2.74 first gear for more bottom end punch and OD for cruising with ease as well as less wear and tear. As a bonus it literally bolts right in with nothing more than moving the crossmember back.
A win on many levels.

What a sweet car!

Awesome car in a great color combo with just the right options,always wanted to own one of these.

Beautiful car, and holy cow, did all that extra stuff come with it? :shocked:

Yes it did. The owner and his wife had a beautiful '67 Chevy II SS 275 horse 4 speed car as well as a amazing '68 442. They sold those a few years ago and the '65 was the last one left. Anything old car related he offered to me since they were getting older and moving on from the car hobby. Of course I took all of it.

----Gorgeous 442, especially that interior. I had a close buddy back in the mid-60's that had two post 442's pretty much ordered just like yours. The reason he had two was because he was a horrible driver. I used to cringe every time I rode with him. Neither car lasted more than 6 months and gathered dents constantly!....Bill S

It's not my first choice color combo wise but it's really growing on me the more I see it. The red really pops in the interior of this thing.

Really a cool ‘65 Olds 442. Love that White / Red combo.

Just my opinion ….. leave it as built.
It’s almost 60 years old and still retains its factory powertrain.
It’s a relaxing vintage cruiser for fun on nice days, not to mention first era of the Muscle Car.

Thanks for sharing.

I agree with your points and part of me says leave it alone as it's a pure, undisturbed car. Plus running a car at the the Pure Stock Drags in Stanton is a bucket list thing for me (maybe run it there?) The appeal of an overdrive with nothing more that redrilling a few holes makes the option appealing. Heck, I was talking to Jim Mattison about the car and he said put a 4 speed in it! No way I'm cutting the floor in it!

Mr. Mattison actually suggested that, shocking!
Hey Jim, why stop there, drop in an LS motor too 🙄