Generally, a car like this 1968 Oldsmobile 442 convertible will generate a lot of bid interest. This one has three bidders chasing it but there’s quite a bit to the story here – the more you dig, the more you find. Let’s take a look under the covers and see what’s here. This Olds ragtop is located in York, Pennsylvania and is available, here on eBay for a current bid of $14,100 with seven bids tendered so far.
At first blush, this convertible looks pretty sharp. The Ebony Black finish is deep with a strong reflection, a decent convertible top with maybe a boo-boo over the driver’s seating position, intact trim but, unfortunately, weak chrome bumpers, both fore and aft. The stance is a bit off too as the rear end is dragging. Rounding out the corners are Magnum 500 style wheels which look like they could be from an earlier version 442.
Surprise number one is under the hood, the original 400 CI V8 has been replaced with a 1970 vintage 455 CI motor. But…that engine and its Turbo-Hydramatic 400 CI V8 are not included in the sale. Instead, a 400 CI engine, which may be the original powerplant, goes with the car. And that begs the question, why not make the swap, before listing the car for sale? The red fender liners and the comment about “outside air induction“, make one think that this Olds was originally equipped with the W30, 360 gross HP option package. Also listed is a 12-bolt differential, but it’s really not, it’s a 10-bolt ring gear and carrier housed in a case that uses 12 bolts to secure the inspection plate. Unlike the vaunted Chevrolet 12 bolt set up, this one does not use C clips to secure the axles – or any other parts from the Chevy unit and it’s questionable as to whether parts are still available for this Oldsmobile-only axle.
The images of the interior are minimal and not very revealing. The black vinyl bucket seats will need to be repaired, but as is usually the case, the back seat shows as fine. There is no image of the dashboard or instrument panel but it is notable that in spite of the buckets, there’s no center console.
Surprise number two is under the rear of this convertible – the frame has given way and that explains the dragging butt and the cattywampus alignment of the rear passenger-side wheel. It’s so out of alignment that one of the rear springs has actually fallen out. The seller adds, lastly, “The frame is rusty and will need (to be) replaced“.
If one thinks it’s worth it, a ’68-’72 GM 112″ wheelbase, A-Body frame can be sourced and a swap can be facilitated though I believe the convertible frame may be a bit different than the coupe owing to boxed rear rails – I know that’s the case with the larger B-Body. The question is, and with considering the engine switcheroo matter, is all that effort and expense worth it?
Looks to me like the left rear control arm has rusted away, as the spring is sitting sideway and ready to fall out. Frame might be OK.
No, you can see the fracture in the frame, especially on the other photos in the ad.
For sale car
Minus running engine
Needs
Frame swapped
Possibly original engine (not sure)
Hmm let me pick a price
$14999.99 okay that seems good
A frame swap, engine swap and needs paint etc. get a platinum card to repair and don’t forget the labor costs of your tome or the shop..
Future money pit for next owner
I’d be afraid to stand under, or near that thing when its up on a lift.
I keep getting educated. 14K with out drive train, needs a frame swap (not provided), and some paint and upholstery work. Other than that, a nice car.
Makes me go Hmmmmmmmmm.
This Olds needs a Dr.
Yep all of the above plus 7 bids, 5 of ’em are scammers. You already know the frame is crackers, i’m sure there’s more rot up in the car. You know nothing about the boat anchor that comes with the car.Dont let that shiny paint fool ya; run Forrest run……
Cheers
GPC
and they say you cant polish a turd. I beg to differ.
Latest bid by shill # 1?
The last 5 bids were from (1).
Frame rusted away? Imagine how many gallons of filler are hiding under that paint job.
If it really is a W-30 and the engine turns out to be the original, Hagerty lists it at $65,200…. in #4 condition, and nearly twice as much in #2 condition. Perhaps the ask is not so outrageous after all.
I should have kept my 383 Magnum 1970 Challenger convertible, ex Mod Squad, Solid as a rock, 8 track worked fine. I bought it cheap during the gasoline crises.
