MATCHING NUMBERS 442! RUNS OUT GREAT & RECENTLY SERVICED, NEW VINYL TOP, NICE!

Description

Already offering this appealing option package for its popular Cutlass, Olds doubled down on the 442 and made it an entirely separate model the very year this 1968 Oldsmobile 442 rolled off the line. History would show that the gamble clearly paid off and 442s like this one would go on to become celebrated and respected entries into the muscle car market. "Numbers matching" examples like this one are rare to begin with, and this Olds is made all the more exceptional in that it contains quite a number of original equipment parts.
It's not hard to see why car enthusiasts are drawn to the 442, and particularly this generation. It's a great looking model - powerful-looking and comfortable at the same time. Olds gave it a more aggressive, muscular look than its predecessors, while also making a concerted effort to make sure it didn't look like the other offerings in the marketplace. Those long expanses of chrome trim on each side that run across the tops of the fenders and doors, as well as the distinctive, wide-spread dual headlights in front, are styling cues that definitely set it apart. The aqua blue exterior was painted several years ago and does show it's age. It looks to be a very close cousin to a couple of the original factory shades that were offered at the time and, with its new black top, fresh black windshield seals and badging that's intact and shows well, this is still one very vital-looking ride. It's also well-aligned, with nice even spacing between body panels, and doors that open and shut smoothly.
Climb inside and you'll see a very inviting black vinyl interior, with bucket seats up front and a bench seat in back that are well-padded and ready to welcome you and your crew to a new chapter of motoring adventures. The center console sitting between the two buckets is in good shape, providing welcome additional storage and housing a low-profile, wood-knobbed shifter within easy reach. Just beyond that signature, thin-spoked Olds steering wheel is a very fresh-looking expanse of black dashboard, housing a cluster of factory gauges that are still very readable with their clear lenses. Above them, you'll notice that the dash pad, so often a vulnerable area especially with black upholstery is unwarped, level and shows no splits across its surface. The manual windows on both sides roll up and down without complaint and in back, a full-sized spare sits with a jack should the unforeseen happen. There's plenty of luggage space back here, as well, another nice dividend yielded by the 442's relatively lengthy wheelbase.
The original 400 cubic inch V8 and 4 barrel carb this Olds began life with still resides under the hood. Having benefitted from a rebuild not long ago, it starts right up, runs smoothly and is paired with an-also original TH400 3-speed automatic transmission. This 442 takes the concept of "original" to a level you don't often see in a car built nearly 50 years ago. Not only are the engine and transmission original, but most of the components in the engine bay are original as well, including the heads, valve covers, intake, Rochester 4bbl carb, starter and fan. It's really been taken good care of and it shows! The coilover suspension in both front and back is a welcome feature as it not only provides a surprisingly smooth ride, but it's free of the quirks often found with the more commonly used leaf springs of this era. This venerable and coveted muscle car sits on a set of 14" Oldsmobile mag-style rims, wrapped in Firestone Wide Oval radials.
Looking for a classic, "numbers matching-PLUS" cruiser that's also sporting a very healthy sounding, big block powerplant? You have to check out this 1968 Oldsmobile 442. Call today!