Vehicle Description
"Imagine a world where classics like Chevelles and GTOs are
considered hip. Better yet, imagine a world where big displacement,
rear-wheel drive cars are considered normal. Pretty crazy, right?
Especially in a market where front-wheel drive is the norm, and
almost every mainstream brand is rushing to introduce electric
vehicles. That world you are imagining, it probably looks a lot
like Oldsmobile's showroom in the early 1970s. That new car you
would be lusting over would be Oldsmobile's legendary 442
convertible. Combining an original Rocket 455 with correct one year
only special-order Bittersweet Iridescent paint and a frame-off,
rotisserie, nut-and-bolt restoration, this national award-winning
drop-top is a prime example of 442 lore! If you are looking for a
show-ready classic that will turn heads and bring home trophies,
it's your round-trip ticket to octane-fueled bliss!
NATIONAL AWARD WINNING
The best way to restore a classic car is to strip everything to
bare metal and commit to a detailed, ground-up rebuild. When you
are starting with an 89,000 original mile barn find that spent 45
years of its life with the original owner, that job is made a bit
easier. That's why this impressive 442 earned a First Place award
at the 2019 Oldsmobile Club of America National Meet. Another
reason is because that nut-and-bolt reboot was completed under the
watchful eye of a 30+ year Olds guru and National Level Judge using
NOS parts where available. Add to that, this drop-top's paint and
bodywork was performed by Wright City, Missouri's Jim Novelli Auto
Body, who has won many Best of Class awards with various
restorations over the past 30 years. Owner states that "Jim is the
Michelangelo of metal and the Picasso of paint." All this adds up
to a stunning Motor City masterpiece.
One dream of the original owner was to restore the car back to its
showroom condition. Once the car was brought out from the darkness
and the dust, the new owner followed that dream. Details kick off
with correct, 1971- Bittersweet three-stage paint with factory spec
striping, near perfect NOS sheet metal and gaps, 442-specific
grille, stainless-trimmed T3s headlights and a NOS bumper. Behind
that grille, a W25 Outside Air Induction Hood stretches black
stripes between polished hood locks, stainless-trimmed glass and a
tight black top. Polished door handles join color-keyed sport
mirrors to perfectly complement NOS marker lamps. Car sits on one
year only, highly desired, all chrome wheels and period correct
Goodyear RWL tires flanked by "442" fender scripts. At the back of
the car, a pinstriped decklid hangs a fourth "442" emblem above
"sweet sounding" trumpeted exhaust tips and a second NOS
bumper.
NUMBERS-MATCHING POWER
Under the OAI Hood you will find 455 cubic inches of original
Rocket V8, with the correct 396021F block casting number over a
matching 194429 VIN that was professionally rebuilt at the time of
the car's meticulous restoration. Also you'll find a correct
rebuilt carburetor, distributor and open-face alternator. Twist the
key. Listen to that breathing 455 ci beast (audio available) as
correct intakes transport air to the professionally rebuilt numbers
correct carburetor, then exhaling through the Gardner exhaust
system dual pipes with those beautiful trumpet tips coming out the
bumper. That amazing throaty, 70's sound comes courtesy of Speed
Pro pistons with black friction coating on the skirts, Sig Erson
street fighter cam, Cloyes Double roller timing chain and gear set,
and a Melling m22 oil pump resulting in a 9.5:1 compression ratio.
Naturally, the heads were redone with all new valves, valve springs
and rocker arms/pivots. Connecting rod bolts and nuts are high
strength chrome moly ARP. All supplying power to the 3:23 posi-rear
end.
CLEAN AND CRISP
This convertible's hot big block fronts a correct Turbo-Hydramatic
400 3-speed, which sends power to a reliable 10-bolt axle that
hides a posi-traction differential and stout, 3.23 gears under a
cool W27 inspection cover. That smooth driveline rides a familiar
heavy-duty suspension, which, along with the car's drivetrain, was
fully rebuilt during the body-off reboot. Solid stops are provided
by correct power front disc and rear drum brakes. Turns come
courtesy of factory power steering. At the center of the floors, a
choice Gardner exhaust system funnels spent gases through throaty
mufflers. Everything rolls on all chrome Oldsmobile Super Stock
I's, which spin G70-14 Goodyear tires around NOS rocket-branded
center caps.
SIENNA SCENE
Inside this impressive classic you will find a correct Sienna
interior that, in the realm of performance-focused muscle cars, is
classy, upscale and complements the Bittersweet exterior. At the
center of the cockpit, stainless-trimmed seats prop pliable
Legendary Auto vinyl on fade-free Legendary Auto carpet. Between
those thrones, a correct console frames a wood-trimmed shifter. In
front of that island, a wood-trimmed dash hangs reconditioned
requisite Tic-Toc Tach Rally Pack gauges and the correct AM/FM
stereo radio. The rare NOS Sport Steering Wheel is icing on the
cake.
Both desirable and exclusive, high class Oldsmobile brutes occupy a
unique corner of the collector car hobby. If you are looking for an
honest, unrelentingly cool classic that will turn heads wherever
you go, it's hard to beat this striking 442. So, what are you
waiting for? Call, click or visit https://www.RKMotors.com and step
up to a national award winner!
HIGHLIGHTS
Authentic 442 convertible that earned First Place at the 2019
Oldsmobile Club of America Nationals
A true barn find with 89,000 original miles before nut and bolt
restoration.
The beneficiary a professional restoration that was supervised by a
national level Oldsmobile judge
Original 455 cubic inch Rocket V8 built to 9.5 to 1 compression
Correct Turbo-Hydramatic 400 3-speed automatic transmission
Correct 10-bolt rear axle with a posi-traction differential and
3.23 gears
Factory power steering
Factory power front disc and rear drum brakes
Correct Sienna interior with vinyl and carpet by Legendary Auto
Correct 1971-exclusive Bittersweet Iridescent paint with a Black
top
Correct heavy-duty suspension with 14-inch highly coveted all
chrome Super Stock I wheels
Original Broadcast Card
Additional documents from the car's original owner including
owner's title from 1971
Extensive restoration photos, receipts and audio available
All RK Motors vehicles receive a comprehensive, multi-point
inspection
We can arrange shipment of your purchase anywhere in the world"
