I just got a phone call today and was told that my first car, 1966 Olds 442, is up for sale. I don't know the price as of yet, but I can almost guarantee he will want tooo much as he's a car salesman. He put some $$$ into the drivetrain, but the body looks like crap now. The problem is that the car I'm building right now, also a '66 442, is what I visioned my first car to look like when completed. Without all the bondo and rust as mine is a rust free Ca car. I think, regretfully, I'm gonna let it go as much as I don't want to..............

 

Who called you, and why don't you find out the price? Always ok to say "no" when you "know". Sometimes you get a nice surprise.
From what you've said, it sounds like you really want the first car. But you're talking yourself out of it before you have all the information.
Does your first car have sentimental value?

 

It's my first car, the one I went through high school with when I got my license in 1988. My old roomate called and told me, we're all still close friends. I found a music video it was in back in 2000, it's the black 442 http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?artist=1069&vid=8624

 

Unfortunately I can't play the link because it has a copyright that won't let it be played outside continental 48. Oh well. In my head I'm thinking that a 66 442 in gloss black with chrome would be a wicked looking street enforcer. What is the driveline that the $$$ was spent on? Was it a posi 12 bolt?
Still if you guys are still good buds, maybe he can work with you. (or is he the dealer now????)

 

If you sold the car sometime ago, then why buy it again? Apparently you have a better project with a solid body. If you bought your old car then it would just be another iron in the fire. Just playing devil's advocate. Whatever you do, make sure you give it some thought.

 

Here's a pic of the car when I had it, around 1995'ish, when I sold it to him, it's been sitting outside since 442.jpg and here's my current project in nekkid state. Note minimal bondo and rust free quarters and fenders PROJECTOLDS21.jpg

 

Take your time, do it right. That is going to be one killer looking car. You're right, for a 66 if that is all SOLID metal, you've got a winner. What color you going with?
Dad had a 67, but it was 4 door. Ours was "deepwater blue" - metallic flake. Dark enough to look black in the shade and night, but incredible metallic in the sun.
What do you have for power and driveline in that machine of yours? Doesn't look like the same wheels either. Going billet or back to stock? Personally I think P05 SS1 wheels on that car would be the finishing touch.

 

It's going to be Dodge Electric Blue Pearl, kinda Pepsi can blue. I found an original complete '66 400 (yes, an "E" block) short block from ebay, gonna rebuild it stock except to clean up the casting flash and such, then add the Edelbrock heads, intake, Turbo 200 trans, 3.73 (or so) rear and Sparky's Carb will hook me up with a tuned QJ. Paint it up in the Olds bronze. Mine is an F-85 442, the car had a Cutlass front clip on it so we welded the holes and gotta cut them for the fender scoops. The wheels, you read my mind, but I'm going to go with a 17" SS1 from Wheel Vintiques, front disc brakes, Global West susp with a 2" drop or so, a/c (car is an orig a/c car) and finish it up with the original Ca black and yellow license plates I have. It's a dream, what I feel will be a tribute in my eyes what my 442 is to become. I'm going to drive the thing and enjoy it!

 

Sounds like a cool project. Keep us updated. With pictures! We like pictures.

If I'm reading the other posts right I agree with guys, stick with the project you have.

Don

 

I'm still up in the air tranny wise. Part of me wants an auto o/d to cruise and another part of me loves to bang gears............... On the plus side, I think he changed his mind about the car, I was hanging out with his family all weekend fixing their truck and nothing was said even when I asked how the car and Chris were doing.........

 

Wicked. About the tranny? Why are you going turbo 200. (assume you're talking the 200R4 right?) If it's the same as the one I'm thinking about - 1982/83/84?? you're going to have to rebuild it. They had notoriously weak planetary gears. Even GM upgraded the tranny to a 700 valve body and changed the gear I believe in late 84. Mine only lasted 40 000 miles before it crapped out, and it was almost all highway. You guessed it - no warranty cause the car was just over 3 years old. Man, if you're going 400 block I'd go stick every day with that one. Love your choice of gears. 3:73 should give you good flexibility and crusing. I'm going 3:42 posi in my 72. I like your wheel choice. Have you gauged to make sure you've got clearance? One of the guys on this site is doing his 66 442. Got a lot of great pics posted on his thread. Here's the link if you're interested. You might want to compare notes on your projects.

https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...her-while.html

 

That's the spirit! She looks great I drive mine most every day to work and love the torque. Sounds like a solid plan. Best of luck.

Regards,

Fred