carnut64

Hey guys, new to the group, been an avid classic car guy most of my life. Just picked up a weird olds, that I was going to use as a donor car for my el camino, but after driving it, Ive decided to sell the elco and dump all my efforts into the 442. Its a 1978 Olds 442, 305 4bbl, factory 4 speed, AC, tilt, cruise, tach dash, buckets, sport suspension ect... its a hoot to drive but needs LOTSA love from sitting idle for 15 yrs out doors. From what Ive read, the only made about 2500 442s in the ugly body style, and approx 3% of them came with a 4 speed which makes it a VERY low production car (<75).

oldcutlass

Welcome to the site. I'd put a list of parts you need together and post it in the parts wanted section.

joe_padavano

Welcome. The aeroback body style was only made for the 1978-79 model years. A manual trans version is pretty rare. I assume those are the parts you wanted for your ElCo? Not much else on that car (other than the Chebby motor) would be useful.

carnut64

I just posted some stuff earlier, thank you for the help.

carnut64

Yes joe, thats exactly what i had planned the 4 speed stuff, the bucket seats, and the springs and sway bars and steering box. my 442 has huge sway bars and handles like a go cart.

A-BodyLover

Very nice! I really dig the rare cars.. The lower the number the better

carnut64

just picked up another 1978 442, 305 auto, tilt, cruise, rear defrost, reclining passenger bucket seat, ralleys, cammed up 305, hi rise, headers, original sales invoice, owners manual, warranty info, ect....drove it home.

Yellowstatue

You have finally come to the conclusion that more of the same is much, much better!

nonhog

I know a gal in Burien (?) who was (is?) selling her 403 powered Cutlass that style.

joe_padavano

Wait! In the matter of a week, you got TWO of them!?!?! Geeze, you're worse than me!

OLD SKL 69

x2

Great job, you've formally become an Olds addict and there's no cure.

carnut64

well, I have since gutted the Olds #2 of all the interior and body parts needed to make the 4 speed car decent. Now Im parting out car #2, the aeroback may not be the most desireable of the 442s, but they are also really hard to find parts for, so if anyone needs anything...I may have it.

carnut64

I think I will just stick to making my 4speed one the best that it can possibly be at the moment...I love driving it, its a blast

Diego

So where did you read this?

I ask because I'm showing 2,541 4-4-2s built in 1978.

carnut64

http://www.oldspower.com/vb/archive/...p?t-13449.html

this is where i found the info, however I stand corrected (didnt read the whole forum), and they do specify the 2500 figure later on in the forum dividing it between the W29 optioned G87 and J87 Cutlass Salon and Salon Brougham. Mine is the J87 which is one of 1138, the G87 production is 1380. Its still unclear how many 4 speeds were made though..I want THOSE numbers...lol

carnut64

lmao... yes joe, I dont screw around, and since that week, I have transferred every bit of the good interior (dash included), both bumpers, RF fender, installed a headliner and gutted the other car ect.....

rocketraider

The 4-speed was available ONLY with the 305, and I'm not 100% sure the 305 could even be had with an automatic. The Olds 260 (most common engine) could have either automatic or 5-speed.

Either way you have a rare little beast that people either love or hate. Took 'em a long time to grow on me...

carnut64

My parts car was a 305 automatic car originally according to the numbers...but someone had jerked it out and stuffed a 1970 350 chevy in it...that has all been sold now.