1971 Oldsmobile 442 Convertible

What a difference a year makes. The 1971 model year brought industry-wide changes that lowered compression ratios and increased emissions equipment, effectively taking the wind out of the sails for the muscle car movement. It was a great ride while it lasted, but models such as the Olds 442 kept pushing a little longer, thanks to the inherent torque of their big-displacement engines. In fact, the '71 442, with its standard 455 V-8, carried over about 85 percent of its pound-feet from the previous year, for a still very satisfying shove in the back when the foot hit the floor. This 1971 Oldsmobile 442 Convertible is a true 344-code 442 Convertible, per the VIN, and the seller's photo documentation of the engine block stampings verify it as a numbers-matching car that remains with its original, factory-installed 455 in place. It's one of only 1,304 442 Convertibles for the model year. It has been restored with a respray of the original Viking Blue exterior color. Recent servicing, includes a total rehab of the suspension, front to rear, along with the fuel system and brakes. - The original 455-cu.in. V-8 resides under the hood of this 442 and, it has approximately 7,000 miles on a rebuild. It is said to start and idle easily, without smoke, and run well. It's matched with a Turbo HydraMatic 400 three-speed automatic transmission that reportedly shifts smoothly. The remainder of the drivetrain includes a stock 10-bolt rear axle fitted with a W27 finned-aluminum rear-end cover.- no leaks or weeping with the engine or transmission. Per the 26 code on the cowl-mounted trim tag, this 442 rolled off the Lansing assembly line in Viking Blue and that's the color it was painted during the car's restoration, which also included replacement of two quarter panels, ridding the body of rust, who describes the paintwork's condition as excellent and free of blemishes. Additionally, the convertible top was rebuilt and reportedly operates very well, while all of the glass and complementing seals are also said to be in very good condition, with no known leaks. The 442 graphics are correct and all of the exterior chrome and trim appears in very good condition. All of the lighting is said to work normally. - Inside, there's a white vinyl interior, with bucket seats and a console. - the seats have reproduction covers from Legendary Auto Interiors and they appear to be in very good condition, with virtually no visible wear. The carpet is also said to be in very good condition, along with the door panels and dash pad. The gauges, interior lights and heater are reported to work normally, while the only non-original element in the cabin is an aftermarket radio that is non-functional. - - this 442's chassis and suspension have been restored to stock specifications, with recent service work including new shocks and bushings, along with a new power-steering pump and steering gear. The brakes were also gone through and serviced with a new master cylinder and brake lines. All elements are reported to in excellent operating condition, with no reported needs or issues, while the tires are seven-year-old BFGoodrich Radial TAs that have 80 percent of their tread remaining. They're mounted on Olds' classic Super Stock II wheels, which the seller asserts are in excellent condition, with no blemishes on the rims or trim rings. Additional paperwork for this 1971 Oldsmobile 442 Convertible includes parts receipts and photo documentation of the block casting numbers and partial VIN stamping. The muscle-car era was winding down in 1971, but it wasn't quite dead, as cars such as the big-torque 442 kept the tires spinning on the boulevards and drag strips. This example is a rare, authentic 442 Convertible, in its original color and packing its numbers-matching 455 engine ' a combo that, regardless of the compression ratio, is a true Detroit supercar.