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!
Back in the day when the base model was 350hp/440lb-ft wow.
Dr Oldsmobile didn’t stop there. Ring and pinion ⚙️ was a sensible 3.08 std, with everything offered in-between, all the way up to 4.33 !
Curb weight just over 3700lbs. 🏁
Just right owned – this is a beautiful 442.
Prices have clearly come down.
Nice color, PS, PB, and AC too.
Meticulously maintained, best of all.
Love this gem.
Seems like a lot of car for the money. A GTO, Charger or Chevelle in similar shape would likely be twice the price. A 442 by comparison trades at a large discount.
If this were a 70 442 in this condition, it would be twice the price but yes, a similar condition 1967 GTO or SS396, it would be much, much more expensive. Outside of the model year 1970 442, W cars, and Hurst Olds, year by year Olds do sell for less money (with some exceptions of course) compared to their Chevy and Pontiac cousins. Buick GS (except 1970, Stage 1, GSX) suffer from this too.That means buyers can get find good buys, like this 67 apparently could be.
Original but how many miles on it? How are the mechanics and exhaust. If it is close to perfect why the low price.How’s the rear of the car. the trunk ?
Beautiful car for very reasonable money. However, I’ve never been able to warm up to the 66-67 Olds designs. The 68 -69 designs are far superior IMO.
GM 64-67 A bodies were perfection, Oldsmobile & Buick were the crème de la crème of that bunch. If this was a three pedal car, I’d be all over it…
Now THIS is my kind of muscle car to hunt for. Documented, well maintained, BONE STOCK, and beautiful condition! Column shift doesn’t bother me; gets me where I’m going just as well as buckets and console automatic.
Maybe it’s the way it was photographed, but the interior appears almost like the pearl yellow vinyl option Cutlasses had in `67. I thought it would be white? If so, an odd color interior to pair with burgundy paint. No matter; a beautiful 442 if I ever saw one! And one of my favorite years.
Maybe that’s why it’s price the way it is. (great price) Personally I like the ’68’s also. But I’d buy this in a heart beat. (I’d need more room) Growing up in the 70’s I’ve always loved those big wheel wells on these. Plenty of room for the “Big Meat N/50’s!”
Nice looker but should’ve just remained a cutlass. 442 stands for 4 barrel, 4 speed (manual), dual exhaust where this nice (survivor) car is a 4A2. Cool grocery getter just the same. ;-)
Anybody who knows Oldsmobiles knows that 442 meant 4barrel, 4speed and duals and was good only for the first year (64) when it had a 330 engine. 65-69 it meant 400, 4barrel and dual exhaust. 70-71 switch the 400 for 455. 72-77 442 meant it was just an option package with stripes and HD suspension.
Oh man, does this argument have to permeate EVERY 442 discussion?
Back then it was hard to see how good these 2-door sedans looked. Nice amount of chrome with a comfortable bench for the taller driver. Sweet ride.
My cousin had a 67 442 w/4 speed. He bought it slightly used around ’68. I learned to drive a clutch in this car. He had some problems with it around ’71 and decided to sell it, which he did to our neighbor for $700. I kick myself for not buying it. I’ve always been a Ford guy, so didn’t even consider it in those days. Very stupid thinking. I’m still a Ford guy but have since learned to appreciate everything. I’ve let too many cars like that 442 get away because of my close minded thinking.
Another one that got away, because of my Ford only thinking and this is a sad story. My best friend around ’73 had a 64 GTO, 4spd, tri-power. We all lived in SoCal. He decided to move to Oregon and didn’t want to take the Goat with him. So he pulled the engine and trans and hauled the car to the junkyard. I remember him stopping by my house with car hooked up to his truck on the way to the yard. In those days it didn’t even phase me. It wasn’t a Ford. Now is that some crazy thinking or what?
Anybody else out there with similar stories of the cars that they let get away because of blind loyalty to a certain brand?
In 1967 I was a car crazy 13 year old building model cars and racing my slot cars at the local track in a strip mall nearby. My aunt, who was only about 7 or 8 years older than me still lived with my grandparents and was on her third car bought for her by them. She started with a used ‘59 Impala convertible, then a new ‘65 Impala SS hardtop, and finally got a new ‘67 442. It was Cameo Ivory with black vinyl top and interior, bench seat column shift just like this one. To me it was a rocket ship and I was devastated when it was sold as I thought I might buy it when I was 16. This car is a bargain as others have stated if it’s as clean on the bottom as the top and has no mechanical problems.
Odd that there are no head on pics of the front end. (Here or the CL ad) The pic I do see hints at some front end damage. Anyone else see this? I could just be crazy, there have been rumors 😳
A lot of “if it was a 4 speed” comments. Converting this car to a 4 speed is beyond simple. All bolt up with factory parts and probably a few hours. Talk about a money making flip….
The craigslist ad says never “bounced off any other cars or other objects”. The angled look of the front end shows no damage. I’ll join the crowd that says this is a bargain. It would be hard to find a better muscle car driving experience for less money in today’s market.
The environment in which this 442 existed, & EVERYTHING else in its favor PROVES the asking price is a freekin’ STEAL!!!
This “California” car lives on Long Island NYC.
Very nice detailing job.
California ? Missing the smog pump and plumbing req’d in CA.
The sweet spot for decent classic or antique car seems to $20s k. This car presents a good first impression.
Rust free ok but the drive line??? How many miles???
Man I know what these sound like and it’s a beautiful song. This has a rumble not too loud just perfect. Surprised to see passenger mirror on door.