1977 442 For Sale

[Firethorne77]

Interesting 442 for sale on 442.com. Most of you might have seen this car.

Here is the link to the sale:
http://www.442.com/class/oldsads.html
pics and site listing:
http://www.442.com/class/adart/61616.jpg
http://v8cars.hu/73-77cutlassregistry/vehicle.php?action=show&vehicle=46f52c7a9a90a

Wonder if the $15k asking price is all that wrong for such a unique original 442 260 v8 with 5spd. factory?

Just figured I throw it out there for you all to check out.
---------
Pete:D

[ragz442]

That is a very nice car, he's a member here [442oldslawyer]. Got a feeling if he sells it, he won't be any longer :( .

[442oldslawyer]

Guys I hate to but really need to sell the car. Looking for offers over 12k. I have 15 + in the car but lost all my storage except at my home garage and it is full of 66 W-30 cars. It really is a nice car with paperwork and a complete set of decals from Brad. All it needs is the new floor mats from Tran am depot which they indicated would be ready this month. Thanks for the interest. I like these cars and they will be the cars that will grow the most in value in the next 5-10 year. It is costing me 120 / month to store it. John

[ragz442]

John, good luck with the sale. If I didn't live in the rust belt and had the resources, I'd buy it for a daily driver, or at least a fair weather car. Drive in style w/good gas mileage for less than the price of a new throw away car......... I know which one I'd rather have. It is a collector car, and probably wouldn't be a smart move now though.

[442oldslawyer]

This car is a show car. I drove it 350 miles the day I bought it and another 300 miles since. Not a rattle or squeak. I am an OCA Master Judge and it is a car that will be a first place car and also qualify for the unrestored class. Original paint and perfect interior and top. The engine was removed and repainted correct blue and a new clutch and pressure plate was installed at that time just for the ease of getting to it. Documented 27k mile car and a 5 speed . I have not had an offer that was anywhere reasonable from my add on 442. Just some picture collectors who could not buy the wheels on the car.

[Firethorne77]

Hi John,
I really really hope that someone buys this car and treats it properly. The amount of money I spent restoring my Cutlass over the past few years and still not 100% done would easily equal what you have into that car and its original!!! These are not cheap cars to restore due to the costs of NOS parts etc etc. Being an OCA master judge, have you listed it in the JWO classifieds yet? You never know who might want it with in the Oldsmobile community.
Its certainly worth the 12k+ asking price in my mind. I just had mine appraised and insured with Haggerty for some good coin north of that figure, so I think its just a matter of time like you said when the market catches up to these vehicles and they earn their due respect as a viable collector car with great styling.
------------
Pete

[ragz442]

This car is a show car. I drove it 350 miles the day I bought it and another 300 miles since. Not a rattle or squeak. I am an OCA Master Judge and it is a car that will be a first place car and also qualify for the unrestored class. Original paint and perfect interior and top. The engine was removed and repainted correct blue and a new clutch and pressure plate was installed at that time just for the ease of getting to it. Documented 27k mile car and a 5 speed . I have not had an offer that was anywhere reasonable from my add on 442. Just some picture collectors who could not buy the wheels on the car.

I hope you didn't feel I was insulting your car in my previous post, I'm sure it's one of the finests '77 442's out there. I guess I was just day dreaming about being rich and living in a warmer climate. As you know, the 260 5spd was meant for economy, and these days that's not a bad combo. Plus it's gotta be cool shifiting gears in a '77.

None of our year cars were "high performance" from the factory, with the exception of some of the 73-74's, at least you could still get duals and no cats. That's a big reason why we're overlooked by most, and the styling change that some still can't embrace. We are the last true A bodys though. With some mods, they can be made to perform like the earlier years, but I couldn't see altering your car in any way.

