Hello guys.
Can you tell me all the info you know about a 1976 olds 442? What should i know about this car? I am about to buy one. Its original 350 ci engine has bees replaced by a 455 buick. The car needs restoration. What is car worth it if all factory restored and kept the 455 buick in? It has swiveling bucket seats and center console. Blue color with a white vinyl roof.

 

Not the most helpful answer, but it won't be worth much. Prob better to find one that needs little if you value your bank balance.

 

An Oldsmobile without an Oldsmobile engine is pretty much not an Oldsmobile regardless of what the badges on the side say or what color or type of seats it has. I would guess that it would have nothing more than used car value.

Why is this car so desirable? Are you planning to replace the Buick engine with an Olds engine? If not, why not pass this one and look for a similar car that still has its original engine? Not that '76 442s were screamers, anyway. By then, the smog motor phenomenon was in full swing, and the 442 was more an appearance package than anything else. Which I guess means who cares what engine it has, right?

 

Just finishing up restoration on my 1976 442, I will throw my two cents in. First how much are they asking for this car? Lets see some pics? Are the rear quarters filled with bondo or rusted out? Floor pans? Do you have good front valance with grillls? Good bumpers to either shine up and use, re chrome?

Your question is hard to answer without seeing what shape the car is in. I have alot into my car over the last 8 years - and especially to the body shop that did the body work. Good work not bondo molding like in years past on my first car. This car has sentimental value to me as my folks bought it a month after I was born.
My first car was a 76 olds 442, blue/white - full of bondo but a quick repaint and it was good. Wasn't worth a restoration as the frame was bad, floor boards, bondo all over... I wish I had kept it... Just lucky we held on to the family one..

Olds engines are not to hard find. But are pricier to build than chevy. I have a built olds 350 on my engine stand and a core in the corner. As I swapped out the olds 350 for an olds 455 i had over hauled and balanced/blue printed. Keep an eye on craigs list, or the forums here, or call Classic Olds LLC in north carolina and get an olds motor.
Interior pieces are hard to find, at present no interior trim other than the a-posts are reproduced. Though you see some ok pieces on ebay, just have to clean and redye/paint. Swivel seats were cool option.

So if you really like the car, its uniqueness, the price is right, and you can do some of the work yourself. Go for it.
You will most likely be the only one at most car shows with one of that year, let alone a 442 of that year. Turns heads !