Vehicle Description
Now that the rest of the world has caught on that 442s are cool
cars, the best way to get one that you can actually afford is to
buy this clean, handsome 1968 Oldsmobile Cutlass 442 tribute. The
top goes down, there a 455 cubic inch mill under the hood, and that
color combination will always look great. For speed and class, it's
hard to beat an Olds.
We're fans of tribute cars here at Streetside Classics, and this
cool bright white Oldsmobile is only the latest in a long line of
cars with many virtues and few vices. The 1968 Oldsmobiles were
great looking cars no matter what badges they were wearing, and
this one is clean, straight, and very distinctive. Probably the
most noticeable 442 feature is the bright red stripe on the front
fenders, a classic styling element that made Oldsmobile's muscle
car stand out in a crowd of A-bodies. Of course, the big '442'
emblems don't hurt, and no, don't worry, this one has the
horsepower to back up its look, but we'll get to that in a moment.
The finish is in good condition with only a few signs of use, and
they left the bodywork alone, right down to the original hood with
its built-in grilles. UP front, the pointed bumper is in excellent
condition, while out back the familiar Oldsmobile taillights are
perched just above 442-style exhaust trumpets that definitely
accentuate the horsepower look.
The bright red interior is exactly the right choice on a white
convertible with sporting intentions. Cloth is an unusual choice in
a '60s ragtop, but after you spend a day in the sun, you'll
understand why it was a smart decision. It shows well and has no
splits or tears, just some light fading that's inevitable with a
read interior exposed to the sun all the time. A leather-wrapped
steering wheel has a traditional Oldsmobile performance look and
the three big, round gauge pods are an unexpectedly sporty choice
for conservative Olds. The main gauges cover only the basics, so a
trio of the usual auxiliary gauges are stashed underneath, just
above the controller for the custom horn system. There's an AM/FM
radio in the dash and a tilt steering column for the driver, both
signs that this isn't your average low-end car. The white power
convertible top folds easily and seals up well, and the trunk is
outfitted with a correct mat and full-sized spare with cover.
This Olds is definitely not lacking in the horsepower department,
because you'll find a 455 cubic inch V8 under the hood. Yes, we
know the 455 wasn't technically available in 1968, but with tribute
cars, you don't necessarily have to stick to the original recipe.
The big 455 is a neat fit in the Cutlass engine bay and wearing
corporate turquoise engine paint and a 442 air cleaner, it'll pass
at a glance. It's also smooth, torquey, and makes this ragtop feel
800 pounds lighter than it is. It's not radical, so it's easy to
drive, especially with power steering and brakes, and the
heavy-duty TH400 3-speed automatic transmission is the right choice
on a dual-purpose luxury muscle car like this. 3.08 gears in the
12-bolt rear mean that this is a fantastic long-range cruiser and
the ride is always comfortable. Color-matched Oldsmobile Rally II
wheels always look right and carry staggered 205/70/14 front and
215/70/14 rear blackwall radials.
Affordable big block fun, this Olds tribute offers everything that
people love about the 442 without the big price tag. Hard to argue
with that logic. Call today!