Last Colonnade: 1977 Oldsmobile 442
If you’ve ever lamented the downsizing of American cars that occurred as a result of the early ’70’s fuel crunch, this 1977 Oldsmobile 442, for sale here on eBay in Ionia, MI, might just be for you. With bidding currently at only $1730, it’s hard to imagine getting more automotive tonnage for your dollar.
By 1977, GM had begun downsizing its cars to meet federally mandated fuel economy standards and to appeal to consumers who were more mileage-conscience. The full-size cars were first, followed by the a-body intermediates in 1978, making this the last year for the pre-downsized a-body platform. In 1977, GM’s intermediates were nearly the same size on the outside as their full-size stablemates. The 403ci engine was introduced in 1977, intended to replace the once-mighty 455ci V8. Combined, that unfortunately makes this 1977 442 the last year with the bigger and heavier body but the first year with the downsized engine – not exactly a recipe for fun.
This particular car sports the biggest engine available in the 442 for 1977, the 403ci V8. While not very impressive by today’s standards, 320 lb-ft of torque was nothing to sneeze at in the late ’70’s. The seller says the car was in storage for the last 23 years, but that it recently was tuned-up, had its fuel tank replaced and carburetor rebuilt. The car is said to run strong despite its over 111,000 accrued miles and is described as an excellent candidate for restoration.
While many enthusiasts disregard cars from this era as examples of poor performance and lackluster styling, I think these cars deserve closer consideration. To me, they represent the last of a breed: mechanically simple, unashamedly enormous and inefficient and styled for form over function. And besides, how many new cars can you buy with a red on red color scheme and a white stripe to top (bottom?) it all off?
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Comments
I think 70’s cars are just coming around as the new hot thing to collect. There over 30 years old now and there is a whole generation of young people that grew up in the back seat of these their parents cars. Even myself I reminisce about the days when I first got into the auto trade and these were the prevalent cars I was working on more mechanical than electrical, simplistic in design and the end of an era. This would be a fantastic hobby car minimal repair required with maximum luxury for its day, really what’s not to like.
Count me as one of those people. My first car was a 78 Malibu, and now at the ripe old age of 43 I’ve been looking at a lot of 70’s cars and trucks.
Aftermarket aluminum intake manifold and dual exhaust on this car. Probably a bit quicker then when it left the factory.
I like the color coded wheels and trim rings on some of the cars from this era, but the lack-luster performance and the decals instead of actual emblems, which seemed to be in vogue – no.
Still, for someone looking to get into the collector car hobby at an affordable price, these cars do at least help in that respect.
They advantage to cars like this is there aren’t any computerized components to mess things up by being outdated. There will be a cutoff point where cars can no longer be restored, I’m not sure what that date is, but once more people realize it, we will see cars from this get a lot more expensive!
Why would cars not be restorable due to computer components? My 35 year old El Camino has a box you can plug into to check emissions, etc. and it still works with modern equipment.
Because some of the computer components will be antiquated there won’t be replace parts. I had to junk my 94 and 95 Merc Villager vans because the ABS failed in both of them and no one makes it any more. I almost had to junk my 01 Mustang because the computer behind the dash had quit and we had to go through 3 rebuilt units to find one that worked. And it will only get worse because computers have taken over our cars
David, why would you junk a car for the ABS not working?
Just drive without it.
No 4 speed so it’s the elusive “42”
Or “432” lol
Certainly mis-named
An infamous ‘432″
I believe when it was an automatic, the other 4 referred to the turbo 400.
I had a Chevy Laguna S3 (’76). For me it had the best overall styling for those mid-70’s NO GO’s.
I NEVER see any of the S3’s nor are there many for sale.
Jerk that olds engine out,since its a gm a 454 will bolt right in with the correct frame brackets in place,as for that automatic,theres plenty of ways to get the correct number of pedals out the junkyard and stick a Muncie behind it and your ready to beat the streets…
Beautiful Olds!
Will someone with the knowledge please explain the Colonnade moniker?
I understand the platform commonalities that shared the upper cabin pillars and glass ( expensive stuff to develop )- but who at GM coined the name and why?
THANKS!
Final year for the 1973-vintage Colonnade body. The 442 was the only Olds intermediate to feature the sloped nose from the ’76 model as this year’s Cutlass S switched to an upright nose similar to Cutlass Supreme models. Engine offerings were revised with Buick’s 231 cubic-inch V6 replacing the Chevy 250 inline-six as base power, with optional powerplants again including the Oldsmobile built 260 and 350 cubic-inch Rocket V8s. Replacing the 455 as the top engine this year was a new Olds 403 cubic-inch Rocket V8 rated at 180 horsepower (130 kW). Transmission offerings included a three-speed manual or Turbo Hydra-matic with the V6, five-speed manual or Turbo Hydra-matic for the 260 V8 and Turbo Hydra-matic was the sole offering for the 350 and 403 V8s. Interiors included a standard bench seat with cloth-and-vinyl or all-vinyl bench seat, or optional Strato bucket seats with all-vinyl upholstery and without the swiveling feature of previous years. Console again optional with bucket seats.
This is a right nice car for the price. If I had the money in 77 I could see myself ordering one like it. 442 = 400 4 barrel 2 exhaust pipes. Today that drivetrain could be easily tweaked to get more out of it. Where’s the pioneer super tuner 8track?
I rebuilt a 76 442 with my dad pre gulf war. Drove it my first semester of college. Gas prices spiked during the war. I bought a 87 4 speed Comanche to replace it lol
Miguel, when the ABS quit working, it caused the left front wheel to lock up after it was driven a mile
That is odd. The system can be disconnected easily. Are you sure it had to do with the ABS? The car can function just fine without the system.
I have that same problem on my 1963 Plymouth. I think it is a dirty brake line.
The ABS in my ’02 Sport Trac is malfunctioning too, so I pulled the fuse to disable it. I had my mechanic look at it and he replaced one of the front hubs (due to a code that was being thrown) and it still doesn’t work correctly.
It’s a spare vehicle at this pint, so I’m okay with no ABS.