So I bumped into a a barn find technically. 66 442 Holiday coupe. I'll post the data plate picture. I have no permission at this time to share the location. It looks in great shape. It was a purported Tri-Power car and I was licking my chops.

So I checked the intake manifold and it looks like #393238. Great. then I find the block casing number #396021F. Barn is dark, the car is buried so I can't get and more inf. Interior is black but I don't recognize the bucket seat and rear seat covers with vertical strips and a somewhat cloth type feel. It's a 4 speed car, with console. It is somewhat of a maroon color. So when I get back home I start checking numbers and things just aren't right.
So the numbers don't verify it's a 442. No 66 had a 455 with triples and the interior trim code doesn't check.
What do you think.
Wayne

 

It would be remarkable if a fifty year old car WAS still sporting its original engine and upholstery. These deficiencies don't necessarily mean it's not a legit L-69.

 

I agree but whats it worth?
Wayne

 

Being a BF car makes it not a W30, right?

I guess it could still be an L69 tri-carb car, but is there a way to prove it, unless you find a Protecto-Plate?

Thermostat bypass hose looks "wrong" as in goes to top center WP nipple rather than the RH side one.

Still a great thing to have.

What's it worth?
How much you got?
:-)

 

It has the wrong fuel filter assy.,the carbs have been painted,chrome voltage regulator cover etc. My guess is it's could be a 442 and the rest of it possibly added because of the 455 block. What heads does it have?

 

I don't know which heads, don't the valve covers have to be pulled up to see the casting #s? For me I just think there are a number of reasons to avoid this car. The car is not cheap for sure.

Thanks
Wayne

 

it has no acc codes other then the 21707 factory broadcast no.
so i bet the console was added as the bucket seats were.
Parchment Bench Seat is the 987 code .
looks like a plain jane bench seat stick car.
Like someone said look in the glove box side plastic pocket for the protectoplate.

 

Thanks for your input guys. There is no paper trail and I wish there was a Protecto plate but no such luck. I will contact the owner and let him know that I am no longer interested. I really don't think that he is aware of the issues. I would hope he thinks I am doing him a favor.
Thanks
Wayne

 

The fact that the engine has been swapped doesn't mean it's NOT a 442, but since it's a Fremont car, the cowl tag won't prove that it is, either. Frankly, if the car has been sitting for years, chances are it isn't a clone. If possible, see if the front fenders are factory-punched for the vents or not. Of course, the nose could have been swapped at some point also.

 

No, not really
Just look at the corner of the head, near #1 or #8 spark plug
Large letter will tell what casting it is

A, B, etc. thru K [no I]

I gather you are kind of over it by now.

 

It still could be a good deal depending on the price. Where is it located? Anymore pics?

 

If it has 'B' heads,check for the engine sequence # stamped in the pad on the end/front of the head. It should be on the right cylinder head or if the heads are installed backwards,it will be on the back left cylinder head. If it has a V 1XXXXX T prefix,it could be the original heads that would help authenticate the car. Without paper work,you can't say for sure it is/was a 3X2 car but would go along way toward doing so.If it does have the correct 3X2 heads,could be the short block was changed and the original heads reinstalled. Another thing,are you sure that was a letter F and not a E on the block?

 

Well, considering that the block casting number from above is 396021, I'm certainly sure the letter is an "F". The E-block 400 would have had 390925 as the casting number.

 

It has a few days since I read the op,so I screwed up and I for one am damn glad you caught it. We can't have ANYBODY making mistakes here,too much @ stake.

 

well.... just don't let it happen again, sir.

You get some slack this time.

:-)

 

Thanks Chris. You would think that a guy who is 64 years old that remembers his 2 bank account #s,drivers license#, SSI#,high school student ID #,credit union #,a heap of phone #s etc.,should not be making mistakes like that.