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Up for your consideration is this original 1970 Oldsmobile 442. This car was first sold in San Francisco from the now closed down Lesher Muirhead Oldsmobile dealership. How do I know? The license plate frames were still on the car with the blue and yellow plates! Yes, this car is THAT original and complete. I intended to restore this car and win some car shows in the Factory Original Class, but divorce has ended the project. This 442 was recently pulled out of a storage building on a ranch in Central California. It was apparently sitting for years, but protected from the elements for the most part. It is in good running condition and will start, run and drive around, but it is very much a project car. The mileage listed is just what is on the ODO, but I cannot be certain of the actual mileage or if the ODO even works. I will do my best to describe the condition, but please ask any questions you might have before bidding.

Engine –

This is the original, numbers matching Olds 455 Big Block motor. The last five vin numbers are stamped on the lower engine block as they should be. All of the engine parts are original with the exception of the ignition system (cap, rotor, and wires.) While detailing the engine compartment, I researched the part numbers to verify originality of the Carburetor, intake manifold, alternator and exhaust manifolds and everything checked out. Please conduct your own research as well. One interesting fact about the alternator, that model was replaced during a parts recall in the 70’s. But this model had a spoked front housing that came with the 442’s off of the assembly line. The engine starts and idles just fine, but recently there has been some smoke/vapor coming out of the passenger side PCV valve. I did a compression test on all cylinders and the drivers side came in good with ranges between 135 and 145. But two of the passenger side cylinders (not together) came in at 95 to 100. This leads me to believe that the exhaust valves are shot, but I cannot be completely sure. I would count on rebuilding this original motor. You might be able to get away with just rebuilding the heads, but that is your call. In fact, I’m not certain that this engine has ever been apart and it’s equally likely that the hardened valve seats (for unleaded gas) were never installed. Remember, its THAT original!

Body – I replaced the broken front grilles already and cleaned up the original front bumper. Headlights are good and the hood closes as it should. I noticed that the passenger side front fender had been replaced, but all of the other sheet metal appears original. All glass is original. The front windshield is cracked, but it would be great if someone would repair it instead of replace it to keep the originality. The windshield even has a local college sticker on it from the 70’s! The car was repainted gold a few times, but the original color was Galleon Gold according to the cowl tag. That is a lighter sort of champagne gold color. The car is straight with solid frame rails and no underbody rust damage, just the usual surface rust. There are two rust spots on the lower front fenders (see pics). I could not detect any bubbling under the original vinyl top, however, I did not remove it. The paint is completely scratched and messed up in every way possible. The weatherstripping is cracked, but I will include a new set. The back bumper has surface rust, but I can include a new reproduction part (for additional cost). Trunk is solid with only surface rust. Original spare tire and jack included! Tires are ok and wheels need to be repainted.

Interior – The original door panels look good and I will include a set of gold armrests. The headliner is intact, but is torn in a couple of places. The seats will need to be replaced. The dash is good for the most part, but needs to have the chrome strips reinstalled (included with the car). This was an original center console car and everything is still there. The lights and the key buzzer still work! The back speaker deck is looking old, so I got a replacement part that I will include as well.

Options -- Not much. Factory power steering, manual drum brakes, No A/C, Center Console, Rear defroster fan.

Please don’t hesitate to email with any questions.

The car must be picked up by a licensed and insured car carrier. No drive offs will be permitted for everyone’s safety.

The vehicle is currently registered in California as a non-operated vehicle so there will be some extra cost to re-register in California.

A non-refundable deposit will be due upon auction completion per specified terms.

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Ferrari FF pitted against Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser in crazy Generation Gap comparison

Thu, 13 Nov 2014

The folks behind Generation Gap have lost their minds with this latest video. The goal here is to determine the ultimate family cruiser, but the choices are what you would least expect, with a heavily modded 1970 Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser going up against a 2012 Ferrari FF.
You might anticipate an over-40-year-old Oldsmobile to pale in comparison to any modern Ferrari, but this wagon has a ton of secrets under its skin thanks to Lingenfelter. First, it packs a supercharged LS3 V8 with a claimed 650 horsepower and a six-speed manual gearbox. That big upgrade in power is further helped with air suspension and massive Wilwood disc brakes. The result is nothing short of deafening, with blaring yelps whenever the driver even nudges the accelerator.
The alternative sounds just as good, albeit in very different way. The Ferrari's 6.3-liter V12 pumps out 651 hp and 504 pound-feet with a part-time all-wheel drive system. While the FF lacks a lot of the hauling ability of the Olds, it makes up for the deficit in handling, luxury, and in many eyes, simply by having the famous prancing horse on the grille.

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General Motors today announced a truly massive recall covering some 8.4 million vehicles in North America. Most significantly, 8.2 million examples of the affected vehicles are being called back due to "unintended ignition key rotation," though GM spokesperson Alan Adler tells Autoblog that this issue is not like the infamous Chevy Cobalt ignition switch fiasco.
For the sake of perspective, translated to US population, this total recall figure would equal a car for each resident of New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Montana, Delaware, South Dakota, Alaska, North Dakota, the District of Columbia, Vermont and Wyoming. Combined. Here's how it all breaks down:
7,610,862 vehicles in North America being recalled for unintended ignition key rotation. 6,805,679 are in the United States.

Jay Leno bangs up his own Toronado in GT6

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Ever since Gran Turismo 4, Jay Leno has had at least one of his cars included in the popular racing simulator (starting with the Tank Car), and more of his machines appears in Gran Turismo 6. They include this nose-heavy, front-wheel-drive V8-powered muscle car. Yes, that aptly describes a 1966 Oldsmobile Toronado - except Leno's is rear-wheel drive. And it has a Cadillac CTS-V race engine modified to pump out 1,070 horsepower.
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Head below to watch the episode, which includes a few words from GT6 creator Kazunori Yamauchi.

1970 Oldsmobile 442 Original Survivor Numbers Matching Project Car! (calif.) on 2040-cars

Oldsmobile 442 for Sale