For Sale: 1968 Oldsmobile 442 in Long Island, New York

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-