Picked up a 65 442 Convertible project last night. Unfortunately, It's an auto on the column, not a 4-speed. Basically, complete, but rough around the edges. Does have the stock 1965 400 B block. Hasn't been started in years. Frame is soft in spots. Hope to assess the motor today, overall condition of car, and get a better idea of what is/isn't original.

Putting feelers out for an original, straight, and clean 65 442 conv frame. Thanks

 

Well after sitting for 16-years got the car fired up and all things considered runs decent sitting at idle. Haven't revved it up much. Running off gas can in engine compartment. Frame does have one soft spot/hole I found so far. Hole was about size of nickle but grew to about the size of a 50-cent piece once I start picking at it. Car appears pretty much original. Looks to have had some level of repaint in spots (mainly due to rust on the lower sides of the body). Trunk pan is shot, floor is thin is spots with some small holes, drivers side front fender lower rear rusted through. Both lower quarters rusted through. Interior is worn out, but complete. Convertible top canvass is good.

Now need to figure out what to do with it! I'm going to try and yard drive it next weekend. Heater core leaking bad, so need to bypass that before anything else.

 

Looking for a frame patch section for this area. About 8" going forward of the aft mount hole (toward the door) and then up the frame rail hump about 8". Should give me plenty of clean metal to work with with.

 

Some areas of frame are same as hardtop, basically between the front/rear wheels is boxed on a convert.

 

I have a 64 Cutlass rolling frame here in Calif.

 

Convertible frame?

 

Just get it boxed.

 

Thanks for the offer. If I end up keeping the car and redoing it, I'd want to go with a stock convertible frame preferably a 65 442 conv frame. Realistically, not that bad and assume 90% of the folks wouldn't mess with it or do a small patch, but I tend to go overboard.

 

Thanks for the offer. If I end up keeping the car and redoing it, I'd want to go with a stock convertible frame preferably a 65 442 conv frame. Realistically, not that bad and assume 90% of the folks wouldn't mess with it or do a small patch, but I tend to go overboard.

 

Well, got the 65 442 vert starting and running pretty consistently off of a gas can. Also, was able to drive it yesterday around the yard so moves under it's own power. Drove forward and reverse about 100 yards. Brakes need some work, was low on fluid. They are power but didn't work as such. If anyone is in the market for a pretty original 65 442 ver car that runs and drives (moves) now, I might let this go. Not sure yet. Has rust, but certainly not beyond hope. I bought an 65 F85 club coupe this weekend. Waiting to have it checked out by the guy moving/storing it for me until I can get it to Florida. Car is out of state so haven't seen it first hand. If rougher than I want that might be going up for sale soon.

 

Hi,

Not sure where you're located, but a guy on V8buick.com has a 66 GS frame for sale in I believe Oregon, GS frames a boxed.

Good luck,

 

Thanks I’m in Florida .m

 

If someone has a nice clean original 65 442 frame, or is potentially interested in a restoration project I could probably go either direction at this point.

 

Still looking for correct 65 442 cons frame....mine is in good shape and useable, but has couple soft spots/ small holes from dirt buildup in one of the sides rails. I prefer no rust.