1970 442

 

No, but some moron will pay that for it and then LS-swap it.

 

Depends upon the buyer. Me as an ordinary working guy, no way. If I were a very wealthy person with lots of disposable income, sure why not as it wouldn’t take away from the kids’ birthday and Christmas present fund.

 

Its not a Lansing built car, therefore NOT a W-30.

 

If they claimed it is, I missed it.

 

Just my statement about something that would affect the sale price.

 

What's this oil pan from? (with the 3 indentations)



Also appears to be missing the rear frame braces.

 

There are a lot of nits to pick under the hood. Blue battery? Weird M/Cyl? Radiator overflow bottle? Pipe insulation on the A/C muffler? etc.

When I opened this, I expected to see a 442 convertible, 4-speed, with A/C. That might be worth the price.

 

.

 

No way.

 

Different car, same question but in past tense.

Was it worth $80k? 1964 Oldsmobile Cutlass | Volo Museum It was for sale at that price for only a week, so I assume it sold close to that. Undocumented, spatter paint in trunk, wrong Cutlass emblems, and probably more.

 

Nice color tho, wow for 140k you think they would have a decent Fly wheel cover not all banged up

 

Plus pieces with less-worse dents on the oil pan and transmission pan.

 

And the ac POA valve, aftermarket muffler, etc.

 

If mine was on the market I would ask half that price
Alain 1970 platinum 442 4spd factory A/C

 

As would any sane person.

 

It's not a category 1 car with those Cragar SS wheels on it.

 

I know someone with paperwork on a fully restored 70-442 vert w/4 spd with AC. Not one thing is incorrect and the guy would not take less than $150k for it. The bad news, he has well over that amount invested into the car. I marvel at the people on here that claim what they would/should/might pay for a given car. The only opinion that matters when selling a house, cars, anything of a perceived value is the amount the actual buyer pays for a material item. Period. Most people won't or can't pay six figures for cars that are not their primary transportation, so there is that little fact. And almost every time like clock work, these same people have to share what a fool a buyer was to make a given deal. I can't afford a $30M second home, but the thought about judging what a person should or shouldn't pay would never enter my mind. It's called life and some people can afford certain items. But to drone on about it says more about you vs the buyer. Should Jeff Bezo's over pay for a group of contiguous properties on Palm Beach in order to knock high end homes to the ground in order to build a castle? If he can afford, then our second guessing is simply a wasted effort. Yes, this forum is about sharing opinions, so go for it, but I bet most cars that sell for big bucks are hiding the fact they lost money on a given car. That should be a point of conversation as well to tell the whole story. Btw, after looking at the car, I would not pay that price, but my opinion means nothing as I am not interested. Non original rims, etc, but it is a very nice car needing only small changes to bring it back to original.

 

That's because he has no intention of selling it right now. When he wants or needs to sell it, I think he'll take less.

 

The car being discussed here would be a great buy without the “1” in the price. Even a bit more would be a decent buy.

​​​​​​….

 

capstone club made a very good point if you are in this hobby to make money you are in the wrong business
99% of us will loose money on the sale of a frame off restoration .The dealers are making the money not us
Alain 1970 platinum 442 4spd factory A/C

 

https://classicoldsmobile.com/s fabric is not about "throw away money".

This is not a exotic car and the like website. Yes I know wealthy car guys appreciate muscle era. Guys with new 1/4 million dollar cars give me a thumbs up on my beat up driver. Or straight out tell me how cool it is. While my car is worth 1/50th of their cars value. I return the compliment with an appreciative "yours as well chuckle" as my car is one months car payment for them, if I'm lucky. And sure there are obviously some wealthy to extremely wealthy individuals on this website as well, with incredible cars of high value. But the fact that they are here alone indicates they have a more practical approach to car ownership.

With that said some of us are old enough to remember when you could buy nice muscle era cars for 1/3rd of what they cost new. So paying 35 times what it cost new will always be ridiculous at this stage of the game. Yes if you can get it awesome for you. But true Olds guys, older Oldsmobile owners interested in that era, that know you can get a nice complete Cutlass for the same price as a Chevelle carcass. Do not believe in silly prices, because we are likely the most sensible car guys out-there.

And I know as long as I've been into cars (45 years) that you generally never get back for "I poured money into my ride" situations. So your friends car could be a museum piece and it will never be worth that exorbitant amount to most of us here. But it very well may be to the uninformed, or dreamers, etc. That many a car dealer prey upon.

P.S. This very sites most admirable quality is that it offers a vanguard of protection for Oldsmobile enthusiasts. Against getting taken for a fool.

