No problem the car is in storage now. You can come see it anytime but getting it out to drive would be a little more involved there are some other cars blocking it in right now. The location is easy to get too its down I 79 South the first exit south of I 90 then a half mile east. You have my email & phone # i believe if not let me know.
DON

 

There is a decent looking '72 442 on the Reno, Nevada craigslist that you may want to check out. I have seen the car driving around town during the last 6 years or so, but never haxe seen it up close. Seller claims you can drive it anywhere! Do a search for oldsmobiles in the cars for sale by owner section and it should come up.

 

I'll take a look, thanks.

 

http://reno.craigslist.org/cto/2753903854.html

That does look nice for the money. Not crazy about the body color bumpers but that could be changed.

 

I still have it! I still never drive it! By the way, the last time I tried to take it out for a cruise, i forgot to lock the hood pins, and the car now doesn't have a hood! I do have my radar out for one, just haven't pulled the trigger. If interested, shoot me a PM...

https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...f-85-sale.html

Obviously, price is now negotiable!

 

Did you ever get another hood for this car? Didn't it damage anything else when it flew off?

 

What do you guys think of this '68 442? It looks beautiful but has a 396 Chevy in it....I hate that....BUT....could get it now and put in an Olds engine someday. Says it was an original 4-speed car too but was changed to automatic. That's 2 really, really bad decisions! Could be had for $12,200:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...m=130634748177

 

Funny you should ask...just went to Jersey to pick the hood up today! Besides the hinges(and I have another set), the hood totally ripped off the hinges, and flew over the car without touching it!

 

I think if the car body/interior is original the seller is representing the car honestly. Does having a 396 in it till you replace it make any difference? Not really - you can drive the crap out of it. I like that the trans tunnel has remained intact for a 4 speed. You can get M20's without too much hassle, but getting the console / boot may be tougher.

I had to laugh that he says "don't insult me by offering less than 13K" and then says the reserve is 12,200.

I think that's a fair price to pay for a post coupe. Couple of things to note: the cowl tag shows 33677 - post coupe. I've learned that in 68 Fisher produced the body and tagged it before Lansing designated it 442. So the typical 344 start doesn't necessarily apply. The trim for 950 is right - it has the black interior and the A A is correct for ebony black upper and lower. Looks like the car was built in the first week of November.

If I was in the market for a 68, I'd be seriously looking at this. BTW, the 442 fender stripe is properly done on this car. Assuming it has been repainted, whoever did it did a great job.

I would also be asking if he has original docs for the car, and if he has the original tranny in storage.

 

Thanks for the great info! I thought the stripes looked pretty good. I can't help but check them out on the '68's since reading some of your comments about their placement in another thread.

So the VIN should still start with 344 though, right? Just maybe not on the cowl tag? I asked him if the VIN started with 344 and he replied that "it's a real 442, not a clone". Doesn't really answer my specific question though.

Yea, noticed that about the price too!

 

No. In 68/69 the VIN could start with 336. Those were the 2 years where you could get a true 442 but the VIN didn't have to start as you would normally expect. It had everything to do with the way Fisher delivered the bodies to production.

I know it didn't make sense to me either, but that's the way it was done. Here's part of the interesting discussion where I got schooled on the issue: https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...tml#post352419

Maybe that will help you understand the sellers comment.

 

Heard back from the seller after asking again about the VIN...the VIN does indeed start with "344". From what I've read that's entirely possible right...344 vin but a 336 cowl tag?

I'm really thinking about this one....

 

Yes, that was why it sounded confusing to me on the link I originally sent you. but if the VIN is 344 starting it sounds like you have the real deal there. I respect the info Joe P posted and that alleyolds68 made me aware of: Normally I don't say much when folks are thinking about buying. This one is different though. If I was in your place, I'd be all over that thing like a hobo on a boxcar siding.

Are you close enough to go and have a look at it? You can see all the little details up close and personal then. If you can take pics and post them, that would be awesome.

You know you waaaannnnntt it! 12,2large is nothing to sneeze at, but if it's in your budget these cars don't come around all that often. Make sure he's got clean title.

 

Unfortunately, it's about 6 hours from me. If it weren't for the Chevy engine I'd be all over it for sure. It will take some additional money to get it how I want it.

I do want it though.....problem is, if I buy it I won't have enough money left to get it home! I'm trying to come up with a plan to make this happen....

 

A quick question regarding this car....there's another 68 olds that I've had my eye on. I'ts a Cutlass, not a 442, but is in beautiful shape and has the original numbers matching 350. Would a plain cutlass with a numbers matching engine be worth as much as a 442 with a non matching olds 400? Just curious about that....

 

You have to play this one out according to what you can afford. Chevy engine and tranny aside you just don't see these cars come up for grabs all that often. Especially in that condition. Yes it needs work, but it looks like it survived really well to this point. The chevy power? 396 is a respectable engine. I know it goes against the grain to have in in there, but at this point it is what it is. If you buy it, there are probably tons of chevy guys who would be more than happy to take it off your hands. You could swap out the 396 in your car for a 400 out of one of theirs! Everyone wins!

I can feel your pain trying to decide on this. Sit down and make a + - list and be as brutal as you possibly can. Remember that the car is a want until you make it into a need. Then it becomes and obsession..... You know how it goes

EDIT: you posted when I was typing. IMO the 442 has it over the plain Cutlass simply because in 68 442 was a separate lineup. Given the choice you have to make? I'd still take the 442 and acknowledge that the engine and tranny are not original.

