Last week I covered this 1967 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme that was being pawned off as a 442 performance variant but I had my doubts and so did all of you. One regular commenter noted that the car in question was really a Cutlass Supreme “Turnpike Cruiser” and it appears that he was correct. Well today, I’m going to take a run at it again, this time with the genuine article, an actual 1967 Oldsmobile 442. Located in Kimberling City, Missouri, this faded Holiday Coupe is available, here on eBay for a current bid of $6,100 with the reserve not yet met.
We have recounted the history of Oldsmobile’s famed 442 muscle car many times before so there’s no need to cover that ground again. I will add, however, that I find it unusual that the 442 came in both a Holiday Coupe hardtop, such as our subject car, as well as a “Sports Coupe” two-door sedan version. And of course, a convertible was available as well.
As for this Holiday Coupe, it appears to be finished in Spanish Red and it has experienced a lot of fade and mismatching. While much of the finish is claimed to be original, some is a respray. GM’s A-body cars of this era are all subjected to rust and specific climactic conditions will decide if it’s minor, average, or excessive. Instead of paraphrasing the seller’s description of this 442’s body, I’ll just quote him, “A leak around the rear window caused water to sit in the trunk resulting in rust on the trunk floor and the lower wells of the quarter panels. The trunk floor and lower quarters need to be repaired and the sheet metal replacement panels are included“. There is a very small area of rust repair on the front left fender”. And finally, “In 1996, steel was welded to the frame at the front left side to resolve rust that had begun to form in that area”. The tunneled rear-window design of GM’s ’66 and ’67 A-bodies is a natural for trapping water and causing lots of damage – I had the same thing going on with a ’67 SS396 Chevelle that I owned many years ago. Most of this car’s rust issues are typical – except for that last item about the frame – that one’s concerning.
The seller makes a curious statement about the interior, “The Interior is totally original and in beautiful original condition“. But then goes on to tell us how the front seats have been recovered in velour – I’d say that’s hardly original – or beautiful. The correct reproduction seat covers will be available for extra $$$. I must admit that the rest of the interior shows well so I find it odd that the seller wouldn’t have had the seats recovered properly.
Under the correct vented hood is a 350-gross HP, 400 CI V8 engine married up to a Turbo-Hydramatic 400, three-speed automatic transmission. The listing mentions that the engine has been rebuilt twice, most recently almost 30 years ago. “The car runs very well” is the only thing said about this 442’s running and driving characteristics.
The seller has a lot of documentation and this is a well-equipped car. In spite of the noted deterioration, the floor pans show as sound, and the non-original Magnum 500 wheels are a nice inclusion and add some pizazz to the bright, if worn, exterior. The seller suggests, “One of the best basis for a restoration that there could be!“. Yeah, I can agree with that assuming that the reserve is reasonable, right?
Those are not magnum 500 wheels! They are what olds said was ss1 wheels that did come on these cars! Body pretty rough on this one. Can’t imagine what the reserve is but 6000 seems to be even a bit high for this much rust!
They’re close enough.
JO
The one year only hood on this car is worth two thousand dollars alone and yet you feel this car is only worth six thousand
My understanding was that Motor Wheel Corporation provided the wheels to GM, and later to Chrysler, Ford even American Motors. If you bought the wheels through an aftermarket source, they were branded as Magnum 500’s. There were slight variations, full chrome, trim rings, width, and in the case of 69/70 Chevrolets, they were painted, not chrome. Buick had their own design with distinctive, thinner “spokes”
The reason that the seats have not been recovered yet is because they were ordered from Legendary, the VERY BEST one can buy, and, due to Covid, they are on back order for many months. The Seller has even offered them for availability in February when others would have to wait nearly a year to get them!
Mighty weak and ugly frame repair
To bad it’s not a 4 speed, it’s bid up over 10K so people seem to like it. The Cutlass last week sold for $8,600
Documentation that it without doubt a real 442 along with all of the records is a plus.
Must be Christmas red because this unit is a heap. Sorry, needs frame, needs body panel repair, no options to speak of…One can be bought in far nicer condition for what this will take to bring back.
This vehicle does not need a frame! This is a reinforcement that was welded on in the 1990’s.
It may not need a frame, but it sure needs a replacement chunk of frame to be done. Being done in the 1990’s and a poorly done “repair” I am surprised it has held up this long.
No you’re right, my mistake, it needs a press because that’s what I would do with it. A basic old rusted tired no optioned car with some very ugly rust issues. Too expensive to me for the amount of items required. Parts and scrap.
Doesn’t have exhaust tips below bumper. Engine is gold?
But it has a new gas tank!
My new 1967 Oldsmobile 442 was a Cutlas Supreme, had louvers on hood,that are not shown very well on this red car, they also had chrome tipped dual exhause.My car was a 3 speed automatic, with the 4:66 gears, Jardine Headers,Ram Air off a 1968 model,with air ducts below the bumper, Mickey Thompson 8″ slicks, bench seats , Stock Rochester Quadrajet carburator,The car turned a best of 11,95 in the quarter mile. Always a low 12 second car. The car was my daily driver for five years.
Check that frame very close. I lost my ’67 cutlass supreme conv. because I was jacking it up to put on my snow tires (PA) . The jack kept going but the car didn’t move, the frame collapsed from rusting from the inside. Needed a whole new frame, junked!