1964 Oldsmobile F-85 Cutlass 442 Convertible in Red & Engine Sound - My Car Story with Lou Costabile

On "My Car Story" we're in Scottsdale AZ at Cars & Coffee at The “101 & Scottsdale” on Mayo Blvd. on 12-2-17.
We're looking at a 1964 Oldsmobile F-85 Cutlass 442 Convertible in Holiday Red Paint.
The car's Owner is Joe Ambrose. Joe’s had the car since 2017. Joe shares details on the first year Oldsmobile to wear the “442” badge. He said likes original cars and this one has under 41,000 original miles on the car.
ENJOY!

[@geraldarcuri9307]

The 4-4-2 was an option package in 1964, not a separate nameplate. My father was a District Service Representative for Oldsmobile with the Denver Zone Office in 1964. He brought home a 1964 4-4-2 convertible in white as a temporary executive car. I was not old enough to drive yet, so I would sit outside in the car ( in freezing Colorado winter nights ) and dream of driving that car. Never did. Still dreaming... This car is essentially perfect.

[@loucostabile]

Hi Gerald, Thank you for viewing and sharing your knowledge. Hope you see many more cars on this KZbin Channel you enjoy. Please subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this KZbin Channel, Lou

[@marknichols1561]

Probably 4 B09 convertibles left. I saw a red one with black top down today in Parrish Florida. I almost died. I LOVE 330s. This is the ultimate. Beautiful.

[@loucostabile]

Hi Mark, Happy to read you enjoy the looks of this car :-) Thanks for viewing and sharing, Lou

[@johnmaccoy4324]

I've always admired the 442

[@loucostabile]

Hi John Maccoy, Glad to read this is one you "admire" :-) Lou

[@M21L35]

'64 & '65...but '64 in particular is the most attractive of all 442's in my book. Crisp, unpretentious styling w/the correct lack of any extraneous, gaudy add-ons. The deluxe wheel covers & redlines speak volumes in true testimony to every 442's legendary handling capabilities.

[@loucostabile]

Hi M20L35, Thank you for sharing what you like about this one :-) Lou

[@harlandcamley3996]

Yeah, you got a gem right there. Solid Detroit Steel. The best thing to do is take this 1964 Oldsmobile Cutlass out for a Sunny Sunday drive and play 1964 hits on the radio. Also the interior is superb.

[@loucostabile]

Hi Harland Camley, Happy to read you appreciate this "gem" :-) Thank you for viewing, sharing and I believe you're going to see many more cars on this Channel you'll enjoy. Hope you Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this KZbin Channel, Lou

[@TheGunfighter45acp]

Wow it looks great! It's hard to get any more rarer or unique in the 442 line than this one. Thanks for sharing it, Lou!

[@loucostabile]

Hi TheGunfighter45acp, Glad to receive a "Wow if looks great!" :-) You're welcome, Lou

[@peterrivney552]

Sorry to say but the first 442 was called the B-09 option that was a 4-door Sadan and was a police interceptor... And it was a 330 c.i. 4-speed... That might have been one of the 10 built... Mine was Azure Aqua Metallic... 442 stood for four barrel Carburetor 4-speed transmission & 2 exhaust Nice car I have a '64 F-85 Deluxe as well as a '65 442 with the 400 4-speed & duel exhaust...and had a few others as well..'66 & 2 @ '67's and one '70 442 W-30 .. Lovely machine take care of it only one I have left now is my '70 W-30 and a couple drive trains from some of my parts cars.. I've been into Oldsmobile's since the early '70s... But my father had them since '1967 for his first one.. I must of had about 18 of them all together.. 7 on the road and the rest were parts cars...

[@loucostabile]

Hi Peter, Thank you for viewing and sharing your knowledge. Please subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this KZbin Channel, Lou

[@roberteye7197]

Production date 1st week of May. My Dad has a blue 64 442 vert. With Med blue interior and light blue top made 3rd week of April.

[@loucostabile]

Hi Robert, Happy to read this car is just a bit newer then your Dads car :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing. Hope you see many cars on this Channel you enjoy! Please Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this KZbin Channel, Lou

[@mrho4speed]

Wow = another great car and a great story! Loved all the paperwork he had in the trunk and he was spot on about the car being created in response to the 64 GTO and the 442 first meaning 4 barrel carb, 4 speed and dual exhaust. I always liked the 3 different colors associated with the 3 letters 442, a really nice touch by Oldsmobile. Thanks Lou!

