The 1968 model year was a landmark one for Oldsmobile’s 442. The car came out of the shadows as the company granted it outright model status rather than viewing it as a performance package for the F-85 or Cutlass range. This 1968 Olds ticks many of the right boxes for performance enthusiasts. Apart from a repaint a few years ago, it remains original and unmolested. Adding to its appeal, the original owner ticked the box beside “W-30” on the Order Form, making this the most potent 442 for that model year. After spending time in the Volo Auto Museum, the time has come for this 442 to find a new home and to return to its rightful place, terrorizing the tarmac. Located in Parker, Colorado, you will find this Oldsmobile listed for sale here on Craigslist. The owner has set the sale price for this classic at $62,000. I have to say a big thank you to Barn Finder Gunter K for spotting another excellent vehicle for us.
It is hard to find fault with the presentation of this 442. Its Ocean Turquoise paint holds an impressive depth of color and shine, which is hardly surprising when considering this classic’s recent history. It spent some time as a display car at the renowned Volo Auto Museum, and it was during this time that the owner treated it to a repaint in its original shade. Eight years have passed since then, and the paint has held up remarkably well. That tends to indicate that the person completing the work did so to a high standard. The panels are laser straight, but this car’s total lack of rust is the best news. That can be an issue with the 442, so that is an important factor for potential buyers to consider. The chrome shines as beautifully as the paint, the wheels show no evidence of faults or damage, while the glass appears flawless.
The 442’s interior presents as impressively as the exterior, and while the seller notes some slight upholstery wear in the listing, there is nothing visible in the supplied photos. The only flaws of note are some cracks in the wheel. These aren’t bad, and if the buyer wishes to preserve the car’s originality, this could remain untouched. However, if perfection is a crucial consideration, high-quality reproduction wheels are easy to find for around $330. Otherwise, there are no aftermarket additions and no immediate needs. As well as bucket seats and a console, the interior features its original pushbutton AM radio and sports gauge cluster with the Tic-Toc-Tach.
Lifting the hood reveals what makes the 442 a genuine muscle car. A 400ci V8 occupies the space, and since the original owner chose the W-30 option, the engine bay features the distinctive twin-snorkel air cleaner with under-bumper scoops and the unique red plastic inner fender wells. However, the changes were about more than mere looks because this V8 should produce an “official” 360hp. Many knowledgeable people believe that Oldsmobile understated the power figure and that there could have been at least another 30hp available under the right foot. All of that power needs to find its way to the road, and it does so via an M21 four-speed manual transmission and a 12-bolt Posi rear end. If anyone ever questioned the performance credentials of the 442, a figure of 13.7 seconds for the journey down the ¼ mile should remove any lingering doubts. While the paint received a refresh during the car’s tenure at Volo, its mechanical components didn’t escape attention. The owner treated the drivetrain and suspension to a rebuild during its museum days. They don’t indicate how well this classic runs or drives, but this YouTube video allows us to hear the 400 starting and running. It sounds crisp and clean, with no smoke or odd noises.
The 1968 model year was a banner one for Oldsmobile’s 442, with 33,607 buyers slapping down their cash to park one in their driveway. Of those, 24,183 were the Holiday Hardtop version. Today, the 442 has become a highly-prized vehicle in the classic market, especially if the original owner ordered it with the W-30 option. At $62,000, the sale price for this car is hardly pocket change, but nor is it unprecedented. Values have climbed sharply in the last couple of years, and this trend shows no sign of easing. Our feature car has only been on the market for a few days, and I suspect that a new home won’t be far away. Could that home be yours?
Fantastic absolutely fantastic. Great pkg from Dr. OLDS Clean lines, preferred no spoiler , 4spd , hi-po 400, 3.91.. 12 bolt. So much of GMs good stuff right here. Man it sounds loud in that video also.
Man, this would be one to park in the garage. Outstanding. This is NOT your Father’s Oldsmobile. Right colors, right options, right condition. If the is a W-30, shouldn’t it have the Ram-Rod Emblems on the front fenders?
Ram Rod was the W-31 350 that was as close to a balanced and blueprinted engine you could get from the factory back then.
Nope, RAM ROD was nomenclature for the hottest version of the small block 350CI Rocket…..W-30 only available on the big block 400 option in the 442 that year, with the exception of the HURST/OLDS which used W-30 components and put the Hurst package on top of that but utilizing the 455 CI against GM edicts at the time.
Gunner, the Stripe on the Fender is Not the Eam Rod, it is the Stripe for the W-30. Ram Rod was on the front fenders just over the side light with Cross Pistons that read RAM ROD 350 which is the W-31. I’ve owned these Oldsmobile cars all my life even now my daily driver is a 1971 Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser, and I’m 2nd owner of. This Vista Cruiser was a Special Order, I have all documentation and she was ordered with 350-4mc engine code QP, dual exhaust, posi rear (308.1) Rear Sway Bar, Roof Rack, Rear Window Air Deflector, Clock 3rd seat, dual map lights, Rear Electric window in dual tail gate. Car has 80,000 documented miles. Me being retired don’t drive it much and she is Unrestored. I had to have the Radiator re-cored cost me $743.00 2 years ago. She still has Factory Ball Joints upper/lower both sides. She came from Factore with A/C still has R-12, TH-400 Tranny, and factory front power Disk Brakes, rear drums. She gets tons of looks, thumbs up, and photo’s taken even at rexd lights.If you wish to see pictures email me at lbear2@yahoo.com I don’t put personal pictures online Thanks
Ah the 442. This was “the family car” growing up. My sister and I didn’t know any different, nothing screams family car like a black 442 with white racing stripes. It eventually became my car to drive to school. Ours had bench seats front and back. Great memories! :)
Nope,350 Cu In 325 Hp W-31 got the Ram Rod emblems!
I’m a Ford man but these rims are my favorite and I have a very clean set 15×7, the rare type in my basement with lots of extra center caps and trim rings. I would love to put them on my 1968 Mercury Cougar with Ford center caps but the hatters will creat tons of drama and I don’t think they will fit. Look at those beautiful rims!!!
68 442 was my first car in high school. Red with white vinyl roof, 4 spd with 3.91 12 bolt posi rear end. Car was a sleeper with dog dish hub caps . No power steering, a/c, or brakes. Drum brakes all around made it hard to stop. High 13 quarter mile times were pretty normal, and after I put headers on it and a borrowed set of sticks, it ran a mid 12 quarter.
The car cost me $500 in 74 with about 40k miles on it!
What a fantastic looking body style and this color and with a 4 speed, man it just doesn’t get any better, would love to have this one in my driveway!
I had to put hip waders on, just to finish reading the sellers CL ad.
1974 My cousin had a Black Vinyl Top over Silver Bottom, Black Interior W 30 only a automatic. Had a lot of fun with it. It would fly and shut down many of foe. We got hit hard one night in the A$$ sitting at a red light and HI HO SILVER was totaled out. We found a normal 68 Cutlass and swapped the running gear, and about a month later we had a BAD ASS GROCERY GETTER. Every thing about it was 442 but the looks. Had a lot of fun in that car. My cousin had been gone about 6 years now but this made me remember a lot of good times.
I never payed attention to 442’s unless they were ’68 or newer, all the way up to ’72. Looking at this one here reminds me why, what a gorgeous ride! Complete with the two bug catchers under the front bumper for forced air, great wheels, color, and sporty interior but not over the top. Like all the comments above on the hard running W31 350, but this W30 car here is a strip terror direct from Olds, Dr. Olds I presume.