Up until 2009, this 1968 Oldsmobile 442 had called California home. It then migrated to its current home in Chicago, Illinois. All of those years in the California sun has resulted in a survivor that is sound and free of rust. This is a true survivor that is listed for sale here on eBay. At the time of writing, bidding has reached $15,200. With the reserve now met, the 442 is set to head to a new home.
Finished in Buckskin with a white vinyl top, the 442 presents really well. The owner says that both the paint and top are original, and I have to say that it has certainly survived well. Rust doesn’t appear to be an issue, with the floors and trunk looking clean and solid. There is a noticeable scrape on the right-hand quarter panel just behind the wheel arch. This extends back to the rear corner of the car, and the chrome on the rear bumper has been damaged as well. That’s really the only obvious fault, and should be easy to address.
The interior of the Oldsmobile is just as nice as the exterior. The white upholstery on the door trims and seats looks good, while the carpet, dash, and headliner have also survived well. With bucket seats, a center console, and Rally gauges (including a Tic-Toc-Tach), the 442 is nicely equipped. There have been no aftermarket additions to the interior, but there are a couple of things that will require attention. The factory air conditioning doesn’t currently blow cold, while the heater core has also been bypassed. That’s really about all the problems that have been identified.
Filling the engine bay of the Oldsmobile is the 400ci V8, which is backed by a 3-speed Turbo Hydramatic transmission. The Olds also features power steering and power brakes. With 325hp on tap, the 442 could skip through the ¼ mile in 14.9 seconds, which is pretty respectable for a car that weighs 3,720lbs. The owner says that the car runs and drives, and not only does it wear its original Rally wheels, but the original Wide Oval red-line spare is still in the trunk. The owner also makes the claim that the 442 has only covered 84,719 miles, but doesn’t mention whether he holds documentation to back this claim. Speaking of documentation, the car does come with a reasonable amount of it, including the Protect-O-Plate, Soft Trim Broadcast, and Owner’s Manual.
This 442 is not perfect, but it is a very nice survivor. These are a very desirable car, and it is these factors that account for the fact that bidding has been so strong to date. Does anyone want to guess what the final sale price will be?
BEAUTIFUL car. Could be a $25k car (as opposed to a $25 K-car) though I’m a rank novice of knowledge in this field, and a few other fields as well if you ask my wonderful wife..😂
Looking at it overall and the mostly exemplary condition of this high school heartthrob, one has to question the reasoning behind having just one “curb feeler” on the right front and not a second on the right rear-directly below the creased/damaged 1/4 panel.
Sweet machine even with the 400 ci and not the 455-we certainly wouldn’t push it out of the driveway!
Let’s see now, you did say it’s a survivor. But this survivor has a crease in rear quarter panel,and very corner of rear bumper. Going with survivor that’s not perfect. Using the Collector Car Survivor Price Guide, this car should easily sell for $24444.20 if A\C was working and heater core fixed, and running four Redline tires. It would sell for more.
Agreed. It needs redlines.
No 455 in 68. So 400 is the bomb. Besides the 400 is the gramps to the 455. Automatic car is my only minor disappointment. But still beautiful car and not over priced like most.
Such a sweet and good looking A-body! Love its colors in and out and the overall appearance. I think most of us would be able to drive it as-is for years with dignity before starting to improve it.
Best of luck to the next owner!
It’s probably been 51 years since I’ve seen a `68 442 with chrome mags AND whitewall tires! And that one was parked in the back lot of my local Olds dealer as the then-new `68’s started to arrive in the late summer of `67. As an eager 8 year old then, my eyes were the size of dinner plates as I stared thru that chain-link fence.
I like it…it has a “walk softly and carry a big stick” or “velvet hammer” presence. If I were to change anything it would some red-lines and perf buckskin leather interior. Cherry Bomb or Thrush exhaust would be fun.
I envy the next owner.
Make the peg leg into a posi too. A 442 that’s not a posi traction car is a shame. Nice car tho…
I had one almost identical, different color interior. Other than my vette, this was the fastest car I’ve ever owned.
Nice car reserve met already could be a decent buy!!