Hey everyone,

My name is Pat and I bought my 69 Olds 442 convertible 3 speed auto in 2014. This car was sold brand new in Fremont, CA and has lived its whole life here on the west coast. I bought it with a blown head gasket from a friend and have been resurrecting it slowly. The original 400 is long gone and it has since been replaced with a 455 with C casting heads.

I had the engine completely rebuilt, bored 30 over, front disc brake conversion, upgraded mondello intake manifold, 2" front drop spindle, 2" rear lowering springs, all new KYB shocks, flowmaster 2.5" exhaust, dougs electric cutouts, quickfuel carb, 3.42 posi, 275-60-15 on 15x8 SSI in the rear, hotchkis front and rear sway bars, mild comp cam, and a bunch of other goodies. Things on the to do list for this month are new top, door panels, carpet kit, and some other interior pieces. Here's a few shots of it.

 

Welcome to the site. Nice car, thanks for sharing pictures.

 

Sharp ride! Welcome aboard!

 

Welcome, I think you will find some great folks on here that have been through many years of Olds enjoyment. There is lots of great knowledge and people who love to help others who enjoy our passion.

Welcome

Larry

 

Thanks guys. The main reason for joining was for the convertible top boot install threads. The previous owner had a brand new one in the trunk and never could figure out how to install. I tried as well with no luck until I found this forum and with the help of the photos and information I was able to get it on the car this past weekend. Was a pain in the *** to get it threaded into the slide rail but I got it!

 

Nice car! I've been partial to the convertibles and yours looks sweet! My '69 is also a Fremont car - 3rd week of May 1969 production date - that spent its entire life on the west coast - from San Francisco to the Fresno area and then up here to Olympia WA. Thanks for posting and letting us see your car!

Randy C.

 

Car looks great. How does it handle with the suspension and springs.

 

Thanks. I came across your car on here the other night and it looks great as well. Was going to send you a message actually. The interior of my car is 100% original from the seats to the carpet as well as the gas tank. Any specific spot where the build sheets have been found on the 442s? The car came with the original user manual and protect-o-plate so I'm hoping I can find the build sheet somewhere.

 

Thanks. It handles really well. Zero rubbing and its nice and tight. The hotchkis front and rear sway bars made a big difference in body roll. Now that I put those on it feels a lot more stable. It is extremely smooth around town and on freeway. Was debating on going with upper and lower control arms but from what I've read I don't think its worth spending the money.

 

For Fremont cars, the build sheet could be above the gas tank, behind either plastic bucket seat back, under the carpet, or under the dash. Some have even been located behind the door panels or rear side panels. Unfortunately for mine, I didn't find a build sheet in any of those places. My '69 also has the original owner's manual and p-o-p. I actually talked with the original owner (an attorney in San Francisco) several years ago. He was still there when I checked a few years ago.

Randy C.

 

Thanks for the heads up. I'm taking it to my upholstery shop this month and will tell them to keep an eye out for me. Not sure exactly how many owners mine has had but the previous owner had a shoe box of records/receipts and I counted 4 different owners excluding myself.

 

I want to try this system. Think I will. Glad to hear a good review. My last car handled old school so this is a welcome improvement.

 

You won't regret it. It will be a night and day difference that is well worth it. I replaced all the control arm bushings as well as mine were completely shot. I went with KYB gas-a-just shocks front and rear, BMR rear springs, & 2" speedway drop spindle since I was converting over to disc brakes on the front and wanted a more aggressive stance.

 

Welcome and nice car!