1970 Oldsmobile 442

1970 Oldsmobile 442 The word Cutlass is defined as a short curvy one-edged sword that was used by sailors. The Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme was the best selling car in Olds history. With its clean lines and numerous model offerings, it is clear to see why. The 4-4-2 name, (pronounced Four-four-two), derives from the original cars four-barrel carburetor, four-speed manual transmission, and dual exhausts. Some maintain that the 2 indicated positive traction rear differential. It was originally written 4-4-2 For consignment, a 1970 442 that has lived a pampered life in the form of being garage kept and covered during our consignors and the prior owners tenure. This Oldsmobile is equipped with the essentials that make up a 442, a 4bbl carburetor, 4-speed transmission, and dual exhaust. Couple that with a wonderful blue paint job, ivory bucket seat interior and Super Stock II wheels and we have a showstopper and a drag strip winner. Exterior Straight steel side panels with coke bottle form, and dual bulged hood with consistent gaps are all bathed in the deep end of the pool Astro Blue Metallic. Up front a split grille is flanked by dual headlights on either side and a large chrome bumper below. All is nice and tight and in good alignment with no rust or fading on chrome. White decal accenting stripes are seen on the hood as well as a belt line spear which runs the gamut of the sides of this car. The roofline slowly slopes gracefully to the trunk deck, where we see more white striping to break up the sea of blue. As the trunk rolls downward it greets a shiny rear bumper with 4 inset taillights. Dual exhaust pipes peek out from underneath this bumper. On all 4 corners we have 14-inch body matching light blue Oldsmobile Super Stock II wheels all wrapped in raised white letter BFGs. Very 70s, very muscular, and very nice. Interior Opening one of the doors we are greeted by pristine textured Ivory vinyl horizontally stitched with nice chrome accents, window cranks, and vinyl wood grain panels with black carpeting below. Front buckets in high back form have buttoned and stitched front and back bolsters with some curved smooth inserts, also in Ivory. The rear bench is all vinyl and takes on the style of the buckets. A look forward to the dash and a very clean one indeed, with black color padded vinyl and curved metal to match, and plenty of wood burl appliqu for this dash front. This includes the round gauge cluster background and a strip below that houses the temp sliders and Olds AM radio. The gauges are not of the rallye variety and include 3 round pods for the speedometer, fuel gauge and warning light combination, and a hash marked display. Factory air is also optioned in. A rally steering wheel fronts the dash and we note that this car is not equipped with a console, leaving a Hurst shifter as the lone growth from the center hump. Clean black carpeting in great shape floods the floors. The headliner looks good and tight, and it has original lighting. A shout to the trunk interior which is beautifully preserved and covered with a greenish-gray vinyl trunk mat. Drivetrain A 455 ci V8 which is circa 1968-1970, (casting number 396021F), resides in the well restored engine bay. This mill, while correct for the car, but cannot be verified as numbers matching. This huge mill is bathed in turquoise blue hue and is topped with a 4bbl carburetor and the correct non ram-air air cleaner assembly. Bolted to the back is a circa 1973 Muncie M20 manual transmission which sends power rearward to a 12-bolt 3.23 geared rear axle assembly. Undercarriage Up on the lift we are greeted by a patina finished undercarriage. A mix of black paint, factory undercoating and surface rust cover the underside and the frame and flooring is strong and sturdy. Power disk brakes are upfront and power drum brakes are in back. Providing the ride is an independent coil sprung front suspension that works with a 4 link and coil spring rear suspension. On for the exhale are chrome headers that snake their way down from the engine and work rearward, passing through Flowmaster mufflers, then ending in chrome tips that protrude from the cut outs in the rear bumper. Our consignor states that the correct exhaust manifolds are included with the purchase. Drive-Ability A quick starter and excellent performer with the 455 cubes and a 4 barrel carburetor. A few frowns crept up on the drive, those being: a non-functional horn, reverse lights that dont light up and a slightly noisy throw out bearing for the clutch. Plenty of power, good braking, and a comfy ride were all exhibited on our test track and even with the frowns this is one serious gentlemans muscle car. An extremely nice example from the year 1970. Cared for and garaged, very clean car with a mere 66,307 miles but the title shows the mileage as actual at 66,391. An interesting 70s Astro Blue with Ivory inside and out, with all surfaces in very nice condition. Also, the bulge hood and white accenting stripes really make this car pop. Turn the key and start enjoying 1970 all over again. VIN DECODE 344870M147750 3-Oldsmobile 44-442 87-2 Door Plainback Hardtop Coupe 0-1970 M-Lansing, MI Assy Plant 147750-Sequential Unit Number TRIM TAG ST 70 34487-1970 442 2 Door Plainback Hardtop Coupe BDY LAN252045-Lansing Body # TR 937-Ivory Vinyl Buckets PNT 48A-Sherwood Green, White Top 10A-1st Week October Build