1972 Oldsmobile 442 Convertible

Description

As the end of an era, the 1972 Oldsmobile 442 is a legendary muscle car for the right enthusiast. After all, Olds fans will recognize the significance of having a survivor-grade final-year Cutlass drop top that has the original Rocket 455 V8 and correct rare color.

Code-65 Flame Orange is this car's original color. What you see now is the same paint Lancing applied 45 years ago, and with only minor touch-ups, it looks exceptionally well preserved today. This should make Olds/GM fans excited because they know this color was a one-year offering. And speaking of 1972, this was the final year for this generation of the Cutlass, and the final time the factory would offer a convertible version. This is particularly important because its iconic design is arguably the best-looking Olds ever with the rear fender "kick up" in the fender and form-hugging bumpers. You can see from the included window sticker that this received the 442 treatment from the factory, and today this survivor still carries all the right touches. It includes the correct badging, side stripes, and fiberglass hood with forced air induction, twist down pins, and dual hood stripes. The final piece to uniting the aggression of the 442 package with the elegance of the Olds are the color-matched Rally II wheels.

With the touch of a button, the dark black electric folding top reveals a matching muscle car-friendly black interior. It's a very stylish appearance that matches the exterior striping package, and that's why it came from the factory with this combo. These might have been classified as the intermediate size, but back then that meant offering plenty of room in the rear seat to carry family and friends. But regardless of how many people are in the car, you'll always be in individual comfort thanks to bucket seats up front and a center console. Other luxury items like the burled walnut dash appliqués and the triple-pod stainless steel gauge faces were all standard up-market Cutlass Supreme fare. There's even provisions for air conditioning. And we know you'll love showing people how the 8-track player is still working. It's this kind of level of preservation that is seen in every detail, right down to the original spare tire in the trunk.

Under the hood is one of the best features. It's the original, numbers-matching 455 cubic-inch V8. This fantastically preserved package means you get all the right details – from the factory decals, to the bright blue block, to the correct air grabber that's fed by the monster scoops in the hood. It inhales deeply through a four-barrel carburetor and exhales with authority out of the rumbling dual exhaust. And because Olds was used to offering the large horsepower and torque that the Rocket 455 produced, the original TH400 three-speed automatic transmission can handle it with ease. But more than just a big power machine, this 442 Cutlass Supreme still serves its dual luxury and performance nature well. After all, features like the power steering, thick sway bars front & rear, and front disc brakes are the perfect recipe for an all-day cruise on your favorite roads.

Oldsmobile only produced 11,571 Cutlass convertibles in 1972, and the number that received factory 442 treatment is reportedly less than a tenth of that. So an exceptionally rare survivor like this needs all the right paperwork. That's why you get the original window sticker, factory build sheet, owner's manual, and maintenance receipts. Yes, this is that perfect classic that's vintage, luxurious, rare, and sporty – rolled into one drop top package. And it can all be yours if you're quick enough to grab it. Call now!