[@loucostabile]

Hi mrgrandprix fourspeed, Glad you enjoyed the car and story :-) You're welcome, Lou

[@hishamelfiki8111]

I'm going to say again 1964 OLDS is one of a kind . It's a rare collectable OLDS. Thanks LOU for showing this collectable OLDS . APPRECIATE YOUR HARD WORK SHARING ALL TYPES OF GREAT AWESOME CARS. THANKS LOU AGAIN AND PLEASE HAVE A GREAT SUNDAY. KIND REGARDS HISHAM ELFIKI

[@loucostabile]

Hi Hisham Elfiki, I want to start by THANKING YOU for ALWAYS encouraging me. You're comments are so positive. Glad you enjoyed this rare Olds :-) Hope you have a great Sunday too, You're welcome, Lou

[@torchcreative]

This car used to belong to a good friend of mine, Randy Alderfer. His parents bought it new in 1964. It was originally from Indiana. I watched him do a frame off resto on this car, so beautiful. It's the only red body, black interior, white top '64 442 I've ever seen.

[@BuzzLOLOL]

I had '65 Cutlass red, black interior, white convertible top, 330" V8, automatic...

[@steveosgood9182]

I was just looking at the history of the car online. Randy did/had it restored, then sold it to Richard and Debbie Hirsch, of Austin, Texas. Next owner was Paul Teutul Sr.. Next owner I think was RED HILLS RODS & CLASSICS'. So, the car is not an all original being it had a restoration, but it sure is a beautifully done job.

[@loucostabile]

Hi Brad Bishop, Thank you for viewing and sharing your knowledge. Hope you see many more cars on this KZbin Channel you enjoy. Please subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this KZbin Channel, Lou

[@yeseniakrueger1863]

Rare indeed.. Saw one years ago 1964 yellow black interior.. That was being restored... And only had a few 442 emblems...

[@loucostabile]

Hi Yesenia, Happy to read this car brings back memories of the yellow car you saw years ago :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing, Lou

[@jons.6216]

For a short time in the early 70s my dad bought a used 1964 Cutlass to use for work. It was all white and a hard top. When I started noticing different Cutlasses around town I had wondered why I wasn't seeing any of these around until I finally spotted one and discovered that they were more squared off a decade prior when most other cars were doing the opposite in the 70s!

[@loucostabile]

Hi Jon, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your Dads car :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing, Lou

[@maclac48]

Hey man thank U for taking the time & going through the car’s scrapbook/paperwork very interesting. 👍🏿

[@loucostabile]

Hey maclac48 , Happy to read you enjoy the "Trunk treats" when Care Takers have the info too :-) Hope you see many more cars on this KZbin Channel you'll enjoy, Lou

[@techmaniac43]

What a great way to start the morning, new episode of "My car story". Cheers, great video as always, highly enjoyable.

[@loucostabile]

Hi Heinz, Thank you for starting my day reading your comment and making me happy :-) Lou

[@MrTrack412]

This car looked a lot like the Chevrolet Chevelle and other GM cars but was usually faster.Thank you for showing this car Lou. Don Meredith was the star QB for the Dallas Cowboys in 1964. The Cowboys were not as good then as a few years later when they became "America's Team."

[@loucostabile]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge on this car, and you're welcome.

[@ketoking9435]

Hi Lou,,,,A great tribute to an almost forgotten car,,,,big Thanx to yourself and the owner,,,,,

[@loucostabile]

Hi Irfan Khan, Glad you enjoyed this one :-) Thank you for the kind words, and you're welcome, Lou

[@rickrecco143]

I have a red '64 Cutlass Convertible. Not a "442" though. This is an amazing car. If you ever decide to sell it. I'd love a shot at it. To the posters below. From what I have gathered. The B-09, was the Police Apprehender Option seen in the book. That is what made the car a "442". For $285 you could upgrade to a Manual Transmission 4 Speed, 4 Barrell, and Dual Exhaust. You get it Convertible. From what I read they didn't really start calling it a 442 until '65. Not sure those 442 badges are original. Wish I could find one of these.

[@loucostabile]

Hi Rick, Happy to read you appreciate this car and glad to read you have a fun car too :-) Thank you for viewing, sharing and I believe you're going to see many more cars on this Channel you'll enjoy. Hope you Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this KZbin Channel, Lou

[@pachycortes911]

It's a 442 package...... they made 136 137 something like that auto matic with the same package in 1964... awesome car

[@loucostabile]

Hi pachy cortes, Happy to read you appreciate this "awesome car" :-) Thank you for viewing, sharing and I believe you're going to see many more cars on this Channel you'll enjoy. Hope you Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this KZbin Channel, Lou

[@fleetwin1]

So beautiful. I remember being mesmorized/confused about the upside down facing glove box as a kid!

