Hi guys, I have a 71 cutlass convertible with a 350 engine/trans. I would like to clone it to a 442 convertible. I plan on completing an extensive restoration on this car. Would it be worth my while to locate a 455 engine and 400 turbo transmission? Will this increase the value of the car? How much more is a cloned 442 convertible worth then a standard cutlass convertible? If I do go with a 455/400turbo trans, does it need to be a 1971 engine and transmission?...or is that not important when building a clone? or should I just keep my original 350 engine/trans or will I gain more value by going to a 455?...is there a big fuel economy difference? Thank you!

 

A clone of a real 442 will be worth the same as a Cutlass, plus maybe some of the value of the major 442 parts that you use. Most people will pay some extra for the 442 looks and components.
Clones will never come close to the value of the real 442, unless the owner commits fraud and actually convinces someone that the clone is the real thing. After then is the potential for legal battles.
So if you are buying it to restore and profit on, cloning is not a good idea. If you are going to keep it and enjoy it, then build it the way you want within budget and have fun with it!

 

My .02 cents, it's your car. Build it to your specification and enjoy it and don't worry about the future value. But if you really wanted a 442 convertible, there are plenty of them that show up for sale.

 

I know that a real 442 converible is getting very expensive in value. I would think that cloning one would be the next best thing in terms of value?

 

X2 to the comments above. I am in the process of building a 1972 442 tribute vert. Build a car the way you will enjoy it, the best you can fit in your budget. If you are looking for an investment go to BJ and buy one already done!

 

The aluminum intake and the W-z exhaust manifolds are available in reproduction, and I can make replica "H" heads from other castings.

 

You're just TRYING to get people spun up, aren't you Chris?

FYI, I've only seen the 70 intake available as repro.

And just to avoid "truth decay", if you turn your car into a 442 clone, it's not a "restoration". Of course, feel free to do whatever you want to your car, but let's be careful about the erosion of terminology. "Restoration", "Numbers Matching", etc, etc, get misused, which confuses the neophytes and usually leads to disappointment when a buyer realizes they paid too much for an over-sold car. I'm certainly not saying that applies to you, but that's why I try to maintain proper use of terminology.

 

Not that my opinion is exceptionally valuable, but 442s are not worth crazy money compared to Cutlii, the way that certain muscle cars made by a Division that begins with a "C" are. If you want a 442, why not buy one and restore it? It'll be worth more when you're done, and will probably hold its value better.

Alternatively, so long as you don't have your heart set on a 442 because of some unfulfilled teenage longing, you can get a regular Cutlass, restore it, put in a 455 (keeping the original components for originality's sake), and have a good time with it.
Most younger folks won't notice the difference (you'l be amazed at how many will say "Nice Chevelle!"), and they all think granny cars with 350s are muscle cars anyway.

- Eric

 

1971 442 convertibles are not much more expensive than what you arleady have. What state are you located?

 

I agree with the thought process of putting the car together as you want. I am cloning my 70 convertible and plan on giving it to one of my grandkids one day. I won't ever try to deceive anyone as to the originality of my car so I am truly happy with the work I've put into cloning it for my pleasure.

 

My thoughts on this subject are if you want it to look like a 442 than buy a 442. If your going to restore the entire car and you want it to look like a 442 you will spend the same money on both but the 442 will be worth more. I liked the hood and the grills and the wing, but i wanted to modify alot of other things on the car and didnt want to do that. I also didnt want everyone and there brother asking me if it was real and me having to say no its fake. So i just built what i wanted and kept he cutlass S badges. And i think it looks great and drives just like a 442. I say dont clone it. Brandon reynolds

 

Same. Mine is a 72 Cutlass S with all the 442 goodies and them some. And, alot faster and handles better! Still say's Cutlass S on the fenders because that's what it is! I cloned a ch''''y once and got tired of the is it real questions etc. Basicly they are the same cars with different options. I no longer need the look of added emblems to make me happy driving around town. Besides, let's say I had an original 70-72 W-30. I would not be just driving or parking that around town like I can my Cutlass.

 

I was looking for a '68 442 convertible, but I was unable to find one that I wanted and I ended up buying my '68 Cutlass S. I find that when I take it to shows, it is one of the few (very often the only) Cutlass S Convertibles at the show. There are usually a lot more 442's. I get just as many thumbs up with the S as I would with a 442 and like Ziff said, I don't have to explain anything to anyone. It's your car, you can do what you want with it, but I think it's more fun to spank a Mustang with "just" a Cutlass S. BTW, if you are concerned about fuel economy, you don't want to get a classic car at all.

 

Now if you really want a good deal on a 1971 442 convertible then check out this one:

https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...tml#post514500