1965 Oldsmobile 442 Convertible – Verified 442 • Correct One-Year-Only 400 Block • Turquoise Mist • Honest California Car
Price: $34,995
Offered exclusively by Platt Motors, Anderson, California — Family automotive lineage since 1931
⭐ Vehicle Overview
For the enthusiast searching for a real 1965 Oldsmobile 442 convertible—not a tribute, not a badge job, not a clone—this example delivers exactly the kind of confidence, presentation, and authenticity collectors look for.
This car carries the correct Fisher Body 33867 style code, verifying it as a factory-built 442 convertible. It is finished in its striking period-style Turquoise Mist, a color that beautifully suits the lines of the 1965 body and draws attention without shouting for it. Its subtle metallic tone and vintage presence make this car a standout at local shows, cruises, or simply parked in your driveway.
Under the hood is a recently rebuilt Oldsmobile 400 V8 with very low miles since completion. What sets this drivetrain apart is the block casting number 389298—the rare, one-year-only 400 used exclusively in 1965 442 models. Matching-numbers status cannot be certified due to the absence of original warranty records (as is typical with Fremont-built Oldsmobiles), but the engine block is correct and desirable for the year and model. This is the exact scenario seasoned buyers seek: correctness, drivability, and no authenticity questions.
This convertible delivers what a 1965 442 should: a confident idle, smooth torque, a healthy exhaust tone, poised stance, and style that turns heads.
⭐ A Brief History of the 1965 442
1965 was the year Oldsmobile refined the 442 from an option package into a true identity model:
✔ Performance suspension
✔ Correct exhaust system
✔ Handling characteristics that distinguished it from its GM siblings
For decades now, 1965 442 convertibles have remained among the most desirable of the early 442 lineup, especially those verified as factory-built examples. More tribute cars exist today than real 442s—so finding one with the correct body and correct-casting engine is a rare opportunity.
⭐ Exterior – Turquoise Mist Presentation
• Turquoise Mist finish—driver/show quality, eye-catching and era-correct
• Bright trim in attractive condition
• Clean, clear glass
• Straight panels and correct 442 stance
• Convertible top in excellent operational condition—raises/lowers as intended
This car looks fantastic in the sunlight; the Turquoise Mist hue pops without appearing loud, giving the right blend of elegance and performance.
⭐ Interior Condition
• Bucket seats and center console
• Comfortable seating surfaces
• Clean dash, trim, steering wheel
• Period-correct appearance—not artificially over-restored
The cabin has the tone of a genuine driver: clean, classy, and welcoming.
⭐ Mechanical Confidence
(The Correct One-Year-Only 1965 442 Engine)
Power comes from a recently rebuilt 400ci Oldsmobile V8, with extremely low miles on it.
Most importantly:
✔ Block casting number 389298
✔ Recognized as the one-year-only 1965 442 big block
✔ Used exclusively in 442 production and extremely desirable
Matching-numbers certification cannot be claimed without original dealer paperwork, but this is the correct engine for the car and year—an ideal balance between pedigree and practical enjoyment.
Mechanical highlights:
• Automatic transmission
• Dual exhaust with the unmistakable 442 tone
• Power steering
• Good cooling performance
• Smooth, torquey acceleration
Suspension behavior and stance are consistent with what collectors expect from early 442 models—confident cornering and a distinct road presence.
⭐ Driving Experience
If you want a classic you enjoy instead of one that lives under a dust cover—this is it.
The car:
• Starts easily
• Idles smoothly
• Tracks straight
• Stops well
• Cruises comfortably
It does not pretend to be a retired museum piece—it is an authentic, usable classic made to drive.
⭐ Paperwork and Inspection
• Clear title
• Verified 442 origin via body tag
• No inspection documents on hand, but third-party inspections are welcomed
At Platt Motors, transparency is part of our identity—and invitations for independent evaluation reflect that.
⭐ Why This 442 Matters in Today’s Market
Most buyers searching for a 1965 442 convertible are confronted with:
✘ Tribute builds with uncertain origins
✘ Numbers-matching museum restorations commanding high premium pricing
This car sits perfectly in the middle:
✔ Authentic 442 body
✔ Correct-casting, one-year-only 442 block
✔ Nicely rebuilt drivetrain
✔ Excellent presentation
✔ Priced for enjoyment instead of storage
That equation is increasingly difficult to find.
⭐ Offered by Platt Motors — Automotive Legacy Since 1931
Platt Motors isn’t just a dealership—we are the continuation of a family automotive story that began in Elizabeth NJ in 1931 with Dan Platt Motors.
We grew up around cars, community, and handshake business ethics. Today in Anderson, CA, we carry those values into the modern collector market.
What we offer:
• Honest representation
• Detailed walk-arounds
• Real conversations
• Vehicles matched to the right buyers
We consign, broker, and sell nationwide and internationally—and our repeat clients return because they know we say what we mean and stand behind what we sell.
⭐ Price & Contact
$34,995
📍 Anderson, California
📞 707-599-9448
See our full inventory at PlattMotors.com
⭐ Final Word
A 1965 Oldsmobile 442 convertible in Turquoise Mist with the correct and desirable one-year-only 389298 400 block, strong driving manners, and authentic California character—priced where enthusiasts can actually own and enjoy one.
Drive it today.
Improve it as you wish.
Hang onto it as values continue to rise.
This is the right 442 for someone who values heritage, honesty, and the freedom to enjoy their classic instead of worshiping it from afar.
