By 1972, the muscle car market that had been so hot in the late 1960s was cooling down. The 442 (or 4-4-2), Oldsmobile’s mid-size entry, was back to being an option on the F-85/Cutlass rather than a series of its own. Those wanting the 442-option specified W-29 on the order form, and just 1,171 convertibles were ordered that year, the last for a Cutlass drop-top in the 1970s. This Flame Orange Metallic beauty was treated to a rotisserie restoration 20 years ago yet still looks and runs great. From Decatur, Illinois, this Olds is available here on eBay where bidding has reached just $2,025, the reserve is unmet (of course), and the Buy It Now Price is $75,000. Once again, T.J. comes through with another super tip!
The second generation of the 442 concluded in 1972 as all of GM’s intermediates would be redesigned for 1973, using the new Colonnade styling technique. 442 production figures saw a slight uptick in 1972 over 1971 at 9,845 copies but were still just a fraction of what had been ordered a few years earlier. Of the 1,171 442 convertibles assembled, just 113 had the 455 cubic-inch V8, with the rest likely having the 350-engine like in the seller’s car. Until the seller bought this car a few months ago, it had been a one-owner vehicle from new, delivered by a nearby Olds dealer in Arlington Heights, Illinois.
More than $100,000 is said to have been expended two decades ago to restore this beauty which now has 162,000 miles but doesn’t look it. Paperwork-galore comes with the machine, from the date of purchase through the restoration and the last oil change before the seller took possession. The only reason the car is changing hands so quickly is that the seller needs the funds to finance a 1967 Chevy Corvette that’s coming to his/her stable.
Under the hood resides a numbers-matching combination of a rebuilt V8 and TH-350 automatic transmission. The optional Ram Air induction is said to work as it should. The only thing on the car that deviates from stock is an aftermarket stereo system that required no modification to the dashboard to fit. The Olds seems to have power everything but does not have factory air conditioning. A photo album was prepared to document the rotisserie re-do that was done around the turn of the century by the car’s original owners. The machine is currently on display at a local car museum if you want to drop by for a visit.
Lovely looking Olds, great shape, just don’t expect too much go juice. The Dr Olds, had dialed back the hp. These babies had maybe 200. Cool 😎 convertible, just mild..not wild.
Nice looking 442 but the engine paint is the wrong color. 455 was a light blue 350 was gold paint not yellow gold. And no pictures underneath? Would be nice to see how it held up in the last 20 years after restoration. Olds 442 in primo state command top dollar. The price they want I am on the fence with it. Good luck to the seller..🐻🇺🇸
Any car that has lived it’s life in Illinois is one you need to closely inspect. It’s been restored but how much original metal was replaced or bondoed?
Dropping a bid on this one, but can’t see it getting near that price.
With the 455 you could get $35,000 all day long but this one, $18000-$22,000.
Wishful thinking on those prices. That was like 20 years ago.
Is that right? These cars always did bring good money.
Good luck with that price estimate… even a Cutlass this clean would bring at least $25-30k minimum.
My parents owned two 1972 Cutlass S hardtops at the same time. Dad’s was Viking blue with a black vinyl top. Mom’s Olds was this color with a white vinyl top and interior. I was a 14 year old at the time and thought this was pretty cool. Memories.
$100000 spent in 2003 money? Hard to believe. Too bad they put it into car with a low compression 350. Should have spent the $15-20k that would have bought a clean original 1969 Hurst 455 or a 1970 442 455. Then invest the other 80k into a s&p 500 fund. They’d have $350k cash and a car worth $50k at least.
75k whoah Nelly. Like the car but more like 25 30 k imo. 4 speed add another 10 k imo.glwts.
Yeah, 72’s bring nowhere near the money of the 70’s and this one will sit for a long, long time at 75k. In this market which has definitely cooled, this is maybe a 35k car, on a good day. Good luck to the seller. Hopefully they’re in no hurry to sell.
oddly nuff we have 1 of the 113 in the shop now (blk on red, white vert). Sat only 15 yrs (he hasa Rivera too). Justa run (no line or tank clean, etc) we havea 1 gal tank we put under hood to get these runnin (all cept the EFIs). We could tell it wuz the 455 as that tank seemed empty in seconds. I remember them in the day. (Still like my lill fiats/lancias/alfas better all these yrs later). In for justa run, stop, pass for a sticker, the Rivera’s nxt. I’m hopin its the ’63/’5 w/nailhead 425.
I had a 1970” olds with a 455’ and you could actually watch the needle go down as you drove not kidding
I’d want some documentation on this one, 442 package with no tach or upgraded steering wheel. Thought that was part of the package. Beautiful car regardless!
I believe the rally pack and sport steering wheel were both extra cost options even on 442s. By ’72 it was an appearance and handling package. So a few badges and a few suspension upgrades.
Looks like a Caterpillar engine in there :-)
“Restorer” must have gotten the paint for free.
Did you ever see the way CAT paints their engines? They seal off every opening an then dunk the entire engine in a vat of paint. Really surprised me the first time I saw it.
As mentioned, the engine paint is way off, but did anyone see the headrest covers? They have the worst fit I’ve ever seen. The front bumper fit is also off, primarily on the passenger side. The dash vents should have chrome trim/paint, mostly rubbed off. The gas gauge shows the tank is not only full, but way past full to the hot light!. Relatively minor stuff and a nice looking car, nice color combination, but a $100k (20 years ago) restoration? “No expense spared”? Again, a super nice looking Olds!
Nah, 72, 350, No A/C, nice colors, power windows, but price is way off
Never saw a yellow engine……………….in anything. Had a teacher in ’72 that had a ’72 4 4 2 conv.I believe it was a bluish green maybe. Can’t remember the engine color but it wasn’t yellow. Odd