Original Paint: 1968 Oldsmobile 442
By 1968, the Oldsmobile 442 had graduated from an option package to a standalone model in its own right. It offered genuine muscle car performance wrapped in a package that was more comfortable and conservative than its perceived competition. It proved a sales success, with 33,607 buyers handing over the cash to park one in their driveway. Our feature car hails from 1968 and is a recent barn find wearing its original paint. It requires total restoration, but the new owner will commence the project from a solid foundation. The Olds is listed here on eBay in Latham, New York. Bidding has raced to $8,900, although that figure remains short of the reserve. For those wishing to bypass the auction process, the seller offers a BIN option of $10,500.
The seller unearthed this Olds in a barn, and the storage conditions must have been favorable. The car isn’t perfect and wears enough surface corrosion that it is difficult to determine the paint shade. However, the original paint has no evidence of any prior restoration or repairs. Rust is confined to a few spots in the lower fenders and rear quarter panels, but simple patches should address those without resorting to panel replacement. The floors and frame carry plenty of surface corrosion, but there is no penetrating rust. It will take a nut-and-bolt process to bring out the best in this classic, but it should be worth the effort to maximize its long-term value. The limited exterior photos make it difficult to determine the condition of the glass and trim, but first impressions with this 442 are positive.
This 442 rolled off the line in Linden, New Jersey, with a 400ci V8 under the hood generating 350hp and 440 ft/lbs of torque. That power fed to the rear wheels via a four-speed manual transmission, blessing this classic with the ability to storm the ¼ mile in 14.5 seconds. If there was any doubt about the 442’s muscle car credentials, that figure should lay those doubts to rest. Unfortunately, this car is no longer 100% numbers-matching. The original transmission is intact, and someone treated it to a rebuild. The motor is long gone, but the seller provides another complete 400 from a 1968 442, allowing a faithful refurbishment rather than what many would consider a restoration. The car will lose nothing in the performance stakes, although it may drop the potential value slightly.
Although it is missing items like the carpet set, this 442’s interior is essentially complete. Trimmed in Black vinyl, the front seats need new covers. The photos support the owner’s claim that the back seat is in as-new condition, and the console should respond well to a light restoration. One of the big-ticket items in a 442 restoration is potentially replacing the dash pad. They are prone to cracking, and replacements aren’t cheap. However, this one has no problems, with the dash in a similar shape. The wheel is cracked, and a few control knobs are missing, but this part of the project build looks like it could be straightforward. It is unclear what options the original owner chose when ordering this beauty, but we know it features a radio and the ultra-cool Tic-Toc-Tach.
Returned to its former glory, this 1968 Oldsmobile 442 will be a stunning car, both in looks and performance. Spotless examples can fetch impressive prices in the current market, with figures beyond $50,000 pretty common. The loss of the original motor will impact this car’s potential value, but that hasn’t prevented eight people from dropping an extraordinary forty-five bids on this beast. They recognize the potential locked away in this beauty, and with the bidding edging closer to the BIN price, I won’t be surprised if someone hits the button to ensure they take it home.
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Comments
Colorwise, I’m betting on “Willow Gold Metallic”
An aunt & uncle had a bought new 1968 Cutlass Supreme 4 Dr sedan in Willow Gold Metallic, 350 4 bbl.
And it became my cousin’s, same age as me, first car.
Fast, fun. Great car.
Except the brakes had a nasty habit of causing the car to loop on hard braking at high speed….how we survived, twice, I don’t know.
We always speak fondly of it.
I had a 68…..yellow w/ super stock chrome wheels. It was a beautiful beast. Alas I traded it in on a 69 442 conv. Great cars!
As many on this site know, I am currently restoring a 1968 442 convertible, 4-speed, PDB, PS, Fact. A/C. I currently drive a 2000 C5 convertible, 6-speed manual, with fewer than 35,000 original miles. From reading your comment, it may be that you and I were separated at birth.
like minds I guess! I am on my 5th Corvette. I’ve had my C5 for 6 years and Love it. It has 39K miles on it. triple black with the chrome wagon wheels.
C5 – Beautiful!
I wish I could find my 68 Cutlass s conv. I restored down to my metal. It was orig. Jade gold. I painted her vibrant red. Off Ford mustang summer ed feature car . Wish I could find her. I sold. Only car I’ve had out of 58 I’ve had I don’t have a vin. No matter what car I try to replace with our shelby gt/SC our c5 with 10k miles or our Mach 1 2003. Does not compare to that 68 Cutlass s conv I had . Wish I could find her. I would trade in a heartbeat for any car I have. Maybe one day
Wow, correct, factory painted W36 stripes.
Yessir, a sign of an original car, for sure. The 442 is right where it should be. ;)
Well, I wasn’t going to point it out, since it seems very obvious, but the front grill isn’t original, since the correct one will have the “442” numerals. Looks like the damage to the nose was sort of bent back out the best they could, and the cheaper and more available The person from whom I bought it (Or some previous owner) painted the tri-colors of the series through 1967 on them (Red, Orange, Yellow). I like it that way, but it’s not correct.
Also; fun fact – The holes in 1968 trunk lids on the right-side accommodate either the 3 numerals in “442” or the script “Cutlass”, thus making the 1968 Cutlass and 442 trunk lids interchangeable. It was the only year for that nifty feature. in ’69 it didn’t work that way.
The emblem bolts to the grille. It may have come off or the grille may have been replaced. They are very easy to break when you’re leaning over the front of the car to work on it. Ask me how I know…
Well, already sold at the BIN price. That was a pretty good deal.
I had a red 68 442 when I was young and loved it. This one looks like it could be brought back to life with a lot of hard work and money. Neat find.
My dad bought a burgundy/burgundy bucket seats 66 GTO new and in 70 his buddy bought a new turquoise/ black bucket seats 442 hardtop. Both four speeds and both seasoned racers and pop always won. My mom and his buddies wife could drive as well as if not better than my pops and him. He had to put blocks on the pedals so she could reach them as she was and still is tiny.
Good lord! Another 50 K and it’ll look really nice. I know what it is and now I know what they are worth. :)
My finest car was a1968 4 door hardtop cutlass supreme brougham with a 350 rocket engine. It was a true speeding ticket grabber but a real hoot to drive! This cutlass looks like it’s day has long since gone west! Overpriced with a real need for some TLC! (Truck load of cash)
Jim