1972 Oldsmobile Cutlass/442 Convertible

Description

1972 Oldsmobile Cutlass/442 Convertible This was not your father's Oldsmobile unless you had the cool Dad on the block! If you have beensearching for that classic muscle car investment to restore then thisrareClassicConvertible just may have your name on it! These 1970's muscle cars have incredible investment potential, and have been referred to as rolling bank accounts. If you simply double click on the main picture of the auction page then all 24 pictures will be able to be viewed in the larger size by clicking the arrows on each side of the larger pictures. Remember, when the top goes down the price goes up! The most important factor when purchasing a classic automobile isto havethe original components that came with the car when it was purchased brand new. From everything I've seen on this car it is one of the most complete cars I have ever owned. This car was purchased brand new at Hames Oldsmobile, Inc. located at 2442 64 W. Columbus Ave. in Chicago, Illinois on September 15th, 1971. Included in the glove compartmentare the 1972 Oldsmobile New Vehicle Warranty and policy on owner service manual, the 1972 Oldsmobile ConsumerInformation manual, the 1972 Oldsmobile Emission Control Systems manual, the 1972 Oldsmobile Owner's Manual, and even the original owner's Oldsmobile Protecto-O-Plate in the original factory plastic dealer sleeve. These are all typically long gone on a 45 year old car.
This is a one owner Oldsmobile convertible that was purchased brand new in the autumn of 1971 by the couple who owned the car before I made the purchase.They only come original once!! The title shows that this is officially a one owner car.It took me nearly 30 years to arrange this sale. I had been trying to make this purchase since somewhere in the 1990's and my persistence was what led to finally owning it.The long venture started when ithad been sitting at a repair shop on the north side of Chicago. I had stopped there over the years a countless number of times, but was always shut downby the owner of the shop saying it was a customers car and not for sale. I hadn't seen it for several years when my younger brother spotted it up for sale in Lombard, Illinois last spring. I set upthe deal with the owner of that shop who was selling it for their customer. Iproceeded to haveit towedon a flat bedto my place in Kenosha that night. When I made the purchaseI was told this car had never been in any accidents, and everywhere I inspected I saw no signs of this car ever being damaged. Also mentioned was that the mileage is absolutely original at just over 82,000 miles and the Rocket engine that is in this car came with it from the factory. It is believed to have been last registered in the 1986-1987 top down season as visible from the picture of the Chicago City sticker way back when Walter Payton was still wreaking havoc in the NFL. This car is believed to have all of its original body panels with the exception of the hood. The body is believed to have only one repaint done back in the 1980's. It was touched up with some color matching spray paint to make it look better in the pictures. What you see is exactly what you get! The only piece of trim missing is the passenger door body side molding. I happened to purchase the ram-air hood this past summer and it was already painted burgundy. The chrome twist downs line up and latch very nicely, and the hood fits the body well. Back in 1979 my first 442 Convertible was a 1970 that was all original code 78 Burgundy Mist. This is a very unique color combinationmaking this antique verydesirable. I'm in the middle of several other projects, so I'm passing this rare gem along to another 442 lover, so they can get in on the 442 excitement. I would suggest that this car receives a full restoration where every part and every piece gets restored to bring it back to its former glory. I will be more than happy to assist the new owner with the best way to paint on the W-30 stripes. Whenever I restore one of these cars my stripes are spot on.
With each passing year, it is becoming increasingly more difficult to find one of these classics in aconvertible. This is a very highly optioned Oldsmobile for the 1972model year with Power Steering, Power Front Disc Brakes, Power Convertible Top, Power Door Locks, Power Bench Seat, Sport Steering Wheel, Sport Mirrors, Tinted Glass, Deluxe Lighting Package, and Air Conditioning.These are somevery rare options to have on one of these cars from the early 1970's. The factory air conditioning is all hooked up the way it came from the factory including the a/c belt, but it will need an R-12 Freon charge to blow ice cold. The prior owner said it was never converted over to the new type of refrigerant. All four windows roll up and down nicely. Even the power door locks still work.
This Rockethad notbeen startedin all those years, but under the hood it appeared like it had a newer Quadrajet 4-barrel carburetor. The drive shaft was missing, but I happened to have one, sothatwas installed with new U-joints. I had my buddy who is an expert on these old muscle cars come over to help me get it started. I changed the oil and oil filter first thing, and then we replaced the starter and the fuel pump and installed a good battery. This Olds Rocket engine started right up andstill sounds very strong! The original air-cleaner was restored with a new decal and air cleaner inside.This cardoes have dual exhaust, but there is a leak somewhere underneath, so it is rather loud. The brakes will need some work to make them stop the car, but these cars are always stop nicewhen theyhave factory power disc brakes. The car can be driven onto a trailer, but the brake issue will need to be addressed before this baby can be made into a daily driver again.
The convertible top does go up and down very nicely through the switch on the dash and closes like a glove.These were always the nicest fitting tops of the muscle car era in my opinion. There are some minor imperfections on the top as it seems like this may be the original convertible top, so it will need to be replaced at some point. It is my belief that it can be used the way it is for a couplemore seasons. It does have the back glass window option, and there is a California boot cover enclosed in what appears to be an original case in the trunk compartment that is included with the sale.
