76 442 org. or performance?

[mdkingsley]

I am going to drive my car the rest of this year and in Feb. we are going to disassemble it blast it prime and chassis black it, after that it is going to Elite custom paint and body in Lafayette Ga. for body and paint. The big question is I am thinking of going with aftermarket performance suspension and different 455 built for performance while retaining the original exterior and interior looks and tucking all the original stuff away in a corner of my shop. I have been struggling with this decision, since it is all original. Any thoughts on the subject would be appreciated. It can be viewed on the registry under my name Mitchell Kingsley.

[sumrof75]

OK Mitchell I'll chime in first. IMO upgrades to the suspention would be great, don't really change the stock appearence drastically and the safety gained by todays technology is a great bonus. If you want to build another motor to run with, why not? I liked the fact that you are going to keep the other motor since it is an original numbers match you should especially since these are rare cars. Keep the stock look and drive it! Look forward to seeing progress (hint, hint) I to am begining to work on a 76 442 w/455 and I also will be looking for help soon. Good luck.

Tony K.
1975 Hurst Olds 455
1976 442 445

[mdkingsley]

Thanks Tony for your thoughts, sounds like we are of the same mindset.I would definently keep all the oem stuff to convert back if I ever sold it or wanted to go back original. Is your 76 442 an org T code or was the 455 from another car? Also I would like to meet people from GA,Tn, Al, that own a 442 to get ideals or just network.
Mitchell

[sumrof75]

Yes mine is an original T code car. Kudos to Ken (442MUCH) for letting me know what I had stumbled onto. Bought it for a parts car that now has become another project. I am in Kansas so am a little far for personal help but there is plenty here to go around. I do have my cars registered but do not have pictures yet.

[sledhead2]

I agree build a spae motor and keep all stock parts. Other then that turn that thing into a road racer with new suspension and power plant.

[mdkingsley]

Sounds like you got a great find Tony good luck with the build. Sounds like we agree Dave that is kind of the idea to build a realy great road car. Your spoiler reminds me there is a Pontiac close to where I work in atlanta that has the full rear spoiler it is white with black stripes sitting at a auto shop. Dont know if it runs or not but looks in good shape. Also love your hood hope to add on to my car during paint. Didnt Ken order one for his car?
Mitchell

[442MUCH]

Sounds like you got a great find Tony good luck with the build. Sounds like we agree Dave that is kind of the idea to build a realy great road car. Your spoiler reminds me there is a Pontiac close to where I work in atlanta that has the full rear spoiler it is white with black stripes sitting at a auto shop. Dont know if it runs or not but looks in good shape. Also love your hood hope to add on to my car during paint. Didnt Ken order one for his car?
Mitchell

Hi guys. I agree with all of you. The main job of our cars is to keep us happy. So, whatever makes you happy. :) My cars looks original...but it's not. I've upgraded the suspension, I have a spoiler, (I have a spare deck lid), the engine was rebuilt, I added a AM-FM-MP3 (in the glove compartment) and I drive it. When I first bought it, I was so excited that I drove from Calgary to Montreal to show my dad the car I bought. I was only out west for 6 month at the time. I drove the 2264 miles in 36 hours - non-stop. I averaged about 60 mph! My dad loved the car.

Mitchell, I ordered a hood for my car. Since I didn't have to "modify" my hood, I decided to get one. When the car gets painted, I'll add silver stripes to the ram air hood and paint the stock hood too.

I think you guys are doing the right thing. Enjoy your car. I get in mine and I remember the drive down Broadway, the drive up Mt. Royal. The Atlantic Ocean at Hyannis Port and the Pacific Ocean at Vancouver Island and Seattle. I can remember the Ramparts of Old Quebec and the cobblestone streets of Old Montreal. Driving by Boston Common and Lakeshore Blvd in Chicago. Driving through the Rockies, wheat fields from horizon to horizon in Saskatchewan, listening to America's Top 40 under a sky full of stars, and the drive to Lansing by way of the the Lincoln Highway- 6 provinces and 36 states.

My car to me is part of the family. I had it before I even got married. Make your car the way you think it should be. Take car of her and she'll never let you down. Most of all ....enjoy yourself.:D

[mdkingsley]

Thanks for the input Ken. It looks like we all know a good think when we drive it. I fell in love with a Silver and Black 442 in the 8th grade a substitute teacher drove that lived close to us and told her then if she ever sold it I wanted it. That was in 1979 and she called me in 86 to tell me she was selling it. I bought the org 455 beutiful olds it was practically perfect, she bought it new. I had it for 2 months and one day and backed it into a pine tree about 65mph, she didnt talk to me for three years and just gave me the GTH look every passing. I am much wiser and can appreciate things more now but had to promise the owner this one would not end up like the last 442 I had. But I can remember taking a few trips in the short time I had the other one and it was great. You are right in saying they are ours to enjoy so that is the way I will build it, all stock looking but underneath the skin will be something much different. I added new tires and wheels and will post a new pic soon. I added pics to the registry but cant get to load on the forums can anyone help with that?

[442MUCH]

Thanks for the input Ken. It looks like we all know a good think when we drive it. I fell in love with a Silver and Black 442 in the 8th grade a substitute teacher drove that lived close to us and told her then if she ever sold it I wanted it. That was in 1979 and she called me in 86 to tell me she was selling it. I bought the org 455 beutiful olds it was practically perfect, she bought it new. I had it for 2 months and one day and backed it into a pine tree about 65mph, she didnt talk to me for three years and just gave me the GTH look every passing. I am much wiser and can appreciate things more now but had to promise the owner this one would not end up like the last 442 I had. But I can remember taking a few trips in the short time I had the other one and it was great. You are right in saying they are ours to enjoy so that is the way I will build it, all stock looking but underneath the skin will be something much different. I added new tires and wheels and will post a new pic soon. I added pics to the registry but cant get to load on the forums can anyone help with that?

Mitchell,

That's how I did my car for so many years. Stock on the outside and built on the inside. Now I'm waiting for the hood to see how that looks. About the pix. Save them to photobucket or some other photo "album". After you do, right click on the IMG code and "Copy". Then come back to this site and "paste". Good luck.