Real Deal: 1968 Oldsmobile 442
It’s the age-old and vexing question that many an enthusiast has faced over the years when confronted with a car like this 1968 Oldsmobile 442. Do you restore it to its former glory, or do you retain it as a rust-free survivor? That is a tough one, and I always say that there is no right or wrong answer. It will depend on the buyer’s personal preference, but regardless of which way they choose to jump, it looks like they will be doing it with a car that is in sound health. The current owner has decided to part with the Olds and has listed it for sale here on eBay. It is located in Edmonds, Washington, and the bidding has reached $12,922. The reserve hasn’t been met, but there is a BIN option of $18,999.
The Willow Gold 442 is said to be rust-free, and this photo of the underside supports this claim. It is as clean as a whistle, with little more than the occasional spot of surface corrosion. However, most of this is confined to items like the exhaust and tailshaft, with the structural corrosion virtually nonexistent.
The story remains consistent with the panels because they look just as sound as the underside. The paint is showing its age, and it is a prime candidate for a cosmetic refresh. It is peeling in a few spots, suggesting that it might have received some work in the past. The panels have no significant dings or dents, while most of the chrome, trim, and glass looks to be in good order. The wheels that the Olds rolls on aren’t included in the sale. The buyer will take delivery with the car wearing 14″ steel wheels with dog dish hubcaps.
Lifting the hood reveals a 442 that is numbers-matching, but that is also slightly unusual. We find the 400ci V8, a 3-speed automatic transmission, a 12-bolt rear end, power steering, and power brakes. So far, it all seems pretty normal. However, the original owner ordered the Olds with the L66 Turnpike Cruiser option. This saw the V8 take a compression drop, a different camshaft grind, and a 2-barrel carburetor. As a result, this 442 should be producing 290hp, versus the standard engine’s 325hp. It should be no surprise that performance figures took a bit of a hit, although, with the Olds still capable of ripping the ¼ mile in 15.6 seconds, it was hardly a slug. A previous owner had the engine pulled, and all of the gaskets were replaced. They then treated the V8 to a cosmetic refresh but painted the engine in the wrong color. Whether the buyer feels that this is important will be up to them. If they do decide to treat the car to some restoration work, they might pull the engine to rectify this shortcoming. The owner claims that the 442 has a genuine 79,220 miles showing on its odometer, but he doesn’t indicate whether he holds evidence to verify this. He says that the car runs and drives nicely, so it sounds like it has no immediate needs.
The interior of the 442 is complete, but it will need some work if it is to present at its best. Both the driver’s and the rear seats will need covers due to irreparable damage. The door trims also have their problems, and they have been cut to fit aftermarket speakers. The wheel is badly cracked, and I believe that this is beyond repair. When you add a cracked dash pad into the equation, it seems that the buyer will be spending some money if they want to return the car to its former glory. A trim kit would seem to be the most sensible solution, and they are available. They start at around $1,600 and head up over $2,000 if they want a full kit with everything. The original owner ordered the car equipped with air conditioning, and it looks like the system remains intact.
There’s no doubt this 1968 Oldsmobile 442 has the potential to be a stunning car, and the Turnpike Cruiser package does give it a point of difference when compared to most examples from that model year. How that impacts the potential value is something that can be hard to quantify. After all that we’ve seen, I have to return to my original question about this 442. Is this a classic that deserves to be restored, or should it be retained as an original survivor? Remember, there are no wrong answers to that one. It’s all a matter of choice.
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Comments
Prediction: This car will not meet its reserve, and unless someone hits the BIN button, it will remain unsold this time around. Personally, I feel that a car for sale should be presented EXACTLY as it will be sold. The visual image is part of the attraction, but then to state that part of those visuals (wheels) will not be included is somewhat disingenuous at best. Of course, since I’m not a registered fortune teller, I could be totally wrong, as this appears to be a nice solid car! GLWTA!! :-)
I TOTALLY AGREE. If I spend 19 Grand on a car, which I wouldn’t pay for this one, then the wheels are coming with it. That’s really chinchy of the owner. It left a bad taste in my mouth and I wouldn’t do business with him just because of that, even if I LOVED it.
Well, at least those wheels and tires are readily available for about $1500 shipped.
It’s always interesting how the values of broadly-similar cars will change depending on the badge—if you had $19,000 and wanted a ’68 Chevelle SS or GTO, you certainly wouldn’t be getting something as nice and complete as this Oldsmobile. Not even close.
Agree completely. Really solid car, awful color though. The way you’d find them in the late seventies and even into the early eighties. Very few in this unmolested condition anymore.
