Numbers-Matching Survivor: 1965 Oldsmobile 442
The muscle car era was in full swing by the mid-1960s, and General Motors led the charge across several marques. Pontiac got the ball rolling, but Oldmobile’s response with the 442 offered worthy competition. This 1965 Olds 442 is a two-owner survivor that runs and drives perfectly. It isn’t pristine, but the indications are that returning it to its former glory should be relatively straightforward. It is set to find a new owner, with the seller listing it here on eBay in Lexington, South Carolina. Bidding sits below the reserve at $11,100, although there is a BIN option of $21,500.
The seller indicates the original owner took delivery of this Olds off the showroom floor in 1965, remaining its custodian for the next fifty-eight years. Its Target Red paint shines nicely for an unrestored survivor of this vintage, making a positive first impression. It isn’t mirror-like, but it is presentable if the new owner prefers preservation. However, a closer inspection reveals some emerging rust issues, which the seller acknowledges. It is visible in some lower body extremities, including the front fender bottoms and rear quarter panels. The rockers and doors look clean, and there are no issues around the back window. Those visible defects are patchable if the winning bidder prefers to avoid wholesale steel replacement. We receive no information regarding the floors or frame, but there is no mention of severe issues in the listing. The Olds retains its original glass and trim, and although they aren’t installed, the factory full wheel covers are included.
Oldsmobile introduced the 442 in 1964, with its engine bay housing the 330ci V8 producing 310hp. Pontiac’s GTO from that model year featured the company’s larger 389ci powerplant, but Olds responded in 1965 with the 400ci V8 producing 345hp and 440 ft/lbs of torque. This car’s original owner teamed that motor with a two-speed “Jetaway” automatic transmission, throwing in power assistance for the steering and brakes. The ¼-mile ET of 15.2 seconds was competitive in the muscle car segment, although a manual transmission delivered improved performance. This listing provides no engine photos, but there is plenty of positive news. This 442 is a numbers-matching survivor that runs and drives perfectly. It has a genuine 62,700 miles on the clock, and the included documentation suggests the seller holds verifying evidence. The buyer receives the original Window Sticker, Dealer Invoice, sales information, Owner’s Manual, Protect-O-Plate, Warranty Book, original Title, and sales brochure. Potential buyers can consider it a turnkey proposition.
The originality of this Oldsmobile extends to its interior, and the winning bidder could leave it untouched if they prefer preservation over restoration. The lack of wear and physical damage across all surfaces makes that approach viable. The only visible modification is the installation of a retro-style radio, but the seller includes the original unit the new owner could reinstall for a “stock” look. Other desirable factory features include the console, Hurst chrome shifter, and the console-mounted tachometer. Replacing the carpet could potentially lift the presentation, although a deep clean may make that approach unnecessary. The interior would receive plenty of respect when people learn it is original and unrestored because it confirms this classic has always been treated respectfully.
I will be fascinated to read your feedback on this 1965 Oldsmobile 442 and to ascertain how many would opt for restoration over preservation. Those advocating for the latter approach would argue that classics like this are only original once. Those preferring restoration could contend that this approach would be best to ensure the car remains at its best for many decades. Both answers are correct, but which would you choose?
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Comments
This is an impressive ride. The red wheels are a positive in my eyes. The 2-speed T; not so much. Mike Warrens’ parents bought a new 1967 and it scared me as a 14-year old when Mike floored it.
Bought the same car new in 65′.
These cars came with BLACK wheels with dog dish or wire wheel hub caps.
Red line US Royal red lines were stock.
No red wheels no white wall tires.
Whitewalls were an alternate choice to the red lines. Tick the right boxes, you could get whatever you wanted.
I wish I still had my ’64 4-4-2, it was like an early Z-28 but with a big trunk!
You are correct when saying yours came with black wheels, but that is because it had optional wire wheel hub caps (N95 – Simulated Wire Wheels), however, body-color was absolutely available.
From the 1965 Oldsmobile Cutlass Assembly Manual:
“Wheels for cars equipped with N95, P01 or P02 wheel discs are to be painted Ebony Black, RM E29K001 or DuPont 780-76600.
Wheels for cars equipped with hub caps are to be painted lower body color.”
Agreed. I had a 65 but with the 4 speed.
There is at least one photo way down the very bottom of the full description, which is extensive. And the engine looks clean enough to eat off of.
Slap some SSI’s on it it’d be too gorgeous for words. I bought a ’67 442 after I left Vietnam. It was used with 20,000 miles. It pulled strong to 85 mph not so much after that but still ran good. I put some used SSI’s on it and it transformed into a show car.
Nothing like Olds torque!
Expecting black or white maybe red interior 🤔. Blue interior is a deal breaker.
Oh, man….it does look blue in that picture. Good news is that it is black. Sometimes, pictures taken around dusk can really look odd. Plus, look at the reflection on dash – sky is blue-gray, and shows that, rather than the black it is.
Love red wheels
No where does the interior look blue. It’s as blue as much as the car’s a Fairlane.
