Few sights are sadder than finding a highly desirable classic left to the elements in a field, but such has been the fate of this 1968 Oldsmobile 442. Time has not been kind to this muscular classic, but the seller believes it is restorable. It will take deep commitment on the part of a new owner, but it could be worth the effort for someone willing to be hands-on in their approach. The 442 is listed here on Craigslist in Corfu, New York. The seller has set a price of $5,500, and I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Mitchell G. for referring this fine field find.
Oldsmobile introduced the 442 as part of the Cutlass range in 1964, marketing it as a more luxurious muscle variant than models like the Pontiac GTO. The Second Generation appeared in 1968, with the company affording the 442 standalone model status from then until the end of 1971. Our feature car is from the 1968 production year, and it is unclear how long it has resided in its current location. The overgrown surroundings suggest the time can be measured in years, and it will take a lot of work to recapture the car’s lost youth. The existing tired and faded Dark Blue paint isn’t original, with evidence in various locations suggesting its first owner ordered it in the more attractive shade of Sapphire Blue. That is the least of this beauty’s problems because there is visible rust requiring attention. It has impacted some lower body sections, but nothing appears complicated to address. Prone spots, like the section around the back window, appear clean, but there is considerable rot in the trunk opening. However, the interior shots reveal signs of rot in the floor pans. With evidence that there might already be one amateur repair, replacing the pans entirely seems like the best course of action. I would probably factor the time and cost of a new trunk pan into the equation because its condition may be no better than the floors. Some trim items might respond positively to a high-quality polish, while others, like the bumpers, require restoration or replacement.
This Olds wouldn’t have lacked in the performance stakes when it was new. The engine bay houses a 400ci V8, with the original owner selecting a three-speed Hydramatic transmission, power steering, and power brakes. The driver would have had a healthy 325hp under their right foot, allowing this classic to storm the ¼-mile in 14.9 seconds. That made it slightly slower than the benchmark Pontiac GTO, but it would have kept the competition in its sights. The accumulated corrosion under the hood indicates this classic has sat for many years without firing a shot. Whether the engine turns is unclear, but the signs aren’t encouraging. Freeing a stuck motor is possible if the buyer finds the worst has happened, and budgeting for a total mechanical rebuild would be wise. It may prove unnecessary, but having the available funds will avoid potential disappointment. If that person finds the work isn’t warranted, they could treat the news as a pleasant surprise!
This classic’s interior would have originally been stunning, with its Dark Blue trim perfectly complementing the Sapphire Blue exterior. However, someone has made merry with the rattle can to repaint the dash red, replacing most of the original upholstery with Burgundy vinyl. The headliner is the correct shade, but that is irrelevant, considering how badly shredded it is. The console and shifter aren’t original because the original shifter’s location on the column is visible. The buyer faces a total retrim, but with kits starting at around $1,700, this task will be no more expensive for this car than for any other from this era. The factory radio is missing, as are many of the original air conditioning components. Otherwise, the interior is largely complete.
This 1968 Oldsmobile 442 is a sad and sorry sight, and the only way it will return to its former glory is if a new owner dismantles the vehicle to the last nut and bolt. It will be a significant undertaking, and if someone commits to that process, there will undoubtedly be times when it tries their patience. However, the finished product should be a car that would comfortably command a value above $40,000 any day of the week. Does the dual prospect of a valuable classic offering stunning performance tempt you to pursue this Olds further?
One of my all time favorites. Wish I had the means to put it back together
I agree, looks complete but with it laying on the ground for who knows how long it might be a fantastic parts car.
You’re in good company, I expect. Not many would have the means necessary to resurrect this once-impressive car.
Too bad. These were truly nice cars.
At first glance, I thought that those were killer retro speaker grilles on the rear package shelf, covering their 15” penta-axial speakers…
Destined to be a chia pet.
As an Olds fan, this makes me sad :-( I see the purpose of this car being rumbling around listening to that V-8 rumble and occasionally opening it up and letting it sing. It’s probably been many, many years since that happened here. Poor thing.
At first glance, I thought that those were cool retro speaker grilles on the rear deck, protecting their 15″ quad axial speakers…
Hey Bick Banter… I agree I was very sad seeing this 442 in the weeds. I had a 70 442 M 22 ..4 speed 12 bolt 3.90 gears. I wish I never sold that Olds love it. I was young and foolish. But this Olds moving it maybe a hugh undertaking. Who knows the rust underneath. What a shame. I drove a model like this and it was fun. I hope a Olds fan can get this and get it going again to sing it’s Glory! 🐻🇺🇸
I can never understand why someone selling a car can’t drag it out and clean it up before taking pictures?
A friend bought a ’68 442 Holiday Coupe new and we had a blast cruising in it and raising ****. It was a 4 speed with 4.33? gears. It’s been so long ago and I was pretty wasted most of the time but I think it was a HURST 442.
442’s are one of my favorite cars but under valued when you can buy them for less than 20K running.
Unless ’68 was different, and I don’t think so, the alternator is on the wrong side for an A/C car, so the engine probably isn’t original. The console and shifter or the steering column isn’t original, you can see the place where a shifter used to be. Why anyone would try and paint the interior like that, God only knows. There’s rot galore, and it’s probably too far gone. It would have to be pulled out and looked over carefully. I’ll never understand why people leave these cars in the dirt to rot away, and this one looks like it’s been there far too long.
You are correct. The accessory brackets are not correct for an A/C car. The air cleaner is also not correct for 1968 and appears to be a 2bbl air cleaner. The engine does have the “bent” oil fill tube that was only used on the 1968 A/C cars. Who knows what’s been done to this car in the last half a century. It was common during the gas crises of the 1970s to replace a 4bbl with a 2bbl in what was usually a futile attempt to increase mileage. Alternately, this might be a 68 with the 2bbl Turnpike Cruiser option. Why someone would pay an extra $236.97 to get an engine that made 45 FEWER horsepower in a musclecar remains a mystery of the marketing department. No clue why the accessory brackets were swapped.
That doesn’t look like a 2bbl air cleaner to me, Joe, unless it’s a 4bbl lid on a 2bbl base. Granted, I’ve never seen an Olds air cleaner with that small a snorkel intake.
Oldsmobile air cleaners never used that tiny snorkel. Apparently that’s a Chevy part. The Olds 4bbl air cleaner snorkels are MUCH larger in width.
Many years ago I owned a ’69 Olds 442 that was an all original car with no rust. My younger brother bought it from me and also enjoyed it for a few years. He was living in Philly and people kept trying to steal the car so he finally sold it. Out of the blue about 5 years ago he sends me a craiglist Ad for a ’69 442 for sale in Pottstown…the description matched our car and it said it needed restoration. I went out to look at the car and I’m sorry I did. It was our car, and it had been left parked out in the dirt for many many years. It was a total rust bucket…the vinyl roof was in tatters and you could see daylight through what was left of the roof…the floors were gone, the original wheels were buried in the mud beyond the bottom of the rims…the interior was covered in mildew and mold. The original drivetrain that was rebuilt during our ownership was long gone. It made me sick that someone could let what was a beautiful car rust away in the mud. Crazy thing was he still wanted $4K for it…probably what my brother sold it for back in the 80s. It made me sad…
It’s a real shame this has been left to rot away like this!, I really love classic Oldsmobile as well, I’ve owned a few over the years, I personally think this is severely rusted out, especially the underside, and the engine looks horrendous, the frame is probably useless, IMHO…. Parts car at best, for $1500.
Rot bucket!