The horsepower wars started to get serious by 1967, but if you needed a muscle car you could drive every day without feeling like you were at the race track, Oldsmobile had the answer. The 442 had become the gentleman’s muscle car, a big hairy-chested beast of a car, but a civilized one. It had the biggest possible engine allowed under GM’s internal rules (no engine over 400 cubes in an intermediate), you could get all the luxury features including A/C, and thanks to Oldsmobile’s tradition of luxurious transportation, it was comfortable and upscale inside. Oh, and it looked like a tailored Saville Row suit. Looking good while going fast is what the 442 does best, and this gorgeous triple black ’67 hardtop gets all the important stuff right. And yes, this is a real 442 with the 5V code on the cowl tag.

Don’t be fooled by the big wheels, this restored 442 is not too far away from the show field. In fact, the wheels and the carburetor/intake manifold are the lone modifications on what is otherwise a very correct car. The cowl tag will tell you that it was originally code H Aspen Green with a green vinyl top, but that’s a bit too much green even for 1967. So they stripped it down to bare metal, straightened the sheetmetal, and gave it a brilliant coat of code A Ebony Black instead, and we have to admit it works extremely well. No stripes, no add-ons, no spoilers, just the way a grown-up shopping at Oldsmobile would have wanted it. It remains in exceptionally good condition with none of the waves or dings that show up so easily in black paint and even though it shared the A-body platform with the Chevelle and GTO, the 442 has an identity all its own. The horizontal headlights were an Oldsmobile trademark look, the kick-up behind the doors adds a muscular crouch, and from behind it’s unmistakable. Awesome details include the louvered hood that’s just plain cool and the flying buttress C-pillars that give the 442 a sleek profile. Anybody can drive a Chevelle, but a 442 says you’ve got a little taste and sophistication.

Part of the 442’s appeal comes from the generous helpings of chrome. Check out the beautifully restored bumpers and how tightly they fit to the body, the simple grille with tri-color 442 emblems, and the stainless trim that highlights the fender openings and rockers. The 442 was still a trim package on the Cutlass Supreme, so the standard “CS” emblem is on the trunk with the smaller 442 badge in place but not really advertising in a big way—grownups don’t need to shout. Remember what Teddy Roosevelt said about “walk softly and carry a big stick.”

Code 970-B denotes the luxurious black bucket seat interior, and it explains exactly why people paid extra to own an Olds. The upholstery is far more plush, the carpets better insulated, and the overall look is very upscale. The wood-rimmed steering wheel certainly helps, and it matches the shifter ball on the center console to warm up the otherwise monochromatic interior. Factory gauges covered the basics of speed and fuel level, and those dials are in good shape. Someone has also thoughtfully added a full set of Auto Meter gauges on the center console, including a tachometer, all angled towards the driver so it almost looks OEM. The list of options in this 442 include ice cold factory A/C (with R134a refrigerant for easy service), AM/FM radio with power antenna on the rear deck, tilt steering column, and a rather rare rear defroster which uses a blower on the rear package shelf. Everything works correctly including the clock, and you’ll quickly find that there aren’t many better places to spend your time than behind the wheel of this Olds. Sight lines are good, there’s plenty of room in the back seat, and the massive trunk is finished with a correct mat and full-sized spare with cover. Look, even the trunk light works!

If you’re an Oldsmobile expert, you already know that there was no such thing as “matching numbers” in 1967. However, this is a correct V-coded 400 cubic inch Oldsmobile V8 and we have no reason to believe it is not this car’s original engine. Sorry, that’s as close as you’re going to get for 1967. It has been rebuilt to stock specs save for the aforementioned Edelbrock intake manifold and Holley 4-barrel carburetor, plus an HEI distributor, so it runs extremely well. For detailing, it wears correct Rocket Bronze engine enamel, plus a set of chrome Edelbrock rocker covers and an open-element air cleaner that has been dressed up with a proper 442 emblem so it looks convincing. All the auxiliary systems have been rebuilt and obviously power steering and power front disc brakes are part of the package. The A/C system was recently serviced and works quite well and there’s a giant radiator up front, so don’t be afraid to use this one as intended. Look at the firewall and inner fenders and you’ll see that this was never a rusty car and the wiring seems to be recent. This Oldsmobile needs nothing to be enjoyed immediately.

You can see the thoroughness of the restoration underneath, where ultra-clean floors, a rebuilt suspension, and recent Flowmaster exhaust system suggest a quality car that had a lot of money spent on it. The TH400 3-speed automatic transmission was the only auto-box able to handle the 400’s torque and it channels the twist to a rugged 12-bolt rear end with modest 3.23 gears inside. You’ll note correct disc brakes up front, fat sway bars front and rear, and those 442-only boxed lower control arms out back. And as long as you’re looking around, check out those unmarked inner rockers, a sure sign of a car that has lived in a warm climate. New shocks, new lines and hoses, and a fresh gas tank out back mean this 442 is 100% ready to cruise. As I mentioned, those 17-inch Foose Legend wheels aren’t exactly original equipment but they sure look awesome with fat 235/50/17 front and 235/55/17 rear performance radials. And if you want an original look, this car also includes a set of stock Magnum 500 wheels with recent redline radials (see photos).

Extras include an original owner’s manual, copy of the assembly manual, some period advertising, and a few awards this car has won.

We’re extremely impressed with this car. It’s flat-out gorgeous, the workmanship is extremely good, and it’s a blast to drive. Add in the fact that 442s are still rather uncommon compared to their Chevy and Pontiac siblings plus the long list of options, and you have a fantastic car for the guy who has grown out of being the center of attention. If you drive because you love to drive, this 442 will satisfy you on every level. Call today!