Golden Olds: 1969 Oldsmobile 442 Convertible
In the mid-1960s, the Pontiac division of GM produced a performance-car hit with its GTO. Not to be outdone, the Oldsmobile division created a muscle car out of its Cutlass model, using a larger engine as an option package. Later, that car received a 400 cu. in. V8, a four-barrel carburetor, and twin exhaust, leading to the descriptive name “4-4-2”, pronounced four-four-two. By 1968, the 4-4-2 was no longer an option package but a model in its own right. Here on craigslist is a mildly altered 1969 Oldsmobile 442 convertible for sale. The asking price is $50,000 but the car was at auction a few days ago, ending at a final bid of $31,400 with no sale. After you fix a leaking radiator, you can try driving her home from Somerset, Kentucky. Thanks to Gunter K. for this tip!
Both the craigslist ad and the auction listing include a plethora of facts about the car. The running gear is said to be “OEM correct or original”, from the 400 cu. in. engine with its C-code heads to a Muncie close-ratio four-speed manual transmission. However, the owner installed a Holley Sniper electronic fuel injection at some point. In stock form, this car would scoot from zero to sixty in slightly under six seconds, astonishing for a big sedan! Top speed was about 115 mph. Of course, performance parts are available in case that isn’t fast enough for you.
The car was inspected before being listed on the auction website and imperfections were noted. These include paint oxidation, bondo, aging body repairs, and a “challenging” headliner. Still, this is a convertible, so a few flaws can be forgiven.
Other than that headliner, the interior is quite spiffy. The dash is clean and uncracked, the seats are unblemished, and even the carpets are decent. Someone took the time to clean her up for her photo shoot, too. While the 442 wasn’t the most exciting muscle car on the market in 1969, it was good enough to sell about 30,000 copies in various body styles. In this year, only 2930 convertibles were produced, give or take a few. Other than that leaking radiator, we aren’t told much about the running condition of this car, though she is priced for near perfection in my opinion. The W-32 cars with forced Ram Air induction are rarer and bring top dollar; for this one, I’m thinking the right price is a few thousand north of that $31,500 final auction bid. What do you think?
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Comments
I’m thinking for 50 large, the guy can fix that leaky radiator!
bt
This is one of my all-time favorite bucket list cars. Growing up in Lansing in the ’60s we were all partial to Oldsmobiles. My third car was a ’69 Cutlass S coupe in the slightly darker gold color. Those were the days, not one but two shades of gold and what seemed like dozens of other colors from which to choose as well as a multitude of interior hues.
Great chrome and stainless trim on this car, but no air and no power windows, options that buyers were strangely suspicious of back then. The 4-speed is a huge plus in my opinion. I also like the Magnum 500 rims – my dad worked for Motor Wheel at the time, another Lansing company that pioneered the stamped steel mag-look wheel.
The listing mentions bondo though it’s not too apparent in the photos. My car had rust in the lower front fenders and lower quarters.
I agree that this is not a $50K car, but it’s a very nice $34K car.
Dreamers of a nightmare. For 50gs, I guy should atleast fix the small things. Lazy ass people! And can’t see it worth this price, but sure there is some dumb ass willing to spend it.
Well put. It drives me nuts when a seller says “brakes don’t work but easy fix”…. my first thought is, then why not fix it?? But more to the point on this particular car, I gather that the person listing the car is not the seller. The seller could be sick, deceased, overseas, whatever. Still, the market is going to school him pretty quick.
$50K is dreaming. The bubbling bondo in the fenders and the widespread use of ScotchLoc connectors in the wiring sends a message about the workmanship used in this car – and how well was the EFI installed and tuned? And all that work but stock drum brakes? Should have taken the $31K and run to the bank.
Beautiful car, one of GMs handsomest ever. Not a wasted line on the whole car.
But…
A disinterested, uninformed seller with ‘fat money’ fantasies will kill my interest in a heartbeat.
Michelle, a few nitpicks… The GTO was introduced in 1964 with the 389 CID engine. The 442 was also introduced in 1964, but with a smaller 330 CID engine. 442 originally stood for four barrel, four speed, dual exhausts, AKA 442. The 442 received the 400 CID engine beginning in 1965. Pontiac made the 400 CID engine standard in 1967. Both the W cars (W30, W32) are desirable, the W32 is basically a 400 with an upgraded camshaft, whereas the W30 had additional upgrades with a resulting 360 HP. I love these cars, the main one that got away was a pretty rare 69 W30 4 speed convert.
Another overpriced car. For 50K I expect to receive a turn key vehicle. Fix the radiator!!
This appears to be a Scam Ad. Do your due diligence on this one. First using Whatsap with So Cal 949 area code. Then indicating representing a new auction site. etc. Map on Craigslist shows Houston area for location. Then indicates vehicle is in KY.