1965 Oldsmobile 442 rotting in Michigan junkyard is crying out to be restored but the owner won't sell it
Published on Sep 21, 2025 at 6:00 PM (UTC+4)
by Claire Reid
Last updated on Sep 18, 2025 at 8:02 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Kate Bain
This 1965 Oldsmobile 442 that’s been sitting in a junkyard in Michigan could be an ideal restoration project, but the owner doesn’t want to sell it.
Oldsmobile launched the 442 as an option package for the F-85 and Cutlass in 1964.
However, in 1968, it became a muscle car in its own right and remained in production until 1991.
A 1965 Oldsmobile 442 was recently spotted in a junkyard, in desperate need of a bit of TLC, but the owner has his own plans for the vintage vehicle.
DISCOVER SBX CARS – The global premium auction platform powered by Supercar Blondie
The 1965 Oldsmobile 442 was spotted rotting away in a junkyard
The 1965 Oldsmobile 442 was spotted at a junkyard in Michigan by car enthusiast Ryan from the Auto Archaeology YouTube channel.
The junkyard in question is a bit of a gold mine, with Ryan previously unearthing a bunch of old muscle cars, including a whole row of Corvettes, as well as several Chevelles.
On a second look, Ryan also discovered this 1965 Oldsmobile 442 and thought it was worthy of its own video.
In the clip, he takes a closer look at the vintage car, and it’s clear to see it’s in desperate need of a thorough restoration.
Details on how the car ended up at the junkyard aren’t clear, but it looks as though it’s been there a while, considering the condition it’s in.
Although not in tip-top shape, Ryan pointed out that the Oldsmobile 442 appeared to be mostly complete – it’s held onto its original backplates and back emblem, as well as its factory interior with bucket seats.
It even had its original V8 engine. Not bad for a car of this age, right?
While we see many vehicles that are beyond help, this Oldsmobile 442 looked as though it could be restored to its former glory.
However, the owner isn’t looking to sell.
He told Ryan that he actually hopes to get it restored himself, and hopefully that will happen sooner rather than later, before its condition deteriorates much further.
How did the car end up in the junkyard?
Although Ryan doesn’t share exact details on how the poor Oldsmobile 442 ended up rotting away at the Michigan junkyard.
In a previous video, he said the owner had worked with an insurance company that would send him all sorts of wrecked cars, which resulted in him building up this impressive haul.
Here’s hoping that at least some of them can get back on the road someday.
DISCOVER SBX CARS: The global premium car auction platform powered by Supercar Blondie
Claire Reid is a journalist who hails from the UK but is now living in New Zealand. She began her career after graduating with a degree in Journalism from Liverpool John Moore’s University and has more than a decade of experience, writing for both local newspapers and national news sites. Claire covers a wide variety of topics, with a special focus on cars, technology, planes, cryptocurrency, and luxury.