I had a neighborhood chum across the alley from my parents, and this was his 1st car, only green, I think. I remember the ad blitz, “442”, just the name, like it was a Ferrari, but we were surprised, aside from the 442 badges, it was just a Cutlass. Fact is, his moms ’59(?) Rambler could beat it. ( The Rambler was no slouch, btw) 442s got pretty fancy later on, but this was the start and paved the way for Oldsmobile to be a contender in racing again. Great find and for the record, it should have a 4 speed, as the original “442” stood for, “4 barrel, 4 speed, 2 exhausts”, changed in ’65 for” 400 ci, 4 barrel, 2 exhausts”, didn’t quite have the same zing.
Hmmmm…I BLEW THE DOORS OF OF A 67 GTO with my stock 65 442 (4 barrel, 4 Speed Dual exhaust)….Rambler would still be trying to catch me ;-)
Great looking Cutlass (F-85?) 442. I agree with Howard about the 4-speed, but if not for being a well optioned automatic the car probably wouldn’t exist today. Someone bought this car and cherished it from day one.
Looking again at 1965 as the peak of GM styling the B-O-P intermediates are all light and crisp in appearance. Then you look at the Chevelle and see that weird big butt look. I always wondered how that could have happened.
What dictates where you put the two hubcaps, right side, left side, just the back or only the front, one on each side switching front to back, the choices
are endless including taking them all off.
400 4 barrel dual exhaust is what 4-4-2 means
In May of 1965 I ordered the same car from Lloyd A. Wise— Oakland, California. Burgundy Mist, black interior. This vehicle was manufactured in Fremont, California at the G.M plant which is now the Tesla manufacturing facility. The one item that this particular 442 lacks is the ” pinched exhaust tips otherwise it looks stock. These 442’s came with black road wheels, US Royal Red Line Tiger Paws. Mine had the optional wire wheel hub caps. These 442’s did not come with white wall tires or painted red wheels. My 442 was a 4 speed stick and would outrun a 4 barrel GTO but not the 3×2 barrel GTO option. 17000 442’s were manufactured in 1965 opposed to approximately 35000 1965 GTO. For this reason you see very few Olds 442 up for sale. A fellow classmate also purchased a 442 in 1965. His was the 2 door POST car which were rare compared to the 2 door hardtop.
I have a comment. Ads are ruining this site. How do I stop this.
I have the same car a ’65 Cutlass, but in the two-door Convertible with the high compression 330.
Mine has documented 68.026.5 miles on it, so far today! I looked at the photos and I would say mine is in similar but slightly better condition. It’s 98% complete with only odds and ends totaling less than $400 needed to restore everything including decals. I didn’t think the chrome air cleaner was stock on the 4 barrel 330. My car has one like the 442, but with a different tin applique.
I’m finishing the brakes on the driver’s side and I’ve repacked bearings and they’re ready to go so I might add some mileage to the odometer this afternoon.
I’m a bidder.
“Hurst chrome shifter”? No, just the stock Olds shifter in the console.
Hurst chome shifter that’s a new one😂 just stock olds shifter and who painted the trunk! this isn’t a chevy 65 olds trunks are painted body color
A guy named Mike had a red conv with white interior.back in the day, it was a bummer when he totaled it plowing into some stopped drag racers on the Clearview Exp in Queens…
In 1965 some friends visited us and the car they showed up in was a navy blue with white top 1965 442 with 4 speed. The owner asked my dad to take him up the road in it and show him how to speed shift it. Much to my chagrin dad would not allow me to go along. I made up for it when I got my license 4 years later by buying a 67 RT 440 Magnum however.
Too bad that the frame is toast…. Hopefully people bidding looked at all of the pictures.??
From Wisconsin, 58 years later it moves to Lexington SC. The locals call the area “sand land” because ancient dunes abound.
Great for concrete manufacturing, not so kind to rust. This car spent 1 summer (no AC) in SC, owner got hot, and the car continues to rust.
Add air, really replace/repair the metal, then drive or sell is what my magic Jenie says she would do with it for me when I find her old vase on the beach…
Good luck with the sale.
N98 chrome reverse style rims were cool to be factory and rare too.
A refreshing change from the SS Chevelles and the GTOs at the local car cruise. Nice car
I know a guy in central michigan,oil city michigan to be precise who has a 65 cutlass convertible parked in his front yard,bright yellow and it’s just sitting there out in the elements,he also has a 73 cutlass S,God only knows what’s stashed in the barn,I know for sure of a 71 cutlass convertible that sat outside in the elements for years,I grew up across the road from this family and have seen countless Olds convertibles he’s owned that have been so neglected,what a shame,I do know he has some really rare and valuable Olds sheet metal,engines,bumpers etc etc that collectors would seek out but Ed is a tough nut in his early 80’s and he won’t part with anything,he use to say u might have raced and beat somebody else’s Oldsmobile but u never raced Ed’s oldsmobile…
Just out of high school in the summer of 69 I worked for a fellow that would visit near by auctions and liked to purchase muscle cars that needed work. We would get them back to his garage and we would fix what was needed then they would go to his brothers car lot or if not good enough back to a different auction.One of the best projects he brought us was three 65 red 442s like this. All with red interiors and 4 speeds . One was wrecked one with a blown motor and one with a bad transmission.From the 3 we built 2 nice cars.A lot of fun and learned a lot about cars..