[@loucostabile]

Hi Kramden, Glad you enjoyed the looks of this one :-) Lou

[@ollehaggman70]

I agree, orginal is outstanding.

[@loucostabile]

Hi Olle Haggman, Glad you like this "original" :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing, Lou

[@edb.3313]

I was looking for that,Lou! Gorgeous 442!!

[@loucostabile]

Hi Ed B., Glad to share one you were looking for :-) Lou

[@JeffKing310]

Ed B. Agreed!

[@AndrewGraham07]

Another owner with encyclopedic knowledge of his car. Comprehensive documentation a real treat for a car of this age. Starts on the button. Wonderful. Note : cup holders in modern cars are still not important...

[@loucostabile]

Hi Andrew Graham, Glad you enjoyed the details and consider this "wonderful" :-) I enjoy the details too (when I can find them) Lou

[@jasoncarpp7742]

Hey Lou. Lovely looking Olds Cutlass. I've heard of the F-85, but I've never seen one in person before.

[@loucostabile]

Hey Jason Carpp, Glad you enjoyed the looks of this one and consider the car "lovely" :-) Happy to share you have not seen, and I had not seen a 1964 442 until the video myself, so I'm happy Joe the Owner was kind and willing to share his car with us, Lou

[@jasoncarpp7742]

Lou Costabile That's great. It's awesome that someone is willing to show off their car. Keep up the good work. :)

[@chrispappas3750]

Lou, when you read the literature that says, "tolerances to insure", it should be ensure instead. Great episode as usual, Lou.

[@loucostabile]

Hi Chris Pappas, Thank you for sharing a tip, however when I see a car this cool I'm fortunate I can still speak :-) Glad you enjoyed the episode, Lou

[@wickedfirefly13]

Nice looking Cutlass, this Holiday Red granddaddy is very Santa, just right for the season!! Love the goodies n all the trimmings it's got, like that cool engine and the fun badging, nice style n great sound... and all the manuals n fun stuff in back to read! I love a convertible too! Great story and vid, loved it! Santa's got some muscle! Thank you!

[@loucostabile]

Hi WickedFireFly13, "Very Santa" Around Christmas time.....Brilliant Thank you and I so enjoy reading your comments. Regarding your thank you, you're welcome, Lou

[@ericchristianson4955]

for some reason maybe mandela effect...I think the radio antenna was on the left rear quarterpanel. Was that changed? or is that particular to the non 442 cutlass of the same year?

[@loucostabile]

Hi Eric, Hmmm, I'm not sure. Hoping a Viewer can share the answer to your question. Lou

[@garbage854]

Nice :) My Dad had a 1967 yellow 442 coupe :)

[@loucostabile]

Hi Michael, More than "Nice :-)" AWESOME! Thank you for sharing that your Dad had a cool car too :-) Appreciate you being a Viewer of the Channel, Lou

[@BobbyOfEarth]

Seems like every 64 442 I see has a different shifter. The 1964 442 I had in high school (1972) had the short chrome shifter and the 330 engine w/320 hp. I lived in Newark Calif. and Fremont Drags was just down the end of the street.. 14:20 @92 mph ..just fast enough to beat my friends 1970 Boss 302.

[@loucostabile]

Hi Sir FarSide, Thank you for viewing and sharing your knowledge, Lou

[@busterb11702]

I'm not particularly fond of 4-4-2's, but this is an extremely impressive car! I say that as a former 1965 GTO owner . There were not too many 4-4-2's around my neighborhood (Long Island NY). There was one yellow convertible. I raced that car on the street 3 times and beat it each time. Not bragging, but there was a lot of street racing back in the day.

[@loucostabile]

Hi Robert Grimm, Happy to read you were impressed with this car :-) Sounds like FUN times in your GTO. Hope you see many more cars on this KZbin Channel you enjoy, Lou

[@mistx7115]

believe it or not the four-door is the rarest 442

[@loucostabile]

Hi Mist X, Thank you for viewing and sharing your knowledge, Lou

[@mistx7115]

If you ever see one make sure to record it

[@lonniecarrigan4325]

Wow! very impressive! I had identical car except mine had a white interior. And sadly sold it for an amount I'm too embarrassed to say. Efforts to locate have been fruitless. One comment I have is I thought I had read there were only 299 made like yours and mine??

[@loucostabile]

Hi Lonnie Carrigan, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your car :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing. Hope you Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this KZbin Channel, Lou

[@hansgruber650]

Just awesome!

