Cruisin Classics is excited to present to you this 1970 Oldsmobile
442. 1970 was the pinnacle of performance for the 442 and it's the
year that collectors and enthusiasts love to find. Sitting here
before us is a stunning example that still retains it's original
numbers-matching 455ci V-8 engine, and not only that - it's also a
factory A/C car (blows cold!). According to the trim tag, this 442
was originally a Galleon Gold car with a gold vinyl roof and a gold
bucket seat interior, but over the years a lot has changed. This
beauty now sports a slick black paint job with gold accents, the
vinyl top is gone, and the interior is now black. We don't know
when the car was painted, but it is good driver-quality condition
with only minimal imperfections and a great shine. The highlight at
the front end of this 442 is definitely the muscular dual scoop ram
air fiberglass hood with twist locks. The scoops both have gold on
top, surrounded with red and black pinstripes and the sides have
H/O 455 decals that let you know what's hiding underneath. These
hoods (W-25) were stock on W-30 cars, but they were an available
option on 442's and Cutlass's - so we don't know if it was
originally built with one or if it was added later. Below the cool
hood is a split vertical bar grille flanked by dual side-by-side
headlights with eyelids, all surrounded with bright trim. On the
"tooth" that splits the grilles is a bright "442" badge that
proclaims this is no run-of-the-mill Cutlass. Beneath is a bright
chrome bumper with integrated turn signals. As soon as you start to
move around to the side of the car you see a gold hockey stripe
with black and red pin-striping that starts at the headlights,
moves upward, then swoops across the fenders, ending with a point
on the doors. This stripe, although not stock, looks great and is a
nod to a similar stripe on Hurst Olds of the period. This 442 has
quite a bit of gleaming brightwork that pops against the black
body, like hood reveal molding, windshield surround, drip rail
molding, window trim, door edge molding, wheel lip molding, and a
"442" fender badge. Perfectly complementing this ride is a set of
15" Magnum 500 style wheels with Oldsmobile center caps, all
wrapped in BF Goodrich Radial T/A's. Cool styling continues at the
rear of the car where a gold band with black and red pinstripes
surrounds the rear window and stretches down the sides to the rear
bumper. The chrome bumper features integrated vertical taillights
and cut-outs at the bottom to accommodate the chrome trumpeted
exhaust tips that are a signature of the 442. Like many cars of the
day, the gas fill is hidden behind the license plate. Take a peek
underneath to find a very clean undercarriage with correct boxed
rear control arms and a rear sway-bar. Both front and rear
sway-bars and all four shocks are gold - a nice touch that
continues the theme from above.
Under the hood of this 442 is a clean stock-looking engine bay that
you can be proud to show off. The focal point here is definitely
the teal-painted numbers-matching 7.5 liter 455ci Oldsmobile Rocket
V-8. These engines were factory-rated at 365hp, though actual
real-world power was likely higher. The big engine is topped with a
4-barrel Quadrajet carburetor and a working ram-air air cleaner
with correct "Rocket 455" decal. Looking ahead of the engine you'll
see a Frigidaire A/C compressor (works) and a power steering fill.
The hearty V-8 is mated up to a TH400 3-speed automatic
transmission that sends power to the rear wheels via a 12-bolt rear
axle with limited-slip differential. The transmission is stamped
"70-0G" which denotes it as a 1970 TH400 that was mated to a 455
V-8, but there are no numbers on it that connect it to the VIN.
Exhaust flows through headers and Dynomax mufflers before exiting
the chrome tips with a rumble that will put a smile on your face
every time. Stopping power comes courtesy of a brand new booster
and master cylinder that power front discs and rear drums.
When you open the drivers door a red dome light and underdash
courtesy light pop on to illuminate an exceptionally nice black
interior with wood and chrome accents. The door panels look
OEM-correct with a stylish mix of black vinyl and black carpet with
wood trim and bright elements. The doors are equipped with an
armrest, handle, window crank, and drivers mirror toggle. A bright
Fisher sill plate leads inside to nice black loop carpet with gold
carpeted "442" logo floormats. The front bucket and rear bench
seats are dressed in black vinyl in the correct factory style and
they are as comfortable as they are good-looking. The rear bench is
outfitted with lap belts while the front buckets have overhead
shoulder safety restraints as well. Splitting the front buckets is
a black center console with bright trim and woodgrain accents. On
the console is an armrest/storage box that contains a working
courtesy light, an original wooden shifter ball, and two toggle
switches (one is an engine kill switch, the others function is
unknown). Also on the console is a Hurst "his & hers" dual-gate
shifter for the 3-speed automatic. The shifter was installed in
2018 by the most recent owner and it replaced a stock console
shifter (the dual-gate was an option in 1970). Ahead of the driver
is a 4-spoke steering wheel with a working horn on a fixed column.
The dash is black and crack-free, with woodgrain panels backing the
gauges and accessories. Factory gauges include temp, fuel, and oil
(all on one gauge) as well as a 120mph speedometer and a "tick-tock
tach" (clock inop.). The odometer reads only 66,905 miles and the
title claims those to be actual. Supplemental gauges from Sunpro
have been added under the dash for volts, temp, and oil pressure.
The 2-speed wiper control works just as it should, as do the
lights. To the drivers right are controls for the cold A/C, hot
heat, and fan. These controls work as they should, but an underdash
toggle switch must be flipped to activate the A/C compressor. Also
on the dash is a Custom Autosound AM/FM stereo that plays through a
dash speaker and a set of Pioneer 6X9's on the rear package tray.
Ahead of the front passenger is a glovebox with a working light
that contains an original owners manual and a stereo instruction
booklet. Overhead you'll see a tight black vinyl headliner. Around
back in the trunk is a black rubber mat, two car covers, a trickle
charger, a California duster, a bias-ply spare on a Magnum 500
wheel, a period jack, and a box with the current antifreeze, oil,
and transmission fluid being used in the car as well as some extra
bulbs and fuses. This 442 also comes with a folder of receipts for
work done over the last 10 years.
If you're looking for a truly iconic car from the "golden era" of
American muscle, you're going to want to check out this 442! It
oozes style and power, it's equipped with it's original 455ci V-8,
it's got cold factory A/C, it has a dual-gate Hurst shifter, it has
the functional fiberglass ram air hood, and it boasts only 66,905
actual miles! This 442 is sure to find a new home fast, so don't
delay - give our friendly staff a call today and make it your
own!
ENGINE
Numbers-Matching 7.5 liter 455ci Oldsmobile Rocket V-8
4-Barrel Quadrajet Carburetor
Working Ram Air Air Cleaner
Power Steering
Factory A/C with Frigidaire Compressor
Headers
Dynomax Mufflers
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