Is anyone else wistful for a time when an engine’s connecting rod bearing clearances were listed in the sales brochure? Oldsmobile was considered General Motors’ engineering division, so it makes sense that they’d lay out the minutiae for all to see. Fortunately, the styling department was also playing along; doesn’t this Sports Coupe (fancy descriptor for “post coupe”) look great in maroon (Burgundy Mist, to be specific)? Aside from one repaint, it’s a survivor from Southern California. It somehow found its way to Long Island, where it’s up for sale on craigslist. According to the seller, it’s rust-free and completely stock, and it could be yours for the cute price of $25,442.

The heart of any muscle car is indeed its engine, and the 4-4-2 came standard with a 350-horsepower (at 5000 rpm) 400. To skirt GM’s harsh edict about power-to-weight ratios, the optional W30 package also produced 350 horsepower according to the brochure (though I have seen it listed at 360 elsewhere), albeit at a peakier 5400 rpm. Horsepower ratings were fairly arbitrary in the 1960s anyway, so who cared if the divisions were using some questionable accounting. If you’re not well-versed in 1960s Oldsmobiles, the 1968 and later 400 had a different bore and stroke than the 1965-1967 editions, which was apparently a move intended to save money by sharing a stroke with the new 455 (and thereby sharing some tooling).

Under the hood of our featured car, the shiny air conditioning components tell us that this car wasn’t ordered as a ground pounder, but rather as a brisk commuter.

The bench seat and column-shifted automatic reaffirm that notion. It’s hot in Southern California, so the air conditioning makes sense as an option, but it’s still interesting to see it on a post coupe, in addition to power steering, power brakes, and Super Stock wheels. Everything inside is reported to be original to the car.

It even has some original stickers from various California auto clubs.

The advertisement itself is worth reading: This has been an adult-owned, meticulously maintained Classic that has never been drag raced, street raced, or bounced off any other cars or other objects. No Headers, No Holley Carbs, No Moroso valve covers, ETC, ETC. Right down to its Original Push-Button Radio.

I like Oldsmobile and Buick muscle cars because they’re just uncommon enough that you don’t see one at every car show, but they still enjoy parts sharing with the more popular Chevelle- and Tempest-based muscle cars. If this 4-4-2 is as nice as it looks in pictures, the price seems fair, and I can’t imagine it will be around for long. Thanks to T.J. for sending us the link!