1972 Oldsmobile 442

Coupe

8 - Cyl.

Automatic

3C87H2R178600

Clear

Gasoline

Oldsmobile 442 in need of dedicated restoration. Car is basically intact, no missing components, but rocker panels and edges all around have rusted to varying degrees. Not sure to what extent that mechanical restoration will be needed for the car to be driven again. Needs loving restoration. This car belonged to our great-uncle out of Fouke, AK, who drove it tenderly until his passing many years ago. Car has NOT been wrecked but has basically been parked since then. At the time, the engine and everything operated fine and the body is basically complete. Interior needs to be completely replaced but, from what I understand, this car has a few options that might make it a little more desirable, such as the "big block" 350 engine, automatic transmission, positrac rear-end (we're not sure about this, but car had limited slip on take-off), and air conditioning. As I understand, not too many 442s with these options. With all that in mind, we are just trying to find it a good home with someone that has the time and resources to do something with it rather than leave it sitting and breaking down. We're asking for $1500, but will consider honest, no hassle offers with cash in hand. Thank you for looking. On Apr-03-10 at 15:38:18 PDT, seller added the following information: Hi, I have additional information for all interested in this car: First of all, I don't own this car personally so I am not an expert on this vehicle (I'm a Chrysler kinda' guy).There IS such a thing as a "big block" 350. At least, that's the nickname for the engine also known as an Oldsmobile 350. It's a bit wider than the modern 350 small block. A few people have pretty rudely "suggested" that I don't understand the difference between a small and big block. But some people commonly confuse the difference between cubic inch displacement (which does Not describe the engine block size) and the block used to machine the engine. CID describes exactly that--the DISPLACEMENT. For example, if you wanted, you could take a 500 cid Ford block that has never been machined and bore and stroke it out to only 200 cid if you wanted. Likewise, it is routine to take a 318 and bore it out to be a 340 or 360. So no smart comments please.Okay, moving on ... I was informed recently that the car had received a small amount of body damage from the last big hurricane that came through here. Specifically, the windshield is busted, and the fender and hood are somewhat dented. I don't have any pics of that and I apologize, but I will try to add them later if I have time (no promises on that). Anyone interested in this car should consider it a ground-up restoration project.The VIN is 3C87H2R178600.My brother did find and we do have a CLEAR BUT UNSIGNED TITLE. If you have any additional expenses related to getting the car in your name, that is not our responsibility and no compensation or allowance will be made in relation to the winning bid amount. In other words, you will get the title as is and that's it. Finally, if anyone wants to go see the car, send me a question/comment through Ebay and I will respond with a phone number for you. My brother has the car at his place and it will be entirely up to him to schedule an appointment for you to go see the car. Thanks for all the interest and happy bidding! Transportation, towing, shipping or any other means of getting the car to the home of the winning bidder is entirely at the discretion and expense of the winning bidder. Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 Settling the Debate on the 350 "Big Block" Nickname: From Ultimatecarpage.com/forum Baddabang: "The 350 refers to the size of the cylinders. In a big block they are spaced farther apart then compared to a small block, thus a small block is usually lighter and shorter." In this instance, as the contributor noted, it is the design of the BLOCK that determines the status of the engine, e.g., big or small block. Bruxell: "There was only the one Pontiac block used all the way up to 455. Olds, Buick, and Pontiac shared that block. Chevy, and Caddy both had their own seperate [sic] engine block programs. I do seem to recall a Pontiac block 350, not the same as the Chevy small-block 350 ... But ALL Chevy motors under 396 were small-blocks." Again people, the engine in this Oldsmobile 442 is NOT a Chevy engine! It's the Olds/Buick/Pontiac 350, which is different. From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buick_V8_engine#350 "Of all the GM 350-cubic-inch (5.7 L) engines, the Buick 350 has the longest stroke, which lends to making significantly more torque than any of the others. It also made the Buick 350 significantly wider — essentially the same width as the Buick big-blocks ... the Buick 350 is commonly mistaken for the 455 engine due to the oversized intake manifold atop the engine." This 350 is is different. From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oldsmobile_V8_engine "Produced from 1968 through 1980, the Rocket 350 was entirely different from the other GM divisions' 350's ... The early Oldsmobile 350s made from 1968 through 1976 are more desirable engines with heavy castings, beefier crankshafts, and better flowing heads." This 350 is is different. From http://www.oldride.com/parts/1198512140.html?flg=f Ad for engine for sale: "1974 OLDS ROCKET 350 BIG BLOCK." This listing expired on April 3, 2010 That's recent folks, and his words not mine. From *gasp* god almighty eBay itself at http://reviews.ebay.com/GM-Small-Block-350-Engine-Families-A-Primer_W0QQugidZ10000000002053999 "Oldsmobile introduced a new engine family in '64, as a 330 cubic inch, "small block" unit. In '65, a big-block version was introduced: the stroke was lengthened and the block decks were taller." Hmmm, interesting--both small and big block versions of the same engine. "The 350 Olds has the biggest bore, and the shortest stroke of all the GM 350s. Bore is 4.057 and stroke is 3.385"." Ditto. "Note that the Buick 350 deck height is taller than a Big Block Chevy passenger car block!" Again, we're not talking about CID here, just the BLOCK!!! The 'block', not the little numbers in front of it, not the CID, is what defines if an engine is a big BLOCK or a small BLOCK. It's not about the displacement, i.e., the little numbers that people typically use to describe their engine, such as 318 cubic inches or 5.7 liter, etc. You can have a BIG BLOCK and bore and stroke it out to only 350 CID, but it's still classified as a BIG BLOCK. In fact the same BIG BLOCK was used for both this 350 and the 455! Hell, you can take a BIG BLOCK of wood, say a 4 x 4, and drill a 3/16 hole in it for a hook and use it to hold up your hat ... but that doesn't change the fact that you used a pretty BIG BLOCK of wood to do the job. Therefore, if Olds wanted to use a BIG BLOCK and bore it out to 350, that was their decision. And it's pretty smart if you think about it--a single BLOCK used to make multiple engine displacements for different applications. Therefore, to all the rude jerks, whether you agree or not, THIS OLDSMOBILE 350 IS COMMONLY REFERRED TO AS A 'BIG BLOCK 350' simply to denote that it's different from the itty, bitty, cute, wittle 350 block used today. If you are interested, then bid, win, and PAY PROMPTLY so you can own this highly desirable car yourself. Thank You to the respectful people who wrote to express their interest and willingness to actually engage in Bidding in order to possibly own this hard to find, classic car. Also, I apologize but I do not have the time or capability right now of adding more pics. The car is not accessible to me before end of auction, but I have tried to describe the condition as thoroughly and honestly as I can. I have stated multiple times, you should consider this a ground up restoration, including body work, interior, engine, glass, etc. may need work and/or to be replaced. Bid according to your conscience. Good luck! PS - Do not write to me to debate about this car, its features, or its proper name. Do not comment on whether you consider this engine to be a big or small block. Your opinion is your own. If your questions/comments are not directly related to this auction,keep them to yourself or you will be barred from this auction and not allowed to bid. You have been warned!!