[442oldslawyer]

: No insult taken Todd. I am just amazed that the car has not sold. I have been in the Olds business for over 40 years and it is the first 5 speed documented car I have seen. It is good enough to sit next to Brad and James Emmi cars that are restored and near perfect. I have seen both of those cars and they are exceptional but so is this unrestored car. I am not going any lower on the price and will just plan on a long storage. I have had opportunities to trade it to dealers for higher priced cars but it should go to a person who recognizes its place in Olds History. I may just be the guy. Don't regret buying it for a second. Just expensive to store since I lost my space. Had it for years . 24 X 12 and the guy is now extending his office space and closing it down. I have space for the other 5 cars that I own but not enough for 6. Another lift maybe?:confused:

[76Dave]

I can appreciate what you have there...

soon after college, i acquired a maroon, 1976 cutlass 'S' with the 260 v8 5 speed, swivel buckets and the "442" nose. Obviously i regret selling that car now.

During the winter of 1984/85 I commuted 100+ miles round trip to Niagara Falls daily. That car was a real drift-buster. At about 145HP and 3800lbs, it needed all 5 gears to git'r goin.

My wife said i could consider buying the subject 442, but it would have to be my daily driver and i just cannot bring myself to do that to such a rare and unique car.

Good luck, I hope you can find the right buyer

[442oldslawyer]

Yep too nice to drive and a shame to let it just sit. I just can't look at it like a `15000 Toyata . If I could I would drive it like I stole it ( obviously I didn't):)

[brad442]

John,

That is definitely a gorgeous show car from the photos I have seen. I think the lack of interest might be that these cars are just now coming into there own. $12k is certainly, in my opinion, a bargain price for that car seeing how rare it is and the shape it is in. I passed on buying the '77 Hurst/Olds prototype as the price of the car and the amount of work it needed just didn't work out for me to purchase the car. Your car is more of the ideal situation - beautiful, rare original car at the right price.

2 years ago, a very low mileage black '77 442 with the 403 engine sold at Barrett-Jackson for over $28k, if I recall correctly. Guys who grew up with our years of cars seem to be just now getting back into them. Especially since the 68-72 years have gotten way too expensive for the average enthusiast to afford and enjoy. I wonder if the "baby-boomer" effect will trickle down to our years. Guys who could not afford a '70 W-30 when they were new, are now retired and have good money to spend on a car they always wanted, no matter what the price tag is.

If I had the room and time, I would love to own the car. But, like you, space is the problem and 2 car garages can get full in a hurry.

[76HOProposal]

I would agree and add:

I heard that some "boomers" are hiring investigators to find their old car. Not just one that looks the same mind you. The one with the same VIN number. At a cost of $450. an hour till it is found. :eek:

Well I don't want my old car back. I know every square inch of that car.

I was doing one of the "looking for trouble" searches, that I think a few of us do and found this. :o

http://www.countryclassiccars.com/spcars368.htm

Looks clean. It does need a few things done. But it's not something that needs a complete restoration.

[Stocker]

Fixed the link: http://www.countryclassiccars.com/spcars_368.htm

(56K no)

That's a good place, I always found several cars there that I'd like to buy but it's a bit of a drive.

I don't look at those ads anymore because I can't have any more cars anyway.

[dp442]

: No insult taken Todd. I am just amazed that the car has not sold. I have been in the Olds business for over 40 years and it is the first 5 speed documented car I have seen. It is good enough to sit next to Brad and James Emmi cars that are restored and near perfect. I have seen both of those cars and they are exceptional but so is this unrestored car. I am not going any lower on the price and will just plan on a long storage. I have had opportunities to trade it to dealers for higher priced cars but it should go to a person who recognizes its place in Olds History. I may just be the guy. Don't regret buying it for a second. Just expensive to store since I lost my space. Had it for years . 24 X 12 and the guy is now extending his office space and closing it down. I have space for the other 5 cars that I own but not enough for 6. Another lift maybe?:confused:

Have you sold the 77 442 YET?

[ragz442]

John did post that the car sold, to someone on this forum I believe.

[442oldslawyer]

Car was delivered to new owner last Monday.

[damaged442]

Car was delivered to new owner last Monday.

I'm very sad it wasn't me! :( I hope it went to a good home!

[Doug Blake]

That is a sharp/clean car!! I forwarded your ad from 442.com a few months ago, had a guy looking at mine, then he was having 2nd thought's so i thought he would get your's? but I take it he didn't buy it.

[442oldslawyer]

Car went to a board member.