Hello,
I joined the Classic Oldsmobile to get me motivated to get my 65 Olds 442 back on the road!!
I purchased my 65 F-85/442 in May of 1970. In a few days I will have owned it for 49yrs. When I bought it, the motor had a lot of blow by, so I purchased a 68 Toronado motor (455) and dropped it in shortly after I bought the car. It was a weekend swap that had to go right, so I could get to work on Monday. I made it but there were issues that I worked through at that time. Shortly after that I crunched the 10 bolt rear axle. Had it rebuild before I went into the Navy. When I returned from active duty, (1972) I found a W-27 axle in a totaled 1970 W-30 in the salvage yard and picked it up for $125. It was too wide for the 65 so I always had trouble with tire clearance. A few years ago, I decided to sell the W-27 and do some upgrades.
I did a frame off restoration on the car from 1972 until 1978. I rebuilt the motor at that time and added a W-30 cam and Torker manifold and Hooker headers. The car was a 4 speed and I managed to put a few gear boxes in it over the years. I purchased Global West suspension in 2006 and have just got around to start the install of those components, along with a Curries rear axle and a Tremec 5 speed.
My goal is to get it back on the road this summer and then get back into the engine this next fall. Joining this site will hopefully keep me motivated to finish it and get back on the road with it!!

Thanks!
Dick

 

Welcome Dick. Show some pics.

 

Welcome to the site!

 

Welcome, we do like pictures. You've had your car longer than most have had their wives.

 

Welcome. That sounds like a great project. Hope it all comes together for you.

 

Welcome to the group... Good luck with your revival efforts...

 

Welcome from your neighbor to the north. Have you been to Homecoming? Largest Olds show that there is. Held in Lansing on the Saturday of Father's Day weekend. June 15th this year. No car required to attend.

 

Welcome from another Michagander. Love your car story, you were smart and kept it!

 

Awesome history of your 4-4-2. Great read. Enjoy!

 

Thank you, everyone for the warm welcome. I will attempt to find some pics of it, in one piece, and post them. I live so close to Lansing and even worked there for a year or two and have never made it to an Olds event. I need to tune up my calendar and get on it!!
And yes I have been married for a month longer than I have owned this 442!!

 

Welcome! Can’t wait to see some pics. Really like the first generation.

 

As requested!! These are from a long time ago, around late 80's.

 

These are of the same time period. Late 80's I think. You can see the W-27 if you look close in the rear shot and an old pic of it parked in the grass. I had that rear axle in the car for 35yrs. Then sold because I didn't want to narrow it and ruin it. Also one of the engine compartment.. Needs some work!!

 

With the W-27.

Without the W-27!




New Curries Axle with Home made W-27 cover.

 

 

Very nice. The W27 rears bring big money now-a-days.

 

Very nice-love a 2 door post 442!

 

Sharp ride!

 

Good looking car.

 

Nice car. I am in Milford Mi.

 

Looks good!

 

Nice car and welcome, also a MI. guy, have had mine since '76. The Homecoming show is a huge event, swap meet is almost as much fun as the show cars.

 

Thank You all for the nice comments. The car has been a part of my life for a long time. It does need some TLC, hoping I will get back on it soon!
Chris, that is a sharp 65 your have also. Love the square bodied Olds!
I will have to put that homecomiing event on my list!! Where is it located in Lansing?

 

https://www.oldsmobileclub.org/event...spx?id=1186363

 

Check out: www.reolds.org for info. Held at: Auto-Owners, 6101 Anacapri Blvd, Lansing, Mich. Great show opens at 9:00 AM. Don't miss it.
Wayne

 

Thanks for the compliments and the info. I will put it on my calendar and mark it as a priority!!