1970 Oldsmobile 442 W25 Convertible

455ci Pushrod V8 Engine
Single 4-Barrel Quadrajet Carburetor
365bhp at 5,200rpm
3-Speed Turbo 400 Automatic with His and Her shifter
Independent Front and Conventional Axle with Coil Spring Rear Suspension
Front Disc and Rear Drum Hydraulic Power-Assisted Brakes

*Offered by the original owner
*Restored by marque specialist
*Devastating Rally Red with White leather interior
*Matching number example
*Includes original owner's manual and "Protect o Plate Card"


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THE OLDSMOBILE 442

Oldsmobile is not generally thought of as a maker of high-performance cars. Early cars, good cars, reliable cars, but rarely fast or stylish. In fact, one of the company's most famous and important cars was its 'Curved Dash' models from around 1901. They were moderately priced, well-built and reliable for the day. However, they were very basic single-cylinder machines.

The company graduated to big and powerful touring cars and after World War II was one of the first American automakers to bring out a new overhead valve V-8 engine, known as the Rocket 88. In fact, both the Curved Dash Olds and the Rocket 88 were popularized in contemporary songs.

Although the Oldsmobile's of the 1950s and 1960s had powerful engines, they were big and heavy cars primarily sold to successful middle-class drivers. That all changed in 1964 when the 4-4-2 package came along for the F-85 Cutlass. Although the F-85 line had held a Cutlass nameplate for several years, for 1964 the wheelbase grew to 114 inches and the 215 cid V-8 gave way to the bigger 330 cid Rocket engine. However, a V-6 was an option.

In the middle of the model year, an exciting model came along. The new 4-4-2 offered serious performance by way of a new 310 horsepower version of the 330 cubic inch V-8 engine with a four-barrel carburetor, dual exhausts, and an available four-speed manual transmission. Suddenly, Oldsmobile had entered the muscle car wars along with Pontiac and Chevrolet. New sheet metal came in 1966 and again in 1968. Finally, the sleek 4-4-2 had the looks to match its very credible performance.

The new body was carried over into 1970 with only detail changes. Under the hood, there were two base engines, both of which displaced 400 cid. The big block 455 cubic inch engine was also available, that produced a monstrous 500ft'lbs of torque. Total 1970 4-4-2 production amounted to under 20,000 units, only 2,933 of them were convertibles.

THE MOTORCAR OFFERED

This particular Oldsmobile 442 convertible has been in the care of the consigner since new. The manner in which the car came into her hands could be described as pure fate. After just having won a brand new Javelin SST from a raffle drawing, the seller was driving her car in Virginia Beach when she happened to pass Phillips Oldsmobile. Through the window, spinning on a turntable under the lights sat this particular car in the dealership showroom. She swung around in the Javelin, walked in, and traded her new Javelin SST for this car. It has remained in her ownership ever since

When new, the car was finished in its current color scheme of rally red (paint code 73), with white leather interior, and a white convertible top. It was also fitted with an 8 track tape player, and an optional outside air induction hood.

Around the turn of the millennium, it was decided to put the car through a restoration. It had been a faithful car with 144,000 well loved miles, and was entrusted to Page Customs, a muscle car specialist in Oilville, VA. Three years later, the work was completed, and the car was back with the consigners. Since its restoration, it has travelled around 2000 miles and has been kept in climate controlled storage. Today, the restoration still appears very fresh, the paintwork is in very good condition, and the white leather interior is still very clean.

Very few cars from this era have been kept by the original owners. Today this example presents extremely well and is an excellent example of the one of the most iconic convertible muscle cars. It still retains its original owner's manual and is offered with an original "Protect o Plate" card. This 442 is sure to be a hit at Cars and Coffee, Shows or Concours events, or as an excellent Sunday morning cruiser.