By 1969, the Oldsmobile 442 was a shining star among muscle cars. Having begun as an options package on the Cutlass and F-85 back in 1964, it became its own separate model for 1968, a title which was held until 1971. Unfortunately, this 1969 Oldsmobile 4-4-2 doesn’t appear to have been tearing up any pavement lately, and the car undoubtedly needs a lot of work before it’ll be ready to return to the road. The seller believes this one’s a GREAT (he writes in all caps) candidate for a frame-off restoration, so if you agree and are looking for a convertible project, this Olds is located in Louisville, Kentucky, and can be viewed here on eBay. The high bid of $760 isn’t enough to remove the reserve-not-met status yet.
According to the owner, the main issue here is the interior and floor pans. A significant amount of the inside components are missing, including the seats and door panels, and the steering wheel is looking pretty mildewed. I think it’s safe to say this one may have been out in the elements with the roof uncovered for quite some time, but fortunately, the gauges and other dash items appear to still be intact. It’s also stated that the trunk pan is good, plus the frame is said not to be rusted out, though no photos from the underside are provided.
Trophy Blue is confirmed to be the original color of this Oldsmobile, and some areas are still showing this color remaining. The quarters and most of the passenger door are not, so it’s likely that some bodywork has already been attempted, and also a possibility that many of the panels may be salvageable. Just about every thread of canvas has deteriorated away from the top, but from what I can tell, the rails may still be OK.
Under the hood, the 400 V8 is said to be the born-with engine, with the Turbo 400 automatic still the original transmission. That’s all the information we get about them, and there’s no word on when the car was last driveable or if the crank will still turn. The restoration will probably include a mechanical rebuild as well, so there are plenty of tasks in all areas facing the new owner. However, a late-sixties 4-4-2 is a desirable auto, and a droptop adds to the fun factor, so perhaps this one merits all the time and expense that will be required here. What do you think?
Per the ad: “REAL NOT A CLOAN”. Not exactly reassuring. More Partsmobile than Oldsmobile, though.
“Hope springs eternal in the human heart “- words penned by Alexander Pope, English poet and patron saint of Barn Find addicts. It can’t be confirmed that he also wrote “That’ll buff out.” but if he didn’t he probably wishes he did. Al died in 1744, just 225 years before this Olds was born. Too bad – he’d have loved it, but he’d have needed a kiddie seat and pedal blocks to drive it – he was only 4’6″.
I’m 6’3″ and my ’69 Cutlass fit just fine though I would have preferred a Trophy Blue 442 convertible. Who wouldn’t? But not this sorry heap of tetanus a la carte.
I’m not sure, but I believe GLWTS stands for ‘Good Luck With The Sale’ but for this seller my sentiment would be “ISSYHTHOJTOWABCGRASITTC”. Which obviously means “I’m So Sorry You Have This Hunk Of Junk That Once Was A Beautiful Car Get Real And Send It To The Crusher.”
My first reaction was Holy Hell!
Sounds like a good deal, especially if its number matching, plus a convert…and 442..with gage cluster still in tact…the metal work is not that big of issue, with new floor pans readily available along with quarters if required. I put those in my 68 Chevelle SS, really not that difficult…what really makes this 442 is the matching numbers…very very hard to find them anymore matching numbers
I would like to know where these cars sell for well over 150.000 thousand the seller states these cars sell for.
He’s confusing this with 1968 Charger rust buckets.
They don’t. He probably heard it from an expert he met at a car show who overheard some other expert say a 442 convertible at an auction sold for $150,000, once. If a 442 convertible ever got close to that amount it would have been a W-30 442 convertible, but that difference is always lost on sellers quoting high prices in their ad. If he really believes cars like his sell for $100,000+ I’d hate to see his reserve.
Steve R
“GREAT candidate for a frame-on-crusher” after pulling the engine. Might be something useful there.
Not sure where the seller gets their info to think that these cars sell routinely for over 150k, but that is just not reality. One would be lucky to get half that, and that’s assuming the car was restored to concours condition.
Perfect find for a Roy Munson/King Pin tribute car.
Thai is really rough. Doors are valuable as they are a 69 only. Hood hinges will bring some money. Convertible frame is boxed and will fit other A bodies. Rear is likely on olds 12 bolt cover with a 10 bolt ring gear. Most common ratio for these was 3.08:1. It’s almost impossible to find the missing SS trim along the top of the body lines. And the 68/69 olds big block 400 was not very desirable as it is under square. Many like myself, replaced it with a 455. What a shame to see one of these in this condition.
Ccrvtt- please come back to this site often.
What a shame to see this as it is a convertable and some one put headers on it years ago. Now just a barely a parts car.
Let me pop off the 442 badges and glove box plaque before it goes to the Crush-O-Matic.
This must have been one of those cars that sat in the yard for decades, where the owner said he was going to rebuild it someday. Many expletives and adjectives were deleted from this comment.
Hagerty lists a #1 condition 1969 442 convertible (automatic) at $89,300
It was a shooting star now its a meteor
it will set you back between 50 to 75k to bring this back from the dead. a couple 442s did hit over 100k last week in Dallas @ mecum but that doesn’t happen often. truly a shame the owner let this get to this point and decide its time sell it. you would really got to have to jump in and save this. it would look good sitting with the 7 other parts cars sitting on my property