We are days away from clicking over the calendar to a new year, meaning this 1965 Oldsmobile 442 will be fifty-nine years old. Finding a classic of this vintage that is unrestored is not rare. However, finding one that is unmolested and almost perfectly preserved is a genuine treat. That is the story of this classic, which has been the property of two owners during those years. The time has come for it to find a third home, with the seller listing the Olds here on eBay in Boxford, Massachusetts. Bidding sits at $25,600, but unsurprisingly, this is below the reserve.
The Pontiac GTO launched the muscle car sector, and it wasn’t long before other manufacturers wanted a slice of the pie. Oldsmobile joined the party with its First Generation 442 in 1964, with the car receiving cosmetic upgrades for 1965. Our feature 442 rolled off the line that year, with the original owner ordering it in Burgundy Mist. The presentation seemingly suggests a past restoration, but that isn’t the case. This classic retains its factory paint, having never undergone the slightest touch-up. The shine is exceptional for its age, and the panels are laser-straight. The positive news continues when we delve below the surface because the underside shots confirm this garage-kept classic is rust-free. The trim and glass are as impressive as the rest of the exterior, while the Olds rolls on its original steel wheels, complete with dog dish hubcaps and new tires.
The interior shots confuse me slightly, because there are items inside this Olds that aren’t consistent with the original Window Sticker. These include the tachometer and under-dash gauges, which might be later additions. I am happy to be corrected if my assumption is wrong, and reading your feedback on that question will be fascinating. One characteristic the interior shares with the rest of the vehicle is that it is unrestored. The pristine state of the White vinyl upholstered surfaces reflects a sheltered existence, while the dash and pad are perfect. The floors retain the factory protective mats that have allowed the carpet to remain in as-new condition. There is no wheel wear, and the Olds features its factory AM radio.
General Motors did performance enthusiasts an enormous favor in 1965 by relaxing its engine capacity restrictions for vehicles like the Cutlass. This allowed Oldsmobile to squeeze its 400ci V8 under the hood of the 442, providing significant performance improvements. This classic features that motor, with the remaining major drivetrain components including the heavy-duty three-speed manual transmission and a 3.55 Posi rear end. The stopwatch told the story because while a 1964 Olds 442 took 15 seconds to cover the ¼-mile, this car should take 14.4 seconds. Potential buyers will find nothing but positive news with this classic. It has been appropriately serviced throughout its life, and the only items replaced are consumables like oil, filters, hoses, and belts. The drivetrain remains numbers-matching to the most minor components, and the car has a genuine 47,793 miles on the clock. It runs and drives perfectly, with no issues or vices. Potential buyers can consider it a turnkey proposition.
The longer I scrutinize the photos of this 1965 Oldsmobile 442, the more astounding I find its condition. This classic needs nothing and would be ideal for an enthusiast firmly focused on preservation. It seems a few people share that sentiment because it has attracted twenty-seven bids in a relatively short period. I would typically suggest a potential reserve or sale price, but I would be interested to gauge your suggestions on that subject. So, over to you.
Great car and a nice alternative to the ever-present GTO’s. Just wondering why a 3 speed? Was a 4 speed not offered?
A Muncie M-21 4 speed was offered to live behind the torque-monster Olds 400-425-455 engines.
Could be a misprint. 442’s were either 3 speed automatics, or 4-speeds, not 3 speed. 400 cubic inch. & posi rear end’s with sway bar. I’ve owned Olds all my life, won’t own anything else and never did. Started driving with license 1969, Olds 56 Super 88 2 dr hdtp, 2-1962 Starfire Convert., 1966 442 Convert. 4-speed, 68 Cutlss Crash Car, 1970 442 4-speed convert., 1970 442 4-speed W-30 Post Coupe, 3 1971 Vista Cruiser’s, driving- a 71 Vista Cruiser now as a daily driver. I won’t own any car newer than 1972, and has to be an Olds…
That may be the case for model years after 1965, but in 1965 the 442 came standard with a GM 3 speed manual (code M13). There was an optional Heavy-Duty 3 speed manual (code M14, as shown on this car) which was a Ford Toploader that came with a Hurst linkage and shifter (as correctly shown on this car). You could also get the close-ratio Muncie 4-speed (code M21) which used a Muncie linkage and shifter, or opt for the 2-speed automatic “Jetaway” (code M32) which was a Buick 2 speed, not a Powerglide as many would think.
Also, positraction was optional on a 1965 442, not standard.
Thought 442 meant 4 bbl, 4speed, dual exhaust?
As I recall 442 was: 4 bbl carb, 4speed, 2 (dual) exhaust hence the name 442.