[@loucostabile]

Hi Hans Gruber, Glad you thought this one is "Just awesome!" :-) High praise, thank you, Lou

[@billthompson5644]

What size was the engine, i didn't catch that. My 66 F-85 4 door , has a 330 cid.

[@BuzzLOLOL]

'64 442's only had 330" V8... same as Cutlass... in '64: 4 bbl. carb. 4 speed 2 (dual) exhaust.. in '65: 400", 4 bbl. dual exhaust...

[@loucostabile]

I see BuzzLOLOL, shared "64 442's only had 330" V8... same as Cutlass... in '64: 4 bbl. carb. 4 speed 2 (dual) exhaust.. in '65: 400", 4 bbl. dual exhaust.."

[@danfusilli7969]

We love this

[@loucostabile]

Hi Dan Fusilli, Glad to read you "love" the Channel :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing, Lou

[@davidseelbinder543]

Great car Lou, did you say there were 436 convertibles made? Or was that 436 442 convertibles? I also have a Red 64 Convertible, just had not heard that number made before. Can you please verify? Thanks!

[@loucostabile]

Hi David, Here you go. classicoldsmobile.com/forums/442-30/1964-442-production-numbers-116034/

[@davidseelbinder543]

@@loucostabile I looked at the post, but could not understand where it shows the number of models produced.

[@mikenoble8517]

Nice!

[@loucostabile]

Hi Mike Noble, Glad you like this one :-) Lou

[@gastonrobert1882]

This car can be seen by a research on Google.

[@loucostabile]

Thank you for the tip Gaston Robert. Question for you. Did you enjoy this car? Lou

[@RexCars1]

Much Better... Good vid..

[@loucostabile]

Hi RexCars1, Glad you enjoyed this one :-) Lou

[@RexCars1]

I did.. Your choice of cars to feature is always good.

[@loucostabile]

My 13 year old son reminds me "content Dad, content, it needs to be great content" :-)

[@rightlanehog3151]

Just look at the way you spec out the car EXACTLY how you wanted it.

[@loucostabile]

Hi Right Lane Hog, Agreed, it's pretty cool, Lou

[@josephdicostanzo2864]

Good looking car. I had the same one except it was a hard top. Red body and white roof.I am looking for another one.feel free to contact me if you come across one for sale.Joe

[@loucostabile]

Hi joseph DiCostanzo , Happy to read this car / video brings back memories of yours :-) I'm not aware of one for sale, however if you go to my website www.MyCarStoryWithLou.com there are some cars for sale there. Hope you're behind the wheel of the right car for you again soon, Lou

[@marshalllsmith2095]

He sort of made a mistake saying that (the other GM car maker's didn't know about the 442 ) when they are all part of the GM family.

[@loucostabile]

Hi Marshall L Smith, We all make mistakes, and I make many :-) Thank you for sharing your knowledge. Lou

[@victorjohnson6699]

Mydadwasanoldsdealerwheniwasakidirememberhowexcitediwaswhenthefirst442showedupinseptof63anditwasthecoolestcarihadeverseentheseweresuchgreatcarsandsuchagreattime

[@loucostabile]

Hi Victor, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your Dads excitement about a car like this :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing. Hope you see many cars on this Channel you enjoy! Please Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this KZbin Channel, Lou

[@MrTrack412]

What is a "Police Apprehender?"

[@loucostabile]

I'm not sure & hope I don't find out :-)

[@koz8850]

If memory serves correct the police apprehender was Oldsmobiles police package. They did make and supply cars to some police fleets before Chevy Ford and Mopar took over. The 442 was a police car and they replaced the two speed jetaway that was in the cop cars with the four speed, replaced the four doors on the cop car with two doors and created the 442. ( Some 64 442's did have four doors). It's one of the reasons Oldsmobile muscle cars had rear sway bars while the others didn't. The beefed up suspension was part of the cop car package and remained on all 442's. The police apprehender package was offered to the police through at least 1967.

[@dowen1511]

Yeah a lot of them are disapering cause they are being set to Europe and other places by pepole with no morals that think money is more important to them 👎 Switzerland is full of our classics in the early 2000s they going at a rate of 5000 per month in shipping containers and insurance companies were paying off on the ones that went over board on the way to the bottom of the ocean , its now estimated that about a 1000 classic and antique cars are laying on the ocean floor over the last 20 years . not good !! Please pepole stop selling our cars to other continents, and if you can buy some back and bring them home . thank you for your support. And stop supporting these vintage car dealers that offer world wide shipping they are the biggest problem in this issue .

[@loucostabile]

Hi D Owen, Thank you for viewing and sharing. Lou

[@henrymiley1318]

Had to put a 400 in it

[@loucostabile]

Thank you for sharing.