The majority of the chromeis indrivers quality condition or better. I did not notice any chrome trim missing. The doors even have the original chrome door edge guards. The original dash pad is in very nice shape with nocracks. There is a working old school AM/FM 8-track player in the dash,and the dashwas never cut up like was typical back in the day. An original Oldsmobile stereo should fit right in the originalradio positionif the next owner would like to make this convertible look more factory original. I do have an original AM radio that I would gladly trade for the working AM/FM 8-track player if the winning bidder would like. All the seat belts are present for a family of six. The split power bench seatis still in good conditionand the four-way power controlworks properly withthe arm rest in the center of the bench. The entire interior is all in relatively very nice condition as shown in the pictures. Once this baby is roadworthy again sitting at the local drive in movie theater should betreat for the entire family.
The front and the rear floor pans are the originals and have never been replaced.The carpeting looks like brand new, soit must have beenreplaced at some point over the years. There is abrand new set of four black carpetedfloor mats. This Olds rides ona set of four Goodyear Eagle ST raised white lettered steel belted radial tires withnice tread mounted on Super Stock II wheels that were painted to match the body color. All four wheels have new chrome lug nuts, all fourbolt-on center caps, andall fourbeauty trim rings.
There is a 10-bolt rear-end, but I am unsure of the gear ratio. The original trunk floor did have some amateur patch work done at some point. The trunkcarries a full size Super StockII spare withthe originaljack, jack stand, bumper mount,and crow bar. Even the rubber sleeve for the crowbar to attach to the jack is still in the trunk.When there is a full size spareif there is ever a mishap on the road with a quick tire change you can be back on the road in minutes looking complete.
According to the OldsFaqs websiteonly 1,025 of the Cutlass Supreme/442 convertible models were made with an automatic transmission in 1972. They said whether this model is a real 442 or a converted Cutlass Supreme it is still considered to be like a real 442 if it is converted properly. I'll give a little background on the 1972 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme, Cutlass S,and 442 models. Prior to the 1972 model year the vehicle identification numbers in all 442's started out with 344. That was the way to determine whether that specific car was ordered from the dealershipas a true442. This is easily verified by the OldsFaqs website that anyone can look up online. The 442 could be ordered as a separate model up until 1971. Oldsmobile decided to make the 442 an ordered option starting in 1972.The OldsFaqs website made the statement that there is no such thing as a fake 442 in 1972. All 1972 442 convertible models started life as a Cutlass Supreme, since the 442 was an ordered option. Whether the car was factory ordered as a 442, or dealer installed, or a private owner installed all the 442 options, they are all considered Cutlass Supreme or Cutlass S bodies. This is why all 1972 442 convertibles have Cutlass Supreme on the glove box door, and all 442 hardtops have just plain Cutlass on the glove box door.
The Nada Classic Car Price Guide currently has the 1972 Oldsmobile 442 Convertible with the Rocket 350/180 horsepower V8 L-34 option and air conditioning listed at $60,720 in high condition, which theyconsider an excellent overall vehicle that was completely restored, or an original vehicle showing very minimal wear. Note: This value does not represent a 100 point show car or a #1 vehicle. Those vehicles can reach much higher prices. Theaverage condition value is $40,940, which theyconsider in good overall condition that could be an older restoration or a well maintained original vehicle that is completely operable. The exterior paint, trim, and mechanics are presentable and serviceable inside and out.They say an average condition car is considered a20-Footer! Nada hasthe lowest condition value at $26,565 being considered a deteriorated restoration or a very poor restoration, but mostly usable "As-Is!" The lowest value does not represent a parts car, but would be considered as the price for a car needing a complete restoration.That being said the numbers don't lie! This Convertible is a very valuable classic automobile! Why not enjoyyourself while yourmoney works for youat a fraction of those prices. The bottom line is the new owner could take this car over to their local Maaco and have a nice freshpaint job put onthis droptopwith the W-30 stripes and have themselves a $25,000-$35,000 dollarlooking car right away.
A couple weekends ago at the Barrett-Jackson auction in Scottsdale, Arizonathere were many 1970-1972 442 Convertible's thatsold from$56,000toover $100,000. This Oldsmobile is an investment that I believe will continue to rise as these cars haveshown toconsistently escalate in value with each quarter. Here is a prime opportunity to acquire your dream car at a nominal price. Once this car is restored the winning bidder will most likely have endless thumbs up wherever they drive. You should have an outgoing personality to drive a car like this, because everywhere you go people will be attracted to you like a magnet.I try toaccurately portrayeverything I know abouta car when writinga description.I know my auctions tend to be long winded, but if you feel I may have left anything out please ask as many questions as you like.This sale is being made with a clean and clearIllinois title from the original owners who purchased this car brand new in 1971 as shown in the very last picture in the auction. These older classics that have survived for over 40 years are becoming harder and harder to find indecent condition.
ThisOne Owner Classic Convertibleis being offered on a quick 5-day "No Reserve" auction and will sell to the highest bidder on Sunday evening at 8pm Eastern time, 7pm Central time, and 5pm Pacific time. The winning bidderwill need to pay the PayPal deposit within 24 hours, and the balance is due within 72 hours. Please have your funds in order. There is stilltime to do a quickie restoration to be readyto roll atall of the local car shows in your area this coming summer!!Thank you for taking the time to read my auction.Good Luck and Happy Bidding!!!