Make: | Oldsmobile |
Model: | 442 |
SubModel: | 442 |
Type: | Convertible |
Trim: | CUTLASS |
Year: | 1971 |
Mileage: | 68497 |
VIN: | 342671M228237 |
Color: | VIKING BLUE |
Engine: | 5.7L Rocket 350 |
Cylinders: | 8 |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
Transmission: | AUTO TH350 |
Drive type: | RWD |
Interior color: | Black |
Drive side: | Left-hand drive |
Vehicle Title: | Clean |
Item location: | Caledonia, Wisconsin, United States |
Thanks for stopping by to check out my beautifully restored 1971 Viking Blue 442 convertible (w30) tribute. This car spent the majority of its life, with the same owner,in New Hampshire and had only recently been brought to the Midwest - about 2 years ago. Since then, it has gone through an extensive frame-on restoration and been covered and garage kept since. There is a PILE of receipts, almost 2 inches thick, for work completed under prior ownership, dating back to the 1990s. The undercarriage was treated annually (according to what can be found in the receipts) to a coating of "New Hampshire oil" If you're from out east you may have heard of it. It's a coating applied to the undercarriage to prevent rust and such. The odometer shows 68,000 miles and it could possibly be an original low mileage car.
Ebay only allows for 24 photos, but I have nearly 100 photos of this car, before, during, and after restoration. Please contact me if you'd like to see other photos, or something specific perhaps. Over 600 labor hours and a LOT of parts went into an extensive 8 month restoration.Much of this car was taken to bare metal for an excellent paint job.The body work is incredible, and laser-straight.All the panels were painted off the car so you won't find ANY tape lines anywhere. While the panels were off, all the jambs, and hinges were mediablasted, seam sealed and painted, for a "fresh-from-the-dealer" look.
Everything was sprayed base/clear with high quality urethane products, and the clear is a super high gloss / high solids clear from Southern Polyurethanes Inc.The black stripes on the car are also base/cleared in GM 8555 black, and as the restoration neared completion the body was meticulously color-sanded with 1500, and 2000 grit paper before being buffed to a mirror finish with all 3M compounds.
The quarter panels, outer wheel houses, and lower fender panels are brand new and were purchased from The Parts Place out of DeKalb, IL.The parts were professionally welded on and installed by an experienced body man.The floors look to be in great condition, with one section that was replaced prior to my ownership. It was replaced with a section that was factory molded, and appears to have been installed professionally.Most of the undercarriage has been painted, and/or had rubberized undercoating applied.It does show some age/wear but still looks to be in nice condition.
Aside from an outstanding paint job, the car has had mostly all rubber body gaskets, door/trunk seals, window felts, rubber stoppers, and weather-stripping completely replaced with a whole kit ordered from Tamarazs Parts.The front and rear 442 cutout bumpers are brand new as are ALL of the emblems, the 442 grills, the outer door handles, and the chrome wheel well mouldings.The restoration has absolutely ZERO miles on it.The all-new ram air hood is a Parts Place inc. piece, out of Chicago-land area.It would be completely functional if someone were to install a flapper-door ram air cleaner on this car.
The power mill of this car is the original rocket 350 "numbers matching" (see photos) and looks to be in original condition, having never been rebuilt. The head gaskets were weeping a bit of coolant down the side of the block, so the engine now has ALL NEW top end gaskets (cylinlder head, exhaust manifold, intake, valve cover, thermostat gaskets). At that time, the whole top end was cleaned or wire wheeled, and repainted Oldsmobile gold. It runs very well, and is topped with a recently rebuilt quadra-jet 4bbl carb.The entire engine bay has been nicely detailed and much of it repainted.
The trunk was in nice condition and so all that was needed was a fresh coat of black paint, followed by AC delco black and aqua trunk spatter and a universal clear coat.
The original Super Stock II (SSII) wheels have all been restored, sanded, and painted base/clear the same as the body in Viking Blue. The rims are wrapped in BRAND NEW 225/70/R14, Cooper Cobra Radial G/T raised white letter tires. Factory front wheel disc brakes helps to getall this fun under control before the next light.
Under the car, you'll notice a brand new dual exhaust, flowmaster style mufflers,and factory correct dual trumpet exhaust tips, exiting the rear cutout bumper.The power meets the pavement via a TH350 3 speed automatic transmission and a 10 bolt differential. A new rear sway bar helps to complete the tribute package as well as help with the handling.
Up top there is a fully functional black power convertible top (w/ glass rear window) that shows very well and only has some slight blemishes. The top was originally tan and was vinyl dyed black with SEM vinyl dye. There are a few marks here or there, and a couple scuffs, but again it shows very well inside and out. The original top switch must have stopped working at some point throughout the years and someone has added a period correct "power window" style switch on the lower dash that operates the top.
The interior is in very nice condition and is highlighted by a newly-recovered set of seats, and rally sport steering wheel.Everything works to the best of my knowledge (except for the horn)The radio is an aftermarket retro-style AM/FM radio and the car has a speaker in the dash, and 2 under the front seat. The power trunk release button is located inside the glove compartment, and is an option that I don't see around very often. The carpet is not new, but presents itself well. I'm sure it has been likely been replaced somewhere along the way. The door panels look good.Some new parts have been added to the interior including chrome arm rest base plates, and chrome dash trim.Overall the interior shows very well and much of it is original and restored.The seats, having just been recovered, should provide a comfortable ride for many years to come. 5 seatbelts are also present, and functional.
Outside, You'll notice that much of the stainless trim is looking great. The trim was sent out to a professional polisher before being reinstalled.
Maybe you had one of these cars when you were young, or maybe you always wanted one but couldn't afford one until now.Make no mistake, this 1971 convertible has great investment potential and will receive endless praise wherever you choose to drive it!
These oldsmobile classics were such cool cars and every one of them deserves to be saved!This particular one already has been saved, and should provide years of enjoyment to come.This color combination is one of the most popular, and extremely hard to find.Don't miss out on your chance to score this car at a great price.This classic is being offered to the public on a 5 day,**NO RESERVE**auction starting at $2000, and will end on Sunday evening to the highest bidder!
All statements provided are solely my opinion, and therefore it is an as-is sale with no warranty expressed written or implied.I have gone through painstaking efforts to be very detailed and forthcoming with this desciption but this is still a used car nearly half a century old.Please be reasonable with your expectations.Every car, manufacturer, year and model, has its own strengths and weaknesses.I would encourage anyone who plans to bid on this car, to come see it if you can, as I am sure you will be impressed.It looks better in person than in photos.If you can't make it, please bid with confidence after viewing my extensive gallery.
I'm sure there are things I may have left out, so do not hesitate to contact me with any questions.The car will come with a clear Wisconsin title, and will be stored in a locked facility until pick-up.