This car was built at the Fremont, CA plant and spent its entire productive life in CA and CO. In the mid-90’s, a man from Missouri performed a complete restoration. He is responsible for the performance modifications. For the past 16 years, it was just up the road in the hands of a Certified Oldsmobile mechanic. His tenure as the caretaker offered even more improvements.
The car has always been Provincial White. Originally, it had black wheels with wheel covers. It has always had black vinyl upholstery. Other than the front bucket seats, the interior is original. It has a white headliner that has one small hole. The dash is padded and original. It shows a couple of cracks that are not noticeable. The center console contains the factory tachometer and shifter. We know enough about the quirks of this car to state that it is an original first-year 442.
The front 442 emblems were replaced when the restoration occurred. The reproduced emblems had a different spread to the retention pins. If you wish to take apart the inner fenders, you will see the original hole spacings. The frame rails are drilled with four holes for adjustment of the upper control arms. The original air cleaner is installed on the car and is correct for 1964. The rear end trailing arms are boxed and it is evident it was done a long, long time ago. At the factory.
This car has never been rusty. The Provincial White paint is now over 25 years old and it looks great. There is no sign of any body repairs, no bubbles or cracks. The trunk floor is correctly finished in the body color of the car and it is smooth and never repaired. The chrome molding, trim and emblems are all in great condition. The bumpers were replated during the resto.
This car was equipped with front and rear seat belts, chrome moldings, padded dash and air conditioning. It has power steering and brakes. The front brakes are now disc. It has a Muncie 21 four speed transmission and the Oldsmobile 10 bolt rear end. I was told the gearing is now 3.55. I did not confirm that. It would have been 3.31 from the factory.
The engine is now a .030 over 455 Olds. It was professionally built and we have the receipts. It has a nice cam, Edelbrock intake, Holley Double Pumper carburetor, headers and HEI ignition. The exhaust is a 3 inch Flowmaster system with H-pipe. It exits out at the bumper corners.
The 3 core radiator has been refurbished. There are dual electric cooling fans that are thermostatically controlled. The water pump was recently replaced. The alternator is now heavy duty to supply the fans. All belts and hoses were recently replaced. The air conditioning was completely rebuilt and converted to 134a Freon.
The front end was completely rebuilt using neoprene bushings. All shocks are new. The car has been tastefully lowered. A heavy duty sway bar was installed. The clutch and throw-out bearing are brand new.
There is the factory tachometer and some auxiliary gauges to monitor performance. The original radio is present, but disconnected. An AM/FM/Cassette stereo was installed during the restoration with a trunk mounted amplifier and speakers.
We just installed a brand new set of vintage Cragar SS wheels. The fronts are six inches wide and are wrapped with BFG 215/65/15 Radial TA’s and the rears are eight inches wide with 255/60/15 BFG’s. This combination really gives the car a nice ride, great handling and the shiny chrome of the wheels blends well with all the chrome on the body. How can you not love the look of Cragar SS wheels on a 60’s GM muscle car?!
This is a great looking car that has been well-thought-out and performs to a high level. It has gobs of power, handles well, sounds great and has nice creature comfort. The quality of the body/paint/trim is such that you will be more than proud to take it to any car show. It appears very nice on the interior. This 442 has what I call a “great day 2 look”.
Its life in CA and CO allowed it to remain solid and corrosion-free. It must have been garage-kept, or the interior could not have survived so well. For the past 25 years, we know the car has received great care and nice modification. Now it is up to you to continue to offer it wonderful care. But don’t be afraid to drive it and enjoy it. I promise, you
