Monday, March 19, 2007

a ROCKIN' 1970 442 convertible 455 auto 12-bolt, being sold by Biohazard's Billy Graziadei




According to the eBay auction description mid-February (slightly edited) for
item #130078473658:
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"This is a nice car that's 85% restored with all the hard work done. It's owned by Billy Graziadei, guitarist for Biohazard, one of the most well known hardcore bands that put out 10 successful albums and went out on multiple world tours. Billy is now guitarist for his newest project, Suicide City.
With the commitments of being in a band and touring, Billy hasn't found the time to finish the last little details, but a real enthusiast can finish all the small stuff in a weekend or two. I'm a friend helping him sell the car.
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Muscle cars and rock go perfect together. Whether you're a muscle car collector or a hardcore music lover, you can't lose with this 442. Here's the information on this collectible Oldsmobile.
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Sage Autobody in Woodside, Queens [a borough of New York City] restored the body in 2002. It's a straight car that was done nice. There's no rust but it's had some sheetmetal work. The quarters were replaced as well as a door, but the frame and floors are real solid. The original hood was replaced by a fiberglass piece with the correct locking pins.
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The paint is real nice and still looks fresh; it has a nice gloss and shine to it. The chrome also was redone. Some of the trim is still original, and in original condition (good but not perfect). Some of the trim pieces and emblems are not installed yet. The front marker lights were just put back in and still neeed to be hooked up.
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McCoy's Tops in Queens restored the interior in 2002. There are new bucket seat covers, door panels, carpet, and side panels. Aftermarket power windows were installed in the front doors. The center console has a Hurst shifter, and mounted on the tilt column is an Autometer tach. The original radio still resides in the factory location. The power convertible top was also replaced and has a matching boot.
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The 455 is a nice running engine. Billy says it's the orignal engine, but I can't verify that since the power steering bracket blocks the pad where the numbers are. The motor was rebuilt before Billy bought the car in 2000. It was bored .030 with the addition of an Edelbrock intake, Demon carb, headers, HEI distributor, and a MSD 6AL ignition. Backing up the engine is a TH400 tranny and a 12-bolt rear. It's got power steering and disc brakes.This was an air-conditioned car, but during the restoration the A/C and blower motor were removed and then pieces were misplaced after a move to a new home.
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She rides on stock 14" Olds wheels. Over large bumps, with a couple of people riding, the headers will scrape a bit (due to the low profile tires). She does drive well and rides like it should.
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Overall, you're bidding on a decent muscle car with all the hard work done with just a couple of details to finish. The body is straight, the paint is nice, the interior is done, the top is new, and it runs and drives well. Any 442 is a good buy but one that has a top which goes down and has an interesting owner history is even better.
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I've tried to list as much as I know about the car--good and bad. Most important, make sure you have ALL of your money BEFORE bidding. "
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Bidding ended on Valentine's Day, with no winning bid. There were 24 bidders, topping out at $21,100, but the reserve was not met.
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Biohazard was formed in 1988 in Brooklyn, NY. Their original lineup featured guitarist/vocalist Billy Graziadei, bassist/vocalist Evan Seinfeld, guitarist Bobby Hambel (later replaced by Rob Echevarria), and drummer Danny Schuler. They began by opening for local hardcore and thrash bands and gradually built a large following "through their outraged sense of injustice, political awareness, and constant touring" (according to Steve Huey, writing for the All Music Guide). Their live album "No Holds Barred" in particular showcased "the in-concert ferocity for which the group had become revered."
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Billy Graziadei said, in a recent MySpace blog, "I spent most of my life thus far with Biohazard. From the '90s until the early 2000's we toured the world and made some great music! Nine albums and a whole shit-load of stories, memories (good and bad) and made a lot of friends from all over the world. I'll take those times with me to the grave."
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