure there are no hidden gremlins.
The first owner pulled out all the stops when ordering this Olds, equipping the interior with air conditioning, power windows, a power driver’s seat, remote trunk release, a tilt wheel, and a remote driver’s mirror. Time hasn’t been kind to the Burgundy upholstered surfaces, with plenty of rips, splits, tears, and evidence of UV deterioration. It requires nothing less than a complete retrim, a process that will add around $3,000 to the restoration budget.
There’s no way to sugar-coat this, because this 1965 Oldsmobile 442 represents a major restoration project. It is beyond a few weeks of tinkering in a home workshop, and only a nut-and-bolt approach will do it justice. However, you will struggle to find another project candidate that is as solid and features its numbers-matching drivetrain for the BIN price. With values climbing and a DIY approach possible, it could be returned to its former glory while making sound financial sense. I hope somebody grabs it and treats it to the restoration it richly deserves. Could that person be you?
It’s unusual to see a Sports Coupe optioned to this level. The pillared body style was typically chosen by people looking to save a few bucks or by people who valued its greater rigidity and lower weight for racing. Neither of those groups is likely to add a lot of expensive options. Interesting car, for sure.
The more I look at it, the more I like it. The only thing that would make it better is if it was a Pontiac.
This 442 would be gorgeous when restored. Sadly, I doubt that will ever happen.
A ’65 Olds 442 with an automatic will never be worth even half the cost of restoration. A low initial purchase price doesn’t help much. He could give the car away and there still wouldn’t be any takers who would fully restore it. It’s just so much cheaper to buy a nice original 4-speed car and add the extra options.
I really like this eBay ad. It’s thorough and supported by many more photos at the seller’s website. I hope it’s effective and a buyer gets this car back on the road.
It is , unfortunately , nothing more than a parts car ,
Interesting yes, worth restoring I’m not sure. I like these early 442’s but I would be inclined to swap out the drivetrain for a 425 with a turbo 400 or better yet find a nice ’65 with a 4 speed
a/c rare option in 65. she needs to eat a lot of $ to make a comeback. would look sweet but it will take time
Good project but who in their right mind would order an Olds Cutlass that was supposed to be a 4 barrel, 4 speed (manual) Dual exhaust upgrade “muscle car” with a (UGH!) 2 speed (or ANY) slushie? The first thing to go would be that slushbox. What a waste for such a cool car. How do I know? Mine was a real 65 442 with all the right stuff, including a MUNCIE 4 speed. IMHO a great project car with tons of potential. ;-)
If it’s a numbers matching car, why change things? Let me guess, you’d put a chevy LS engine in it…
First off all the key board warriors, this is a true 442! So yes it is worth a total restore! Prices have skyrocketed on these cars! Second the 400 early years is a pretty potnt motor! So replacing it with a 425 or 455 is futile! My only wonder is how do they know it’s number matching? There is no way to prove that! No numbers on the block match vin number on car! So maybe or maybe not but love how they claim number matching when there is no way to prove it!
I think I would look for a 2dr F-85 and swap all the 442 parts over To it! I do however like the idea of a 425 with a THM 400.
Get it running, make it presentable & safe for the road, and drive it! They don’t all need full restorations to be enjoyed.
The nasty truth there is that for every finished full resto’s out there I bet there are 15-20 that were taken apart never to be put on the road again. Sad.
I’ve always liked these early/mid 60’s mid-sized olds.
Get it running, make it presentable & safe for the road, and drive it! They don’t all need full restorations to be enjoyed.
The nasty truth there is that for every finished full resto’s out there I bet there are 15-20 that were taken apart never to be put on the road again. Sad.
I’ve always liked these early/mid 60’s mid-sized olds.
Interesting, we look at many basket case cars that people purchase ,but for some reason people don’t think this Old 442 is worth restoring, I’m sorry I disagree ,this car is rare and has potential to be transformed into a beautiful classic ride
A lot of folks are against it because it doesn’t have a 4 speed. Considering it’s 60 years old, numbers matching, and they only made so many of them…I think it’s worth it to someone. One of my sisters had one, blue with a black top, auto. Of course, someone would probably want to put a Chevy LS in it. The boorishness of some never ceases to amaze me.
4 barrel, 4 SPEED, Dual exhaust is what 442 stood for, not possible 2 barrel 2 speed slush box and single exhaust! Even though the rear bumper has 2 ports there’s only 1 tailpipe coming out the back UNDER the bumper, as well as a GOLD ENGINE when the 400 and 425 were RED! Makes me think a far newer 350 is in it or at best it’s a 330 car not a 400!
The rear bumpers on a 442 or Cutlass were identical until 1968 when the trumpet tips were introduced with a matching notched bumper, there were no “ports”on the 64-67 models. The factory 442 chambered tailpipes from 1965 through 1967 exited under the bumper, with a stainless rolled, slash cut tip. The Cutlass SX in 70/71 also used the notched rear bumper for the trumpet tips. The 400 engines were bronze, the 425 was red. The 455 engine, found in the1968/69 Hurst Olds was also red.
the 400 in 442’s of that year were bronze colored (65-69). Only the 425 was red. 330 was gold. Someone could have put a single exhaust on; it is 60 years old. I can’t see the carb, so who knows? The engine does look gold, though, but someone could have painted it. The tell is that the 400/425/455 were big blocks, with the differentiation from the small blocks being deck height. The 400 would be 1.295″ taller. This would make it wider, too.
What a “money pit”!
Interesting, we look at many basket case cars that people purchase ,but for some reason people don’t think this Old 442 is worth restoring, I’m sorry I disagree ,this car is rare and has potential to be transformed into a beautiful classic ride