Real 442, freshly rebuilt matching-numbers 400 with W-30 cam. Beautiful paint and bodywork, nice interior with buckets. Cold factory A/C, power windows, tilt, cruise, power top. Rebuilt suspension and brakes. Ready to rumble!
This gorgeous Saffron Yellow 1968 442 convertible neatly illustrates everything that’s great about Oldsmobile’s muscle car: great looks, gorgeous interior, and a long list of power options that will make Chevelle and GTO owners jealous. Code Y Saffron Yellow is its original color and it looks fantastic on the chiseled A-body sheetmetal. The bodywork is extremely well done and we can see no traces of replacement panels or patchwork, suggesting that this car has lived an easy life out of the elements. The paint was done in the '90s but still looks great with a deep shine and no serious issues. Yes, a few signs of age and use, but nothing that should keep you from signing up for that car show you’ve always wanted to attend with your own car. And you’ll note that all the chrome and stainless trim is in excellent shape, including that delicate strip of stainless that runs from nose to tail, an Oldsmobile exclusive that looks awesome.
The black interior is an ideal combination of sporting and luxurious, and this Olds is fortunate to be equipped with factory bucket seats, a somewhat rare option. There’s also a very attractive two-spoke steering wheel, reproduction door panels, new carpets, and a correct dash pad that fits well and hasn’t been baked by the sun. The options list is extensive, including ice cold A/C that was recently serviced, power windows, cruise control, and an AM/FM radio. All those unusual knobs in the dash are in excellent shape and everything seems to work except the clock (we have not tested the cruise control). There are new weather seals in the doors so it seals up well and doesn’t rattle and the extra sound-deadening material Oldsmobile installed in their cars really does make a difference. A black power convertible top stows itself neatly behind the seats and has a matching black boot to make it look sleek. The very tidy trunk is trimmed with a reproduction mat, full-sized spare on a Rally wheel, as well as a factory jack assembly.
This is the car’s original, numbers-matching 400 cubic inch V8, complete with a 396026G block and a partial VIN on the stamping pad. The engine was completely rebuilt less than 1000 miles ago and includes a W-30 camshaft to add a few extra horsepower. There’s also an Edelbrock 4-barrel carburetor on top (the original carburetor is included with the car), a factory air cleaner assembly, and standard stamped steel valve covers, just as it was in 1968. Fresh Oldsmobile copper paint makes the engine look great in the satin black engine bay, and you’ll note they went the extra mile to include things like reproduction hose clamps, factory-style decals, and even the little installation decal on the radiator cap. It starts easily, idles extremely well, and makes enough power to suggest that the factory’s 325 horsepower figure was really just a rough estimate. This ragtop feels seriously quick!
The TH400 3-speed automatic shifts well and doesn’t seem to mind all that torque churning through it, and it feeds a freshly rebuilt 12-bolt rear end with friendly 3.23 gears and a limited slip inside. You’ll also find disc brakes with unusual 2-piston calipers that were unique to 1968 cars and are practically unobtainium today. The rotors are new, the rear brake drums are new, the wheel cylinders are new, the pads are new, the shoes are new, the hoses are new, the master cylinder is new, and, well, you get the idea. Check out the floors and you’ll find 100% factory sheetmetal with no patches or repairs and just a light dusting of undercoating but nothing heavy enough to hide details. There are also new shocks, new bushings in the front suspension, and fresh hardware holding it all together, so it tracks straight and feels quite tight and robust on the road. The exhaust system is a combination of old and new that sounds appropriate but not annoying and terminates in correct chrome tips with cut-outs in the rear bumper. Correct Rally II wheels were installed and wear 225/70/14 redline radials which give it the perfect look with modern handling and ride.
Documentation includes an owner’s manual, assembly manual, service manual, receipts, and restoration photos.
This is an extremely well-documented, pedigreed, matching-numbers 442 convertible with A/C, making it a rather rare find. It’s also a blast to drive, beautiful to look at, and unusual enough that you probably won’t see another one at any show you attend. Turn-key and ready to enjoy, it’s the muscle car for guys who don’t quite want to be like everyone else. And that’s OK with us because this is an awesome car. Call today!
For more details and photos, please visit www.HarwoodMotors.com
