Starting to collect some classics while the economy is down. Just bought a 66 Mustang as a driver/project. Now looking for a 442, which has always been one of my favorite cars. Have lots of questions about verifying originality, but I guess I'm supposed to save those until I have access to the real forums?

Mike

 

Welcome to the site Mike! You'll need 5 posts to get past the newbie stage, go ahead and tell us what your looking for and what questions you need help with. John

 

Looking at several different 442ss on eBay, Hemmings and locally. Would like to find something I can drive regularly (round trip home to work is only 12 miles), but that will also appreciate in value.

I've looked at the Olds FAQ about authentication. A few questions:

1) How common are cloned 442s? My impression is that about half the Chevelle SS's out there are really clones, but is the same true of 442s?

2) Is there commonality in color on valve covers? I've seen gold, chrome and red. Does any of that have any bearing on authenticity?

3) Looked at one '66 that had the right vents in front, the right boxed arms, the 400 engine, but had both Cutlass and 442 emblems on the trunk. Did any come from the factory like that, or would that be something somebody did later on?

That's probably enough for now. Guess I need to save some for my next 3 posts.

 

I don't know for sure, but don't think there is as high a percentage of cloned 442's. Several of the years have a code in the vin that show it's a real 442, some of the other years have specific things to look for that would make it hard to clone.

There were some engine colors used that need to be maintained if you want a car to appear original. The 1965-69 400 engine used in the 442's was a bronze color, then in 1970 the 455 they used was a specific shade of blue. Later in the 1970's there were other shades of blue used for the 350 and 403. The gold color was used on 350 engines and the 1972 through 1974 442's could have had a gold 350 engine. I believe there were some early years of the 442 that used chrome valve covers, but I don't know enough to say what years those were. Oldsmobile also used red for the 425 and some 455's but I don't think any red motors were used in 442's.

I'm not up on the 1966 442 so someone with that knowledge will have to answer the question about trunk emblems. John

 

The whole 442 authenticity question was recently addressed on this site,so search the threads.As pretty well everything on these classics has now been repo'd[including VIN tags] ultimately only the original doc's like bill of sale and build sheet are true proof that you have a true classic 442.Maybe posting to the 442 Forum will stir up the veteran 442 owners club on this site for more specifics............Derek...69 442 post cpe.

 

Welcome! Make a few more post and migrate from the Newbies! The content can be totally meaningless, just say "hi" a few more times!

1. I'd guess the % of 442 clones are less than SSs. But it is still a significant enough to be quite concerned.
2. If you can be more specific about the years you're asking about, that would help. For '60s and '70s, big blocks are all red and blue, small blocks are gold. '65-'69 400s (which include all 442s for those years) are bronze. All 455s, '68-'76 are blue). Only '66-'67 W-30s and the Hurst Olds got chrome valve covers, unless I'm forgetting something.
3. No. Just a 442 emblem.

Read thru this site, and a lot of your questions will be answered.
http://www.oldsmobilewiki.com/index.php/Main_Page

 

Thanks for the replies. This is helpful.

 

Welcome Mike from the Mo. Ozarks

 

Good show, CW.
May I add: All the specifics you mentioned along with 442 specific taillights, grill and grillbars are not only 442 specific, but specific to '66, except the spearless hood which can be found on the basic '66 F-85 models too.
All but the hood and the deck lid molding are now reproduced, I believe.
On *Lansing* built cars, there will be a "V" in column 5 (5V on the tag).

 

1969 Olds 4-4-2, California car now in Texas with NO rust! Date coded, period correct 1969 Olds 455 motor(700 miles on rebuild), factory Muncie 4-speed with factory Hurst console shifter. New vinyl top, brakes, clutch/pressure plate, rebuilt front end and tires on Super Stock wheels with full Super Stock spare. This car runs and drives like new and is solid. Manual steering and brakes, non AC car, original AM radio. Car is in great shape and can be driven anywhere. A beautiful, affordable muscle car. $17,900 OBO bamainhtown@gmail.com for pics and video. 713-591-0657 Houston, TX

 

Do you know what thread you are in? Try putting it in the For Sale section, where someone would be looking for that.

 

sounds like you have your eye on a 66

how is it equipped?

show pics if you have them

 

Moved to cars wanted forum.

 

https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...ground-up.html

 

72 U code(455) 442
viking blue(now red)
white top
turbo 400
dual gate
a/c
white console int
oai
rally pac
dual gate
windows
323 posi 10 bolt
needs paint and mnor rust repair

17K

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