Wanting to build a 76 Olds 442
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Registered User
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1
From: SE Iowa
Wanting to build a 76 Olds 442
Hey everyone, new to the forums here.
I would love to build myself a 76 Olds 442.
I am 43 years old and have built a few cars. All Chevys. A 70 Chevelle SS 396, and a 69 Camaro. Chevys are all i know yet, but i want to get into an Olds. A guy in my town had a 76 442 in the late 80's. It was a sweet car. I checked it out every time i drove by.
I recently found a picture of a 76 442 on the internet and it has rekindled my fire for one. With the price of musclecars going through the roof these days, i would like to find something a little more cheaper and obscure.
Ok... at the risk of alienating you guys i should mention that i have always wanted to build something with a newer powertrain. Like an LS1 motor and an overdrive tranny. I can hear the purists cussing me now. I could handle building a 442 replica from a Cutlass, and it not being a real 442. Not trying to slap anybody in the face here. I just figure it may be the cheapest way to go in a project like this. If i could find a fairly rust free car with most everything, i'd be in buisness.
That being said, how tough is it finding parts for a 76 442? Do any interior parts interchange from other makes? How hard finding interior/exterior, suspension or bady panels? This would not be a numbers matching concours restoration. Just want it to LOOK like a real 76 442. So the hard to find parts could be substituted by similar parts.
Can i have your thoughts on this? and what do you think would be the best way to go about it?
I would love to build myself a 76 Olds 442.
I am 43 years old and have built a few cars. All Chevys. A 70 Chevelle SS 396, and a 69 Camaro. Chevys are all i know yet, but i want to get into an Olds. A guy in my town had a 76 442 in the late 80's. It was a sweet car. I checked it out every time i drove by.
I recently found a picture of a 76 442 on the internet and it has rekindled my fire for one. With the price of musclecars going through the roof these days, i would like to find something a little more cheaper and obscure.
Ok... at the risk of alienating you guys i should mention that i have always wanted to build something with a newer powertrain. Like an LS1 motor and an overdrive tranny. I can hear the purists cussing me now. I could handle building a 442 replica from a Cutlass, and it not being a real 442. Not trying to slap anybody in the face here. I just figure it may be the cheapest way to go in a project like this. If i could find a fairly rust free car with most everything, i'd be in buisness.
That being said, how tough is it finding parts for a 76 442? Do any interior parts interchange from other makes? How hard finding interior/exterior, suspension or bady panels? This would not be a numbers matching concours restoration. Just want it to LOOK like a real 76 442. So the hard to find parts could be substituted by similar parts.
Can i have your thoughts on this? and what do you think would be the best way to go about it?
Registered User
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,173
From: Somerset Wisconsin
It is a buyers market so I would take advantage of it. The prices of 73-77 cars are still low enough to get a great deal. I would get an unmolested factory beauty. A Hurst, W30 or a 442. You could make the 455 motors come to life pretty easily, and a rear gear change would help too. I saw a Hurst Olds in LA or Phoenix for $1300 if my memory is right also check out this 442 on craigslist. I just came back to Olds after having Chevys for the last 20 years and I remember the Oldsmobiles having low end torque and smooth power, and a sound of their own. I don't have any weird convictions about transplanting engines into different cars, I could care less, it just seems counterproductive. Olds motors are bullet proof. I think you need a road trip to Phoenix.
Good luck, my 2 cents http://phoenix.craigslist.org/wvl/cto/980096238.html
Good luck, my 2 cents http://phoenix.craigslist.org/wvl/cto/980096238.html
Last edited by MN71W30; Jan 5, 2009 at 07:49 PM.
Seasoned beater pilot.
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,468
From: Chicago
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,623
From: Sherwood Park, Alberta
Hey everyone, new to the forums here.
I would love to build myself a 76 Olds 442.
I am 43 years old and have built a few cars. All Chevys. A 70 Chevelle SS 396, and a 69 Camaro. Chevys are all i know yet, but i want to get into an Olds. A guy in my town had a 76 442 in the late 80's. It was a sweet car. I checked it out every time i drove by.
I recently found a picture of a 76 442 on the internet and it has rekindled my fire for one. With the price of musclecars going through the roof these days, i would like to find something a little more cheaper and obscure.
Ok... at the risk of alienating you guys i should mention that i have always wanted to build something with a newer powertrain. Like an LS1 motor and an overdrive tranny. I can hear the purists cussing me now. I could handle building a 442 replica from a Cutlass, and it not being a real 442. Not trying to slap anybody in the face here. I just figure it may be the cheapest way to go in a project like this. If i could find a fairly rust free car with most everything, i'd be in buisness.
That being said, how tough is it finding parts for a 76 442? Do any interior parts interchange from other makes? How hard finding interior/exterior, suspension or bady panels? This would not be a numbers matching concours restoration. Just want it to LOOK like a real 76 442. So the hard to find parts could be substituted by similar parts.
Can i have your thoughts on this? and what do you think would be the best way to go about it?
I would love to build myself a 76 Olds 442.
I am 43 years old and have built a few cars. All Chevys. A 70 Chevelle SS 396, and a 69 Camaro. Chevys are all i know yet, but i want to get into an Olds. A guy in my town had a 76 442 in the late 80's. It was a sweet car. I checked it out every time i drove by.
I recently found a picture of a 76 442 on the internet and it has rekindled my fire for one. With the price of musclecars going through the roof these days, i would like to find something a little more cheaper and obscure.
Ok... at the risk of alienating you guys i should mention that i have always wanted to build something with a newer powertrain. Like an LS1 motor and an overdrive tranny. I can hear the purists cussing me now. I could handle building a 442 replica from a Cutlass, and it not being a real 442. Not trying to slap anybody in the face here. I just figure it may be the cheapest way to go in a project like this. If i could find a fairly rust free car with most everything, i'd be in buisness.
That being said, how tough is it finding parts for a 76 442? Do any interior parts interchange from other makes? How hard finding interior/exterior, suspension or bady panels? This would not be a numbers matching concours restoration. Just want it to LOOK like a real 76 442. So the hard to find parts could be substituted by similar parts.
Can i have your thoughts on this? and what do you think would be the best way to go about it?
If you're building a clone that should be pretty easy.
My 76 (real)
InOlds2004.jpg
Last edited by 442much; Jan 6, 2009 at 05:57 PM.
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