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Belair62
08-04-2005, 04:48 AM
This was my father's Oldsmobile!
My father purchased my 1970 Oldsmobile Gold Nugget 442 holiday coupe back on October 2, 1969. I was just entering 6th grade and was more interested in model airplanes than cars at the time, little did I know things were about to change. Fortunately, he asked my older sister to go with him to Big Two Oldsmobile, the local Olds dealership; she was just about to turn sixteen. When they got to the dealership he asked her, "Which one do you like since you might be driving it to school?" On the showroom floor there were two Cutlasses’, a Ming Jade Cutlass Supreme and a Gold Nugget 442 right next to it. I recently asked her why she picked the 442, "did you know it had a lot more performance?" She smiled and said "I preferred the 442 because it had a sporty steering wheel, rims and 442 emblems." She says, "I tried not to look over at the Ming Jade Cutlass Supreme too much so dad wouldn't think I was interested in it."
I remember on more than one occasion my dad unleashing the 455. For a youngster it was a real thrill, little did I know that I had become addicted at a young age! I inherited the car in 1981. I drove (abused) it for about five years. During that time it went through a new engine a few performance upgrades to include a 250 HP nitrous system, and a "Maaco Special" paint job. Arizona is a great place for old cars but it can be brutal on a paint job. In 1985 I moved out in the country it went into garage storage for 18 years. The car was resurrected in December of 2003, a process that involved killing hoards of Black Widow spiders that had taken up residence there.
I had just purchased another 1970 442, (a relapse to my addiction to Muscle cars) at the time and was out for a spin with my nephew. While parked outside the local video store a stunning B5 blue 71 Charger roars in next to me. It was my first of many meetings with Sam (Mockingbird812). We talked for awhile and during the conversation I asked him who he would recommend for a good paint job. He gave me his card with a local paint shop number written on the back. We parted and I didn't expect to see him again. A few days later I decided to shoot Sam an e-mail to see if he could recommend someone to help with the restoration of the interior of my 442 project. Sam had mentioned during our talk that he and his friend Dave (Ngtflyr) had just finished restoring a 70 LS6 Chevelle. Initially I had just planned on some cosmetic work, fresh paint, dropping in a new engine and transmission in order to get the car back on the road. He got back to me a few days later and mentioned that he and Dave would be able to help me out. As any of you who have started a minor restoration know, one thing led to another and before long a small job escalated into full blown, year-long, frame on, and restification process. Everything and I mean everything, ended up replaced, restored, or rebuilt. Since the car had spent its entire life in the AZ desert, it was a very solid vehicle. Dave still gives me a hard time about me asking early on, "You think you can clean up the pumpkin?"
While I don't have the build sheet, I do have the original owners manual, plastic folder and Protect-O Plate, and all the AZ state registration slips from 1970-1985. The car retains its original exterior look except for the recently added W-25 Outside Air Induction hood. The interior is mostly stock except for the 6 extra Auto Meter Sport Comp gauges and the Corbeu Sport model seats. Pop open the hood for an breathtaking view of the 540 hp 468 C.I. engine, Pro Systems 950 CFM Carb, Edelbrock Torker Intake, Be Cool aluminum radiator, Flex-A-Lite variable speed duel 13-1/2" fan module, cooling system (necessary for cooling the big block in the Arizona summer) and a little extra chrome. Awesome sounds emit from the exhaust system thanks to the Thorley headers, (1 3/4" tubes 3" collector), Torque Tech 3" X-pipe system with 22" large case Aero Chamber mufflers leading to Flowmaster stainless steel 3 1/2" x 12" tips. The engine is hooked to a bulletproof drive train which includes: a TCI Turbo 400, Coan Maximum Performance 10" 3200 RPM stall converter, Strange Engineering 3" chrome-moly driveshaft, 1350 series u-joints, Moser Engineering complete 12 bolt assembly, Eaton 33 spline posi with 4.11:1 pro gears.
I chose to dedicate the car to my dad. In 1988 Olds used the slogan "It's not your father's Oldsmobile". If you can keep up long enough, you can read "This was my father's Oldsmobile!" on the lower trunk deck. Although my 442 may not be a rare, well documented, numbers matching, supercar. It is a family owned, little piece of history that drives like a supercar and leaves me with the same great feeling, and big grin, I had as a youngster back in the day!
Just A few specifications on the current build...
70 442 Holiday Coupe (curb weight 3817 lbs)
Oldsmobile 468 ci engine
Edelbrock Performer heads and Torker intake
10.5:1 CR
Pro Systems Pro Series 4150 950 CFM custom built for my application
Pertronix Flame Thrower HEI w/digital rev limiter
Camshaft - Bullet Racing
239°/239° @ .050
.541" Intake Lift
.541" Exhaust Lift
110° Lobe Separation
Thorley headers 1 3/4" tubes 3" collector
Torque Tech 3" X-pipe system w/ 22" large case Aero Chamber mufflers
Flowmaster stainless steel 3 1/2" x 12" tips
TCI Turbo 400
Coan Maximum Performance 10" 3200 RPM stall converter
Strange Engineering 3" chrome-moly driveshaft, 1350 series u-joints
Moser Engineering complete 12 bolt assembly, Eaton 33 spline posi and 4.11:1 pro gears
Hotchkiss upper and lower trailing arms
Hotchkiss 1" drop Sport Springs on all 4 corners
Edelbrock IAS classic shocks etc...
I assembled a picture album of the restification process.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v140/Belair62/x%20%20%206-3-05%20Blonzz%20442/1B6.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v140/Belair62/x%20%20%206-3-05%20Blonzz%20442/1B7.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v140/Belair62/x%20%20%206-3-05%20Blonzz%20442/1B8.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v140/Belair62/x%20%20%206-3-05%20Blonzz%20442/1B9.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v140/Belair62/x%20%20%206-3-05%20Blonzz%20442/1BA.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v140/Belair62/x%20%20%206-3-05%20Blonzz%20442/OldsW-25NEWER0336.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v140/Belair62/x%20%20%206-3-05%20Blonzz%20442/OldsW-250456.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v140/Belair62/x%20%20%206-3-05%20Blonzz%20442/OldsW-25020.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v140/Belair62/x%20%20%206-3-05%20Blonzz%20442/OldsW-25NEWER0182.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v140/Belair62/x%20%20%206-3-05%20Blonzz%20442/MR442meetsMrZanio0293.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v140/Belair62/x%20%20%206-3-05%20Blonzz%20442/MR442meetsMrZanio0272.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v140/Belair62/x%20%20%206-3-05%20Blonzz%20442/Engine0013.jpg

