Should it matter...?

[Red78Calais4speed]

Just by talking to this older gentleman (60 or so), he's obviously into performance. He probably had some nice muscle cars when he was younger and wants to (possibly) buy this car and give it some much needed boost in the power train. Face it, a 260 V8 with 110 hp isn't going to win you any races. Any increase in power couldn't hurt. But that's not what this car is about. The 442 package was just a graphics and suspension package at this point. You could even get the Buick 231 V6 2bbl engine if you wanted to. That's not performance. It had the show but not the go. Performance isn't what this car is about. It's about the uniqueness of the options and styling. It's a very odd piece of Oldsmobile history. I'm sure there are plenty of other similar A/G-bodies that will easily accommodate his engine/trans combo that will give him something to have fun with.
Though, it would make for a very unique ride! I can certainly guarantee you'd never see another one like it. I've been into Oldsmobiles since I got my license 32 years ago and have only seen one 78 442 in person. That was at the 2010 Nationals.

 

[UNGN]

If someone said they were going to throw away the POS 260/5speed and replace it with a built, FI Olds 455 with a T56 would you sell the car to him?

Some things aren't around anymore because they've outlived their usefulness.

People come up to me all the time to tell me they are disappointed my 2+2 doesn't have a "Pontiac" motor in it. Their disappointment should be with GM. GM is the one that put a chevy motor in my car. I just put a better Chevy motor in it.

 

[L67ss]

Being that its just a trim package on a 78 should make it even less of an issue that he wants to swap to a Chevy. Once you yank the motor its just as equally unoriginal regardless of who made the replacement engine

 

[Red78Calais4speed]

True. Re-powering the car isn't a bad thing. I'm guilty of it myself. My black 79 Hurst has an Olds 455 with aluminum heads, a lumpy cam, and other mods. I wasn't too concerned about swapping out the 350 that was in the car when I bought it because it wasn't the original engine or trans. Plus, the 350 leaked oil badly from every orifice. It was just as fast to pour it directly on the ground than put it in the engine! I'm sure the previous owner didn't care what I did to it after he got his money and I drove it out of his driveway. Maybe I should just be happy someone is actually interested in the car and wants it. It would be nice to see it on the road again.

 

[L67ss]

Exactly. And with him swapping drive line means the obscure trans won't get scattered. And he may save the original drive line in the event he decides to go back to stock. And as a result the numbers matching block will not only be saved but will maintain low miles

 

[Red78Calais4speed]

I can't argue with that. It's all conditional, though. He's coming back Sunday afternoon to look at the car again in the daylight. I'll pull it out of the garage so he can thoroughly inspect it. My garage is not well lit. We spent 45 minutes last night looking at it with a couple of flashlights and talking about it. When he looked at, and test drove, my 1978 Calais 4-speed he inquired about the 442 but really didn't show much interest in it at the time. I guess he's changed his mind. The fastback look is not for everyone. Either people like it or hate it. Most hate it. It kind of grows on you after a while... like a fungus.

 

[L67ss]

Old guys can be weird lol

 

[TURNA]

There are no "RARE" G-body cars at this point in time.

Simply because they are really not collectable in the eyes of the collector world.

These cars are not the Tri-Five's , or famous cars of the 60's and most likely never will be.

The only one that is truly recognized is the GNX maybe the 2+2 but most people think they are so ugly they don't even want them.
( I like them though)


The 260 and T-50's are pretty much boat anchors.

There not the LS6, 409's L78, Stage 1 Buick's, L72 or ZL1 etc, engines that made the cars they came in collectable

Engines that were breaktroughs in the performance industry

Does it have a cool factor to the G-Body enthusiast , absolutely.

But the only thing they are known for is a rod knock or lifer tick and not being able to shift into 2nd or 3rd gear.

But when I can drop a 455 and 2004r or T-56

Your eyes are going to google at it a lot longer than a 260.

Most people Including myself who have the G-Body's have them because they can't afford or at the time of purchase couldn't afford the 55, 67 Chevy or a true Old's 442.


If you are selling it................ then let it go

 

[UNGN]

We sold our '79 4 speed leather bucket GP SJ to a guy who loved it so much he drove it into the ground and now it worthless to anyone.

At least an old guy will have the resources to take care of it,will likely keep the motor the motor and trans for the next owner and won't keep it forever (because he's old). Way better than a 20 something kid who loves the whole idea of the car but has no money so it deteriorates in his mom's driveway... but he'll never sell it because "he will get to it someday".

20 something kid is better off buying the car off the old guy in 10-15 years.

 

[565bbchevy]

Old guys can be weird lol

I agree some Olds guys are weird.😉