1965 Oldsmobile 442 from our Spring Car Care Guide

Our second spring car care guide features a 1965 Oldsmobile 442 on the cover. One of our local customers, Michael Branton, owns this clean 442. Michael owns a nice collection of muscle cars and we have been trying to shoot one of them for a California Car Cover catalog cover for a long time. Glad we were finally able to set aside some time to shoot this 442.

We asked Michael a few questions about his Oldsmobile and his love of muscle cars.

CCC: How did you acquire this Olds 442?

MB: I acquired the 65 Olds 442 about 4 years ago in early 2013 from a gentlemen in Canyon Lake, CA.  I met him at the Temecula Rod Run car show and we became friends over the years.  When he put the car up for sale, we negotiated the deal and I purchased the car.

CCC: What type of condition was it in compared to today?

MB: The 65 Olds 442 was in great shape, extremely straight, clean and all there.  I had it repainted in its original Target Red color in 2015.  Although its not all stock it is all Oldsmobile.  It has a 1970 455 W30 engine with the big cam, 200R4 automatic overdrive trans, 3.55 gears with working A/C.  It rides down the highway effortlessly.  Out of all the GM A-Bodies, I think the Olds has the best ride.

The 1965 Oldsmobile is finished in the factory color Target Red. Under the hood is a 1970 Olds 455 W30 engine topped with a Quick Fuel carburetor. The 442 also has a 200R transmission and Golden West suspension upgrades.

CCC: What other vehicles are in your collection?

MB: I have a ’65 Mustang Fastback A-code car with a 289 and 4 speed, a ’66 Chevelle 300 Deluxe post car with a 427 engine and 4 speed, a ’68 Chevelle SS396 real deal 138 car, the first muscle car I ever purchased which is a ’67 Olds 442 with 455 and TH400, a ’66 Pontiac GTO 389 Tri-Power, 4 speed, factory AC car, ’64 Pontiac GTO 389 Tri-Power, 4 speed car and my last acquisition which was a ’63 Tempest Convertible 326, 3 speed and independent rear.  I recently sold a ’67 Camaro RS/SS.

CCC: Any new projects in the works or a car you are looking for?

MB: My 1965 Ford Mustang fastback, I have the engine and trans out of the car for rebuild.  Trying to decide should I go resto mod or rebuild to stock.  Also looking for a Buick GS, then I will have at least one example of all the GM A-body cars.

CCC: What would be the dream car to add to your garage?

MB: 66 Olds 442 W30, in ’66 the factory only made 54 W30 cars all in June of 1966.

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