Editor’s note: This piece is part of the ClassicCars.com Journal’s Muscle Month. We’ll be featuring stories, cars and people during July about everything and anything that goes fast.
Oldsmobile designers and engineers scrambled after the unexpectedly strong success of GM sibling Pontiac’s 1964 GTO, created the division’s own midsize muscle car by the middle of the model year. It was dubbed Oldsmobile 4-4-2 based on its original specifications of 4-barrel carburetor, 4-speed manual transmission and dual exhaust.
The Pick of the Day, a 1968 Oldsmobile 4-4-2 convertible, is from the year it became a freestanding model rather than a performance option for the Cutlass or F-85. The 4-4-2, or simply 442 as it was known at this point, was a solid seller for Olds, though not as strong at the GTO; this convertible was one of 5,152 ragtops produced for 1968.
The convertible is in excellent condition after being restored to original, according to the Linthicum, Maryland, dealer advertising the car on ClassicCars.com.
“A meticulous and accurate professional restoration has returned this 4-4-2 back to its original showroom condition and is absolutely gorgeous everywhere you look,” the dealer says in the ad. “Restored in its original color combination of Sapphire Blue with Parchment interior and a new white convertible top, she really stands out from the rest.
“The new chrome trim and weather stripping accent the body and paint wonderfully, and the triple-chromed bumpers shine bright like new. The attention to accuracy continues as you look under the hood to a highly detailed engine compartment that has all the correct marking and decals.”
The base-model 4-4-2 is powered by the correct 325-horsepower 400cid V8 linked with automatic transmission – the engines with the manual models were rated at 350 horsepower. Correct features with the car include factory air conditioning, power steering and brakes, color-keyed rally wheels, a new power top and Firestone Redline PolyGlas tires.
While Pontiac GTO was aimed at young drivers with its fast and sporty appeal, the 4-4-2 was geared toward premium buyers who wanted the performance but in a more-sophisticated package.
The Oldsmobile seems fairly priced for condition at $39,995.
To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.
A completely different body style from the 67 442, but no less beautiful.
Had a ’68 Olds 442, your vehicle looks really nice. Wish you were closer because I would like to see this car. Is this convertible a manual or automatic transmission? Also, how many miles are on it. Thanks Fred
In the write up, listed among correct features with the car include “color-keyed rally wheels.” If you go to classic cars.com they state “correct key colored rally wheels. This is not accurate, they are not period correct since the body colored wheel came out in 1970 as a SS 3 wheel. In 1968, the period correct wheel was a SS 2 wheel that was Ardent Grey.
I admire all 4-4-2 cars but have always wondered why the automatic versions shared the the same badging.
$10,000 at best
GM said that by installing the Turbo 400 automatic they could use the 4 in 400 in place of the 4 designated as the 4 speed option.
Had a 68 Hurst Olds with factory air. Would have it today if not for the b***h I was married too who sold my collection while I was deployed overseas. The wheels listed are not factory 68, they are later wheels.
Just to put it quite simply…a Beautiful Car! If I had the money I would buy it!