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.
442 restoration/advice Help a brother out literally
Hello guys and gals on the forum. I am looking for proper advice here directly related to some parts sources to freshen up my brothers 442.
My brother a couple years back located basically the car he has been in search for and it took around 30 years for them to be united. He had one when he was 17 years old, not a 442 but a 70 cutlass and unfortunately the car was involved in an accident. His goal since then was to own a gold, white interior, 4 speed 70 442. One day he contacted me and I could feel it in his voice that something intense had happen. He was searching some of the classic classifieds and 10 minutes down the road from where we grew up was a one owner, 54k, Gold with white int, factory AC/8 track/4 speed 1970 442. The price was very steep and seemed pretty firm. We gave the gentleman time to "deal" with other lookers but eventually my brother made a very generous offer after a couple months of waiting. She then became part of our family! Over the last couple years he has had restoration shops quote body on restorations with high quotes and lengthy time lines. Both I agree on but being in the car world and owning my dealership now 10 years I have made a decent amount of contacts for all areas or restoring or repairing cars. I'm trying to convince him the same on me contracting the car through all my sources plus we do mild restoration work on a lot of classic trucks here.
I am against but understanding of him wanting to add the W30 hood and sport mirrors. Basically sources for the chrome bumpers, W30 hood and accessories, etc. We would pull the engine (freshen up), glass, interior, and send the body and parts out to a body shop I use and trust.
Any suggestions on proper sources on parts mentioned above? I found options but looking for more direct recommendations.
Welcome to the site, congrats to your brother in a successful quest. Not knowing the condition of the car puts at a disadvantage. Post some pictures when you get a chance. An original/ unmolested, low mileage 70 442 is worthy in its own right just to maintain and not restore depending on its condition.
These are the pics that I have from when we purchased her. I had my interior buddy do the seats. A lot of purest want the car to stay the way it is and we agree but there is some small rust starting and he really wants to preserve and properly fix the car.
Fusick & Year One are the places I shop for my Olds. Both have specific, correct high qual parts. Other sources exist for more common items carbs, wheels, drive train, chassis parts. EG Summit, Jegs, Wheel Vintiques, The Carb Shop, JET Carbs, yes Rock Auto too... and others we are familiar with here.
Let him do the hood. Get all the correct parts to do this conversion. The Parts Place has the air cleaner parts. You need to use the proper hinge springs. Get the OEM style hood not the all glass hood. What I wouldn't like to see happen is the W clone. Too many of those are out there and many are really wrong as far as authenticity. Nothing wrong with a flat hood 4 speed 442, gold n white to boot. The W25 OAI hood was an option on a 442/Cutlass in 70. Nice car. Should be a easier resto.
Last edited by droldsmorland; June 1st, 2016 at 09:50 AM.
While I agree that the W-25 hood looks better, this may be the last 442 with metal hood left in captivity.
For what it's worth, W-25 hoods were relatively rare when these cars were new. Now, it's rare to find a car that DOESN'T have one. If he does want one, pay the money and get a Thornton hood.
Thorntons is the goal or plan on the hood. I feel it's unique to not have an M-25 so the plan is to prepare both hoods at the same time. Anyone highly recommend a chrome restore place? We've used ones online in the past but I'm really looking for the best if you guys know or recommend.
Last edited by 442Brother; June 29th, 2016 at 05:27 PM.
Dan congratulations to your brother, very sharp car, even better as it fulfills a dream from young adulthood! Love the Nugget Gold & White interior, very clean & Cool.
Joe- There's at least one other steel hood out there...
Thortons is the goal or plan on the hood. I feel it's unique to not have an M-25 so the plan is to prepare both hoods at the same time. Anyone highly recommend a chrome restore place? We've used ones online in the past but I'm really looking for the best if you guys know or recommend.
Qual Krome in Erie, PA or Advance Plating in TN. High quality, high prices. My 1964 Vista bumpers were $750/front and $800/rear to straighten and replate at Qual Krome. I've also seen them do amazing repairs to pot metal emblems - my friend had them repair and replate the broken emblems for his Jetfire.
Def Thornton's for the hood, and he's fairly local to you.
Re the mirrors - I spoke to Fusick at a show recently & they said they don't carry the reproes because of shyt quality. They said the metal is too porous and don't hold paint well. I've heard that from others as well. Bets bet is to look for good used ones. Also, I'm sure you are aware, but '70 is a one year only design.
PS-I'm still rocking the flat hood
Last edited by droptopron; June 1st, 2016 at 11:53 AM.
I will post pics but the car is now in my custody. I took her for a spin to a couple classic car enthusiast the other day. This car is amazing! My brother and I both agree that 4th gear, windows down at 80 mph is one of the best feelings I can't replicate out of any other car.
Quick update: Thorntons hood for 1970 does not sound promising for anytime soon. They explained how busy they are and honestly the vibe was its a minimum 3 month wait which is completely fine on my end but that's once they meet there 100 unit order and she showed no interest in taking my info which is understandable since that's a lot of hoods!
The passenger fender is best to replace then fix, any companies you guys/gals recommend? Lots of options out there but I want the best quality and fitment.
Some updates....a year plus since I posted but I would like to show off the car. Lots of time and money. (Learned lots!!) still have to finish the sport mirrors that are in route from Michigan and install the factory bumpers that the chrome shop took over a year to refinish.
This is where she sleeps every night
Last edited by 442Brother; November 5th, 2017 at 06:23 PM.
June 1st, 2016, 07:39 AM
