I posted this on another forum but have not received many replies so I am going to try this one. I am considering purchasing a 1966 442 in Charlotte Michigan. Would anyone on this forum know anything about this car? It was on Ebay twice that I know of. Any help would be much appreciated.

 

Do you have any more info to help us out? Pics, links, anything????

 

This may be your answer. No one has seen the car, or, at least, no one has seen the car who has also seen your question, at least not yet. People aren't usually going to post just to say "not me."

 

Car is advertised at "onestopmotors.com", select "used cars", then "search used vehicles", then select "oldsmobile", then "1966 to 1966", there will be two choices, its the 442. Car is also on Craigslist, select "michigan", then "lansing", then "cars and trucks", then use the search and type in "442", its shown under "1966 442 tri-power".

 

copy and post the link so the right people can look at it in 1 click

 

I'm sorry, but I wouldn't have the slightest idea on how to do that! I'm not real sophisticated with a computer. I know how to get into trouble with a computer, just don't know how to get out of trouble!

 

The car looks nice, wheels look like Buick wheels and not Olds to me. You need to research or hire an appraiser before spending that kind of cash and an in person inspection. Many 66's were converted to the 3-2bbl setup. I would want to see documentation that it was original. Then find out if its full of bondo or what kind of history goes with the car.

 

Maybe this works? http://lansing.craigslist.org/cto/1828622849.html
http://www.onestopmotors.com/ad_deta...px?ad_id=29472

 

it sure is gorgeous! if you can retrieve the vin, and cowl tag information and post it here- you are sure to get some help in deciphering it on this site!

 

The VIN doesn't tell you much. The cowl tag will at least let you know if it's really a 442. I'm always skeptical of rust belt cars - they have almost certainly been patched, so the question is, what's under that "resale red" paint. Check carefully. Also note the dash has been hacked up for aftermarket gauges and stereo - you can't get those dashes repro. The spaghetti farm of wires hanging under the dash is also worrisome. A subtle point is the use of allen head cap screws on the crossover blockoff plates on the intake - those are not stock.

My take is that the car has been apart and put back together. The question is, what was done at that time?

 

I have only the standard advice .
1.Times are tough and that includes for car sharks .Asking price is therefore too high by a large margin (and twice unsold on ebay)
2.Listen to the guys on here ,they will help you.

 

Here is the VIN# 338176M424216
Cowl Tag 07C K
ST 66-33817 LAN 31266 BODY
TR 080-C J-J PAINT
W 2L
5V

 

Car was just on Ebay:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...%3D1&viewitem=

It did not sell with a $22.5k BIN.
There is nothing *shown* to indicate that it is not an original L69. It is indeed an original 4-speed 442 and appears to be legit. But the Ebay no-sale and the fact that is has been for sale for some time raises some suspicion.
Personally, I would never dream of spending that kind of money without personally inspecting the car, or *possibly* having someone I trust do the inspection.
At least there is nothing jumping out and saying "bum deal".

 

I personally went to see the car. I could find no evidence of bondo or any accident repair. Car has the boxed lower control arms in the rear and both sway bars. Undercarriage looked very clean. Fit of panels was pretty good, with no gap problems except for the trunk. The trunk did not fit well on the passenger side, was raised, did not look like someone closed the trunk lid onto something, just a factory glitch. The paint was pretty good with some chips and some very fine scratches, nothing major, very presentable. All the numbers seem to indicate a matching numbers car. Only the passenger side exhaust manifold was incorrect as it was a "Z" and should be I believe a "W". The carb tags were missing from the front and back carbs, the middle carb had the correct tag 7026055-56 that looked original as it was pretty worn. There was a problem with the performance of the engine. If you kept a steady speed the car had a buck to it as if it needed to be downshifted. If you downshifted it still had the buck or hestitation almost as if a slight miss. I agree with Mr Padavano about the dash which is the biggest problem, but at least it can be replaced. Continued on next post.

 

I also do not understand the price of the car and no one bidding. The owner told me no one came to see the car. I think one of the reasons for the low price is there is no documentation with car. The gas tank was replaced, and the seats were recovered along with a new carpet and no build sheet. Even though the numbers are correct there is no proof. The owner is moving and needs to sell. All of this is why I am trying to find someone who might know about the car. For the life of me I cannot understand why the car has not sold, it seems that nice to me. The owner purchased the car in Mansfield Ohio in 1997. I have agreed to buy the car for $22,000.00. The owner assures me that the hesitation will be corrected. Wish me luck, and thanks to everyone for your help. Its a shame Oldsmobile went out of business because Oldsmobile people are the best. I just hope the guy I am buying the car from is one of those good Olds people.

 

I think paint code J J is for dark green Forrest Mist? The trunk lid problem I dont think would be a factory glitch....

 

I hope all works out well, nice to see trunk compartment restored correctly, make sure you give us a report after the buy!

 

Yes the car was originally green. On the trunk lid the gaps at the top and bottom of lid were pretty straight so that is why I do not think someone closed the trunk onto something. I know panel fit back in those days was not the greatest, but this car was pretty good.

 

It sounds like you've done your due diligence, and you're satisfied. As soon as it's yours, you'll start fixing the things that you want to fix, and it'll soon be your own. Buy it, enjoy it, and don't think too hard about it anymore!