1970 Oldsmobile 442 Convertible 4 Speed

Oldsmobile 442 1970 Description

1970 442 Oldsmobile 4 Speed Convertible

Here it is one of the rarest and most sought after Oldsmobile muscle cars ever made a real 1970 442 4 speed convertible and this one doesn’t need anything for you to enjoy. Oldsmobile only made 2933 convertibles and only 549 were 4 speeds. This is a true 442 as all 1970 442s VINs must begin with 344XXM which this one does. From 1968 to 1971 442 was its own model and not an option package. The engine block is not the original but is date code correct

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1970 was the pinnacle of performance from Oldsmobile. In order to keep up in the horsepower arms-race General Motors dropped the cap on engine size in 1970 and Oldsmobile responded by making the Olds 455 V8 the standard 4-4-2 engine.Magazine ads using an offbeat mad scientist trumpeted "Dr. Olds introduces as large a V-8 as ever bolted into a special-performance production automobile!" Output was 365 hp (272 kW) and 500 lb·ft (680 N·m) with a 370 hp (276 kW) variant available with the W30 option.The revised body style and increased performance resulted in the 4-4-2 being awarded pace car duties at the Indianapolis 500 race in 1970. Motor Trend praised the 4-4-2 stating that "it's probably the most identifiable super car in the GM house".

Motor Trend tested a 4-4-2 W-30 with a 4-speed manual transmission and 3.91:1 rear gears clocking a quarter mile time of 14.2 seconds @ 102 mph (164 km/h). However Motor Trend noted that Oldsmobile engineers had earlier posted a best of 13.7 seconds on the same test car with a fresh tune.The car is well optioned with original OAI Ram Air hood (yes it real) and air-cleaner non a/c 4 speed manual transmission 4 core radiator 12 bolt Posi-traction rear w27 cover power disc brakes dual sport mirrors 4 spoke factory sport wheel. The car is equipped with an original rally pack (working tick-toc-tach) gauges and original working am/fm stereo. The car has a very nice body very clean underneath and a spectacular frame. Car handles and brakes great with very tight steering and suspension.

The paint is the original code 55 galleon gold and the paint looks fresh. The hood and side stripes are factory correct to blue print. The front and the rear of the car were recently repainted to fix some minor details. There are a couple of paint nicks on the doors but nothing glaring. There are no stress cracks where the rear deck meets the rear quarter panel which is often present in most restorations of this body type especially in convertibles that are driven. This was properly fixed with 2000 miles driven on the car after the repairs were completed.The chrome is in excellent shape along with the metal and rubber trim. How many restorations have you seen where the trim has just been ignored and a fresh coat of paint was slapped on the car to qualify it as a restored car? The door handles have some minor pitting but a set of repo door handles are included with the sale of the car. The convertible top is like brand new. One of the top hydraulic cylinders is weaker than the other and could be replaced. However I drive the car with the top mostly down so I haven’t bothered to replace it.

The engine and compartment are meticulously detailed to stock appearance with date coded wired correct color engine and more original clips springs clamps and hardware than I can list however the date coded 70 engine was rebuilt slightly stronger than stock to match the performance of the 70 w-30 as much as possible. The transmission shifts well clutch is great and even the reverse lock out is working correctly. The car has all the correct labels and stickers under the hood and in the trunk and door jam. The car has been shown and is in excellent condition even the trunk is detailed with spare jack tire hold down tire Iron clips and correct trunk mat. The car did take a second place Oldsmobile Club of America (OCA) National award before I purchased it. The deficiencies which prevented it from a first place finish have been corrected so it should take a first place finish if entered today.

The black interior is clean and in exceptional condition. The dash completely rebuilt so every little light gauge and switch works perfectly. The dash looks awesome and all the vents and components not only look great but work as they should. All the seats are soft and in excellent shape with even the chrome beading on the backs and bases is bright and in excellent shape. The carpet and the door panels were just replaced with Legendary products. The console shifter sport wheel and dash are all in good condition making the interior a major plus over most cars this age. Only thing that doesn’t work is the horn although all the parts are there. I just haven’t felt the need to get the horn working.

The car has pretty low millage and based on the condition it’s probably original but I can’t guarantee that so the car is sold is as is with no warranty expressed or implied. However it drives like a low mileage car. Again I encourage all serious buyers to inspect and drive the car. It’s truly how amazing this car drives like a new car with very tight steering and firm handling. Multiple times I have been stopped by people who comment on not only how great the car looks but what a great sound it has.As you may know the 70 455 engine was rated at approximately 360 HP and 510 foot pounds of torque which has led to the 1970 442 being the most desired and valuable. Among the 442’s the convertibles with 4 speed OAI and rally pack are clearly the best investment.

This is a car for you if you want a trouble free car to drive. Last summer it was driven 1000 miles on tour and about 2/3s of that was in 100+ degree weather. It ran cool in 112 degree weather even when it was caught in stop and go traffic in town. This is a car you will want to drive everywhere which you can do with confidence. And like me you won’t be able to wipe that grin off your face when you step on the accelerator.