442's; where are they and what are they worth?

[daleone3]

Interested in starting the search for a 442, ideally a 70, does anyone know any good resources for these; boards, sites, etc....
So here is my thinking, I don't want to pay chevelle money and it seems that you can still get a BB Olds for reasonable money and be in a sister GM product. Anyone out there have thoughts on this? The other thing I like is that the model designation is in the VIN, something you dont get with a chevelle.
thoughts?

[quick-bowtie]

Olds price have definately went up so I dont think you'll find a real 70' #s big block for reasonable unless it has issue's. Check out 442.com that site use to have cars on it but I havent been on there for along time.

[Canuck]

There are still cars for sale on 442.com. Realoldspower is a similar form to this by design but it can be a real dog fight by its participants. Have a thick skin if you venture there. plenty of good cars out there. Documentation is a must if you want a W-30 equipped model.As always Canadian sold cars can be documented.Lots of quality parts available for restoration.

[TN2Lane]

The 442s are still priced less than the equivalent Chevelle SS, though the gap at the top (W30 vs LS6) has narrowed.

Do your homework first. There's no equivalent of Colvin or MacNeish for Oldsmobiles, but you can start with the Olds FAQ, which is mirrored at 442.com but lives at http://oldsjunction.classicoldsmobile.com/oldsfaq/ Beyond the serial number to prove its a real 442, you'll need a build sheet or window sticker to authenticate the options - Olds factory records are just as lost as Chevrolet's.

Not sure how locked into a 70 442 you are, but if you've made the leap from Chevy and are concerned about authenticity, why not a Buick? 70s & 72s have bulletproof PHS-type docs available via the Sloan Museum. GSX prices have gone through the roof (partly organically, partly a function of the level of restoration that's been seen recently), but the GS455 and even Stage cars are a relative good value. If you go the Buick route, v8buick.com is the place to start.

Whatever route you go, good luck in the search.

[SuperNovaSS]

Or a Pontiac?

[bulletpruf]

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Or a Pontiac?

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Just bought a Ram Air IV 70 GTO, 4 sp, 3.90, for not too much money. Concur that you get a lot of bang for the buck with a Stage 1 GS, too.

[agtw31]

if youre looking for a real nice project,i found a gold 69 w-30 here in columbus with no motor and tranny,but comes with a box of NOS parts,and does have all the OAI stuff and the red wheelwells.
been sitting in a garage in pieces coverred up for 25 years.