How Rare? November 14, 2008, 12:01:23 AM Hey guys,Warning - non-Fox related question! Those who might be offended, please look away now. Seriously, about 3 or 4 blocks from my house is a '78/'79 Olds 442. I'm totally guessing all of this, but this car is obviously the person's only vehicle and is still in nearly new looking condition. Theory #2 is that it's an older person who probably bought the car new. Why else would it still be a daily driver? I would think if the owner was a car nut like most of us are, it would be put away or at least not be the only vehicle in the driveway. It's black with the gold 442 trim. It's the "fastback" Cutlass body (probably not the right term in GM-speak). I'm not sure if it's a '78 or '79. It's still a 2-headlighter; I think in '80, all Cutlasses went to 4 headlights. Even though I'll always be a Ford lover, and especially a Cougar/T'bird/Mustang fan, I've also always loved the '78-'88 GM G-bodies and would add one to my collection, provided that I actually ever have the money to have a collection. They just have a classic shape and style. I take my dog walking past this Olds 2 or 3 times a week, and one day I'm going to stop and knock on the door and meet the owner, and tell them that I'm going to take their car off of their hands someday. Isn't this a fairly rare car? I know it's not an actual musclecar-era 442, but it still looks tough. Any comments?Fordman3 Quote Selected
How Rare? Reply #1 – November 14, 2008, 12:16:08 AM and you know what the 442 means,, dont you?I love the cars myself. those big fat 442 numbers on the side are like a warning sign:D Quote Selected
How Rare? Reply #3 – November 14, 2008, 12:56:43 AM I seem to remember a little of the meaning of the name (or number). I think originally it stood for (4)00 ci, 4-barrel, 2-door? Then when they went to 455's, maybe (4)55, 4-barrel, 2-door? Maybe there was a (4)-speed in there at some point. I think the meaning actually changed a few times, until it finally just became a number that everybody recognized. This car by me at the very best has an Olds 350 (maybe with a 4-bbl, but I doubt it), or maybe just a 307. It actually wouldn't matter; it's the car's style that I like best. Heck, you can drop nearly any GM motor in it without a lot of fuss. That's what makes these cars so popular with hot-rodders.By the way, back in the day (don't you hate that phrase?), weren't the G-bodies the competition for the Birds and Cougars, and similarly priced and optioned? If that's true, why do the GM's seem to hold so much higher value than our Fords? A decent mid-80's Cutlass will still sell for, say, $2000+, and you might get the same model Bird in as good condition for half that. I'm not complaining, mind you, just curious. Any thoughts?Fordman3 Quote Selected
How Rare? Reply #4 – November 14, 2008, 01:11:53 AM I believe it was 4V, 4 speed, and 2 (dual) exhaust Quote Selected
How Rare? Reply #5 – November 14, 2008, 01:15:49 AM no. 442 stands for 4 speed, 4 barell carb, duel exhuast.I beleive its been the same meaning since day one. My dads best friend has a 72 442 convert. he has had since 75. Since then the meaning has been the same. Oldsmobiles sell for a lot more because no offense they were built better. Don't get me wrong I love my tbird but in the 80's oldsmobile was still using full frame cars, not this uni-body rust attracting design Ford was using. Oldsmobile's rocket 350 engine was a torque monster, with a substantially wider "v" than the chevy's and other manufactures. Thats why the engines lasted to long. Its not uncommon to see original oldsmobiles with 400k-500k miles on them. Again, im not ranking on the fox bodies, I love my car, Ford just typically made "cheaper" cars. They did have a unique style though. Quote Selected
How Rare? Reply #7 – November 14, 2008, 02:16:08 AM i always thought it was 4 barrel 4 speed posi Quote Selected
How Rare? Reply #8 – November 14, 2008, 06:46:47 AM Turbo 88,you are correct,Sir !!!!!!!!! Quote Selected
How Rare? Reply #9 – November 14, 2008, 08:35:20 AM Quote from: Turbo 88;243017thought I said that:rollin:We were obviously typing at the same time... sorry. It was late, I had been in the reply thread for a while. But we(lol) are correct, of this I am sure! Quote Selected
How Rare? Reply #11 – November 14, 2008, 08:57:33 PM Quote from: jpc647;243014Oldsmobiles sell for a lot more because no offense they were built better. I would disagree with that. Oldsmobiles MAY have been built better (and they may not). However, either way, that is not the reason they go for more money. The reason is simply more guys want them. You couldn't pay me to drive an Olds, but I am in the minority and that's fine. It's just a matter of supply and demand. If you don't believe me that build quality and sturdiness don't affect resale values, just look in our own "family". Compare the values of a Fox Stang and a Fox Bird. The bird is built way better, but the equivalent stang will bring lots more money because.... more guys want them. It's supply and demand. Quote Selected
How Rare? Reply #12 – November 14, 2008, 09:29:27 PM Quote from: Turbo 88;243013I believe it was 4V, 4 speed, and 2 (dual) exhaustlol no thats a beach boy song ....4 speed.4 barrel.posi track 409.......any way i to hav e always liked the 60 and 70's modle pontiac,and olds car's....there just beasts Quote Selected
How Rare? Reply #13 – November 14, 2008, 11:06:15 PM From what I've seen, If you get an Olds near salt, the floorpans and those sheetmetal bumpers rot quicker then a Ford product. my moms 74 Vista Cruiser lost it's entire floor front and back. the car was 8 years old.I would say that it also the supply and demand on what a car is worth. once everyone wants one the price goes through the roof.Glad no one wants my car. Quote Selected
How Rare? Reply #14 – November 15, 2008, 12:38:27 AM No...that's a "4 speed dual quad positraction 409" Quote Selected
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