Frame Off Restored Cutlass 4-4-2 455 V8 TH400

When customers visit our RK Motors Charlotte showroom looking for some old school muscle to drive and enjoy, most of them have three basic criteria. First, they want something that's super cool. Secondly, they want something that's reliable. And last but not least, they want something that doesn't require a second job to finance. Since we pride ourselves on specializing in first rate classics of all kinds, we always have cars like this 1966 Oldsmobile Cutlass that are a perfect fit. With its 455 Rocket V8, custom tweaked interior and slick Burgundy Mist paint, it's certainly some of the coolest metal to ever roll out of Detroit. Thanks to a fresh body-off restoration, it's a car that you can drive and enjoy for years without worry. And as a fully sorted, fully detailed classic that's priced at only $30K, it's the bargain of the century! So, if you're in the market for a spectacular summer cruiser with tons of character and an unbeatable price, this incredible 442 is the car for you!

This super clean 1966 Oldsmobile Cutlass Holiday coupe is a two owner car that was originally sold to Mrs. Willis Foltz by Central Carolina Motors in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. After only nine short years of road time, and the sad passing of its owner, the car was placed inside a barn and stored as a solid, rust-free time capsule for almost 30 years. In 2005, a two year body-off restoration added all the correct trim and details to transform it into one of the finest 442 tributes we've ever offered. And today, its Burgundy Mist fuselage is a collection of arrow straight panels which display virtually no defects, exhibit narrow gaps and provide excellent fit and functionality. There's just something about the sophisticated aura of GM's Oldsmobile division which seems to perfectly encompass the pinnacle of the company's success; and this 442, like the innovative Eighty-Eight before it and the mighty Toronado after it, is a tour-de-force of impeccable power and taste.

For 1966 the Cutlass was slightly restyled with bodylines similar to Oldsmobile's flagship Eighty-Eight, and a semi-fastback roofline which extended the car's sail panels around a tunneled rear window. The result was a substantial looking car which managed to look more upscale than its GM stable mates while retaining the same broad shouldered, all-American attitude. At the front of the car, a broad chrome bumper hangs clear, square marker lights below a deep-set grille which centers an Oldsmobile rocket emblem between a brightly colored “442” emblem and four stainless trimmed headlights. At the top of the car, a stamped “Oldsmobile” script fronts a sculpted hood which flows to like-new glass that is capped by chrome drip rails, bordered by well-maintained stainless trim, cleared by satin finished windshield wipers and anchored by chrome mesh cowl vents. At the sides of the car, fresh stainless rocker trim combines with fresh stainless wheel well trim to parallel new front fender louvers, new “442” rear fender emblems, traditional chrome door handles and awesome looking chrome mirrors. And at the back of the car, a second show worthy chrome bumper centers like-new reverse lamps below a black “Oldsmobile” branded rear valence, a second pristine rocket emblem, another bright “442” emblem and stylish curved tail lights.

While the exterior of this Cutlass does an excellent job of upholding the 442 torch, the engine compartment is where snarky purists will start calling your bluff. And for good reason too, because the 455 cubic inch Oldsmobile Rocket V8 that's bolted between this car's freshly painted fenders is certainly not the measly short-deck 400 that '66 442s originally came with. In fact, it's a fully detailed torque monster which sounds meaner than most of the cars in our RK Motors showroom and wears a deceitful coat of Bronze paint that looks fantastic against the car's satin black engine bay. Turn the key and a chrome Holley carburetor sends air from a stylish aluminum air cleaner and fuel from braided hoses and polished stainless lines into an Edelbrock Performer Oldsmobile 455 aluminum intake. Fire for that air/fuel mixture is provided by an HEI distributor which shoots sparks through Xact plug wires that are loomed around pristine chrome Edelbrock valve covers. And spent gases from that air/fuel mixture are jetted through fully restored cast iron exhaust manifolds that are bolted to a true dual exhaust system. At the front of the engine, fresh hoses and new belts snake around a fully detailed alternator, a correct seven blade fan and a rebuilt power steering pump. And trophy winning details like a Bronze thermostat housing, a reproduction Delco battery and a heavy duty radiator, which is complete with a billet overflow tank, show that someone spent a lot of time and money planning and executing this car's restoration. It all adds up to one fully sorted Rocket which is all day reliable and nice enough to grace the pages of a magazine spread. Oh, and did I mention this killer big block was built by one of Rusty Wallace's engine builders?

During its restoration, the bottom of this Cutlass was over-restored to include glossy and spotless Burgundy Mist floorpans which contrast brilliantly with its satin black frame and top notch driveline. At the front of the car, a factory correct double A-arm suspension holds stiff coil springs around road ready shocks which provide a smooth ride and good handling. At the back of the car, an original equipment triangulated four link suspension hangs road ready shocks next to a 10 bolt limited slip rear end which provides excellent launches. And at the center of the car, a Turbo-Hydramatic 400 3-speed automatic transmission does an excellent job of managing the 455's massive torque. Braking is provided by factory equipped power drums which scrub speed at all four corners of the car. Turning is aided by factory correct power steering that is surprisingly competent. And exhaust flows from the restored manifolds into a mandrel bent, true dual system that is complete with great sounding Flowmaster dual chamber mufflers. Throwing the big engine's power to the ground is a pristine set of 14 inch Oldsmobile stamped style one wheels which spin 225/70 Cooper Cobra Radial G/Ts around chrome, rocket branded center caps. And everything from this 442's fresh stainless fuel tank to its floor mounted transmission cooler is ready for miles of cruising and years of good times.

Inside the car, you'll find a nicely restored Saddle interior which is both comfortable and appealing. Stylish, freshly covered bench seats sit on like-new tan carpet that extends up the car's vertical surfaces to cover both its kick panels and lower door panels. Those door panels, which have to be some of GM's best design work, hang pristine rocket emblems and great looking trim pieces on fresh vinyl which mirrors the pleat pattern of the seats. At the front of the car, a body-matched dash pad, which shows no signs of sun damage, hangs 442-specific round gauges above a correct AM radio and a modern Sunpro three pack. And at the top of the car, a tight and pliable headliner stretches from the windshield to the package tray to frame awesome, C-pillar mounted courtesy lamps. In front of the driver a satin finished, two-spoke steering wheel spins a red Oldsmobile rocket logo above a column mounted shifter for the 3-speed automatic transmission. And behind the cockpit, a Burgundy Mist trunk props fresh decklid decals above a full-size spare tire and a fresh houndstooth trunk mat.

Documentation for this top notch Oldsmobile includes the car's original owner's manual, its original Protect-O-Plate, an original service record card, and a vintage Oldsmobile road atlas.

In summary, this 1966 Olds 442 tribute is a phenomenal car that couldn't be reproduced for three times our asking price. Its killer Rocket 455 will cruise effortlessly at will, and its slick body and top notch interior are ready to go to the local show and bring home serious trophies. You know, it's becoming pretty hard to find nice Oldsmobile muscle cars; and when they're built and priced like this Cutlass coupe, it easy to see why!