JK, in the upcoming MECUM AUCTION Jan. 7-16, they are auctioning a 1965 442.
https://www.mecum.com/lots/FL0121-444534/1965-oldsmobile-442/
Fired my Oldsey today...
- Thread starter JeffKeryk
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https://www.mecum.com/lots/FL0121-444534/1965-oldsmobile-442/
I think he was just giving the history. Lots of old car lover's are interested in this kind of info when looking at classic cars. Some people are interested, some aren't.
I imagine it was a pretty expensive car when new and that guy would have made pretty decent money.
Jeff gave all of his fil’s info and answers to your questions in the very first sentence of his initial post!
It just history, to add color to the car. A 1 owner car since 1965, pretty rare. I even have the buildsheet.
FYI Dr. Uyeda came from a family of Japanese immigrants and was very poor growing up. Their father passed away early leaving the family (7 children I believe) to fend for themselves. After WW2 Internment, he joined the Army, after his service he attended UCLA, working his way through college. He dedicated his life's work to helping the very sick. The Napa State Hospital offers treatment programs for developmentally disabled residents, such as catatonics. Dr. Uyeda could have made a fortune with his education; he choose to help the severly mentally challenged.
He chronicled the research work he did on his patients; his research papers are presented at UCLA and other schools to this day.
I hope this helps.
Napa State Hospital
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Sue's father could have made a lotta money; he choose a different path.
He drove a VW Squareback to work every day and bagged his lunch.
He actually got a great deal on the car, as it was special ordered by someone else who then bought another car while the 4-4-2 was being built in Fremont (Northern CA) and being delivered to Redondo Beach (Southern CA).
Dr. Uyeda was looking for a family car and the dealership offered him a great deal on the 4-4-2.
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I love those old Oldsmobiles. My dad owned a purple 1958 Oldsmobile 88 that he bought brand new. It had a 4 speed automatic trans and a 371 cubic inch engine. Your car is awesome and I would go with the 3 speed automatic or even a turbo 400 with overdrive. I do agree the 2 speeds are definitely a slush box. As someone else mentioned I would but in a B&M shift kit as well. I like your 68 Corvette too. The Olds is one awesome machine and good luck with the transmission project. Save the old transmission too.
You're lucky, my father was also an MD but all he left me was his '72 Dart. A 6 cylinder too.
4WD
$50 site donor 2025
Cars from that era were each so unique. I had a CPA for years … interesting and nostalgic gentleman.
He bought an old bank & loved to show off the big safe door. Pipe smoker, used fountain pens etc …
But his two pride and joy cars were Cadillac limousines from the mid 50’s … stunning cars.
Plus the OP mentioned this as being a "special order". Bench seat, auto perhaps
That, all of that, is an important part of the car's history.
Maintenance receipts are gold. This is even better.
I would pay for more information about my 63 Valiant's first 18 years on the road, though an old newspaper found in the trunk mentioned Marysville AZ and the license plate frames say " Town and Country Chrysler Plymouth PHX AZ".
It just makes the whole experience of old cars more interesting.
Yes, the 4-4-2 was the best handling of the GM A-Body muscle cars. It was simply the Police Special Package with sway bars front and rear.
Of course, bias ply 14" tires and drum brakes were as good as it got back in the day but handling pales badly in comparison to today's base model Accord. The car does drive very well, if you can get past the huge but skinny steering wheel and the hunnerd or so turns, lock to lock... Whee!
"Cutlass" was not a model; it was a trim option with better interior and chrome body accents. The 2 tone paint added a little more as well.
4WD
$50 site donor 2025
Meaning it could do a curve at 22 mph vs the usual 20 mph,
B&M as well as TCI TH350 shift kits are terrible, They use a sandwich transfer plate to Dual Feed the Direct Clutch that will eventually leak & cause Direct Clutch failure..... It's best to Internally Dual Feed & use a TransGo SK-TH350 kit to clean up the small leaks at the Support Plate. Then block the 3rd Accumulator.
This is what a B&M kit does to the Separator Plate.....Hydraulically deforms it causing internal leaks.....
Thanks for all the suggestions.
FYI - I hate shift kits. A decent TH350 fits the bill nicely.
Otherwise I may resort to keeping the JunkAway.
So far I have enjoyed firing the old girl...
She has gotten her fair share of attention and comments from passer bys, etc...
FYI - I hate shift kits. A decent TH350 fits the bill nicely.
Otherwise I may resort to keeping the JunkAway.
So far I have enjoyed firing the old girl...
She has gotten her fair share of attention and comments from passer bys, etc...
Service her from stem to stern then drive her! A thorough detailing and nice set of wheels and tires and you’ll be amazed at the change with so few $$$$$ $pent! You could daily drive her for the rest of your life and never see another one!
I have already done the servicing, as well as all new brakes including rubber lines and wheel cylinders.
I love the 14x6 steelies and dog dis hubcaps; no aftermarket wheels for me.
I strongly considered a disc brake conversion for safety, but decided to keep her stock.
Thanks for the suggestions! You are spot on regarding seeing another '65 4-4-2; there ain't many out there.
And possibly none in this condition.
manicrodder
$50 site donor 2022
Many older 1/4 mile cars used modded power glides as they put more hp to the wheels.
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