1965 Oldsmobile 442

Convertible

8 - Cyl.

Automatic

338675M200702

Gasoline

I'm relisting this one more time, the high bidder of the last auction had a health issue and was unable to complete the transaction. Please DON'T BID if you can't follow through, these auctions cost time as well as money. I'm am very reluctant to sell this car, I purchased another 442 and am in the middle of a frame off restoration on another. My garage space is limited as is my time for projects. I'd hate to neglect this car but if it doesn't sell it will go into long term storage until I have time for it. This is a car that deserves to be driven, not stored away to deteriorate. Please read the entire listing before bidding or asking questions. Please ask all questions before bidding. 0 feedback bidders must contact me before placing a bid or your bid will be removed and you will be placed on my blocked bidders list. If you have excessive negative feedback please contact me before bidding as well. Paypal is not accepted for payment of this item. If you have any questions regarding payment please contact me before you bid. Vehicle is sold as is and all sales are final, no excuses. This is a no reserve auction, this is your chance to get a great deal while the market is sluggish. History has shown that the musclecar market fluctuates, but it has always come back. 5 years ago I would have never guessed I'd see a driveable 442 convertible for under $10,000. I'd keep it and wait it out myself but I'd like my garage space back before winter and I have too many projects as it is. Up for bid is a 1965 Oldsmobile 442 convertible, it runs and drives and has had a lot of work done to it. I will describe the car's condition in detail below. This is a very valuable car restored, it is common to see restored examples sell for between $30.000 and $40,000 even in the current market. This one needs a complete restoration to bring it to that level, or it could be easily enjoyed as is. I'd be happy to discuss buy it now options with people who have a true interest in the car. I'm also happy to show the car while the auction is running, take more photos, and discuss the car with you in person or over the phone. The 442 had a special heavy duty frame that the cutlass did not have, this car is a legit 442 with the proper frame and the proper codes on the cowl tag (4V on the cowl tag of a Lansing built car indicates a 442 in 1965.) This is the real thing. I was told the last owner seldom drove the car and kept it stored in an underground storage unit and that the mileage on the odometer is correct, it read around 65k. I have my doubts, but that is what I was told. Mechanical- The car runs and drives very well and can be used daily for the most part as it is. The original 400 was replaced by a previous owner with a rebuilt Olds 350 which runs excellent and has great oil pressure. It runs cool and is pretty much turn key and go. The carb works well when warm but you have to let it warm up a bit. There are no smoke issues or knocking, I doubt the engine has many miles. The transmission, brakes, and steering work well, but this is a 42 year old car, so it is not going to drive like what most people are used to with modern cars. Though it starts, runs, and drives well there are some quirks. For some reason the temp light stays on when you shut the car off, it goes off when you start it. I have left it overnight and it has never drained the battery, but most times I pull one of the battery cables after driving it when it sits for a while so it does not drain the battery. The tires have good tread but also have weather checking. They have not made this particular tire in a long time, and considering the tread depth the car has not seen many miles in many years. Before highway driving I would look everything over carefully and replace the tires. I also noticed that the lugnut washers on it are not correct for this type of unilug wheel, also something I would not advise for highway driving. That said I drive it around town often and it always starts and runs well. Electrical- The top motor and hydraulic system is disconnected so the top can be raised and lowered by hand. The top cylinders had not been used in many years and seemed to be frozen in place, though the top motor was trying to work. The power windows all work though the drivers front can be fussy at times, I think it is a ground issue and will try to look at it before auction end and get it working right. All other windows go up and down slow. The power trunk is vacuum operated and works great. The tach was disconnected when the engine was converted to electronic ignition. All of the lights and wipers work fine. I don't ever use the heater so I don't recall if it works. Interior- The interior needs work, all of the seats should be redone, though they are the correct originals and are nice cores. The front door panels are incorrect but in nice shape, rear side panels need work. The carpet is rough. The console is fair, the t handle for the shifter is broken as these often are. Thanks to this you have to be very careful and patient when putting the car in park, as it takes longer to engage park than it should. The dash pad and glovebox door are excellent, no cracks and real nice. The dash bezel was cut for an aftermarket radio which is no longer there. I do have a correct am radio for the car that will go with it. The canvas on the top is excellent, the back window was clear plastic and damaged at one point and never replaced. These are available cheap and it is an easy fix. Body/Paint- The body and paint were redone in 2000, there was a color change from Target Red to burgundy, I have no idea why this was done. You can see the original red paint on the floors and trunk floor. All of the jambs and under the trunk lid was changed over. The paint and body work were done by a Maaco type shop, there are flaws, there is some orange peel but not too bad. There are some waves in the paint from lack of block sanding prior to being sprayed. It is base coat clear coat and I'm sure it was not wet sanded. This paint job could be improved upon vastly if it were wet sanded and polished. It looks good from 20 feet now, and closer even. But there is no question this was a budget paint job. The body has had no panel replacement other than the trunk lid, which is very nice. Hood is also nice. The quarters, doors, and fenders have all had patchwork done. Some of it is starting to show, as can be seen in the pics. This is a 42 year old car that has never had a pro restoration and it shows. But when cruising it turns heads, and is fine for cruise nights and as a daily driver. The trunk floor is ok, has signs of patching, floors are pretty good but there are signs of rust. Nothing you are going to step through or put a hand through, but I had the rear carpet up and there are some areas getting soft. From memory I'd say you could sand everything down, cover it with a rust inhibitor and have only small patches to deal with before putting new carpet in and you would be good for many years. I think this car would be a great candidate for a full restoration or just drive, tinker, and enjoy for many years. The frame under the car is very solid without the normal rust we usually see on convertible frames around here. I believe there is one area about the size of a quarter that is rusted and needs to be patched eventually, but it is certainly not structural and the frame is way above average. The trim is all pretty much average for a '65 442, most of it needs work, excluding the bumpers which must have been rechromed and look very nice. Overall it is a great project or driver, and there is NO RESERVE. I don't need to sell it, and feel I will likely regret it's sale eventually, but I need the room and something needs to go. Good luck and happy bidding!