Even though this 1968 Oldsmobile 442 isn’t perfect, the idea of assuming the responsibility for this “daily driver” classic sounds pretty good to me! The car is located in Lynnwood, Washington, and is listed for sale here on eBay without a reserve. As I write, almost 30 bids have pushed the price past the $10k mark for this clean-looking 442.
This particular style of GM A-bodies has appealed to me for a long time, and the Olds shape is my favorite of the four brands (Chevrolet Chevelle & Malibu; Pontiac GTO, Tempest & LeMans; Oldsmobile 442, F-85 & Cutlass; Buick GS & Skylark). I admit to finding the Pontiac wheel covers on this car jarring, but it would be easy enough to source a set of appropriate Olds Rallye wheels (search the directory here, personally I prefer the SS I even though the SS II is what this car should have) and some nice fat tires. Based on this color chart, the car is decked out in Ocean Turquoise Iridescent paint that the seller says was applied to the car prior to their ownership in the early 2000s — they have owned the car since 2008.
The rear 3/4 view is one of the best for this model. I love the way the curvy quarter panels reflect the straight columns on the building beside the Olds! The chrome certainly looks adequate for a driver-quality car as well. Yeah, I like it!
Inside, we’re met with a clean, albeit non-original set of bench seats paired with good-looking carpet and what I’m guessing are original door panels. I was wondering if this were a real 442 — and it is — based on this VIN decoder it is a 442 Holiday Coupe and was built in Lansing, Michigan. Since this car is obviously not an original show queen, I would look into replacing this bench with a pair of comfortable buckets, especially if I planned on driving it a lot.
One of the things that puzzled me under the hood is the engine color. 1968 442s came with copper-colored engines like this one (correct color although it’s a ’69 model) so I’m guessing it’s been out and rebuilt at some point. I’m not complaining, but if you take the time to rebuild an engine, why not paint it the correct cool color? Perhaps it’s just a used engine from a different year car. In either case, this is a nice clean driver engine compartment only needing air conditioning to be great for me. What would you do with this daily driver, besides drive it?
Those look like Pontiac wheel covers.
They are Pontiac covers, put original rally wheels on it, swap out bench seat for buckets and it’s ready to go
The Pontiac hubcaps look odd, but maybe seller put them on because he liked them, or he had some nice mags that he is keeping.
The seat covers look odd in that color against the door panels, but will wear well and look comfortable. No sticky skin “popping” off the seat on a hot day. May have to change the Keychain and touch up the dash, though.
Nice driver!
Paragraph two has a link to some of the wheels the factory put on rather than the covers. Take a look and let us know which style you’d like to see the best!
Jamie,
This wheel gets my vote. SSI in 15×6 or 15×7. The chrome will pop with the Ocean Turquoise!
@Big Fun, that’s my choice too!
The correct 14×6 SS2s would be my choice.
Its a Pontmobile or Oldsontiac
The engine color debate is a long fought topic for years, and a pet peeve of mine as well.
The example that you provided, while an incredibly impressive restoration, is not true to the original either. Amazingly, not even close.
In fact, the engine color on this turquoise example on offer is considerably closer to correct. Very close.
I have owned seven 442s of various vintages between 66 and 69 through the decades, three of them untouched originals that I actually owned and drove daily throughout the 70s and into the 80s. Some are still a part of my modest collection today.
Why so many reputable sources sell Oldsmobile engine paints that are claimed to be factory correct has long baffled me. It has gone on for so long that many people now mistakenly believe that a true, factory correct engine color is wrong when they see it. Craziness.
And the debate continues…
Don’t get me wrong, this actually looks like a very nice 442. One more comment of note – both fenders and the decklid have all been replaced (or had considerable work done on them) at some point in this cars life, something to consider when looking at the car if you are seriously negotiating on buying it.
Those that know their 442s well can spot why in seconds.
There’s no “debate” on engine color. There is a wide variety of repro paint colors, unfortunately. I don’t know when this engine was painted, but the correct bronze was not always easy to get, and frankly many people assume the bronze is age-darkened gold. Also, due to the high metallic content, final engine paint color is very sensitive to application technique. Spraying many thin coats results in a lighter color than few heavy coats. The factory didn’t care about runs, they cared about production rate. The engine paint was just slathered on.
I owned a 66 442 in through the seventies. I know the engine wasnt repainted before me and the color was close to that offered car, not the haggerty one. It was maybe a little more gold and less reddish but that color is close.
I wish i never sold mine, and regret it all the time.
I have a 1966 442 and 1968 W30 today. Both have untouched engines. Both are bronze, not 350 gold. Many of the aftermarket bronze paints are too dark. The car in this thread appears to have an incorrect gold engine, but color reproduction on a computer monitor can vary all over the map. In person is the only way to know for sure.
I had a 69 and it was bronze also
Those wheel trims had a second life in Australia, turned up on HX Holden Premiers. A set of Olds SS wheels completes the picture.
The # 442 was originally a little lower on the fender probably didn’t want to drill thru the bondo on the fender to mount it
No, it’s not. It’s correct.
Clean car but not for the $25K asking price on C/L.
If the 68 442 had the stripes ordered, the emblems were moved towards the door and they were mounted lower than 442 without the stripe.
Too many have added the stripe to non stripe cars and it shows. The stripes end up touching or under the w/o trim.
Those tweed seat covers sure don’t help this car at all.
I agree with your assessment of the Pontiac wheel covers. Please add seat material to the “jarring” list.
How could it be a real 442, with no 4spd??
I thought that 442 meant 4 barrel, 4 soda, and 2 exhausts?
Does someone have to post this same comment under every 442 for sale? Sorry, but only the 1964 cars were four speed only. The automatic was factory available from the 1965 model year onward.
Ok, God, ask a question once about cars I don’t really know about and dang, you’ve gotta ask this??? So much about kindness!!!
It’s just that regular readers here do see a lot of that question. The fact is that the definition of 4-4-2 has evolved many times since that first version.
I had a ’72 firebird, that I outrank a cop in the mid ’80s in!!!
So, yes, I understand what you’re saying, and that I really, REALLY wish I could have him back!!!
Ok, gotcha!
Despite the imperfections, this is a really nice car,let’s keep them alive my friends, especially the now defunct American brands.
@Jamie Palmer
did this car in fact sell?