Vehicle Description
Strap in folks, because this 1970 Oldsmobile 442 Indy Pace Car
Convertible is a pretty big deal, and once you see its long list of
credentials and provenance, that price tag won't seem so big after
all. Formerly a museum piece that's also been owned by some
world-renowned people, this Cutty droptop is pretty much the
creme-de-la-creme of Pace Cars. 51K actual miles, matching-numbers
throughout, a top-flight frame-off restoration that's kept it
looking practically new, and enough historical documentation to
choke an elephant: those are just some of the highlights, any one
of which would make any classic car pretty darn special. Only 268
"442 Indy Pace Cars" were produced, and the very few that are left
likely can't hold a candle to this one. Whether you're into Pace
Cars, 442s, or just love the look of an impeccably restored muscle
car convertible, this Porcelain White-over-Black beauty is about as
good as it gets. You want the best, well, it's put up or shut up
time, because a car like this won't be around again anytime
soon.
Previously owned by Automotive Hall of Fame Member, Keith Crain
(the famed head man of Automotive News for decades), and recently
showcased at the Sam Pack Auto Museum, it's fairly easy to
understand how this car (and all of its paperwork) remained in such
incredible condition throughout the years. Cars like this are
special when they're new, so guys tended to treat them better even
when the dark days of the 1970s rolled on. In 2002, it was torn
down to the molecular level and rebuilt from there, and despite
that frame-off restoration, it appears to still be wearing all its
original bodywork. The trim tag says it was originally Code 10
Porcelain White - white has always been a favorite of Pace Car
selections - so when it came time to restore this beauty, the
builders didn't mess with the recipe and brought it right back to
factory specs. Paint and bodywork are exemplary with only a few
very minor signs of use since it was completed, and if you want to
make a statement, nothing does it better than the gaping, dual
scoop ram air hood and rear spoiler (a fiberglass unit added-on
during the restoration) on a 442. Black stripes outlined in red
adorn the hood, deck lid, and the profiles, the rocker panels are
properly blacked-out too, and the Pace Car decals were expertly
reapplied to look exactly like they did in the Spring of 1970 at
Indy. Nothing was overlooked in this build, although the shine is
far deeper than it would have been in 1970 thanks to the use of
modern paint technology. At the same time, all the chrome and
stainless was refinished to a blinding shine, and it still wears
correct 442 emblems, color-matched sports-style mirrors, and twin
trumpet exhaust tips out back. Yeah, this baby has it going on.
The Code D15 Deluxe Black interior is really the only reasonable
choice with a white convertible adorned in black stripes, and
everything you can see or touch inside looks brand new. Strato
bucket seats wrapped in gorgeous hides and a super-clean sports
console are standard equipment on the 442, and it's anchored by
black carpets and a matching black dash top that tie it all
together. Woodgrained accents remind you that this isn't a lowly
Chevy or Pontiac, and it's loaded with options like a Hurst
dual-gate shifter, a Custom Sport steering wheel mounted atop a
tilt-away column, a power convertible top, and a Deluxe push-button
AM stereo, just to name a few. The Rocker Rally Pac gauges ahead of
the driver are in excellent shape, and they include an uber-cool
Tick-Tock-Tach among their ranks that's so subtle you may miss it
at first glance. There's a like-new white power convertible top
with a glass rear window that disappears with the touch of a
button, and the trunk is correctly restored with a full-sized spare
tire, jack set, and proper plaid mat.
That's the original, numbers-matching 455 cubic inch V8 under the
hood, fully serviced and decked out in numbers-correct hardware.
Aside from the date-code correct W-30 intake manifold up top, it's
quite stock and we have detailed photos of all the important parts
for you numbers junkies out there. Finished in metallic blue, it's
show-quality and runs superbly with a big hit of low-end torque
that made these engines famous. There's plenty of 'pop' under the
hood thanks to the giant ram-air air cleaner, bright blue valve
covers, and satin black inner fenders, and you'll never hesitate to
open the hood at a show as the center of attention. The TH400
3-speed automatic transmission is the perfect dance partner that
can easily handle the big-block's power, and the 12-bolt
'anti-spin' rear end features a period-correct W-27 aluminum
differential cover and is full of 3.23 gears, which were standard
on automatic 442 convertibles. The undercarriage is practically
clean enough to eat off of, with even the dual exhaust system
virtually blemish-free, and the beefy suspension is full of parts
that have barely been tested. Special Super Stock color-matched
wheels are Pace Car staples, and they come wrapped in
period-looking GR70-14 Firestone Wide-O-Ovals that were installed
just a couple years back.
Heavily documented with build receipts, a reproduction window
sticker, owner's manuals, it's original bill of sale, ownership
history, and a bunch of other juicy provenance, this is an
investment-grade 442 Pace Car Convertible that's not only
incredibly rare, but incredibly beautiful, too. Call today!
