1968 Oldsmobile Cutlass 442 Tribute

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!