Vehicle Description
Already offering this appealing option package for its popular
Cutlass, Olds doubled down on the 442 and made it an entirely
separate model the very year this 1968 Oldsmobile 442 rolled off
the line. History would show that the gamble clearly paid off and
442s like this one would go on to become celebrated and respected
entries into the muscle car market. "Numbers matching" examples
like this one are rare to begin with, and this Olds is made all the
more exceptional in that it contains quite a number of original
equipment parts.
It's not hard to see why car enthusiasts are drawn to the 442, and
particularly this generation. It's a great looking model -
powerful-looking and comfortable at the same time. Olds gave it a
more aggressive, muscular look than its predecessors, while also
making a concerted effort to make sure it didn't look like the
other offerings in the marketplace. Those long expanses of chrome
trim on each side that run across the tops of the fenders and
doors, as well as the distinctive, wide-spread dual headlights in
front, are styling cues that definitely set it apart. The aqua blue
exterior was painted several years ago and does show it's age. It
looks to be a very close cousin to a couple of the original factory
shades that were offered at the time and, with its new black top,
fresh black windshield seals and badging that's intact and shows
well, this is still one very vital-looking ride. It's also
well-aligned, with nice even spacing between body panels, and doors
that open and shut smoothly.
Climb inside and you'll see a very inviting black vinyl interior,
with bucket seats up front and a bench seat in back that are
well-padded and ready to welcome you and your crew to a new chapter
of motoring adventures. The center console sitting between the two
buckets is in good shape, providing welcome additional storage and
housing a low-profile, wood-knobbed shifter within easy reach. Just
beyond that signature, thin-spoked Olds steering wheel is a very
fresh-looking expanse of black dashboard, housing a cluster of
factory gauges that are still very readable with their clear
lenses. Above them, you'll notice that the dash pad, so often a
vulnerable area especially with black upholstery is unwarped, level
and shows no splits across its surface. The manual windows on both
sides roll up and down without complaint and in back, a full-sized
spare sits with a jack should the unforeseen happen. There's plenty
of luggage space back here, as well, another nice dividend yielded
by the 442's relatively lengthy wheelbase.
The original 400 cubic inch V8 and 4 barrel carb this Olds began
life with still resides under the hood. Having benefitted from a
rebuild not long ago, it starts right up, runs smoothly and is
paired with an-also original TH400 3-speed automatic transmission.
This 442 takes the concept of "original" to a level you don't often
see in a car built nearly 50 years ago. Not only are the engine and
transmission original, but most of the components in the engine bay
are original as well, including the heads, valve covers, intake,
Rochester 4bbl carb, starter and fan. It's really been taken good
care of and it shows! The coilover suspension in both front and
back is a welcome feature as it not only provides a surprisingly
smooth ride, but it's free of the quirks often found with the more
commonly used leaf springs of this era. This venerable and coveted
muscle car sits on a set of 14" Oldsmobile mag-style rims, wearing
period correct G70-14 Firestone Wide Oval tires.
Looking for a classic, "numbers matching-PLUS" cruiser that's also
sporting a very healthy sounding, big block powerplant? You have to
check out this 1968 Oldsmobile 442. Call today!
