Fresh 455: 1970 Oldsmobile 442
This 1970 Oldsmobile 442 is a tidy-looking car, but there’s more to it than meets the eye. The engine bay houses a freshly rebuilt V8 that should provide exhilarating performance. It has undergone some changes in its life, so it will be up to its next owner whether these changes go or stay. The current owner has decided to part with it, so it that been listed for sale here on eBay. The Olds is located in Reno, Nevada, and while 46 bids have pushed the price along to $36,000, the reserve hasn’t been met.
There’s not much to criticize with the presentation of the Oldsmobile. The paint shines beautifully, with no evidence of any flaws or defects. This leads us to the first of the changes that I mentioned earlier. The Olds wears what appears to be Classic White paint, but the Tag indicates that this isn’t original. It shows a paint code of 58, which should equate to Burnished Gold. I don’t mind the new color, but purists will probably object to the change. The panels are exceptionally straight, with no evidence of dings, dents, or rust. The car features the optional fiberglass hood, and this has no signs of cracking or other issues. The chrome shines just as impressively as the paint, while no flaws are visible on either the glass or the wheels.
It isn’t clear whether the 442 is a numbers-matching car, but the engine bay features a freshly rebuilt and balanced 455ci V8. This powerhouse is backed by an M22 manual transmission and a 12-bolt Olds rear end with 4.11 Eaton gears. The original owner also ordered the Olds with the optional W27 aluminum differential housing and cover. While the car wears W-30 badges, I’m not convinced that it is the real deal. It does feature the correct fiberglass hood and functional hood scoops. However, the owner mentions the badges separately in the listing, suggesting that they may have been a later addition. It has been fitted with a lot of cosmetic enhancements, but it isn’t clear whether it has been fitted with any upgrades to extract more horsepower from that V8. It does wear headers, and these may have freed a few extra ponies. In standard form, the 455 should have been pumping out 370hp. That is enough to send a car like this through the ¼ mile in a flat 14 seconds. We know that the car runs and drives extremely well, and if appearances count for anything, it should have no immediate needs.
The Oldsmobile wears the correct Gold vinyl interior trim, and it generally looks pretty impressive. There are no rips or tears in the vinyl and no issues with the dash or console. The headliner appears to be flawless, and the carpet is in a similar state. One of the few problems that I can spot is some physical damage to the plastic back on the driver’s seat. The damage might be repairable, but I would be prepared for the expense of a replacement part if I were a new owner with an eye on spotless presentation. The interior features the usual array of gauges, including a Tic-Toc-Tach, and while the interior has been fitted with a Hurst shifter and a retro look stereo, the rest of it appears to be unmolested.
This 1970 Oldsmobile 442 is a clean car that would undoubtedly turn heads wherever it goes. It would seem to have no immediate needs, and that freshly rebuilt V8 is a great bonus. However, it isn’t 100% original, and that could potentially impact its value. The reserve hasn’t been met at the time of writing, and even with the changes that have occurred, I wouldn’t be surprised to see the bidding head beyond $50,000 before this happens. What do you think?
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Comments
Beautiful car, love the gold interior.
Perhaps the “mad re-painter” got tired of a “Burnished Gold” exterior color and matching (?) gold interior color and decided to repaint it in white?
To quote the poster on Agent Muldar’s office wall.
“I want to believe.”
Whatever it truly is I’d be proud to own/drive this one.
Very nice looking, someone did a nice job on this example.
Those red fender liners indicate a W-30. Not that reproductions aren’t available, but $500 is a bit too much to spend on a fake.
I’d question that it’s an original W-30. You couldn’t get power brakes with a 4 speed transmission on a W-30. Beautiful car though
I agree! Certainly a nice ride.
Did he paint his black in the wheel well jack ass
Or did he paint them red in the engine compartment silly man
The W30 comes with red inner fender wells
EVERY 442 (and Faux-Four-Two) today has reproduction red inner fender wells.
ANd FYI, the ones on this car are reproductions, not originals.
Would like to see that aluminum rear end and not just the rear end cover that you mentioned. That alone would make this a piece of Olds history. I saw one sell for 10k 4 years ago.
The W-27 aluminum center section/cover is a rare and desirable option. A complete unit can command $10,000 or more. The cover was available separately, so without better photos, it’s hard to tell what’s on this car. It’s odd, though, that the seller didn’t call it out. A W-30 with the W-27 rear is something of a holy grail to Olds guys.
Going to call out the writer of this article. The pic of the rear on eBay is enough proof that this is not a W-27 option car just the added on cover to give the look of that rare option.
You are right, “reproduction” W27 aluminum covers have been available for years, they are listed on eBay for $119 including bolts and gasket. That’s a cheap upgrade that impresses people at car shows and gives the seller an exponential return on his purchase.
Steve R
The W27 aluminum carrier and cover was only available in 1970. The cover only was available and came on my 71 W30 as indicated on my window sticker.
Sadly enough 40 yrs ago I tried to buy a 70 W30 with that complete rear from a guy at a park in Tennessee. Guy was fighting with his girlfriend and she would not let us continue the conversation. Hated to miss out on that one. Probably could have bought that nice one for $3500 or so.
Nice car, but geeze, are there any 1970-72 cars left that DON’T have repro hood, wing, red inner fenders, and W-30 stripes? Yeah, those are repros.
Seem to be fewer and fewer left every year that aren’t W-30 “tributes,” Joe… Apparently people want the look without paying the six figure price for a real one.
Complete fake…and NOT a W-27 car. Why promote a scammer?
The ad makes no claims that the car is either a W-30 or a W-27 car. What’s your point? The VIN says that it is a real 442, built in Framingham, MA. I’d be more worried about rust and the quality of repairs, being a snow belt car.
Joe no the eBay auction does not say either but the write up here on Barn finds does say it is a W-27 rear end car. Thats my point.
I love the gold interiors. Have owned three ’70 Supremes, each had a gold bucket seat interior like these. Those seats are correct for a Cutlass Supreme hardtop and convertible and 442 convertible, but not for a Cutlass S/442 hardtop/coupe.
Looks like a copy of Hurst Oldsmobile !
E-Bay Says Sold
EBay says ended without meeting reserve.
The dealership has it listed on their website for $70,000.
Steve R
What is that cannister beside the master cylinder?
Did the 442 with the 12 bolt have the sway bar like the Chevelles did?
The canister is an aftermarket vacuum tank. All 442s came with a rear sway bar – that suspension package was a fundamental part of the 442. The Oldsmobile “12 bolt” isn’t a Chevy 12 bolt. It’s called a Type O axle and despite having 12 bolts on the cover it only has a ten bolt, 8.5″ ring gear. Cutlii built in Canada in the 1968-69 model years did get the Chevy 12 bolt axle, but US cars did not.
this car is far from correct..take the 35 K
36k thank you!