I read somewhere in an automotive magazine that "A tool box had a soul" and found that quote to be fascinating. It perked up the" mechanic" in me ... aka automotive technician. Because I am not a technician a mechanic, I realize the value of having such abilities. I submitted my 4-4-2 for restoration and it was bone stock, at that time... I am occasionally bothered by the thought that I took a totally original '65 4-4-2 Holiday Coupe, close-ratio 4-speed, 3:90 Posi .... no rust, no power steering/brakes and even acceptable chrome, with an immaculate interior and modified it. However, the end results speak for itself! The culmination of my dreams.

And a kind of spirit of its own. I
related to that, myself. I am not
skilled in that form of technical
know-how and relied upon others
to work their magic on my car. I
am sure their tool crib and tool
boxes has a whole bunch of
stories, to tell, (if it could.)

However, I feel a real kinship to the 60's with a hot spot in my heart for the cars of this era. It gives me perspective that I would not have otherwise. My original '65 Olds 4-4-2 was a present which I got during graduation time, and took to the senior prom its first night out. All I could think about was my 4-4-2: and unfortunately not my prom date..

Looking back on all of that is made easy when I open the door of the Olds noticing the original looking sheet metal seats, dashes, and immaculate engine and trunk compartments. It gives me a bit of a rush, thinking back to seeing those same things 35 years ago: I remember visiting various dealerships throughout Chicagoland with my Dad. (We went out looking at cars just for kicks on weekend ... not to buy, but simply to view the latest and greatest models; moving the gear shifts while inhaling their newness.)

I wonder too if I didn't take this high performance restoration too far. Not only is it a bitch to run race gas, all the time, but finding a insurance policy to cover a '65 Cutlass for its total amount (agreed value) is damn near impossible. If it was a Ferrari or maybe a Hemi Cuda, but a Cutlass? However, nothing brings back the old vibes like that 4-4-2, for me.

Muscle cars were my first love but not my only one. Exotic cars like Ferrari were always high on my list of 'what if cars'. So when I got the Countach Lamborghini I had no way of really know what would be the end results. They maybe expensive to buy but nothing compared to maintaining their mechanical parts. $aving on things like water pumps and brake jobs ... There are very few good buys, and finding a cheapo is a nearly as impossible as saving much on finding a cheap Ferrari or Lamborghini.

deadly proposition. You save maybe, at first but end up paying through the nose, when it comes to repairs and repairing the neglected parts.

I recently rediscovered the value of that fact, when my Countach QV got a new clutch, seals, gaskets, hoses, requiring the engine and drive train to be removed in the process. (Not that I could have done it myself or had my buddies try their luck, at it.) For the record, I try to keep this in perspective compared to my Summit, Year One, Parts Place, etc. bills/receipts. But one look will tell you that is nearly impossible.

For example note the following:

The Clutch alone ran $3263, with another $907 going for the clutch plate thus totaling $4488 in parts alone with the labor running at $3649 for 41 hours at $89 per hour plus shipping for a grand total of $8257. This is maybe in line with the plug wire set at $786 bucks or the spark plugs at 145 ior a set 12 or new alternator at $375 dollars. An Ansa sports exhaust system (non-stainless steel muffler and cat.-by-pass pipes w/sensor, only) ran 3200 with another 8 hours installation for a total of 4 grand. All done at the local Lambo dealer. (trailered 300 miles, there and back). Not too many Lambo joints in the com and pork belt, of Wisconsin.

Those things are important, for safety and reliability which should naturally go with a Lamborghini that is capable of reach 187 miles per hour: The car itself represent a love for hand crafted Italian automotive art and financial sacrifices' ]3ut it to represents a step back in time, to when tube frame sports cars ruled the road and competed openly in in Grand Prix formula races all over the world.

I'm now doing a similar project with my sister's Pontiac Firebird 350 HO (High Output) convertible from 1969. Which was all original, rust free, close ratio 4-speed car. At this point I will keep you all advised.

As for an update on my Olds, 4-4-2; it is capable of going through 1/4mile in 11.37 seconds and 118 MPH but the high 10's are quite possible: That ain't so bad, for a 4150 pound car. So that addition of the 1050 cfm., Braswell carb with newly bench flowed & ported intake manifold will make this beefy muscle car even quicker. It is definitely one of a kind 4-4- 2 Oldsmobile!