New to this forum

[kgl271]

Hi All,

I am new to this forum, but have been a regular on other Olds fourms. Not new to Olds, have 2 71 Cutlass Supremes, 1 80 Holiday 88 and a 91 HO Qaud 4 Calais. But I just got a 77 442 that I will need to learn about. It looks like it has a 403 with posi rear, how rare is that combo?

Was the White with Red Stripes a common color scheme? Is this worth the effort to restore?

Thanks Kevin

[mich77442]

Welcome Kevin I hope you have a picture of your car and could post it.
I have the same color combo with a 403. I'm not sure how rare it is, but someone told me that only appx 1,000 were made in 77 with the 403. Maybe someone with more knowledge then me can answer you question with some facts. I think it's worth it to restore or if you want to sell it I bet someone from this site would pick it up.

Denny

[Ktaaffe77442]

I believe I have seen the number around the 350 range for 77 442's with 403's
Iknow it wasn't many. I think it was posted on an older site 442.com.

[kgl271]

Thanks for the info guys. Here is a pic of what I got. Needs a lot of TLC but I think it might be worth it.

Hey Ktaaffe77442 I see you are in Minnesota, so am I. I live in Apple Valley.


Kevin

[damaged442]

Welcome to the site. I would say your 77 with the 403 is quite rare. Any 73-77 442 is probably quite a rare sight in Minnesota. I know I don't see too many in central NY anymore. Gotta love winters, right? There are lots of great people here that can help to answer any questions you may have. Personally, I would restore your car. Is it worth the effort? That will remain to be seen. At this point, many of us could not get out of our cars what we have put into them. (I just won't tell my wife that) If you decide not to though, I'm sure many people here could use your parts to help in the restoration of theirs. Best of luck. You've got a nice ride.

[ragz442]

Welcome to the site, a 403 '77....hell ya it's worth restoring. The Sherman quarter skins are nice panels, looks like yours may need them. I've installed a couple sets on 76-77 Cutlass's.

[Ktaaffe77442]

Hey good to see another fellow minnesotan. I just replaced the 1/4's on my 77. It's not to bad to do if you have someone that knows what they're doing help. 403's are rare in 442's there is no doubt you should restore it. The white and red combo is sweet. Mine is black with firethorn red and firethorn interior. hope to see ya around the shows and cruises.
Kevin Taaffe Jr.

[kgl271]

What are Sherman quarter skins and where do you get them. I know of The Parts Place and they have quarter repair panels, are they the same?

[ragz442]

Probably are the same, I believe they supply alot of the aftermarket companys. They go up and over the top body line about an inch or so, door jamb and rear panel at factory seams. They're basically a full quarter except they don't go up onto the sail panel or trunk seam. When I hear "quarter skins" I'm usually a little leary, but these are nice panels. Don't get me wrong, you have to do a little massaging to make them fit perfect, but they're definatly doable. Here's the link:

http://store.shermanparts.com/cgi-bin/sherman/product_list.html?img_num=797

I installed these about 7 years ago, they still look great:
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/12/web/684000-684999/684771_62_full.jpg

[PSU442]

When I read your post, I thought: "gosh darn it, mother *%&#*.... why couldn't my car have the 403??!!?" --- That's how rare it is. And that's how lucky you are. :)

[Ktaaffe77442]

The quarters I just installed are just like ragz442 described. I ordered them from a company in Wisconsin. I don't know if they were Shermans, but i would guess they are because it seems like no one wants to make parts for theese cars. We used LORD fusor adhesive to bond them and it worked great no heat wrinkles or anything to deal with. He's right though they do need a little massaging.

[kgl271]

I replaced 1 quarter panel on my 71 Supreme and it went well. I see that the panels for the 76 and 77 are a few bucks cheaper. I would think as the early muscle cars are harder to find, these mid 70's will start increasing in value.

The inside of mine is a mess, the guy took almost everything out, so I don't even know what I have yet. The buckets are there as well as the console, but the top is in the trunk. I hope it is all there.

Were all the buckets the swival kind? I had a 74 Cutlass Salon with buckets but they did not swival.

[Ktaaffe77442]

They came with Swivel bucket, regular non-swivel buckets and some had bench seats. I have even heard that some used chrysler buckets due to a parts strike in the summer of 76, but I don't know if that is true. Anyone else ever heard that?

[kgl271]

Kevin, Are you planning on coming to the MN Olds Club State Show July 29th? Are you a member?

[ragz442]

As far as I know there was quite a few different seat selections for these cars that's for sure.

bench w/out armrest
bench w/armrest
split bench [60/40]
strato bucket
swivel bucket [73-76]
reclining bucket [at least 2 styles that I know of]
Salons were the only cars that got the recliners [to my knowledge]. There was the strato looking type and the fatter comfy ones.
Supreme Broughams got the big pillowy bench seat [usually power, I think]
This info is not cast in stone, just from my memory.

[Ktaaffe77442]

hey Kevin I have been meaning to join the olds club, but I have been procrastinating. I wanted to go to the state show , but I think it is the same weekend as our local show. If it isn't I'll be there. I think Lakeville has a big cruise night in July also I plan on going to that for sure.

[kgl271]

Kevin, The State Show is July 29th it is on a Sunday. Maybe yours is on a Sat. I will be at the Pan-O-Prog cruise in Lakeville with my 71 CS.

Let's meet up and get to know one another.

[Ktaaffe77442]

I just looked at the calander and realized that. I'll have to get my membership. Sounds like a good time. I'll pm you about pan-o-prog.