455 V8 Rare Color: 1969 Oldsmobile 442
Oldsmobile’s entry into the 1960s muscle car craze was the 442 (or 4-4-2). The accepted explanation for the name is that it stood for 4-barrel carburetor, 4-speed manual transmission, and dual exhaust. The seller’s 1969 edition may be rare in that it’s both a convertible and wears a lesser-seen color (per the seller). Located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, this “not your father’s Oldsmobile” is available here on craigslist for $39,000 and is another tip brought to us by Barn Finder T.J.!
Oldsmobile produced just under 30,000 4-4-2s in 1969, of which 4,300 were droptops. Depending on the engine package, the numbers will drop further, and the seller tells us less than 200 were painted Powder Blue from the factory. But unless you ordered a Hurst/Olds, we don’t think the 455 cubic inch V8 was available in numbers until 1970. The 400 was still the standard engine as a W-30 or W32. That leads us to believe the V8 in the seller’s car is not original and was added later in its reported 71,000 miles.
Even if not numbers-matching, this seems like an impressive automobile. And yet, the seller only provides four photos, excluding the engine compartment. With a TH-400 automatic transmission, we’re told this Olds runs and drives as it should. Sway bars augment the suspension, and disc brakes (just front or all four?) are there to stop this car after a dead run, the latter being new. The seller has also installed a new fuel pump and a full set of tires.
The body and paint are presented as driver-quality, per the seller, which means not at the Concours level. But the contrasting white interior is original and looks to be quite nice, with bucket seats and a console. This muscle machine has air conditioning, but it’s not hooked up. The seller suggests this vehicle is priced about $10,000 less than others on the internet. But it will be up to the buyer to decide if it would be a bargain. Trades considered.
Comments
This 69 has been for sale for several months going back to last summer. Probably a bit high on the price being that it is not an original engine and the color is an acquired taste. Personally, I like the baby blue. I owned an azure blue 70 Supreme with blue interior. It looked sharp but it definitely was not many dudes favorite color. A lot of women liked it though.
Non original engine, non-operable AC, incorrect (but a fan of) 4 spoke steering wheel, rare but not desirable color, with the wheels painted body color does not justify $39k. I have a weak spot for the 69’s, I’ve had 3 442’s including a W30 4 speed, and 5 69 Cutlasses, all converts. Your Azure Blue 70 had to be nice, I had a 70 in Platinum Poly with the blue interior, dark blue convertible top. I was surprised to see it featured here on Barn Finds a while back.
I bought your 1970 Platinum Silver/Blue Interior 442. Or at least the one featured here back in August. Love it!
I thought the 442 had a 4 speed Manual Tranny ,? Why does the Article say a ” TH-400 automatic transmission, ” ?
4 speed was dropped beginning 1974. 442 became basically a trim package. The only transmission available was the automatic.
Gee, if you expect someone to pay tens of thousands of dollars for something, you’d at least put up numerous, and much better pictures. Almost everyone knows the 69 442 only came with a 400 engine, so obviously this engine isn’t original, and could be a low compression dog from 1976. Since the seller is making little effort, he probably does not want to sell at all.
Lazy, or a scam.
Seller is testing the water to satisfy a divorce settlement. Purely my personal observation.
Love that 60’s color.
IMO ’69 was the peak of this generation of GM A-bodies, the Cutlass no exception. 1970 has the largest displacement engines and ’68 still featured wing windows on all models but the overall look began to devolve afterwards. This could be a good looking car if finished.
If I recall correctly, Powder Blue was the name of this color, but it was only available on the Toronado in 1969. 1970 brought the same color back for the full Oldsmobile line as Azure Blue or Powder Blue🤷🏻♂️
Craigslist, No phone #, only 4 pictures, No tag shown on pictures. All the signs scream scammer
Ok, I just sent a message thru CL. See what if any I get a answer. I’ll let you all know if I do. If not, I’m done with this.
I have not heard back. As of right now.
So the 69 442 didn’t come with a 455 cid engine and the only difference from my 68 was the transmission? As much as I loved my 68 drop top l should have known that.
Yep… the 455 was standard on the 1970 cars. Other than minor styling changes to the front and rear, and a locking steering column they are virtually identical