When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
It's been a really long time since I've posted, but come to a crossroads with my 442. After owning it for about a dozen years and some work, acquiring parts, etc. I'm wondering if I should sell it to someone with time and experience to complete it. This is absolutely my dream car, but I'm just a middle class guy and this is easily going to run me what it would cost to go get a complete car(knew this going in, but reality sometimes goes to the wayside when you're younger). Any thoughts on keeping it and just goingfor it/spending the money or selling and buying one done? Any experiences yourself would help, too.
Newbie here... and I'm glad to see you stuck it out. It took me seven years to do my last car and it was the first I really got to show condition. Then I sold it. I can't tell you how I kick myself every time I think about selling the cars I've loved... but I'd bet there are a lot of guys here in the same situation.
Really starting to look like a true 442 again. Once hood, mirrors, few trim pieces, and side stripes(narrow double stripes not fake W-30) go on we get her back to do mechanical, electrical, and interior. Very, very excited today. Happy Wednesday! Along with paint, got all new trim, marker lights, door handles/locks, and body bushings. Started off doing it as nice “driver”, now going more to higher end, but no garage queen for sure. what do you think? Worth the save from my first post?
Sebring Yellow was a special order color, which would have been indicated as a -- on the cowl tag.. If you have not already shot color, and wanted to go a different route with another special order color ie: agean aqua, rally red, you could do that without creating a disparity in the tag.. Just some food for thought for such a large investment...
Sorry, missed this comment a while back. According to Fisher Body tag, 926-99568 was Sebring Yellow, so I wanted it back to that color. Boy am I glad I did. Stopped over to the shop with my Dad and he was just stunned how good the yellow looked. Tough stuff coming soon with all the electrical, A/C, brackets, front grilles, lights, new gas tank, and the big one: full interior. Gonna be a while yet, but getting it to this point is huge.
Quick poll: so I swapped out the cast iron intake when rebuilding the 455 for the aluminum W-30. Paint blue like the rest of the engine(a la stock) or leave it bare?
Quick poll: so I swapped out the cast iron intake when rebuilding the 455 for the aluminum W-30. Paint blue like the rest of the engine(a la stock) or leave it bare?
It looks remarkably well fit! Personally I'd leave the intake raw, paint will burn on the heat riser looking more weathered faster. Your car is looking fantastic and progressing at a lightning pace..
I would leave it aluminum. After all whats the point of having an aluminum intake if it seems like your trying to hide it? It stands out against the blue. Its to show its there for w-30 cars or just that you have one. Easy to miss if its painted. No difference in performance to cast just a little lighter. IMO
Car looks great though congrats!
Keeping intake bare and removing any rusty fittings you see there. Also, blower motor is a little nasty, so that's going to be cleaned and redone as well. After few things done(side stripes are one) should be back soon. Thanks for all the comments on this everyone. If there's anyone thinking about Thornton hood vs others, here's proof of fit. Very happy with this overall.
Glad you decided to stick with your project !! Looks great all the pics thus far, that yellow really pops out! Good choice on tires and keeping with the argent and the stripes on the hood.
My car wasn't quite as long thru the restoration, but seemed like it was.
My car was in the paint stage back in 2015, nothing brightens up a winter day like popping in and checking on the progress !
Soon you will be tearing around town and on cruises with it ! Now don't sell it when done!!!
Glad you decided to stick with your project !! Looks great all the pics thus far, that yellow really pops out! Good choice on tires and keeping with the argent and the stripes on the hood.
My car wasn't quite as long thru the restoration, but seemed like it was.
My car was in the paint stage back in 2015, nothing brightens up a winter day like popping in and checking on the progress !
Soon you will be tearing around town and on cruises with it ! Now don't sell it when done!!!
Thanks for the kind words. It was a tough, and expensive decision, but that goes with anything automotive related. This is one to keep. I know it' not a W-30, but it fits my life better. If I would have gone W-30 it would have been a coupe. Love the lines on the Supreme and happy I found this and hung onto it. Only part is I wish I would have been able to have the build sheet for it. Originally a NC car before I bought it from the guy with 5 442's in Alpharetta, GA. More updates as she comes together.
Very sharp looking car !! When I was redoing my W-30, I pondered changing the color, ( it was painted black when I bought it in 1987). Once I saw it painted its original color, Sebring Yellow, I was in awe. With the black stripes it really makes the color pop, and the car will be noticed everywhere you go. Awesome !!
Very sharp looking car !! When I was redoing my W-30, I pondered changing the color, ( it was painted black when I bought it in 1987). Once I saw it painted its original color, Sebring Yellow, I was in awe. With the black stripes it really makes the color pop, and the car will be noticed everywhere you go. Awesome !!
Great looking W-30! I've seen a lot of Sebring Yellow's now, but many are getting repainted from other colors. Personal preference, but I like having the stock color. Glad some info is available from the Fisher tag, otherwise it would have been best guess.
The car and paint job look fantastic. I can tell you put a lot of time and money into it. The only thing I could even pick at is, with all the attention to detail why didn't you use the 1970 only sport mirrors? I know 99% would never even notice, but most Olds guys won't miss it.
The car and paint job look fantastic. I can tell you put a lot of time and money into it. The only thing I could even pick at is, with all the attention to detail why didn't you use the 1970 only sport mirrors? I know 99% would never even notice, but most Olds guys won't miss it.
I noticed mirrors post buld and am getting a set of new ones,
With the new mirrors it will be perfect! I would look for originals. I've heard the repro ones have issues with the paint adhering, and the lines are not as sharp separating the clamshells.
The paint guy that did my convertible has a 70 Cutlass there with aftermarket sport mirrors that have been giving him fits. As noted by 4speed455 the paint keeps peeling off no matter how careful the prep work.
Anyone have a line on a set of non-repop sport mirrors?
Consider putting an ad in the 'Parts Wanted' section. You'll reach a wider audience reading those posts. Also, I'll check to see if I have a single (passenger side) to match up with Funky's mirror.
Making progress, still working on the mirrors situation, but Jefferson, WI show is in two weeks. If I don't find a pair there then I'll be working the board again for parts.
Here's my #7040257 Sparky is wrapping up. Hope to have it back this weekend. As you can see, the before was pretty ratty, but true '70 Auto A/C.
December 24th, 2017, 08:01 PM