IMO It’s not a nice enough survivor to warrant maintaining its current condition, but a full-blown rotisserie restoration is overkill too. Do the interior now, in a few years pull the engine for a correct repaint and detail the engine compartment. A few years later do a quality respray of the exterior in the correct color. You’ll eventually have a really nice looking car without giving up the pleasures of driving it for an extended period of time.
I owned a ‘68 442 years ago. It was a 400/ close ratio 4 speed car. It was fast, comfortable, and handled amazingly well for a car with 65% of the weight on the front axle. Fortunately it wasn’t green and didn’t have the special horsepower delete option- which may explain the black air cleaner housing. Or maybe it was just painted an incorrect color as well. Still a nice car, and probably a decent buy in the current market.
Most interesting looker of the 442 is ’68. 2 barrel got black cleaner. 4 barrel received an equivalent to poppy orange. The rear axle “12-bolt” is Olds specific and is semi-floating (not found in Chevy). Cruiser gears are 2.56 which is well suited to a 3-spd and the odd 3.875 bore x 4.250 stroke engine. This engine is best at sub 5k. I like this color now, but hated it then. A bit noisy with last of the vent windows. A/C dash has no repop. Would have to tiger hair, landau glue and stretch some 3-way vinyl. Grey Torq-D look perfect. Dogs work too if on 15.
So it’s really a “2A2”… 2 barrel, Auto, dual exhaust. Lol
Vanity plate: OLDS 2A2
You do realize that since 1965, Olds defined 442 as 400 cu in, 4bbl, dual exhaust, right? That makes it a 4-2-2.
The Turnpike Cruiser option is what makes this car unique. Not meant for drag racing, it’s right at home out on the superslabs. The only issue I see is that Olds liked “ultra-high compression” ratios that necessitated premium gas whose octane hasn’t been available for over 40 years. Just like the OHC Sprint Pontiac, it should be restored because of what it is and its uniqueness.
I believe the L66 engine had only 9.0:1 compression. It should be happy on regular unleaded – mid grade tops. My 10:25:1 compression 350-4bbl from 1970 runs fine on 93 octane with the timing backed off a smidge.
I am enjoying all the dialogue on the Turnpike Cruiser not being a real 442.
Here’s an interesting story you may enjoy. As a mechanical engineer, I read the motor trend article and knew this was the car for me. The only problem was my wife wouldn’t let me buy a car with number on it. Soooooooo, the dealer offered to order the Cutlass Supreme under the in-town police option to get the 3 speed auto over the std 3 speed auto trans.
The computer changed the order to a 455 ci police intercepter 4 barrel card with certified speedometer. Yes with 2.56 rear end. So who would want that combination? I didn’t. After reordering three of these cars I repainted my old cal the color my wife wanted on the new car and we drove it another few years.
I just purchased a scale die casto model and am happy to look at what I didn’t get.
A very cool car but, unfortunately, a Turnpike Cruiser. If this car was a 4bbl, 4-speed car, it would hit $25K-30K easy in this condition.
I like it , dare to be different . The 2 bbl “Turnpike Cruiser” option is unique and fairly rare . If I want to go fast I’ll drive my Hellcat . I just wish it wasn’t so far away . I think shipping to me would be in excess of $2k . I will be checking . BTW , I had a 69 , Delta 88 , with a 455 2bbl when I was 19 , paid $200 for it and it would burn peg leg rubber on L60 Road Hugger bias plies as far as you wanted to and it put a bunch of “fast” cars to shame light to light , don’t underestimate a 2bbl big block Olds .
It’s a nice car and relatively original (down to the 2bbl carb and matching one-year-only air cleaner), but let’s be serious here. Once again, rarity doesn’t equal value or desirability. The 68 Turnpike Cruiser is rare for a reason – no one with any sense would pay an extra $237 in 1968 for the privilege of getting 20% LESS horsepower and a salt flats friendly 2.56:1 rear axle.
Maybe in 1968 it didn’t make sense, but in today’s world, getting a 442 that can run on regular gas, has tons of low-end torque where you can use it, and highway friendly gears makes sense to a lot of people who enjoy driving their cars. Chances are you can buy this car today for less than a standard 442 in similar condition and be just as happy with it.
Sorry, but a “musclecar” that is hard pressed to turn 17 sec quarter miles isn’t a musclecar. When the Turnpike Cruiser was a Cutlass Supreme in 1967 it might have made more sense. Here it smacks of the screaming chicken Trans Ams or Mustang II King Cobras of the malaise era – all the appearance of a musclecar with none of the pesky extra performance. There’s a reason why most of these have had the 2bbl replaced with a 4bbl and the rear gears upgraded. Of course, at that point it ceases to be a Turnpike Cruiser.
