442

I kept the 442 through my last year of college. I drove it a lot and drove it pretty hard for the most part. I was driving to West Virginia to my parents' for the Christmas break and was at the intersection of I-84 and 209 in PA when I noticed a grumbling in the rear end. I didn't carry much money in those days, didn't have much. The noise got worse the further I went so I stopped in a small gas station. Gas stations repaired cars back then, amazing concept. The owner went for a ride with me, listened to the noise and told me to wait outside. He went in and took another car off the lift and motioned for me to come in on the lift. I thought this would be a great time to tell him that I didn't have much money on me. He said we could work things out somehow. He listened to the rear with a stethescope and told me that an inner axle bearing was bad. He then proceded to change the bearing which involved running down to a local machine shop to get the new bearing pressed on and, of course, the labor in his garage. When he was done, he backed the car outside, came in and handed me the keys. When I asked how much I owed him he told me that there was no charge, he had a kid going to college and that he'd like to think that somebody would do the same for his son.

the muscle car

After rolling the "66 VW, I decided that more power was needed. I found a really nice "65 Oldmobile 442. It had a 400, 4 barrel, 4 speed and dual exhaust. It was copper with a pristine white interior. It had the 442 Hurst shifter. The stock exhaust was the first thing to go, opting for Hooker headers and Cherry Bomb mufflers. Next, chrome reverse wheels and 70 series, white letter tires. This car was sweet!!!! This car got noticed. It got noticed a few times when I wished it hadn't but that was my fault. When I bought , gas was 35 cents a gallon, then the gas shortage hit in 1973...and I had to burn high test. But, I had fun in this car.

the project

This is what I am working on now.

the beginning

I've been intrigued by cars since I can remember. My first car related memory is when I went with my father to trade his 1953 Pontiac for a new 1958 Chevrolet Biscayne. I was five years old at the time. I was more excited that he was about the purchase. He then went on to own a '62 Cutlass convertible with a 215 and a '66 Oldsmobile 88 with a 425. I got my license in that car. After that he owned a number of other cars, and pickups, but I paid less attention to his cars and more attention to mine. I developed with a VW affliction, starting with an oval window 57. I, of course, personalized all my vehicles. On the early VW's I would reverse the rear wheels, putting the hubcap clips on the back side so I could have the hubcaps. I would paint the hood indents flat black. I also removed the tailpipes for that deep and loud tone. I loved that '57 but the 36 horsepower got old quick. My next VW was a 1966. It had the 1300 cc, 50 HP engine. I adorned that one with EMPI equiment, shifter, wheels, scoops, etc. I also installed a Cyclone extractor exhaust and a 2 barrel Holley carb. I was clocked at 105 MPH in that one. After a rollover in that car, I decided I needed more power. I'll leave that for the next post.