I've been looking to buy a 64-68 Oldsmobile 442 for awhile. I decided that only a 65 would do, I've bought mine now. I've noticed that even the best of condition cars usually have rust problems in the trunk, it's unusual to find an undamaged car. Question: What is the original cause of the water intrusion into the trunk? Where's it coming in?
I know that this happened in the cars when they were almost new, that owners missed the problem because it was hidden by the trunk liner,which lends itself to the problem, trapping the water.
There are a number of different tin replacement company, Sherman, Good Mark, and others. Question: Which supplier has the better product, fit, good grade steel, etc.?

 

You are correct in your assumption of the rubber trunk mat. They hold any & all condensation between it and the floor. I dont use one in any of my cars. Leaks typically are caused by a rust hole under the rear window SS trim, trunk lid gasket, body seam failure or some other seam or corrosion failure.
As for the metal repro pans all the companies you mentioned are good. Do your best to avoid offshore junk! Do you need the whole pan? If so its best to try to install the one piece vs the three, which can be a challenge if not impossible with the quarters & tail panels in the way.
FYI I think at one time the repro companies were making a breathable trunk mats?

 

What sort of price range were you finding 442 offerings at? Many manageable prices, or mostly high in the sky?

 

The prices are all over, from $45,000. for convertibles purporting to be 'numbered' cars, and $35,000. for 'numbered' hard tops. I also believe there are two types of cars, the performance ordered car a F 85 or Cutlass, stripped other than the W29 (442) option, 4sd. and 3:55 posi which appeals to some (me). Then there are the luxury cruisers, a Cutlass Supreme with air, power everything, auto, console and tac. cruise control, vanity mirror etc. and this car appeals to others. There lots of cars that have been cut up or are really not in very good shape they are all over also $8,000 for junk $25,000.and up for highly modified modern street machines. If your going to sell or buy based on originality you need to do you homework, I have seen a whole lot of "restored" even "frame-off" over priced junk for sale. Just my take.

 

I like your choice. Mine is a tragedy. One of those "good from far, but far from good" cars. It really needs the whole thing taken apart and rebuilt. Frame is solid and drive train all rebuilt, but not correct. Hi comp 455, T400 and 12 bolt posi. I keep thinking it might be better with a 4 speed. Can't even drive it unless I put a gas can under the hood, since there's no trunk floor to mount the tank on.
Maybe the Good Fairy will come and give me $7500 for it and I can kiss it goodbye !!
I know, it's just a pipe dream...

 

Hey Old Olds Fan,
The more I think about it, the more I like it. Wondering how your 4 speed 442 is to drive. I had a 1980 TA last summer with a 4 speed, and I loved driving it. The car seemed really too new for me, so I flogged it. The 65 is about the right age for my taste, but I'm not sure how they would be to drive in a standard. Safe to assume they drive nice, or you wouldn't have bought one.
Do the pedals and linkage all mount on the body, or does the motor need to have a special hole for a rod or something?
Any thoughts?
P.S., Very cool car you've picked up. Any pics to share?

 

I'll have to figure out how to post pics, soon though. I don't know what shape your car is in or which type of car it was. For $7,500. and all the non-stock drive train it would need to be 'straight', never a major hit or undetectable (minor), all the glass good, interior all there, dash good, no parts missing. It would need to run without any major issues with the primary pieces. Body rot can be repaired with new steel and paint. When your not trying to keep it stock your should be able to build stronger a drive train than stock, you've already got the pieces in your car. That should be your selling point, " buy this car and build your dream" with the "more modern and stronger" engine , trans, and rear. If you have a 4V on the Cowl tag you've a 442 the car has a better suspension, taken from the police pursuit package of 1964 (B09 option) If the sway bars and boxed lower control arms are there, then you've got. the major pieces. You can't ruin value that isn't there to begin with. Just be honest about what you do have. it's probably enough. The clutch peddle assembly does require a mount on the block.

 

It doesn't have the 4V. It was built in fremont. They used broadcast sheets there, it seems. The suspension is beefed up and the car sits pretty high. I'm missing the rear sway, although the boxed trailing arms are there. Fair bit of bondo and hidden rust under the rear window. I believe I've got my work cut out for me to turn this sow's ear into a silk purse. Have been tempted to part it out numerous times, but the old man and my wife threaten to cuff me if I do.
Mechanical is all fairly high performance and in good shape. Most of the car looks nice because you don't notice the fill and rust. Interior was replaced, all the seats redone with new stuffing and skins. New headliner and side panels. Dash recovered. Front disc system installed. Amazing amounts of loot went into this, but it really needed a body off first, so it's kind of depressing.
I'll do what I can with it, and drive something else in the meantime. At least I'm having fun (I think).