Det har gått troll i de mesta beg renoverings objekten priserna är helt fel , sänk med 40% mer realistiskt
In number 2 condition,needs a flush:-)
Good one, Stan. Not for the faint of heart, at the very least. A Leave-‘Er-Right in my estimation. (Leave her right there)
If the included engine was indeed the original engine for this car, even considering the frame swap needed, someone scored if they got it for $16000.
The production numbers on a 1968 W-30 convertible are LOW. The desirability is HIGH. Everything looks to have enough honest wear to be original, as far as the W-30 specific parts go. If the original engine still has it’s original heads, major score. Heater delete convertible is pretty unique.
Jangus,
Not a heater delete car, Look on the passenger side of the firewall in the under hood photos, it’s got a heater box and heater hoses.
What evil lurks in the hearts and minds (and under the paint) of men?
A magnet do.
(Borrowed and modified from an old Flip Wilson routine.)
Having had a Camaro rot out unneath, both front and rear subframes, and the unibody parts that connected them, I sold it for the interior, the engine and transmission (with notice that the shift linkage bound up, near the end my wife was upset when she had to lie down in the road and free it up,) the PosiTraction rear, the chrome (not much on a ’69 Camaro), and other parts to a guy with a rust free Colorado car with a bad engine and a dog chewed interior. IF the body were solid, but with the rot underneath I would guess that the lower body panels had rusted badly as well, and what you see is filler and nice paint, they are not worth a lot either. And I would want to see the VIN – what this started out as may not be a 442 at all.
Digit 2 thru 5 tell the story: 4467=442 Convertible.
IMHO this is a good candidate (if you happen to have a convertible frame handy) for a ‘68 H/O convert clone; 3 were originally made, I believe.
Rear leaf springs and rear end restored along with all new front tubular suspension before you can even move forward with this girl. Ain’t for the faint of heart at this price point.
Rear springs are coils not leaf. no need for any front suspension work. It might not be too bad of a deal if a good frame can be sourced cheaply enough and you DIY it. I’d pass on it if I couldn’t keep the 455 thats in it .
No longer available.
Whether it’s rear leafs or early coils in rear end, they will need to be replaced or updated.. The rear end has collapsed. And if your doing that you need to address updating the front suspension and front disc’s at the same time. IMO if It were my car. Just look at how it’s sitting. Worn slap out.
Anyone buying this car has some expensive suspension front to rear to do before its safe IMO. Hopefully the frame is still solid enough for the work to be done.
How does a frame rot in half without the floors rotting away?
I just read BFs post again. So the engine that’s in the car as it sits, isn’t included in the sale? Oh hell no. Move on and find a better project. That along with the bad suspension, it not worth the headaches.
Pig with lipstick I would not touch it with a 10 foot pole Mr yuck
Well, we know it’s a real 442 convertible thanks to Jangus, so if it is a real W30, if the supplied engine is the original and rebuild able, if you can source a convertible frame and/or make a couple frame into one (if Olds had a reinforced convertible frame), if the body doesn’t need every body panel replaces and if you can do most of the work yourself you might not be underwater at the end. Jim O, good right up and I believe all the parts to overhaul the rear axle are available. If it is a non c clip rear it is much superior to the weak c clip chevy.
I can’t vouch for the strength of the Olds axle but I do know it’s a non c-clip design.
From my experience, the Chevrolet 12-bolt is almost indestructible, almost. The C-clip isn’t a weak point for the Chevy, I have never had one come dislodged and the way it’s positioned in a depressed area of the carrier, I don’t think it’s possible. The problem with the C-clip arrangement is if you actually manage to break an axle then there is nothing to keep the broken axle part, along with the hub and wheel, from spinning out of the differential housing and going who knows where.
JO
I sure hope who ever buys this has deep pockets with rotten frame rails wrong engine wrong rear end. Dam everything about this is wrong. Keep it…
Definitely would not pay a grand for that rag, wrong engine, wrong rear end, wrong everything…. good luck