Vehicle Description
This 1967 Oldsmobile 442 convertible is one heck of a good-looking
car. It's mostly stock, although there's now a thumping 455 in
place of the original 400, and those wheels definitely make a
statement. If you're a fan of the Rocket brand, this is a car that
looks right no matter where you go.
There's no mistaking the Olds front end and the elegant, restrained
look of the rest of the car suits the brand's upscale image
perfectly. This particular 442 shows off a very nice paint job in
vivid Spanish Red, which seems like an appropriate choice. Check
out how straight the bodywork is, the clean gaps, and the bright
shine on the paint, all of which make this car seem far more
expensive than it is. You'll also note a few louvers in the hood,
performance-oriented hood pins, and a distinct lack of stripes or
spoilers, so it's a grown-up's muscle car. A big part of that is
the chrome and stainless trim, which was surely restored at the
same time yet still sparkles like new and offers a bright contrast
to the red paint. Proper 442 badges were installed wherever
necessary, adding authenticity without distracting from the overall
look.
A big part of the 442 formula was a 4-speed gearbox (that's
ostensibly what the second '4' is for), and it's planted between a
set of black bucket seats that are in excellent condition. The
original-looking seat covers are probably replacements, but things
like the door panels, back seat, and the console are likely
original, so it has a wonderful all-of-a-piece feel that is neither
too old nor too fresh. Big, round gauges fill the instrument panel
ahead of the driver and they, too, are in original condition with
crisp markings seeming to hover over the needles spinning behind
them, and the tach is just too cool. There's a digital AM/FM radio
is over there in the middle of the dash, right below the controls
for the power convertible top, which folds neatly into the well
with the touch of a button. The trunk is bare but doesn't show any
signs of the dreaded tin worm, so it'll be easy to get a
replacement mat and take it up a notch.
The 400 cubic inch Oldsmobile V8 was dumped in favor of a
thundering 455 cubic inch mill that's all about torque. Looking
very much like it was born there, the gold engine fills the engine
bay and looks the part of a muscle car powerplant. Famous for
torque production, the big Olds remains luxury-car friendly, with a
smooth idle and enough grunt to get the big convertible moving
without seeming to work very hard. The aforementioned 4-speed
manual is always cool in an Oldsmobile, and a set of long-tube
headers and Flowmaster mufflers give it a fantastic soundtrack
that's very distinctive. It's mostly original underneath, but
that's OK because this car has led an easy life, and those flashy
REV aluminum wheels and staggered 245/40/18 front and 255/35/20
performance radials give it plenty of attitude.
Beautiful to look at and a joy to drive, this cool Olds combines
the best aspects of a restored car with the feel of a survivor,
making it a very appealing package. Call now!