5 speed ?

[442oldslawyer]

New to the board. Anyone know how many 5 speed 77 442's were produced ? I looked at a car which had documentation that appeared to be correct. The owner said it was rare and I have never seen one. I have had many 66- 72 cars and would like to have the next generation 442. John:confused:

[mich77442]

I could be wrong but no 77 442's had 5 or 4 speed manual trans. A few of the Cutlass S had a 4 speed, but none with the 442 package.

[442oldslawyer]

My thought too. This car is one owner and has what appears to be a dealer invoice from the factory indicating 442 and 5 speed trans. I don't know if this document is considered a build sheet . Looks more like factory to dealer information on the car. Like I said , all this is new to me and I am looking for more infomation from some experts on this generation 442.

[kgl271]

My 77 Oldsmobile sales brochure says that a stick was standard in the 77 442 260 V8 only. If the car has a larger V8 then it is not stock.

[442oldslawyer]

It has the 260 V8. I have a copy of the factory invoice to the dealer which shows the MFSRP and the dealer cost of each option. It list a 4 speed on floor with correct codes 282.00/ 218.00. Dealer holdback is listed and dealers bank listed for floor plan purposes. Vin # is clearly this car. I believe it to be legit. Just never seen one or ever heard of one. I have a copy of the original title. I am going to try to verify with the owner. A collector bought the car from the original owner in Ill and I agreed to buy it from him if legit car. 27k miles never repainted. Firethorn Red. Also listed as color on invoice with white interior and top.

[442oldslawyer]

Correct my post. 5peed on floor not 4speed. Sorry.

[kgl271]

Then I would say you have a Orig car. I would think they are rare because the 260 was not a high HP car. Great to see a 260 with a 5sp going to be on the road.

[442oldslawyer]

Picture of the car. Pretty I think. :)

[kgl271]

That is a great looking car, the 260 is not very powerful but to have the 5sp in a 442 is cool! I have a 5sp in my 91 HO Quad 4 and love the stick!

[damaged442]

I would buy the car! The 442 could have been ordered with the 231 V6 or the 260 V8 with 5 speed. Don't know how many were actually ordered either way, but they were most definitely available. You just had to check the right boxes on the order sheet. I would say the car in question is legit, and you should buy it. Or, just pass it on to one of us and let us buy it!! :D
With the firethorn red, it has to be a sweet looking ride. Keep in mind the 260 was not exactly a mover, but they're pretty dependable. With the 5 speed, it would have to be a blast to drive! Good luck, keep us posted.

[442oldslawyer]

It is mine now. I called and told him to put the check in the bank. Thanks for your help. Dave H on the Buick Board agreed that it was available and legit. It will go well with my 66 F-85 6 cyl auto with 9402 miles. Neither exactly a threat to Pure Stock Drags.

[brad442]

Congrats on your new car!!! Love the look of it.

Yes, '77 442's could be ordered with a 260 V8, 5-speed. That engine combo was design as a "better gas mileage" option. In the 20+ years of owning my '77 442, I have seen 2 other 5-speed 442's, one was a '76, the other a '77. They are probably more rare than the 403 engines... Congrats again.

[442oldslawyer]

Thanks Brad. I thought if legit , it had to be rare. In my 40+ years of Oldsmobiles , this is the first one I ever saw. Took a chance , gave the seller a check and trusted him to hold until I could look at the documentation and asks about it's pedigree. Now everyone is happy!!!!

[kgl271]

Nice catch. Get yourself a 77 Sales brochure with that and the copy of the window sticker, no one will question you on the legit of the car. I like the red and white as well!

[damaged442]

Thanks Brad. I thought if legit , it had to be rare. In my 40+ years of Oldsmobiles , this is the first one I ever saw. Took a chance , gave the seller a check and trusted him to hold until I could look at the documentation and asks about it's pedigree. Now everyone is happy!!!!

Glad it worked out! Congratuations on one hell of a nice ride! I'm definitely curious as to how many 5 speeds were built. Don't know if there are any concrete numbers out there. The only time any numbers get thrown around is the 455 or 403 cars. Best of luck with it!

[zodiacblue442]

Congrats! Absolutely beautiful car! Glad it ended up in someone's hands that will take care of it. I will see if I can find production numbers. No guarantees, but I'll try. Regardless, I know you've got a very rare piece of Oldsmobile history. I'm guessing it's probably one of about 100 made :confused: :confused: Your `66 F-85 6 cyl. sounds interesting too. For daily driving, the 5 speed was fine, just don't think it's a Sat. night drag car because the 5 speed trans. has a reputation of being a weak tranny and won't stand up to much abuse. The 260 V-8 is a very reliable engine, just not a powerful one. FYI, the same trans. was used in some of the mid `70's Starfires. Congats again on your newest edition!



It is mine now. I called and told him to put the check in the bank. Thanks for your help. Dave H on the Buick Board agreed that it was available and legit. It will go well with my 66 F-85 6 cyl auto with 9402 miles. Neither exactly a threat to Pure Stock Drags.

[73CS]

Really nice looking car, welcome to the site, great group of people, and a bunch of knowledge.

Blane

[442oldslawyer]

Thanks again. I have a collection of 66 cars from the F85 post cpe to # 34 W-30 post cpe. I thought this car needed to be in my garage as I believe it will be a piece of Olds history some day. Maybe my grandson will appreciate it . His father is the recipient of my father's 66 Cutlass conv that he bought new. So Oldsmobiles are in his future .

[mich77442]

That's what I like about this site I learn something new everyday.
Great ride!!! I hope to see you next year in Dearborn Mich.

[sumrof75]

Welcome to the site, I agree with the posts so far, good looking car! Would make a great addition to the registry. (Hint Hint)

[jimrockford]

I am so jealous! I've been looking for a 5 speed '77 for years. I saw a 4-speed 442 ('76?) on EBay last year, and have seen 2 5-speed '77s in the last 7 years there. Someone on this site was selling one last year, too, and I saw one in Appleton, WI about 3 years ago. So its definitely rare! I have a 3-speed '77... we should start a stick-shift club! : )

[ragz442]

Sweet looking car! And with the price of gas these days, I'd leave it as is ;) . Not all Old's have to be race cars :rolleyes: .

[442oldslawyer]

New here. Registry??

[damaged442]

Above in the blue horizontal bar between Home and User CP. Give it a click and check it out. There are a few of us in there, hopefully more to come. Zola from Hungary worked his magic to come up with it, in between the restoration sessions of his 75 Salon.

[damaged442]

Are you selling the car already? Spotted it on 442.com.

[442oldslawyer]

I have 5 66 Oldsmobiles . I don't need the car but I do like it alot and if it does not sell, I will keep it . I bought it on impluse because I had never seen one and it is very nice and documented. I have a grandson who might be as proud of it as his Dad is of my father's 66 conv that was purchased new in 66 and is still a family member. John

[texxas8902]

I have 5 66 Oldsmobiles . I don't need the car but I do like it alot and if it does not sell, I will keep it . I bought it on impluse because I had never seen one and it is very nice and documented. I have a grandson who might be as proud of it as his Dad is of my father's 66 conv that was purchased new in 66 and is still a family member. John

I buy crap at the kwik e mart on impulse. You buy a car.:D

[442oldslawyer]

Yeah but at least I have good taste. !!!!!