1968 Oldsmobile 442 Holiday Coupe
I am calling this car Day Two. As it sits today, it is a “Day Two” car, meaning it has undergone some owner modifications throughout the years. Of course it is always a matter of taste.
This car has always been in Alabama. Shean’s parents purchased it for him when he was a Junior in High School. It was 1974 and the price for a six year old used 442 was $1350.
Shean owned the car until September 2020. He decided it was time to let it become the enjoyment for somebody else. Thankfully, he advertised it within the Oldsmobile group and I spotted it right away. Shean was so caring of his car that he insisted on delivering it himself. He and his wife brought it from Alabama to WI for me. I got a new friend in the deal. He would love to get to know you, as the next caretaker of his car.
The odometer reads 14,3xx miles. It is on the second time around. Shean put on the majority of those miles. The car has its original powertrain and it has never been overhauled. Due to good care and careful maintenance, it still starts, runs and drives like you would hope it would. Shean did tell me that he replaced the original Anti-Spin differential with a new unit from Auburn. This car runs strong and is not needing repairs.
Now don’t think he was easy on it. He shared some great stories of racing, running the law and others that I will allow him to divulge. He put this car through its paces and it served him well.
As I stated earlier, he made a few modifications. The funny thing is, if you were there during the late 70’s and early 80’s, they all make perfect sense. I was there and it took me right back to 1978.
Who didn’t believe a set of headers was the answer to more horsepower? Some throaty mufflers, too. Sitting on the black vinyl seats was not what we enjoyed, so new cloth inserts were installed. Shean added gauges, an aftermarket stereo with cassette and aftermarket cruise control. Who didn’t change up the look by adding some shiny wheels and white lettered tires? Shean replaced the carpet. A chrome three-spoke steering wheel was added, too.
This car was born Porcelain White with a black vinyl top and black bucket seats. It was born with the center console and shifter. It was born with Soft-Ray tinted glass and Air Conditioning. The original 3.08/1 gears are still in the rear end. As any good gearhead would, Shean added gauges and a Sun tach. Eventually, he converted the Air Conditioning to 134a Freon and it still blows cold. This car was built with Power Steering and Brakes.
This car is still propelled by its original 400 Rocket V8 and 400 Turbo Hydramatic transmission. The vinyl top was replaced long ago and it still looks wonderful. The Porcelain paint is almost 40 years old now. It is a 10 footer.
At some time in the early 80’s, Shean rear-ended another car. The front end was damaged enough that he purchased an entire front clip. The front clip and bumper were replaced and then the entire car was repainted. If my memory serves me, the cost of the repaint was $600. The front clip he found was from a W30 car, so your will find red inner fenders with factory holes cut for the Air Induction tubes. It would be very easy to turn this into a W30 clone.
The trunk contains many of the factory installed parts that Shean removed. There are also new replacement parts in the ready if you were ever to need them. There is an envelope in the glove box with lots of receipts from almost 50 years of ownership. You will learn quite a bit about the car, including the dealership where it was sold. But the stories need to come from Shean!
This is a great entry level 442. It needs nothing mechanically. It looks good and is solid, but it is not a show car. Rather, it is a driver. It was loved, cared for and driven by Shean for 46 years. Now it is your turn to enjoy it.
I hope you are as fortunate as I and discover a new friend in Shean. He would love to tell you his great stories. I am quite certain he would enjoy learning about your intentions for the car. Perhaps you will make some modifications of your own. Would Day Two become Day Three? This car is a great platform to start from.
