Got an email from a family member trying to find a new home for an orphan 442. I didn't know Olds made them this ugly!:laugh: Drop me a PM if you want more info, from what I know its a 99K all-original example needing a headliner repair and a good clean-up. Don't know about price, but can find out if anyone is interested.
That body style is affectionately referred to as the Buttless Cutlass by Oldsmobile afficionados. Not real popular, but a few people like them.
Notonly is it butt ugly (pun intended) it had a rip snorting 307 or 305 to snap your neck. Olds (and Buick for that matter since they used this same turd body) were starting to get a lot of help about this time. Maybe "not your father's Oldsmobile" was written to apply to this abortion. Even the guys in the Detroit ghetto didn't like these. They do make good race cars, though. Get out the torch, sawzall, and air chisel and go at it. No loss.
By the way, someone locally here has a 77 442 for sale. I looked inside and it has a 5 speed manual tranny? Is that rare? It looks basically untouched and the interior is mint. Single exhaust though. I know by 77 they were castrated, but what were the options in 77? http://www.carcraft.com/thehistoryof/ccrp_0605_phoenix_auto_boneyard_bonanza/photo_05.html http://carphotos.cardomain.com/ride_images/1/1796/201/4487600031_large.jpg
77's are rare, and sound great, but have a weak trans and a very lame Olds 260.........Nice thing is, you can bolt in a 455 with a good 4 speed, upgrade the rear end and driveshaft, and it makes a dynamite car. Big and heavy as compared to the earlier 64-72 cars, but drive like a dream.
Yes, a 5-speed was available from the factory. However, it was only available behind the 260 (I believe). It was too weak to survive behind even the smog-year 350s. I don't know if the 5-speed is rare, but it's certainly not desirable.
Interesting. That must explain why this thing had single exhaust then. :sleep: Bummer cause it could be a cool car.
As early as 1972, the 442 became an appearance and handling option. Note the lack of the word "acceleration." You could order a 1972 Cutlass with the 442 option and a 2 bbl 350 with single exhaust. Things only got worse as the years progressed.
When Stempel pulled all the best engineers off the "hot rod stuff" and put them on emissions development, they should have lowered the flag at Lansing to half mast. Budgets disappeared (and went underground), and the sandbox was closed up. That happened in 1970. Soon after a lot of the good guys left.
As goofy as it may sound I really wouldn't mind having one of those...kinda grew on me over the past couple weeks of watching the post. Only difference is it would have to have the twin turbo setup on a 350 in the Century, all up front.
