1969 Oldsmobile 442 Holiday Coupe

I had always wanted an american classic car and, when it came to realize that ambition in 2007, I bought what I considered was the best available for my money at that time and I’ve not had cause to regret that decision. I have all documentation since then.

I always expect potential buyers to ask lots of questions so I’ve structured this advert to address what I would ask so here goes:-

This is one of General Motors A-body (intermediate size) models for 1969 and was a minor styling update on the new for 68 model. The Holiday Coupe is pillarless (as can be seen in the picture). Oldsmobile used the same bodyshell for their F-85, Cutlass, Cutlass Supreme and 442 models. The VIN confirms this is a true 442 not a clone. The Fisher body plate for 68/69 cannot be relied upon for this detail (Olds didn’t worry about this sort of thing back then – they just took the next shell on the production line hence the plate decodes as a Cutlass Supreme).

This particular car is painted “Aztec Gold” with a cream Vinyl roof. Interior headliner is sandalwood (brown) and in excellent condition. Dash pad has no cracks. Interior carpet is probably a replacement. 

No. The car has a 455 cu in V8 from 1972 instead of the 400 it would have been born with. This swap provides hardened valve seats so it will happily run on unleaded – although I always use the higher RON. 455’s were only available with the Hurst  Olds in the A body in this year. Transmission is a TH400 -from 1971 if I recall – which is the correct type for the car. 

I have two other Yanks which both need work and I can’t justify paying for additional storage so something’s got to give. 

I’m not aware of any significant accidents. I spoke to the original importer who mentioned that the passenger door took a knock during shipping from Colorado back in 1990 (so it’s been in the UK longer than it was in the USA). Plus I managed to scrape the rear passenger wheel arch on the gatepost a few years back. When I purchased the car, the bonnet was seriously micro blistered. I had this re-sprayed and some rust cut out of the passenger side front wing at the same time. There is an area of cracked paint on the drivers side rear quarter which may be indicative of a poor repair in the past. 

Well for it’s age. It is not like driving a modern car; it rattles a bit, there is power assistance on the steering which is very light, the brakes – drums all round – are not servo assisted so you need to plan braking in advance. It is easy to lock up on braking. 

It has been so far. It was in storage for about 6 months and fired up without real issue. I can recall only 2 instances where I needed to call the AA in 17 years of ownership. It might however break down again tomorrow – such is the joy of old car ownership.

Not in my opinion. GM a-bodies often have issues along the inside of the boot lip which this car does plus there are a few bubbles along the bottoms of both rear quarters (as per picture) Vinyl roof seems smooth so I’d assume there are no real issues being concealed. Boot does have an additional bubble under the trim for the vinyl roof. Happy to allow you to see the car so you can make your own opinion.

Trunk floor is excellent as pictured.

Door bottoms – another area where rust may occur – are very solid.

Underside is good – car has a very small oil leak which has effectively acted as a preventative. (This also means I check the oil level before every drive).

No – although I put it through one last year as I felt the brakes weren’t quite as good as they had been. Rear wheel brake cylinders were subsequently replaced. 

I’ve had no real issues – odd parts have come via Fusick Automotive in the US, service parts/plugs/filters etc have been sourced locally. Servicing/maintenance has been done by North American in Camberley.

Front bumper is good except for a curious area of delamination about 2″ long. Rear was rechromed a while back and still looks reasonable. Both are straight without serious dents/distortion. Rear bumper is unique to a 442.

1) Heater – this is currently bypassed. I actually did have this repaired a few years back only for it to fail again!

2) Interior dome and console light – they did work when I bought the car but stopped after the heater matrix repair so it’s probably just a connection issue.

3) Interior is mostly original which unfortunately means the seats have 53 year old foam which is degrading. Top of rear seat has small areas of damage. Also, 53 year old plastics show their age in cracks around the steering wheel (which I’d expect to see on any wheel of this age)

4) One of the indicator tell-tales doesn’t flash. 

5) Instrument illumination is poor. 

6) Small 1″ chip on the edge of the drivers side window – doesn’t worry me as window is either up or down! Tiny stone chip to windscreen. 

7) I think there’s a small blow on one of the manifolds.

8) Having spent a while in storage, she could probably do with a service.

9) Not a fault as such but the V5 shows an incorrect cc. 

1) Replace the passenger side roof and door seals. I did the drivers side – which was the worst – a few years back and then mislaid the little plastic pins. (seals and recently relocated pins will come with the car)

2) Upgrade the springs. I’ve put Hotchkiss springs all round on my Chevelle so I’d do the same here which would probably address the slight lean the car has. I’ll include the rear springs (from the Chevelle) which were fairly new which should fit if you want to change things.

3) Rewire – undoubtedly wiring has been “adjusted” over time with new additions working with original fittings. My contribution has been the conversion of the reversing lights to amber indicators!

4) Respray the rear end – which would address all the bubbles and the trunk lid issues. 

5) I’d probably replace the carburettor. The old quadrajet does tend to stumble when you stamp on the loud pedal. This might also improve the fuel economy too. It is not frugal. 

6) Disc brake conversion – You’ll need to keep the 15″ 5 spokes (I did a bit of research into this a while back and the conversion won’t fit in the 14″ standard wheels). Both sets will come with the car. Tyres on both sets of wheels are good.  

7) Repaint the engine block – the 72 455’s were a bright blue whereas the 69 400s were a sort of bronze. Both colours are showing at the moment. 

Well, we all know that value is subjective – it’s worth what you are prepared to pay – but 442s come up for sale so infrequently in the UK that you have to look at the US prices and factor in shipping. In fact, a black 69 442 did sell via Bonhams/The Market a while back for this sort of money. You can probably still view old auction results on their website and I am prepared to consider sensible offers. Money talks after all.   

I’m also probably making it seem far worse than it actually is so feel free to come an have a look to make up your own mind. All Pictures/videos are recent – within the last 2 weeks (except the one with the 14 inch wheels which was taken at Brooklands a while back – 2016 I think) so you have a good idea of the overall condition and how well it has been maintained. I am usually about most weekends and usually work from home Thursdays and Fridays. Car is based in Reading, fairly close to M4 junction12. 

The car is advertised elsewhere so I reserve the right to remove this advert should the vehicle sell independently of this listing. 

No warranty – neither express nor implied – is given. 

Happy to take you out in the car but I’m not letting you drive without proof of insurance and asking price in cash in my hand so if you break/bend or crash it, you’ve bought it. 

Thanks for taking the time to read this – if you’ve any questions which I’ve not addressed above – please let me know and I’ll augment the listing to include as I’ve probably forgotten something. It’s difficult to cram 17 years of ownership into and advert.