It looks from the build sheet that this is a Cutlass with 442 trim ordered.
So, it’s really a 432. The HD rpo m14 could be wound higher in 2nd, so I imagine the original owner wanted a fast stop light drag racer.
It’s also missing the deluxe wheel covers. Just sayin.
Nice car.
The 4 barrel, 4 speed, dual exhaust was for 1964 only when the only engine available was 330 cubic inches. In 1965 the 400 became the standard engine, automatic transmissions also became available. After that 442 stood for 400, 4 barrel, dual exhaust.
Steve R
Not true was dubbed in 1970 slang 442, you could order 442 with 330 automatic,442 is a package on cutlass,you could order with engine options except on year (1964) !!!!
Olds did offer a 3-speed manual floor shift in the 442through 65 or 66. Also owned a lot of oldsmobile great cars. Last one was a 96 98. Was looking forward to the 98 for 1998 but it wasn’t to be. They should have discontinued Buick instead.
I saw this listing a few days ago and my first thought was that it is a restored car. If it is truly an original paint and interior car someone must have absolutely cherished it. I’d prefer the 4 speed but a car this clean, and if original, I can hardly complain. I would not change much, except getting the back half of the exhaust redone so the pipes turn down before the rear bumper and maybe replace the tires with redlines eventually. Nice car.
In the eBay ad the seller says they came with a Ford toploader 3speed. Really?
Yes. That was the stock transmission in ’65 442 models. You even got a column shift unless you paid extra for the optional Hurst floor shifter!
The Muncie 4-speed was standard in 1964 but optional afterward.
I worked with a man in 1967 who bought a new “low-price special” SS396 Chevelle from a local dealer. It had absolutely no options. It had a bench seat and a 3-speed on the floor. I don’t know if it was a Ford transmission.
The HD 3-speed was called a Dearborn rather than a Muncie.
What a nice looking Olds. Well kept. Makes for a very good reference car to show just how things were done back in the day.
Yes, the 442 was a performance package on the F-85/Cutlass. The M13 (Ford) HD 3-speed was standard in most GM performance cars but was usually upgraded to one of the 4-speeds or automatic. Great that it survived this long in tact.
Deur-Speet Motors still operates a CDJR dealer in Fremont MI.
Deur-Speet, about 45 minutes from me.
No factory tachometer was installed on the steering column on these cars; however, I believe you could get one with the optional console. In ’66 they offered the “Sidewinder” dash tach-one year only. No gauge package was offered from the factory either…until 1967.
33 photos and and not one of the front end? SMH.
3 Speed? On a four forty two?? (To me thats like a Cummings diesel versus a CUMMINS). Oh well…Im a Buick guy but what the heck. So this is a beautiful 4-4-2 survivor. Even tho the window sticker shows the M-14 3 speed, I always thought it was a 4 barrel 4 speed dual exhaust. My 1964 Buick Special (35K original miles) had a V6 3 OTT (now a 465/Super T10). Never assume anything. The only thing I now question , and that is acceptable with the owner being a mechanic, is the teflon tape on a vacuum tap next to the brown bakelite coil. Is that for a vacuum gage under the dash? I think the tally is gonna SKYROCKET when the hammer falls! Nice old bomber!
GM offered a endless supply of options to different regions. Born and raised in Iowa. My brothers Pontiac and my Chevy both had three speed manuals. For some reason they were everywhere in the Midwest.
The interior is not original. The car was ordered with bucket seats per the window sticker. Buckets were standard on the Cutlass. However a bench was a deduction option that only came on the Sports Coupe. So the bench seat would be listed on the window sticker. Which it’s not.
Where’s Santa when I need him?
Nothing I would like better than a truly original unmolested 3 speed.anything :) Bonus that I like the early 442’s better than later models as they seem smaller.
Really sweet.
i will never understand why people pick apart a basically original car with paperwork supporting what the car is instead of admiring what it is. to each his own, i guess. very nice car that i would love to have!
Nice, nice Olds.
Probably my favorite of the brand. Mid 60’s mid-size factory hot rod. Love the 3 spd as well. I’d take this over just about anything else the general had to offer from all their brands in that era.
Very clean low milage piece. It will be interesting to see how high the price gets for a sale.
I had a 65 post car just like this one. When Oldsmobile got into the muscle car business the head of GM said no engines over 400 cubic inches. So they took the 425 and changed the stroke to make it a 400. A few years later that rule was removed, hence the 455.
The 400 and 425 use the same crank shaft. Thus have the same stroke.
Bench seat is not original to the car. It was ordered with buckets. So the interior was been redone.
Ended. Reserve not met and top bid at $31,600, 42 bids.