You can’t seriously be comparing this to cars like the Colonnade era and G-body 442s. If this was a Cutlass Supreme with an optional 400 or a ’70-’71 SX, people would falling all over themselves saying how cool it was that the original owner went with a big block. Being a 442 means it also handles better than a standard Cutlass. This is a great setup for someone who wants a good mix of economy and performance and will be priced accordingly. Using your logic I guess a standard 442 isn’t really a muscle car either since it’s not a W-30.
I don’t understand what your “not a W-30” comment has to do with a 442 being a musclecar, but whatever. And FYI, the 1967 Cutlass Supreme-based Turnpike Cruiser package came with the same FE2 suspension package as the 442, so handling was the same. Motor Trend even did a comparison test between the 67 442 and Turnpike Cruiser that year.
Look, if you want to own a “musclecar” that gets dusted by pretty much ever minivan on the road, knock yourself out.
Amen Joe.
Perfect just the way it is.
Just had a car shipped from Chicago to Scotsdale az. 600.00!! Should not be any where near 2k unless you live overseas. Shipping prices have gotten quite reasonable
Restoring it IS the wrong answer : ) It will probably sell to someone that feels the same way anyway and therefore would be willing to pay more than someone that sees it as a car they would restore. To some (hopefully most), it’s ironically worth more as a survivor than if you were to spend all of that money, time, materials and energy on restoring it. It makes me happy that survivors are getting appreciated more and more. Preserve history if possible.
Btw, is there a car from the 60’s that torq thrusts DON’T look good on? The red lines really work as well. great looking car.
Actually the 1st 442 stood for 4 barrel,4-speed,2 exhausts.it had a 330 small block that still laid it down pretty good in 1964,however everyone has different ideas,and tastes,I personally would put olds ss1 wheels on it,and white letters,that’s my preference, also to sound off on the 2-barrel subject, early 2 barrel big blocks lost some horsepower and compression for sure,but the torque rating was always very close,I had a68 delta 88 455 22-barrel, only 310 hp,but 490 lb.ft.of torque! Would lay dark thick patches 80 feet long, horsepower sells engines, torque wins races.
In 1967 Olds offered the turnpike cruiser option, at that time for better mileage, and cheaper price but with all the sport look of the 442..1968 was the same type of option but also for insurance reasons….The ivory P1987, and base cloth interior with would go for me replaced with stock white or black, upgrade engine with a 4bbl carb and 373 gears,,painting it a different stock color, silver green A1989, possibly with black pinstripe and black fender racing stripe as a factory option,,also detail engine compartment in correct colors,, 1/4 redlines with SS1wheels…This color green is a killer and would kill the deal for me to keep it in its present form.
The insurance reasons argument wasn’t a consideration in 1968, and frankly, the insurance companies looked at displacement more than anything else. 400 cu in is still 400 cu in. As for the 1967 cars, the L66 Turnpike Cruiser package was $142. The L78 442 package was $184. $42 difference on a total vehicle price of about $3000, with all else being the same.
This past week at GAA, these bodied Olds have been hammered in the low 20s, convertibles being higher. IMO, with this condition and the mizer L66 option, this 68 is sub $10k. And enjoyable ride for someone wishing to cruise and fix up along the way. A screamer to collect track trophies? Not hardly.
Those wheels are hideous and as mentioned, not 4 sale well put the wheels on that are, whats 10 minutes, really.
As for the car, drive it til the wheels fall off and then either restore or sell it to the next schmuck, i mean proud owner.
I rather enjoy how willow gold translates to olive green.
I agree with Jay Bree. Perfect as it is. At least it’s not some fake car may to be what it is not. You guys who want to dive into a restoration, may or may not have any idea, of the cost. I have restored several cars and the expense is just not worth it. I have owned several Olds since 1978 and the interiors and build quality was far superior to any junk Chevy made in those days. I have a friend with a 70 W-30 and he has to buy VP gas at like $9 a gallon to drive the car. Sad, it sits and sits in his garage and and he cannot enjoy it that often due to the crap gas we are forced to buy today. This car makes more sense than ever. That steering wheel can be restored by Gary’s in Pennsylvania. Look him up. Does incredible work. Not cheap, but go find another wheel like this.
I came across a 1968 olds 442 with a 455 V8 ,Muncie rock crusher 4 speed and a 4bbl carb. sitting in a friend’s back yard . I asked him what he wants for it he said 400.00 he said the heads were worped that was in 1985 . I ran home and told my father about it and we went and got it. We had the heads looked at and found two valves stuck that’s it.had heads built installed headman headers and hush thrush exhaust,replaced Rochester carb with a Carter comp 600 cfm . Put mickey Thompson n 50’s on the rear and Lakewood ladder bars ,I kept twisting traction bars. And she ran 14 second 1/4 mile. I sold it at the track for 10,000 awesome car .