1968 Oldsmobile 442

Description

Rocket fans, the recent popularity of the Oldsmobile 442 is a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it's great that the musclebound Olds is finally getting the recognition it deserves. On the other, cars like this 1968 442 hardtop won't be this affordable for too much longer. A great-looking car with a big dose of horsepower under the hood makes this sleek silver bullet a real threat on the street and at the shows.

In 2008, this car was restored and at that time it was repainted handsome silver instead of its original Willow Gold. As a result, this 442 has a fantastic look that only comes from a lot of time and a lot of money. It offers a brilliant shine and very few signs of use and it remains eminently useable and highly attractive from any angle. The color combination gives it a grown-up look, which is ideal for the 442, which was certainly pitched towards adults instead of boy racers, and it's highlighted by the simple black stripes on the front fenders. The aggressive A-body shape is arguably the most handsome of all the '68s, without the Buick's droopy quarters or the GTO's heavy sail panels, and the semi-fastback shape adds a muscular vibe. Beautiful trim accentuates the familiar Oldsmobile front end and there's that awesome bit of stainless that stretches along the tops of the front fenders and curls around the lower window sills. It's just beautifully done. Proper 442 badges are in place wherever needed and the rear bumper uses the correct cut-outs for the exhaust trumpets, a feature unique to the 442.

The black bucket seat interior has been mostly restored and shows just how well-maintained this car really is. Sure, there's some very minor wear on the seats, but the original materials have a warm, inviting look. Factory gauges cover the basics, and there's the usual column-mounted tachometer from Sunpro, as well as a set of auxiliary gauges affixed to the bottom of the dash. The original AM/FM radio with its ultra-cool knobs is still in the dash powering the front speaker, and they were right to leave it alone because it's the coolest thing inside this car, but a modern Kenwood AM/FM/CD stereo head unit was neatly installed underneath so you can still enjoy some music while you cruise. The back seat looks almost new, as do the carpets, which are protected by matching rubber mats, and the only visible deviation from stock are the big speakers on the rear parcel shelf. The trunk is very correctly dressed with a reproduction mat and a cover for the full-sized spare tire.

Part of the 442 formula included a 400 cubic inch V8, but this one carries a burly 455 cubic incher from an early Toronado. With endless reserves of torque, it makes this 442 an insanely quick street machine without losing its Oldsmobile identity. That twin-snorkel air cleaner is fed by chrome scoops under the front bumper, and it signifies that Oldsmobile was deadly serious about performance; it's very intimidating. A stout TH400 3-speed automatic is more than up to the rigors of the Old's prodigious torque output and powers a 12-bolt rear end that looks to be recently rebuilt and augmented with some heavy-duty ladder bars for traction. The exhaust system is recent and has a fabulous soundtrack thanks to glasspack-style mufflers, and you'll be impressed by just how clean the undercarriage is. While it comes with the original Rally wheels mounted to proper red line tries, it wears shiny polished aluminum wheels which are a modern touch that looks period-correct and they wear staggered 245/60/15 front and 295/50/15 rear Mickey Thompson white-letter radials.

442 prices are on the move, and well-finished cars like this will always command a premium. The fact that it's also a blast to drive and in outstanding shape make this one very desirable A-body. Call today!