Dream67Olds442

Hello everyone,
I have a 1967 Olds 442 with the TH400 automatic transmission. I have seen a source that stated 12,528 1967 442's were built with that transmission. Does anyone know of any resource that further breaks that number down into column vs. center console shifted units?
Thanks!

Dream67Olds442

Hello everyone,
I have a 1967 Olds 442 with the TH400 automatic transmission. I have seen a source that stated 12,528 1967 442's were built with that transmission. Does anyone know of any resource that further breaks that number down into column vs. center console shifted units?
Thanks!

Diego

There is no resource that breaks it down between column and console.

Killian_Mörder

Were there column-shifted 4-4-2s built whatsoever? I've never seen a column-shifted Starfire. The same policy must go for the 4-4-2, unless a dealership tailor made one for a customer planning on female companions sitting up close

Hairy Olds

Yes, I have seen plenty. I personally would have not bought or ordered one that way. Bench seats also.

Dream67Olds442

Hi Guys,
Thanks for the responses. That's my 1967 442 in the attached photos. I included a pic of the cowl tag. The reason I was asking the question is that I'm trying to determine, to the lowest extent I can, how many of my specific type of car were made. Essentially, how rare it is. The most specific I can find at this point is a resource that identifies eight thousand and some odd number (can't remember exact number right now) of 442 Holiday Coupes with the TH400 transmission were built in 67. If I could further break that number down by how many were column shift cars, or by exterior/interior color combo it would be great, but I don't think those resources exist???

Diego

Why must the policy be the same?

To the OP, there are some numbers for consoles, but they're for Cutlass Supremes, so no way to know how many had the 4-4-2 package, not to mention how many were automatic vs. stick.

Dream67Olds442

Hi Diego,
Thanks for the response! From various sources, corroborated by more than one source, I have found the following: 24,833 Cutlass Supreme 442's were produced in 1967; 12,528 of those were produced with the TH400 3-speed automatic transmission; 8,928 of those automatic transmission 442's were Holiday Coupes like my car. It sounds like you have a good handle on 442 documentation and sources. Can you think of any other way I could narrow it down any further? Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Oldsmaniac

I like it! Was looking at your column shift bezel on the dash, looks like just PRNDL or is it PRNDSL as it should be?

Diego

The GM Heritage Center has numbers through June 1967, with July 1967 missing. The only info you can glean from there are individual 4-4-2-specific options, like W30. The console will be grouped among all Cutlass Supremes and won't distinguish among transmissions, never mind the fact it's not complete production info since 1 month is MIA.

Dream67Olds442

Oldsmaniac,
Thanks for the compliment! The first pic was taken just this past weekend. It was really nice here in St. Louis, and two buddies of mine who have classic cars and I went on a 110-mile cruise out historic "Route 66". That's the farthest I've driven my car since I got it last November. It was a nice drive through several little country towns. Lots of smiles and waves.

You're correct that my gear indicator lens on the dash reads "Park R N D L", when it should be, "Park R N D S L". I have verified I have a model correct TH400 in my car. I asked the previous owner/restorer about it before I bought it. He told me during the restoration in 2016 they couldn't find a correct replacement, at least not at a price they were willing to pay. I see what he meant, because I've been looking for awhile now. Cheapest one I've found is $100 plus shipping from a guy on this site. I found a couple others but the guys wanted +$200. It bugs me a little since I know it's not correct, I just don't know if it bugs me +$100 worth! Do you have any thoughts on how I could further narrow down how many 67 442's exactly like mine were built or have I gone as far as I can with the resources available???

Diego,
Thanks for the additional thoughts and info, I'll check it out. Much appreciated!

Oldsmaniac

They are pretty scarce, some 67 Vista Cruisers had the turbo 400 trans and probably all of them were column shifted. My 67 Cutlass Turnpike Cruiser was missing the PRNDSL bezel as well and I think I paid 75 bucks for the part. Some times you have to bite the bullet and pony up for wha you need.... Check Ebay also.

Dream67Olds442

Oldsmanic, thanks for the response! I did know about the Vista Cruisers and have thought about searching some local salvage yards. Kinda tough when it's a one model year only part. Thanks again.

Killian_Mörder

I didn't mean that they had to be according to any order from top management. I was questioning the likelihood. I've never seen column-shifted Chevelle SS 396s with bench seats before. GTOs neither. But then again, I've never peeked into each one, simply because I would never have suspected the factory to do such things. If anybody wanted things set up that way, they would have simply shopped at Buick where aging playboys could get accomodated:

PdFwdG5.jpg

Diego

A Starfire was a personal-luxury car that was part of the wave of buckets-and-console cars.

The 4-4-2 was a basic performance car available in a number of trim levels (depending on the year) that came standard with buckets and a 3-speed manual (for most years). Many different configurations were available. If one didn't order a console but ordered an automatic, then the shifter would be on the column.

Killian_Mörder

After heavy duty 3-speeds stopped being produced, they were no longer available.
Were console-shifted automatics available on '67 4-4-2s at all? Or had this just to do with customer preference?

Diego

The 3-speed was standard in 1965 and prob available throughout the 1970s.

There even were 3-speeds on the column for some years (1965-66, I think?), but those are extremely rare.

There were consoles available for most, if not all, years too. Hence, a console automatic was available in 1967.

Addendum: Just noticed you're in Germany. Maybe a 1965-67 Diplomat coupe would be like a German Starfire?

Dream67Olds442

Hi guys - Thanks for the discussion.
To Killian,
Just wanted you to know, that a column shifted automatic was not not my preference, and I would have much preferred a console shifted car, but I couldn't find a 1967 442 that was anywhere near as nice as mine with a console shift that was anywhere near my price range. I have been looking for a 1967 console shift/linkage/center console unit to put into mine, but they are very hard to find,, and if you do find one for sale they cost a fortune. I looked for over a year for a nice 1967 442 before the one I bought finally went up for sale. Even though my car doesn't have the center console shift, it has so many other positive features that I couldn't pass it up for what the owner was asking for it.

Killian_Mörder

I wasn't complaining about your purchase. I simply wouldn't have thought it likely that a performance car would be equipped with a column shift Maybe not as tostesterone-laced as the Starfire.
More like a cross between a Nova and Corvette, having a 327 connected to an independently-suspended rear axle

Dream67Olds442

Killian,
I didn't take any offense to any part of your posts. I appreciate the good natured dialogue between multiple enthusiasts. My last post was just my attempt to explain the thought process I went through when I purchased my car. Appreciate your thoughts and comments.