Real Deal: 1969 Oldsmobile 442
Designations like SS, Stage 1, Ram Air, or 442 are always bound to catch the eye of a GM muscle car enthusiast. Even if the car is a rusty hulk, these designations will cause a lot of people to wonder, “Is it worth it?” This might be the case here with this 1969 Oldsmobile 442, found here on Craigslist in Amoret, Missouri.
The seller states that this 442 is the real deal and appears to have the original 400 cubic inch V8 sitting in the engine bay. It doesn’t take long to notice that original or not, a new owner probably won’t get any use out of it. There also looks to be an assortment of other engine parts scattered in the trunk. Maybe something there could be salvageable for use.
Unfortunately, the interior looks to have been subjected to the elements for a lengthy amount of time. A full interior replacement would be required to make this car presentable again. It’s no surprise that the floor pans are rusty upon seeing the rust on other parts of the car. A lot of cutting, welding, and grinding awaits some brave soul out there.
There always seems to be two camps when looking at a project like this – the completely original crowd and the custom crowd. I could see this one going either way but I’m not so sure that going through the work of making this completely original would be worth the time and energy. No matter what, this 442 is going to take a lot of resources to get it back on the road again. So, is the $2,500 asking price worth the price of admission to get started?
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Comments
No
Ditto
Ditto times 2000, one too many zeros on the price
Nay said the horse.
You guys think $2500. is too much, I guess ,to me it would depend on the rust, if the floor boards/trunk arent bad and the quarters arent bad, might not be too much? Especially if all or most of the engine stuff is there. That being said, dumping 10,12 grand would yield you a really nice 442, either as a restored type version or a nice little street muscle 442. After all,68/69, to me are 5he best looking years!
Just my opinion!
You guys think $2500. is too much, I guess ,to me it would depend on the rust, if the floor boards/trunk arent bad and the quarters arent bad, might not be too much? Especially if all or most of the engine stuff is there. That being said, dumping 10,12 grand would yield you a really nice 442, either as a restored type version or a nice little street muscle 442. After all,68/69, to me are the best looking years!
Just my opinion!
Might be a parts car for a Cutlass or 442 owner. Probably not economically feasible to do a full restoration.
I had one that same original color”Trophy Blue, back in the day. This one being an original vinyl top car, and given it’s current state. To much effort.,for me at any cost.
I’m not even sure that motor can be revived with an overbore. Damn shame, Olds 442 is quite a prize in good working order. Wonder how someone manages to ignore such a great car to the point of it deteriorating to this state. However, as bad as the car looks, some of the close up pics show a fairly solid car. Maybe there’s hope!
Chris, thank you. I just don’t understand how and why people allow cars to fall into such ruin?
Tom sometimes people just don’t have the buck or the desire. Before you know it It’s been out side for twenty years. In that time frame I wonder how many people he refused to sell to thinking”someday”.
Asking $2K. Seems likely to be worth that in parts which, given the sketchy title history, is about the only option here.
Looks like a flood car
Yes worth it…..who’s driving a full resto anyways ? Just get er’ up and use it – not many left around.
I think it would only be worth it if you could most, if not all, the work yourself, as it would be a labour of love!! Still, its got good bones so yes, I’d have a crack!!
My favorite year of the 442’s, they sure can look good set up with rims and tires of the after market type, full length headers slightly visible down there, not too shiny…stock they look pretty darn good but I just like them a bit worked. This one was treated with lots of love, just look at that interior!
I’d say it may have been raced? Look at rear rims, tires. Slicks? If not, some fat boys at least. How does a car get like that? I’m thinking they raced it, tore it down once, found something they didn’t like and we can’t see, and started stripping it for some other racer they had, or for any part so done would buy. That’s where you find headlights, heads, virtually every thing but block gone, and the inside was stripped for drag track, but all the stuff thrown back in when it was sidelined. I’ve seen a hundred cars treated just like this, shame it’s a classic olds though. But when they were tormenting it on the track it was just a muscle car for Saturday night fun. My guess on its life.