Vehicle Description
I'm selling my baby, a real-deal 1968 Oldsmobile 442 Convertible.
This car is a good 10-foot driver. The body is straight, the gaps
line up, the doors shut just fine, and there is no obvious evidence
of a wreck. It has the original plumbing for AC (rare for any car
of the era, let alone a convertible), with power steering and
extensively serviced power drum brakes. The 3 speed automatic
transmission works well, and the correct (but not numbers
matching), rebuilt Rocket 400 engine runs strong and eats up the
road beautifully once you fire it up with the original red key. All
lights work, including the dash lights and high beam switch on the
floor. All body trim is in place and in good shape, including the
hard-to-find chrome fender trim and correct chrome trumpet exhaust
tips. The floor and trunk pans are in good shape, and having lived
its life in the south, any rust it may have is just surface. The
odometer shows 91000 miles, and given the condition of the car I
have no reason not to believe that those are the original miles.
I've owned this car for about a year and a half, and as far back as
the former owner knew, even before he owned it, it's been garage
kept. Since I got it, I've put on new KYB gas shocks all around, a
new water pump and 4 core copper/brass radiator, a HEI distributor,
new plugs and wires, a new starter, and new Gates belts. The
battery is under a year old and under warranty at O'Reilly. It
needs electrical work, by rights a total rewiring, but there are
ready-made harnesses out there and the electronics are simple. The
original interior is in great shape given its age, and the carpet
is newer, but the seats could use some new covers, available from
Classic Industries. The top is 3 years old, has a glass rear window
and is in great shape, but its operation is somewhat iffy. It needs
a new convertible pump, which I have and will include. The heater
works like you wouldn't believe, but the blower motor bearings are
singing their loud death song, so I'll be including a new blower
motor as well. For reasons unknown, it doesn't have horns, but you
can hear the horn relay engaging so the pieces are in place. Also
included with the car is a box of miscellaneous parts, including a
couple sealed-beam headlights, a dash clock, a passenger side rear
view mirror, a period-correct cork gasket set if you're really into
vintage, and a trim removal kit. As previously stated, I'll be
including a new convertible pump and HVAC fan motor, along with a
new steering gearbox that turned out to not yet be needed. Also
included is a whole mess of literature, including the ORIGINAL
owner's manual and stamp plate, both factory service manuals, a
full electrical schematic binder, and several restoration catalogs
among other things. In summary, this is a fun driver and a rare
find (only 5100 convertibles in 1968, only 148 red on black
automatics). Everywhere I take it, I get complements, shout outs
from passing cars, and even the occasional horn beep. Issues aside,
it won't leave you stranded. You could have a blast with it as is,
but with a little time and TLC it would be an absolute show
stopper. Mechanical parts are relatively cheap, and I've found that
with little more than a basic tool set and a bit of enthusiasm it's
really easy to work on. Nothing today compares to the sound of a
vintage big block, and it feels like a juggernaut cruising down the
road. I've taken it on a road trip with my fiance and dog, and it
was as Americana as I could have ever hoped. Reasonable offers
only. Yes it needs some work, I haven't glossed over that one bit,
but you will not find a similar specimen in better shape for a
lower price anywhere in the country. I hate to let her go, but
things change as life goes on, and she needs better care than I can
provide right now. May consider trade+cash for an interesting
RUNNING project. Show me what you've got. Tags: Chevelle Camaro
classic gm olds Pontiac gto Cadillac coupe eldorado 1969 1970 1967
4-
