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Topic starter
07/06/2016 9:15 pm
Hollis with regards to your "improvements" on the DM 442
It made me think. Think WHY I didn't buy this model, then I saw a brochure I had laying around and it hit me! Same as you I thought it was TOO yellow and I didn't like the painted bumpers. They may have been "correct" and something that could have been ordered that way, but A) I've Seldom seen ANY 442 with painted bumpers in my 50 years on this planet and B) I just don't like the look of a 60s or 70s car with painted bumpers. 99% of them had CHROME and that's how I remember them and what looks best to me. 
GREAT job on second look my friend
08/06/2016 2:48 am
Interesting! I've been on the planet 64 years and I did see muscle cars with painted bumpers back in the day. And even though I personally wasn't a fan of them, I did order the yellow 442 when it came out and glad I did.
I've never been a fan of any customizing of any car after it comes off the assembly line, but the 442 looks good "as is".
George Schire
Oakdale, Minnesota
08/06/2016 2:53 am
The Rally 350 was Olds answer to high premiums
In 1970 auto insurance premiums increased dramatically if your car had a high performance big block V8 and a 4 speed transmission; the vehicle ID gave away any chance of 'underreporting' your vehicle as anything else- it was nothing to pay $2,000-3,000 a year!
Oldsmobile created this model to circumvent those high premiums but still have the Muscle Car look.
08/06/2016 5:26 am
Phil after reading in a muscle car book that alot of buyers had the dealer make the change to chrome wheels & bumpers. ( Dealer Option ) I decided to get one and try it. After all it would be correct for the period. Always liked the car anyway but didn't want the red convertible. Don't care for convertibles. Looks pretty cool displayed with my red and black '70 Chevelle's. Can't get over the change it made on the looks of the car.
I'm 75 years on this planet and I really can't recall ever seeing the yellow 442 Olds.
As for painted bumpers not a fan of them on bigger cars like on those '57 Chevy pro street cars but like them on the pony muscle cars Cuda, Challenger, & Camaro.
Again would like to thank all for the kind comments.
Topic starter
08/06/2016 12:37 pm
George my only point was that I've SELDOM seem painted bumpers on Muscle cars
You can't tell me they were very common Nor MOST had them, because that's just not the case. Majority had chromed bumpers back in the day. Either way its a nice model, but for me personally I think it was TOO yellow the way it came from DM.
09/06/2016 5:40 am
Reflections from an Olds dealer's lot in 1970......
I was 22 years old, married, a student at Penn State and working part time. It was summer, too late to order a '70 model, so we were reduced to what was on the lot or what the dealer could "locate" at another dealership (remember, pre computer days). I wanted a W31 Cutlass, a small block, very quick and distinctive ride that would not kill me with insurance rates. Unfortunately, none could be located in the area. The 455 engined 442 carried a whopping insurance surcharge, so that was vetoed. The dealer (Rider Olds, State College, PA) had 2 Rallye 350 cars in stock. I considered them just too gaudy and corny looking. Finally I spotted a beautiful Twilight Blue Cutlass S hardtop with blue interior, 350 4 bbl, 4 speed, 3.91 rear, p/s, p/b, other cool options, very sharp. At about $4200 sticker it was pricey ... but we got a very significant discount as Rider was anxious to move out their '70 inventory, and a 4 speed Cutlass was not going to be easy to sell. So we bought it; it was a great car, and thoroughly enjoyed. Wish I had it now.