Diego’s AutoHunter Picks

This week I published A story about the Smothers Brothers Racing team and the only surviving race car of five. This got me interested in Oldsmobile, so this week’s AutoHunter picks are all from Lansing (Michigan).

To be honest, I’ve owned a 4-4-2 for nearly 30 years, so I’m familiar with the brand despite my loyalty to another. I’ll tell you, my experience has given me a good idea of ​​the greatness of Oldsmobile, even though it was sometimes just a second-tier brand compared to Chevy or Ford. There’s no denying that Oldsmobile was a pinnacle brand back when GM was still a decentralized company.

1974 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Royale Convertible
The Shriners may be an interesting footnote to a bygone era (like The Simpsons), but they are a Masonic lodge, founded in 1872. The fraternity, known for its Middle Eastern iconography and parades, promotes self-improvement, community service and leadership, and active involvement in social and philanthropic causes.

Why a biography? Because this 1974 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Royale convertible was originally one of 12 ordered by the Shriners for the parade. It’s a special-order burgundy color, as the license plate indicates, making it instantly recognizable even without its wacky parade connotations. This Olds is powered by a 350 four-cylinder engine and has a reported 28,466 miles, which is more than your average open-air cruiser.

1969 Oldsmobile 4-4-2 W-30
Everybody loves the ’70s, but I have a soft spot for the 1969 Olds 4-4-2. Maybe it’s the chrome detailing around the wheel arches? Or the optional W46 stripes on the hood? How about the OAI air intake under the W-Machines bumper? Everything seems perfect except the engine, as Olds fans seem to prefer the early 1965-67 400s over the differently designed 1968-69 models.

But this 1969 4-4-2 with the 455 upgrades might please some. While the W-30 status has not been documented, it is certain that this Olds is finished in the classic black and red interior color combination. Other features include a four-speed manual transmission with console shifter and a Hurst/Olds style rear spoiler. If you’re looking for a street fighter, this is it.

1969 Oldsmobile Cutlass S Convertible
Or would you prefer a convertible version of the A-body? In addition to the 4-4-2 convertible, there was the Cutlass S convertible, a sporty midsize model with more “sensible” equipment, including an inline six-cylinder engine or several 350 Rocket V8 engines – even the “regular” four-cylinder engine delivered 310 horsepower, which was impressive for a non-performance model.

This 1969 Cutlass S has been through various modifications—note the 4-4-2 badges, grille, and fluted rear bumper. But it also has a modern LS1 and is mated to a four-speed automatic transmission. Surprisingly, this car was built by Japan’s Supermachine and has appeared in ads with Katy Perry and Avril Lavigne. The interior is also a cut above the factory standard.

1966 Oldsmobile 4-4-2 Holiday Sedan
When discussing the early 4-4-2s, I think my favorite is the 66 model. I like it because Oldsmobile gave buyers a lot of options, as performance packages were available for the F-85, F-85 Deluxe, and Cutlass coupe. This meant that the 4-4-2 could be had in a variety of variations based on interior and exterior, even if it wasn’t rare.

This Cutlass-based 1966 4-4-2 model has the much-praised 5V code on the nameplate, so you know it’s a true 4-4-2. The 400 four-cylinder engine is paired with a TH400 upgrade (much better than the original two-speed unit), and other liberties were taken to make this Olds even smoother to drive. With classic vintage looks and drivability more suited to the modern world, I’m sure this car will be a comfortable ride.