Xplantdad
08-04-2005, 04:55 AM
John,

What a cool ride! It's nice that you paid tribute to your dad. I love that color on 442's. Congrats on a really cool car. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

By the way, Sam is one heck of a nice guy...whenever we go to Pavillions...he's like a kid in a candy store! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

427TJ
08-04-2005, 08:23 AM
I'm tellin' your dad you were burning rubber...

Nice Olds! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

mockingbird812
08-04-2005, 09:31 AM
Although I had test driven John's car during the restoration, I had never really DRIVEN the car mostly because the engine had not been broken in properly yet. After the restoration was completed and the drive train was broken in John handed me the reins one day to put it thru the paces. As you can see John likes to be informed in the cockpit and has all systems monitored (As I recall, one gauge measures heart rate). Once all gauges were a "go" I asked John if I could get on it. I got the nod. We were at an intersection in a remote part of Maricopa County and we would be turning left. I knew the suspension was taut and responsive and I was not let down. The engine came to life and catapulted us around the turn with a nice tail wag to the right. With the front wheels pointed down the road she predictably wagged to and fro for a moment and then hooked up beautifully. She has gobs of power. What a pleasant sensation that was. Thanks John.


Sam

P.S. John hasn't asked me to drive his car since.

blonzz
08-05-2005, 07:20 AM
Thanks for the compliments.

Sam,

I remember right after your drive I looked over and made the comment... "I haven't even driven it that hard yet!"

And you wonder why I won't let you behind the wheel again? http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/no.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

Here are a couple of pictures from the past.

The first is shortly after the car was resurrected in 12/03 after 18 years of garage storage.

http://usera.imagecave.com/blonzz/before-after/Before.jpg

1973 - It's amazing what the AZ sun can do to paint in just a few years. We didn't have a garage back then.

http://usera.imagecave.com/blonzz/scan0001.jpg

And in the early 80's. Just doing some work on the car.

http://usera.imagecave.com/blonzz/442II80s.jpg

Belair62
08-05-2005, 07:38 AM
Dang I forgot about that old pic ou sent me !!! Cool...who is that in moms arms ?

mrtimstik
08-05-2005, 07:57 AM
Hey Blonzz, Checkout my 72 Olds smokeshow shot on my cardomain link. 2 shots I got there, a burnout in one pic an my darlin in another. Had one fine Olds in the day, back in the early 80's. Your car is friggin sweet. All your cars make me jealous.

blonzz
08-05-2005, 08:27 AM
[ QUOTE ]
Dang I forgot about that old pic ou sent me !!! Cool...who is that in moms arms ?

[/ QUOTE ]

That is my oldest sister holding one of my other sisters daughter, Tracy. One of my now many nieces.

John

blonzz
08-05-2005, 08:34 AM
[ QUOTE ]
Hey Blonzz, Checkout my 72 Olds smokeshow shot on my cardomain link. 2 shots I got there, a burnout in one pic an my darlin in another. Had one fine Olds in the day, back in the early 80's. Your car is friggin sweet. All your cars make me jealous.

[/ QUOTE ]

Thanks for the compliment.

Nice tire toasting! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

John

blonzz
08-12-2005, 03:31 AM
I assembled an album with some pictures of the restofication process.

Album (http://community.webshots.com/album/359944916rHjaWa)

John

Belair62
08-12-2005, 07:26 AM
I love the front shot taken from up high..thats a really good angle for car pics..

Mr70
08-12-2005, 07:34 AM
You're Right!