140,000 for a 1970 442 is absurd in 2025 when you take into account everything I laid out above. Is it worth many times what it cost new, absolutely. But 140,000 is very high and if someone asked for opinions with the intent to purchase on this site most would say its ridiculously high as they have in this thread.

 

I say no.

Take this gem from their ad to go with your assessment. " At the heart of it beats a correct 330 making 310 hp. " You have to love salesmen speak.

Correct but not original ?

Is that thee correct 330 ?

Did they mean (period) correct ?

"It has a hotter cam inside, outside is stock."

Meaning the correct 330 making 310 hp is incorrect ?

I would imagine websites like classicolds can be an annoyance for car dealers unless they get to the customer first.

How many times have you guys felt the sense of relief when a new member verifies that their already purchased car is correct...

However at the end of the day do I fault the dealer... NO. The consumer has to do their homework. They are running a business, and maximizing profits is the name of the game. They, meaning used car dealers are in the business of selling vehicles and putting forth the best spin possible. No pun intended.

 

That is one bitching 330 to be putting out 310 gross. That's about what a stick shift low comp 442 455 put out in 71.

 

The standard 330 CI 4-4-2 engine was rated at 310 HP gross in 1964. Interestingly, I believe they even squeezed another 10 HP out of it in the Cutlass by '67.

The standard 8.5:1 455 was rated at 340 HP gross in the '71 4-4-2. The W-30 was 350 HP. There was no difference in rating between manual and auto, although I can't recall if Olds worked some "camshaft magic" (as they had the previous year) to give the stick an edge.

 

#1. Engine HP rating systems are different between the 1964 and the 1971 years.

#2. The four barrel engines of 1964 had similar horsepower in most cases. This was the first year for the 330 and the 442 was a mid year release.
1964 442 was 310 HP 330 cu. in.
1964 GTO was 325 HP, 389 cu.in.
1964 Chebby was 300 HP, 327 cu.in.
1964 MoPar was 330 HP, 383 cu.in.

 

Actually, Ralph, 1971 was a transition year. Manufacturers rated their engines in both gross and net HP.

 

He is telling the wife "I'm trying to sell it, but not getting any bites!!"

 

I bought my first 70-442 in 1978 for $1500, so I have closely observed the evolution of our beloved 442’s, W30’s, etc. I am grateful for the people that have poured big money into these cars over the past 25 years. Without those well heeled people and their $ spent (note I did say investment), the amount of repops, recognition of the Oldsmobile brand would be very different than the landscape we see. Almost extinct would be closer to the truth. My last car was restored by a high-end shop as I work a ton, and don’t have the skill, tools or setup to perform major work. If people were not spending big $, I doubt they would have the ability to specialize in Olds cars restorations.

 

He is buying those properties to make his dream come true in your scenario.
At 140K, this car is no one’s “dream come true”.
I would hope that anyone with that kind of money would be smart enough to hire someone to take a look at that car to tell them it’s a very mediocre Resto, Tell them that their money could get a lot more car.

But I think the intent of this post is to merely say that flippers are asking ridiculous prices, and therefore continuing to destroy the hobby by elevating people’s perception of what the price of a mass-produced muscle car should be.

 

Yes, I am aware of gross, net, and rear wheel horsepower ratings and their differences, as well as the compression drop and when all those occurred.

I will maintain it's a bitching engine based on your numbers. I have high hopes for the E block in my 67 project.

 

I guess comparing the horsepower rating of a 1964 330cu.in. and a 1972 455 W-30 may not be accurate. I think the 455 would win a drag race. The 1964 442 engine was no slouch. The 1964 442 curb weight of 3300 pounds was about 400-500 pounds lighter, compared to the 1971-72.

The only bitching I have heard was about the "one year only" valve train on the 1964. I am surprised that the Olds 330-350 hasn't made it into street rods like the Chebbies.

I don't know what transmission or rear ratio you will have for your '67 "E block". The 1967 W-30 cam and valve train with short poly locks is a good place to start. Cutlassefi would be a good source.
I would put a 400 "E block" in my '49 Club Coupe, but they are hard to find and should be saved for restoring 442's. I can settle for a 425 as a base engine.

 

This one is slightly less expensive:
.

 

I saw this car on the dealers website. Very attractive colors and heavily optioned. This convertible would look better without the spoiler, with 442 stripes and with decklid stripes. I was interested in this car, but stopped and didn't go any further. I want to be clear. I am not trashing this car, but it's not for me. Fyi: the seller describes the car having the "W-27 rear end "
https://www.classicalgasmotors.com/cars/2572/2572.htm