1965 442 value guidance

[JeffKeryk]

At the Petaluma Salute to American Graffiti car show, a guy had a 65 442 that was resto modded. I told him we have one the the most original 65 442s left. He just offered me $15K, sight unseen.

What is a car like this worth? 97K original miles, bought by wifey's father. I have the Fremont build sheet for authenticity.
Thanks for your guidance!

 

[Chris142]

Need more info. Any rust? Standard engine or a performance one? 4 speed? Runs?

 

[mccandish]

Sedan, Coupe, or Convertible?

 

[Chris142]

Looks like there was only 1 engine option. A 345 HP 400. The fact that it was born a 442 increases it's value over a standard cutless immensely.

So having all original panels,no rust etc is very important to it's value.

A Google search shows $15k as the low end.

 

[FZ1]

At the Petaluma Salute to American Graffiti car show, a guy had a 65 442 that was resto modded. I told him we have one the the most original 65 442s left. He just offered me $15K, sight unseen.

What is a car like this worth? 97K original miles, bought by wifey's father. I have the Fremont build sheet for authenticity.
Thanks for your guidance!
View attachment 288100

Would think it's worth more.

 

[JeffKeryk]

This is a rust free CA car. 2 speed JunkAway trans. Special order bench seat; most 442s were buckets with console.
In '65, Cutlass was a trim option to the Holiday; car has the Cutlass option. This is a 2 door post car, 2 tone blue with white hard top.

 

[JeffKeryk]

Would think it's worth more.

I believe you are right, but selling a collector like this takes time and effort.
At 72, my capabilities are not what they were. I would like to see the car go to someone who appreciates it; this guy does.

I also believe the 60's muscle cars' value will decline as my generation declines...

 

[02SE]

Original, unrestored, and detailed by a professional, I'd say start in the 65k range.

 

[Speedbird001]

Agreed with O2SE, $15k seems Waaaaaay too low. If original and unrestored, I would avoid detailing and go for the "Barn Find" crowd, they love this stuff. If you were near Virginia and it was a manual trans I'd give you $15k and more in a heartbeat.

Slight drift, pardon my ignorance (I was a Mustang and Mopar guy): I thought "442" stood for 4-speed, 4 barrel, dual exhaust?

 

[drtyler]

Does your car run and drive?

15k seems very low.

That guy would have it listed for $40k or more just as soon as it was home.

Or the front end ripped out from under it and some modern system installed so the resto mod could begin.

 

[JeffKeryk]

Does your car run and drive?

15k seems very low.

That guy would have it listed for $40k or more just as soon as it was home.

Or the front end ripped out from under it and some modern system installed so the resto mod could begin.

Runs fine. I made a couple of mistakes; I replaced the original cam and lifters with a mild aftermarket and put an Edelbrock Performer and Q-Jet on. The 4-Jet needs help. I am still kicking myself...

Also had the trans rebuilt, but it leaks. Junk-Away with switch pitch torque converter.

 

[JeffKeryk]

Original, unrestored, and detailed by a professional, I'd say start in the 65k range.

Car has never been detailed, but I did have the front seat vynal and foam replaced by one of the best. Original carpet, etc. Always garaged.

 

[JeffKeryk]

Slight drift, pardon my ignorance (I was a Mustang and Mopar guy): I thought "442" stood for 4-speed, 4 barrel, dual exhaust?

In later 1964, DeLorean's GTO was killing it. Other makes scrambled to pull together something to compete. Olds took the Police Option for the Holiday A Body (dual sway bars, 7:75-14 rubber, 330 V8, posi rear) and called it the "442" option on the Holiday. My understanding is, Olds also reinforced the frame for improved rigidity. As posted earlier, "Cutlass" was the upper trim option; it was not a model which It later became. The 442 was 4 barrel, 4 speed and dual exhaust. The 330 was no match for the torque monster Pontiac 389, so in 65 they used a destroked big block 425, the 400. 442 then meant 400 cu in, 4 barrel and dual exahaust as the 2 speed AT was offered. Options were 3 and 4 speed manuals and the AT. Later cars used the 455 so 442 was just the moniker.

The Oldsey, with its rear sway bar, was considered the best handling A Body of the day.

 

[THORROMIG]

Lets please see a picture of the engine while your at it.

 

[JeffKeryk]

Lets please see a picture of the engine while your at it.

Sorry, I don't have one, and the car is at another property of ours. I will get one before too long. But it's like this:

 

[ArrestMeRedZ]

My first car was a '64 Cutlass with the 330 and the 2 speed Slipandslide transmission. Front bucket seats, light blue metallic paint. If it had the manual 4-speed I'd still have that car. Loved everything about it but the transmission.

 

[gman2304]

If it were a 4 speed bucket seat with console car, it would more than likely bring 25% more than a bench seat column shifted 2 speed. Having said that, It’s still a very desirable car.

 

[wag123]

Your 442 is begging for a proper and thorough detailing by a professional JeffKeryk. You might not want to sell it after you get it done

 

[clinebarger]

I believe you are right, but selling a collector like this takes time and effort.
I also believe the 60's muscle cars' value will decline as my generation declines...

You have a good understanding of how this works......To get top dollar, The stars need to align just right. Have you ever looked for the build sheet?

At the end of the day....A car is only worth what someone is willing to pay, And as you eluded to....The pool of potential top buyers is ever shrinking.
Gen X (like myself) have interest in these cars but we're not going to pay what Boomers paid as the nostalgic link isn't there.

 

[JeffKeryk]

You have a good understanding of how this works......To get top dollar, The stars need to align just right. Have you ever looked for the build sheet?

At the end of the day....A car is only worth what someone is willing to pay, And as you eluded to....The pool of potential top buyers is ever shrinking.
Gen X (like myself) have interest in these cars but we're not going to pay what Boomers paid as the nostalgic link isn't there.

I put the build sheet under glass in a frame for safe keeping. It's around here somewhere.
The car was Sue's tie to her father; they used to wash it weekly. He was a tall man so she had to clean the whitewalls.

Even though I am retired, it seems I am busy all the time; no time enjoy the Oldsey. And the leaky Junk-Away is messy, so there's that. It is also hard to get a high compression iron headed ignition curve right running crappy CA wannabe "Premium". Give it any lead and she will rattle. I shortened the curve and limited the total lead but it ain't right.

It probably makes sense to let it go to someone who will enjoy it. Dog dish hubcaps and all.