Hello. I decided to join to get help before I spend my cash on a 65 442. I’m in cali. And saw this car and I wonder if it worth the money. I don’t care if it’s a real 442 or not I just like the body style. Please help. The guy is asking $3k firm and it has at least $800 in fees. Rust around the windshield. I know the trunk was rusted out. No engine or trans.

 

Whats your budget ?

 

honestly I just went crazy at work for 2 weeks to get enough to hopefully get this car. I don’t have anything saved up. But if this car is a trash I would definitely put the money up. So as of now 3k

 

Whats your cash flow after you buy that ?

 

You have a PM

 

Check out my car in cars 4 sale 65-cutlass-442-clone-

 

I make pretty good money and know it would be a ton to rebuild. Would be a restomod build.

 

I'll be real honest, do yourself a favor. Pass up the junk pile. You may not be picky, but that car is not worth the money.
Check out Gerald's car pics.

 

^^^THIS. It will take $5K to make that a $3K car, and that assumes you have the tools and skills to do the sheet metal patching and welding yourself. The 1965 cars are not well supported by the reproduction parts vendors. Repairing the pinchweld rust around the windshield and back window are particularly problematic. The missing parts will likely require a parts car to get replacements.

 

Most likely a parts car would be a better start. Run away from this one.

 

Yeah, but I'm a bad example when it comes to projects like that...

 

He seems to be looking for a "cheap roller" to drop in an LS.

 

I'm not sure that car will roll at the moment.
At least access to the gas tank is easy to install the EFI fuel pump.

 

That car is worth $300 not $3000. Run away. For $3000 you either need to expect a nice roller that doesn't need a lot of body work, or a complete car that does.

 

^^^--He has the solution.

 

Sounds like he already talked himself into it...

 

I haven’t talked myself into anything that’s the reason I asked. I wasn’t sure on the valve of the car. I’m not really hung up on any particular car. Just looking for a 64-65 A body. And yes I want to do an Ls swap and I already have the engine. There’s a few skylarks I’ve also been watching as well.

 

my cash flow can be great if I do a ton of ot. Have guys in my same position doing 10k every 2 weeks.

 

I know this a olds clubs. But do y’all think about Buicks. This one is over priced but he didn’t say firm. Buick special with a rebuilt 300

 

I would like to see more LS conversions into Toyota’s

 

It's hard to tell with the Buick without underside picks.

 

Whats wrong with a Chevelle a body ?

 

I love the Chevy A bodies but they cost more. I’m not chasing and particular name. Just the body style. It may be a bit odd but I really don’t want to pay for a car that has an drive train or interior. I plan to change everything out. I did the same thing to a nova I did a year ago. Doing the same thing right now for my wife 68 cougar.

 

Work some extra O.T. ?

 

The 442 is junk. Not worth the effort.

 

x2

 

went and talked to Gerald about the 65 today. Very cool guy. The car was very solid. Have to set a time to go back and pick it up once he pulls the engine and trans. I’m going need help figuring it out. I’m not sure if there’s an ls section but I’ll check. Thank you for the referral

 

Gerald is a square shooter. I have thought about getting that car for myself. But, I have two Oldsmobile's in process of reconstruction. If one of them was done or close to done, I would have bought it.

 

The LS section is the Non-Olds Powered engine forum. It's been done quite a few times.