Quote:
Originally Posted by 2blu442
Hi Tim
Yes, the vin should start with 34477 or 34487 if it's a real 442. Then the engine should be a 400 cubic inch painted bronze. There should be a number stamped into the block that includes part of the vin number. Look for a small pad cast into the block on the drivers side, down underneath the head to the left of the spark plug closest to the radiator. If the alternator is on the drivers side of the engine you may have to get a mirror and a flashlight as the alternator bracket is going to make it hard to see. The last 8 digits should match the vin number on the dash. The transmission will also have a vin number stamped into it. Is it an automatic or four speed? I still lean toward this being a custom job, but if its done well you might still enjoy buying it to drive. But as an investment I suspect this kind of custom work would detract from the collectors value. What part of the country are you in? You might be able to find someone from a local 442 club who could help verify details for you. John
|
OK, I bought the car... the guy was asking what I thought was quite a bit for it, and I made an offer which he accepted after a few days.
The top is definately custom, and well-done. The car was a Holiday Coupe but has had the windshield, pillars, and header changed to convertible pieces. The hardtop was cut right at the point were the rear quarter windows begine to turn upwards, and across to leave a "Targa bar" like a '69 Corvette coupe would have if it didn't have the T-bar in the middle. The front section of the cut hardtop has the convertible header welded in, along with the side convertible frame sections that have the latches. Very clean, very custom work; in front, although it's a hardtop, it looks and acts like a convertible.
In the back, there are two 3/8" x 1" mild steel tabs on the hardtop that fit into matching receivers under the "rollbar" roof. The rollbar roof section has been properly recessed to accomodate the top, and weatherstrip, like a T-top would have. All in all, it's a very professional job and looks cool. For the money I paid, I couldn't go wrong.
The car was a medium/light green metalic originally, and is now black with red W-stripes and gold border pinstriping. It has the factory rear wing. The interior is all there, no cracks at all in tha dash, and it has both the factory tachometer, as well as the under-dash chrome pod Oldsmobile power/vacuum guage... pretty funky. All the 442 badging and pieces seem to be in place, both inside and out. It is missing the front bumper.
The engine may or may not be original; I couldn't see any numbers because the fuel pump was right in the way? What should I find for head casting numbers, and where? Manifold numbers?
It has the 12-bolt rear end under it still, which was a huge plus... engine and trans are "supposed" to be original, but we'll see. VIN is 344879M25252 if anyone can make more out of that than I could.
Anyhow, this is my first Oldsmobile, and it seems to be a cool one. I'm finishing out my shop to perform full restorations, and have some done cars, along with some projects... this falls into the latter catagory, but would obviously be an attractive car, done. ~Tim