By 1968, no one needed to explain the Golden Age of Muscle. Unless you’d been living under a rock since the Eisenhower years, you knew that simply checking a box or two at the dealer and committing to another $17 on your monthly payment could get you a ride with plenty of moxie. This 1968 Oldsmobile 442 left the factory in brilliant “R” code Spanish Red paint and the white interior it retains. Located in Grayland, Washington, this W30 Olds 442 is offered here on eBay with an opening bid of $6500 and a “Buy It Now” price of $7700, leaving little doubt about the seller’s reckoning of its value.
The seller admits this car needs a complete restoration. Rust, thought present, could be much worse according to the description. It could be wearing a caved-in side or scars from a poorly parked disc harrow, but it seems to have dodged such unfortunate events.
Visible above the door opening, the original red paint still clings to the body under the leathery black overcoat. I don’t always favor restorations, but with this one needing a complete interior, mechanical re-work, and paint, I’d say this one of 246 four-speed coupe deserves the best of everything.
The original motor sacrificed itself on the altar of speed some decades ago. Though some mechanical bits have gone missing, this date-correct block and other parts come with the sale. By default the 400 cid Rocket V8 making 350 HP and 440 lb-ft of torque would have powered this 442 (thanks to myclassicgarage.com for some details). The price seems reasonable assuming the documentation checks out and the body and frame meet the seller’s description. If I had room for another project car and lived anywhere near this one, I’d be checking it out. Picturing the finished product, what do you think of this low-volume high-style Oldsmobile?
When new it looks like this buggy was all about straight line speed. No power steering, brakes or much else in terms options. Being a hardtop and sporting bucket seats may be about it.
It needs too much for me to take it on but, I hope someone does.
Is there any proof that it is actually a W30 besides the NOM “correct” engine? That would seem important, but then again, the seller isn’t asking tens of thousands of dollars, that’s the job of the next seller.
Steve R
I’m a ’67 Olds Cutlass guy myself.
Same way with the Malibu.
Had a 67 Cutlass Supreme in high school. Interior was near perfect. The body, not so much. NY winters and my sister bumping in to everything in sight. Always wanted another.
Remember the Hurst Hairy?
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurst_Hairy_Olds
You can own one !
https://www.performance-years.com/Product/Detail.aspx?id=3949
Ditto on the 67 Cutlass and Malibu, add to that the 67 GTO. Bought a 67 Malibu new, boy do I miss that car but the BIL got in the middle of a 3 car with it.
Amazing what some carefully dolloped and blobbed on paint from a Tremclad paint can on the wheel tubs and different spots on the body will do to jack the the value up *wink*
If that isn’t a W 30 it’s missing a hell of a chance . Why does it have to be so far away . That car deserves a Thornton restoration .
Wonder if it still has the two ram air scoops under the bumper, if it is in fact a W/30 equipped street sweeper? Car needs much help to be anything at all but it is nice to see a 442 regardless. A gem from another era.