This Oldsmobile 442 has been off the road since at least 1983. It was dismantled to its current state to repair some collision damage, but the project has stalled. It is now listed for sale here on eBay. The car is located in Davison, Michigan, and is offered with a clear title. There has been some interest shown in this 442 which has seen the price reach $3,175 although the reserve has not been met.
The seller states that this car could be used as a project or parts car. To me, parting this car out would seem like a waste. The rust that you can see in this shot is the worst of the rust in the floors. The rear floors and the trunk look absolutely solid, and even this rust doesn’t appear to be rot-through. There is a bit of rust under the edge of the vinyl top near the windshield, and some in the lower quarter panels, but otherwise it seems to be quite good. There is some minor collision damage both front and rear, but it is all repairable.
The interior is largely complete except for part of the rear seat, but it will need a full restoration. The dash pad has a crack, but desirable items such as the floor console are present and appear to be in good, restorable condition. You can see the rust in the quarter panel in the above shot, and this appears to be the worst of it. The rockers look to be solid.
Under the hood is the 400ci engine, and the seller believes that this may be a numbers matching car. The engine is backed by an automatic transmission. The seller has made no attempt to start the engine, but he says that it does wind over by hand. To be sure, there is some work needed here, but I think that most people who have been involved in restoration projects have seen worse than this restored.
The seller has advertised this 442 as either a project or a parts car. To my mind, the car just looks too solid to strip for parts. The drive-train is complete, and it may well be numbers matching. The rust that is present doesn’t look to be particularly bad, and the interior is largely complete. I think the car has some real potential. So Barn Finders, is it a project car or a parts car?
project car for an olds fanatic. calling dr. olds, calling dr. olds please report to the ebay bidding desk……….
Are those wheels the old Motor Wheel Flys? Haven’t seen those in ages!
They are aftermarket wheels
They are “Hammer” wheels. It has been a good long while since I have seen a set of them. They used to be on 2wd full size trucks everywhere around here. (25-30 years ago)
Definitely a project car for the right person. I think this one would have some advantages over the 65 GTO also in today’s offerings. The rust isn’t nearly as bad, although the GTO has had a fair amount of basic work done towards getting it drivable. The first gens are my favorite body style for these, and with a complete drivetrain and the a/c bonus, I’d probably choose this over the goat. Hopefully someone will put this baby back on the road and eventually restore her!
As the owner of a 66 442 convertible I hope someone takes this on as a labor of love. The one-year only stuff (front fenders and hood) are there and it looks like the original engine. If it sits on its original suspension, the factory mods made it Hot Rod magazine’s choice of best handling muscle car. At today’s prices you could easily spend more than the market value, but you would end up with a great looking, strong, nice driving, and scarce muscle car.
cousin left my son a oldmobile cannot find the paper work for the car help me if you can.
just not many out there……
These cars are so underappreciated. I own a 67 442 convertible and it leaves me with a smile on my face every time I drive it. Great power, handling and ride, beautiful looks, and seldom seen. I honestly would not trade it for anything.