Freshly Rebuilt #'s Matching 455, Auto, Factory A/C, PS/B, Fr Disc, Great Colors

1971 Oldsmobile Cutlass 442 Description

Fast and sophisticated, this 1971 Oldsmobile 442 isn't like most muscle cars. Yes, it does carry its original 455 cubic inch V8 and yes, it's dressed in some seriously aggressive bodywork, but the combination of the sleek silver paint and comfortable interior remind us that buying an Olds was an entirely different experience.


OK, so the original color was Antique Green, but I'm guessing there's just no way it looked as good as the icy silver paint this 442 currently wears. In a sea of red and yellow and black muscle, this car stands out, looking both contemporary and brutal, it seems to ignore the usual standards and goes off on its own. Sure, it's got hood scoops and a wing on the deck lid, plus a pair of black stripes that highlight the hood, but showing up in this car gets a lot of attention. It's also a real-deal 442, so those badges were installed honestly and the aggressive look is factory-issue. Nice chrome sparkles against the silver paint, black pinstripes highlight the flared fenders, and it's really hard to not love this Olds.


The black interior was also fully restored to factory specs, including the front bench seat that's a somewhat unusual find in a 442. Oldsmobile's added luxury is evident throughout, from the woodgrained door panels to the somewhat more expensive-feeling vinyl used on the seats to the rather lengthy list of options. There's hardly any wear on any of the soft parts, so the car looks and feels quite fresh, and that's a tic-toc tach to the right of the speedometer. Included among this car's features are power windows, factory air-conditioning, and ultra-rare cruise control, which I don't think I've seen before on a car like this. The original AM radio is gone, but the AM/FM/cassette unit in its place does a decent job of looking like it belongs there and sounds decent, too. And despite the fastback profile, there's a good-sized trunk with plenty of space inside even with a full-sized spare stowed there, too.


That's the original, numbers-matching 455 cubic inch V8, freshly rebuilt and with mountainous torque it delivers the performance you'd expect. The engine bay is clean and obviously shows signs that it was carefully and accurately restored some time ago, with bright corporate blue engine enamel, a correct 442 decal on the air cleaner, and all original equipment save for the long-tube headers and 3-inch exhaust system. It barks to life with that distinctive Oldsmobile sound and eagerly pulls the slick coupe around without ever seeming to work very hard. A heavy-duty TH400 3-speed automatic transmission has no problem keeping up and the original rear end still plants the power. It appears that the gas tank was recently replaced and although the chassis isn't detailed for show, it's as tidy as the engine bay and ready for another round of cruising the streets. Perennially attractive Oldsmobile Rally wheels are color-matched to the body and carry 225/70/14 Firestone radials at all four corners.


The look, the pedigree, and the power all work together to make one of the most compelling muscle cars we've featured recently. Call today!