The pages of automotive history books are littered with brands that have ceased to exist despite producing some pretty desirable models. Oldsmobile was one such company, with its doors closing permanently little more than three decades after this 1969 Olds 442 rolled off the line. It is an original survivor that offers a winning blend of comfort and muscle car performance. The seller indicates it has a genuine 73,000 miles on its odometer, and they include a significant collection of documentation as part of the deal. Located in Merrick, New York, the 442 is listed for sale here on Craigslist. The seller has set a price of $39,500, and I have to say a big thank you to Barn Finder Pat L. for spotting this beauty for us.

Some paint shades from the 1969 Oldsmobile color palette are better than others, and if I’m brutally honest, Palomino Gold doesn’t rate that highly on my list. I also acknowledge that this is a personal preference because you might think it’s the bee’s knees. With vehicle colors, beauty will always be in the eye of the beholder. Whether or not that shade ticks the boxes for you, there’s no doubt that the car presents well for its age. The seller doesn’t indicate any prior restoration work, suggesting that this 442 is a genuine survivor. The paint shines impressively, with no significant flaws or defects. It graces steel that is as straight as an arrow, with no dings, dents, or evidence of rust. The seller doesn’t mention any issues in the listing, and the lack of corrosion across most aspects of this classic provides cause for potential buyers to remain quietly optimistic. The chrome and glass present well for a survivor-grade car, but the steel wheels and dog dish hubcaps give no hint of the performance potential that lurks below the surface with this Olds.

Lifting the hood reveals what separates a 442 from mere mortals. Its engine bay plays host to a 400ci V8 that produces 350hp. The rest of the drivetrain includes a four-speed M20 manual transmission and an Anti-Spin rear end. At 3,659lbs, the 442 is not an outrageously heavy beast. That makes its ability to storm the ¼ mile in 14.4 seconds no great surprise. The engine bay probably doesn’t present as nicely as I might have hoped, but at least the seller hasn’t gone ballistic with one of those detailing sprays that makes everything look like it’s covered in wax. However, the news is good where it counts with this classic. It appears that it is numbers-matching and in excellent mechanical health. The seller describes it as a nice daily driver with 73,000 original miles on the clock. They don’t mention verifying evidence, but since they include the original Build Sheet, Window Sicker, Protect-O-Plate, Warranty Book, and other documentation, I wouldn’t be surprised to find evidence in that lot somewhere.

Turning our attention to the interior, the news continues to remain positive. The original owner ordered this 442 trimmed in Black vinyl, which remains in excellent condition. There is no evidence of wear, physical damage, or abuse. The carpet looks nice, the dash and pad are spot-on, and the faux woodgrain hasn’t deteriorated. The wheel has a few fine cracks, but that’s about all that rates as a genuine flaw. The Window Sticker indicates that the original owner ordered the Olds with a factory tape player, but this is no longer present. There have been no aftermarket additions, which is refreshing in a classic of this type and age. Luxury touches include air conditioning, bucket seats, a console, a factory Tick-Tock-Tach, and an AM/FM radio.

When it was new, this 1969 Oldsmobile 442 would have cost its original owner around $4,200. That equates to approximately $33,000 today, and when you consider this classic’s performance credentials and optional features, it represented pretty fair value for money. It also means that in real terms, the 1969 Olds 442 is a vehicle that has slightly gained value in real terms over the past half-century. A fair slice of that gain occurred during the last five years, with values climbing by around 25% across the board. That trend shows no signs of slowing. I won’t pretend that this is a cheap classic, but if values continue their current trend, it is likely to become less affordable as time passes. If a 442 is on your Wish List and you have the funds available, maybe this one deserves a closer look.