Driveway Find: 1968 Oldsmobile 4-4-2
General Motors had four adversaries in the mid-size muscle car wars in the 1960s. Chevrolet had the Chevelle SS 396, Pontiac had the GTO, Buick had the GS, and Oldsmobile had the 4-4-2. The 4-4-2 name (pronounced “four-four-two”) was derived from the original car’s 4-barrel carburetor, 4-speed manual transmission, and dual exhausts (and was later abbreviated to 442). This 1968 4-4-2 looks to have been sitting for quite some time and will need a complete restoration. Located in Grand Prairie, Texas, the once-powerful car is available here on craigslist where the asking price is $7,500. Another tip from Barn Finder T.J.!
Since the 4-4-2 was based on the F-85/Cutlass intermediates, the car got a redesign in 1968 along with all the other GM mid-sizes. The 4-4-2 would come in third behind the GTO and Chevelle in sales/ production at 33,607 units. The hardtop coupe – which included the Holiday trim package – accounted for the lion’s share at 24,183 copies. The 4-4-2 was powered by a 400 cubic-inch V8 that produced a robust 350 hp without forced-air induction, like the seller’s car.
From the looks of things, this 4-4-2 has been languishing somewhere and then probably moved to the driveway where it currently sits. Two of the tires are totally trashed, so it would not have been rolled or pushed around without the aid of a tow truck. The seller is more optimistic about the condition of the body than I would be from the photos as the rust-ravaged rear quarter panels don’t necessarily define a “super nice body.” But we’re told the floorboards and trunk are solid.
The Oldsmobile does not run, and we don’t know what it might take to change that. The engine and automatic transmission are said to be numbers matching, so that’s a plus in the car’s favor. This Cutlass on steroids once had a vinyl top, perhaps white, and the interior looks more worn from age than from damage. Hagerty has faith in these cars as one in Fair Condition might fetch $20,000, while a Concours example could bring $60,000.
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Comments
This 442 has the ’68 only RPO L65 “Turnpike Cruising Option” for $236.97.
Contents include:
L65 290 hp 400 cid (Regular fuel)
M40 3 Speed Automatic
G96 2.56 rear (2.78 or 3.08 available)
A big difference from the standard 350 hp (manual) or 325 hp (automatic) engines.
Perfect, though for your high speed Philly to Akron runs!
For some reason L66 comes to mind as the RPO but I could be wrong…Cool car that should probably be restored. Then i’d trade it for a 4bbl 4spd though…
It has so much power it shreds the tire sitting
My cousin had one of these when we were in Highschool. She put many of Mopar down. It was a fun car for two 16 year old’s to cruise the circuit in. Lots of good memories.
I’m not sure the motor would be 455 blue in ’68. I believe the motor would be a 400 bronze color
The valve covers have been changed or at least painted. And yes, RPO L65 is the designation for the Turnpike Cruiser option. It may have been down on HP, but at least you only got a 2.56 rear axle. And you paid a $236 premium for the privilege of driving a much slower car. There’s a reason why they’re rare.
If it’s a real TPC, I would restore it exactly as. As an owner of a modified and rather frantic E36 M3 with 3.23 rear gears and no overdrive, I’ve learned to appreciate the nature of laid back high speed highway cruising.
And not having to source super high octane premium gas would also be a bonus.
I agree they are down on power compared to their 4-barrel high compression counterparts. But modern traffic moves much faster than it did 50 years ago. And no one drag races on the street anymore. They just drive very fast on the highway!
Pontiac actually offered a very similar package with the 1967-68 2 barrel GTOs. By that time these cars were selling like hot cakes, and mostly to average people who were not into drag racing. But the 2-barrels never sold well and they got axed for pretty quickly.
Yes, in ’67 the Turnpike Cruiser Package was RPO L66 and in ’68 it was called an L65. I never understood why they would attach it to a 442 though instead of the Cutlass line
The 1967 Turnpike Cruiser was essentially a 442 without the emblems. The L66 package include the W28 option, which came with the FE2 suspension from the 442. Also remember that in 1967, the W29 442 option was only available on the Cutlass Supreme models, just like the Turnpike Cruiser.
Or it’s a different motor.
i had this exact design cept it was a cutlass supreme with i believe a 350 , 2 speed powerglide, with hubcaps, it was okay, nothing really exciting about it but my father-n-law gave it to us, so no complaints…
Oldsmobile’s designation for the 2 speed transmission was “Jetaway”.
America was in the midst of an obsession with Black Vinyl Tops when GM redesigned the A-bodies in 1968. The absence of a crease or cut line at the c-pillar led to some really awkward stainless strips to force a BVT onto the new cars. Oldsmobiles were the worst since the trim for the top had nothing to do with the graceful fender peak/rear window styling line. I had a 1969 Cutlass and it did NOT have a BVT, thank god. Very good looking cars otherwise, and 1968-1972 Cutlasses seem to hold their value, but this car has a LONG way to go.
What is the forced air induction ,all I see is stock air breather??
What forced induction? There wasn’t any on the L65 cars. If you are thinking of the Climatic Air Cleaner on the 1967 cars, that was only in the 67 model year.
On the 68 442 the forced induction was a dual snorkel air cleaner connected to 2 inlets mounted under the bumper if memory serves me correctly.
Only when equipped w/the W30 option. The Ram Rod 350 had the Outside Air Induction as well, but it was not a 442, but rather a high performance 350 option on the Cutlass S & F-85.
“Rust ravaged”, Russ? You’re obviously from the South or West.
Never Heard of this Option?
Sounds like a Dealer thing.
K School me on this.
68 was a great year for 442.
Lots of that year only opps?
Moe: what option are you referring to?