 

Thanks for the advice...will keep you posted.

 

Just read that the 950 Trim Number means black bench seat? Were there 4 speed bench seat 442's? I want to make sure everything is on the up and up before buying this car. Is there a way to decode if it was an original 4 speed or not? Thanks

 

Yes, lots of them. That post coupe looks really nice for the money.

 

Are you guys sure about the stripe? Every one I've seen doesn't go behind the numerals...don't they usually cut off before then continue after? Joe P. would know for sure.....maybe this one is right and the others wrong?

 

I just know that they should be roughly in the middle of the fender at the bottom. I see a lot of them too close to the wheel or too close to the door.

 

Good eye!!
Yes, the stripe should stop below and above the 442 emblems. So it has been repainted. And the separation between the wide/narrow looks a little off too. Well at least they got the location of the stripe right. I borrowed this next pic from shatrab who says he has an authentic original - on the island of Hawaii. How lucky is that? Anyway the details of the stripe are very clear in his pics

 

That's it...deal's off!!

 

Too funny! Paint is something you can always fix Right from the get go we suspected it had been painted, right?

Oh well, there will always be another one that will call to you....

 

Well, I missed out on the '68. I was waiting for the auction to end because the owner said I could buy it for $12k but somebody used the "buy it now" for $12,500.....and so the search continues.

 

I am thinking you may want to narrow your search as with a 5 year span of cars to look at you are going to be spending too much time looking at all these different cars while good ones are being snapped up quickly. Just my .02 cents. Still have my matching numbers '69 442 available for $7,500!

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...#ht_982wt_1165

I say that is a nice car and def has the body work done! Saw iut posted in another forum on here. Thought i would give you the heads up

 

x2

 

Gee that's a raw deal. I don't know anything about what you and the guy committed to, but if he said you could buy it for 12K, that sounds awfully like it could have contractual obligations. He could have ended the auction at that point but didn't. Wierd huh, he says don't insult him by offering less than 13, but offers to sell for 12? Maybe it's just as well you don't have to deal with him anymore.

 

Know how you feel - was in 'trade negotiations' on a recent VC spotted here, against the 65 442 'vert we've got, when he got notification it sold on e-bay!
Sinking feeling, for sure!

 

The seller was right up front with me from the start...reserve $12200, buy it now $12500 and IF it didn't sell he'd let me have it for $12000. I took the chance to save $500 and missed out....my fault. It was the last day of the auction and the reserve hadn't been met....then somebody hit the buy it now.

 

Looks like I bought a car!! I just won an auction on eBay. It's a 72 Cutlass Supreme and it's nearly identical to mine that I had to sell in 2008. Here's a link to the auction if anybody wants to check it out.

Anybody know of a good (cheap but reliable!) shipping company? One of the estimates from eBay includes DAS...I've heard they're good.

eBay item number 110820933785

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...EOIBSA:US:3160

 

you stole it!!

 

I thought so too! If it's as nice as it looks/sounds I'll be very happy.

 

Very nice looking car. This is only the second one I've seen with bucket seats and a column shift. Overall very nice impression. Looking forward to your comments when it arrives. BTW, I'd lose the Grant steering wheel and put in an N34 sport one.

Congratulations! You're back in the saddle again.

 

Looks like you did very well!

 

My Cutlass SX is a bucket seat column shift. The Cutlass Supremes were standard with bucket seat you still had to check the optoin box for a console floor shifter.

 

I'm not crazy about thet bucket seat column shift set up but I'm pretty sure that's what it came with. The trim code is 972 which I think is green buckets?? I'm thinking I'd probably add a correct console eventually. Is there a good thread about adding a console? I know I'd have to change the steering column and speedo....anything else?

And yes Allan, not crazy about the steering wheel. I was thinking of a black olds sport wheel with the rocket emblem...probably what you're referring to by "N34 sport"? Would that be the correct wheel for the year?

 

Checked the trim code. You're spot on. 972 is green strato buckets. (that means the cowl tag will probably show the A51 option.

I also looked up some info on the ordering guide. The CS came standard with EITHER the A51 or A65 (split front bench with fold down armrest) so you probably had to check off which one was preferred on the order? Just seems kind of different to see that configuration. It's not wrong, just not what we're all used to seeing if you know what I mean.

The N34 is the Olds 4 spoke sport steering wheel. 15" diameter and only available in black. If you're going to replace the column to a floor shift, may I suggest you consider getting one with the tilt option? Makes getting in and out of the car sooo much easier IMO. You can use donor columns from ANY 70-72 GM A body (chevelle, skylark, tempest, lemans etc). I got mine rebuilt from a guy on ebay about 4 years ago - less work for me - for around 265.00 + the shipping.

re: changing to console? You've got most of it covered. I believe you also need a different shifter and wiring cable that goes from the console to the tranny. Haven't seen a thread that details the process in any of our members cars, but maybe you'll find something using the search option? Even if you keep the column shift it wouldn't be horrible. It would be bone stock though if that's your goal. Most of the guys are looking to change from bench to buckets. Not sure, but I think the cost of the seats is way more than buying a decent console and installing it. You want the dual gate or the standard 3 speed one?

 

Yes, the cowl tag has "A51" listed...what option is that?

I'm thinking a dual gate would be cool...I'll be looking into that as an option. To me, I'd rather have a split bench with an armrest OR buckets with a console but not necessarily buckets and no console.

Tilt column would be cool! How tough is that job?