Some classics aren’t what they appear to be, which is true of this 1968 Oldsmobile Convertible. It wears badges suggesting it is a 442, but the car is actually a Cutlass S. It presents superbly following a refurbishment in which a previous owner adopted a frame-off approach. With a V8 under the hood and an upgraded transmission, it would be equally comfortable stretching its legs on the open road or cruising a beachfront boulevard. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Curvette for spotting this sweet Oldsmobile listed here on eBay in Addison, Illinois. The seller set their BIN at $34,900 with the option to make an offer.
There’s a lot to unpack with this Olds, but its immaculate presentation is undeniable. The previous owner dismantled the car in full before undertaking a complete refurbishment. They didn’t cut corners, as confirmed by the included enormous selection of invoices and other documentation forming part of the deal. The Cowl Plate reveals that this gem left the line wearing Jade Gold, but the build included a color change to what I believe is Twilight Teal. A White power top and a sparkling set of American Racing Torq Thrust wheels complement the darker shade. The paint holds a mirror shine, the panels are as straight as an arrow, and the underside shots confirm that this Cutlass is rust-free. The top is slightly wrinkled, but I suspect it spends most of its time lowered. Leaving it raised in the sun would improve the appearance and wouldn’t cost the buyer a dime.
The previous owner didn’t restrict their TLC to this classic’s panels and paint, with the interior retrimmed in Parchment vinyl to match the top. The Black carpet nicely contrasts the light trim, while the timber wheel looks extremely comfortable. We must look long and hard to find faults; the dashpad crack on the passenger side is the only genuine fault. The rest of the interior is spotless, and won’t embarrass the buyer if they go touring with the top down. It doesn’t feature air conditioning, but who needs it when Mother Nature provides cool air for free? However, the buyer receives power windows and a hidden modern stereo, and the builder modified the console shift selector designation to reflect the car’s upgraded transmission.
Lifting the hood reveals a 350ci V8, fitted with a Holley carburetor, ceramic-coated headers, and a stainless steel dual exhaust. This V8 should generate around 300hp, which will satisfy all but the most hardened performance enthusiast. Forget a three-speed auto, because this Olds features an upgraded four-speed 200R4 automatic that enhances the car’s open-road cruising capabilities. Throw in power steering and power front disc brakes, and this Olds is one sweet ride. Potential buyers will welcome the news that this Cutlass is more than a pretty face. It runs and drives exceptionally well, as confirmed in this YouTube video. It is a bit long-winded, but it provides a comprehensive walkaround and a chance to see this gem in action. I didn’t spot anything causing concern.
This 1968 Oldsmobile Convertible might not be a genuine 442, but it is a stunning classic featuring some well-considered upgrades. It runs and drives beautifully, making it ideal for enthusiasts seeking a turnkey classic that will deliver relaxed top-down cruising. If you are drawn to this Olds, you may need to act fast. The seller has an active offer on the table, and it could be headed to a new home if someone doesn’t submit a higher figure. What would you be prepared to pay for this stunning Convertible?
First things first, a spoiler looks goofy AF on a ’68. Though I admit I am not much of a spoiler fan to begin with. Typical high dealer mark up here. Why one would pay almost 35k for a mediocre Cutlass missing all of the AC components when you could buy a real 68 442 for similar money is beyond me. Nothing against the car, it needs some sorting, but they’re asking a lot of money for what it is.