1964 Oldsmobile Cutlass

Description

A lot of experienced car guys may be surprised to know that the Oldsmobile 442 was born in 1964 in direct response to the GTO's success. This 1964 Cutlass is a fantastic facsimile of the early 442 finished in stunning colors and complete with all the go-fast hardware that made the 442 a legend.

Cars at this price level don't often have paint jobs that look this good, but this is one super straight Olds. The black paint is recent and impossibly deep, giving the sporty hardtop a street presence that belies its humble origins. It's also a great choice on a semi-serious car like this, as the 442 was not designed for kids buying their first car, but perhaps for their fathers. In that regard, it's an awesome piece, with conservative styling and great proportions that make it somewhat of a sleeper. The sheetmetal is incredibly straight, a fact only accentuated by the black paint, which seems to have been rubbed and buffed to an impressive shine. There's a bit of chrome and bright trim, and the stainless strips along the flanks leave no room for error when lining everything up. A discreet '442' badge was fastened to the deck lid and the argent silver panel between the taillights is in excellent condition.

Seeing an Oldsmobile, particularly one as conservative as this hardtop, with bucket seats, a console, and a 4-speed is a real treat. The bright red interior is, of course, amazing with the black bodywork, and it appears that almost everything inside is new. Beautiful seat covers, reproduction door panels, and correct carpets give it a sporty yet elegant look and are in exemplary condition. The dash is simple, with bright trim and a wide speedometer and auxiliary gauges tucked off to the side. The steering wheel is simply too nice to be original and as I said, it sure is cool seeing that console with a tach and 4-speed shifter between the seats. The original AM radio is in the dash, and the car also includes power steering, so it feels nimble around town. As an Oldsmobile, the back seat is spacious and useful for three passengers, and if you're going on a road trip, this is a fine candidate with its massive trunk and full-sized spare tire.

The engine is a 330 cubic inch V8 and matches the 442's requirement of a 4-barrel carburetor, 4-speed transmission, and dual exhaust. Nicely detailed in Oldsmobile Gold with a bright red air cleaner, it has that high-performance look that car guys love to see under the hoods of their favorite muscle cars. It's still pretty stock, which is hardly a demerit, and it feels fast around town. It starts easily and burbles happily through a pair of glasspack-style mufflers, a unique Oldsmobile sound that fans will appreciate. The undercarriage is clean, albeit not detailed for show, and with sway bars at both ends, it's a tidy handler when the roads get a little curvy. Wire wheel covers might seem unorthodox on a 442, but remember this is an Oldsmobile, and if you wanted wires, they were available. The tires are whitewall radials that fit the car's personality and work a lot better than the original skinny bias-plys.

A beautifully-done tribute to a fairly unusual car, it's simply gorgeous in its own right. If you like the orphans, you're going to love this Olds. Call today!