Worlds Finest Cutlass 442 Convertible 400 4 Speed

When it comes to 60s GM muscle, Chevrolet and Pontiac tend to get all the attention. But every once in a while a super nice Oldsmobile will hit the market and cause a BIG commotion. Do any of you remember the triple black 1968 442 convertible that Patrick's Classy Cars sold through Barrett-Jackson a couple years ago for just shy of $129K? That's the kind of BIG commotion we're talking about. And with our latest offering, which is an even better car than Patrick's 442 at a better price, we plan to hear a lot of noise! Fully documented from its factory punch card all the way to its fresh restoration, this numbers matching 1968 442 convertible is an incredible 39,189 mile weekend cruiser which was enjoyed by one owner for almost 40 years. Today, thanks to a high dollar concours restoration, it's all original components have been perfected and it recently carried home first place honors from the 2010 Oldsmobile Nationals. If you're looking for rare, investment grade muscle with a fresh top-notch restoration that will bring home big trophies and an even bigger return, this Oldsmobile is the car you've been waiting for!

This awesome 442 comes with extensive documentation. Below, I've outlined the cars original window sticker which is included with the sale.

34467 442 CONVERTIBLE MSRP: $3,341

OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT:
M21: Synchronized 4-speed close ratio transmission with floor shifter ($189)
N40: Power steering ($100.05)
J52: Power front disc brakes ($64.55)
G80: Anti-spin blocking type differential ($42.13)
N34: Wood grain steering wheel ($15.80)
N95: Wire wheel covers ($89)
B96: Wheel opening mouldings ($48.62)
U29: Map & courtesy lamps ($8)
B93: Door edge mouldings ($9.45)
A31: Electric windows ($48)
U63: Push button deluxe AM radio ($69.51)
U75: Electric antenna ($26)
U80: Rear seat speaker ($16.65)
A02: Tinted windshield ($38.60)
B32: Front auxiliary floor mats ($7.30)
B33: Rear auxiliary floor mats ($6)
U21: Rocket Rally pack ($84.26)
D55: Console ($124)
D33: Remote mirror ($10.53)
A51: Strato bucket seats ($220)
W36: Broad rally stripe ($46.60)
V48: Extra anti-freeze ($6.71)

TOTAL OPTIONS: $1,270.76
DESTINATION CHARGE: $78
VEHICLE TOTAL: $4,689.76

Assembled in Lansing, Michigan on February 23, 1968 and shipped to Roger Piorier Automotive in Tracy, Que. Canada, this spectacular Oldsmobile 442 barely even had time to cool its big block engine before Gilles R. Lamothe rushed in to sign the papers. Mr. Lamothe took possession of the car on March 2nd 1968 and, through impeccable care and maintenance, kept it in pristine, original condition for almost 40 years! In 2007, a new owner imported the car back into the states where it underwent a top-notch, professional nut and bolt rotisserie restoration which readied it for its debut on the national show circuit. Today, roughly $150K later, this killer 442 is a fully documented show stopper which bounces from the climate controlled garage to the show field.

During its extensive restoration the cars clean and solid original body panels were completely disassembled, thoroughly prepped, covered in correct code E Nocturne Blue Metallic basecoat/clearcoat, and detailed with a correct white rally stripe and correct trim. At the front of the car, a bright chrome bumper hangs below a black, beaked grille which centers a black inlayed “442” emblem between four clear T3 headlights and two clear parking lights. Behind those lights, a slightly domed hood is topped by showroom fresh louvers, and like-new glass is framed by pristine stainless trim and a correct vinyl top. At the sides of the car, slick stainless trim traces both the car's fender lines and wheel openings, while new chrome door handles perfectly complement a spotless driver's side chrome mirror. At the center of the car, correct optional door edge mouldings protect original dent-free doors; and at the ends of the car, correct, black inlayed “442” fender emblems combine with cool Oldsmobile logo rear marker lights to ensure that everyone knows what's passing them. Out back, the car's trunk hangs a modern looking “Oldsmobile” script and a black inlayed “442” emblem above pristine rocket inspired tail lights. And a broad 1968 442 exclusive chrome bumper aligns crystal clear reverse lights with polished, 442 specific exhaust tips.

Lift the hood on this rare 1968 Oldsmobile and you'll find an original 400 cubic inch Rocket V8 which has been completely rebuilt and currently dynos at 405 horsepower and 467 lb./ft. of torque. Branded on the front of the block is a correct 396026G casting number which confirms that this engine is both a 1968 Oldsmobile big block and a true 442 powerplant. Stamped on the driver's side of the block, you'll find a correct 38M279964 partial VIN which decodes as a 1968 (8) Oldsmobile (3) engine which was assembled in Lansing, Michigan (M) and installed in a car with the last six VIN digits of 279964. The 1968 Rocket 400 is a super-efficient wedge head design which utilizes a standard stroke and undersquare bore to create a unique power band and one of the meanest sounds to ever come out of an American muscle car. Stomp the throttle and a correct Rochester 4-barrel carburetor mixes fuel from new stainless fuel lines with air from a new Fire Red single snorkel air cleaner and shoves it into a correct cast iron intake manifold. At the sides of that intake, correct Oldsmobile “C” heads sit above correct cast iron exhaust manifolds which make quick work of spent gases; and behind the carburetor, a correct points distributor sends fire through correct black Packard TV R Suppression wires. At the front of the engine, reproduction GM hoses circulate water through a correct radiator while new V-belts spin a new alternator, a new power steering pump and a correct fan. Aesthetically, the cars satin black engine bay and correct bronze block look fantastic against its metallic blue exterior, and the entire engine bay, from its rebuilt Delco Moraine brake booster to its reproduction Delco Energizer battery, is detailed with correct decals and like-new info tags which provide a showroom fresh appearance.

The bottom of this awesome 442 is completely spotless and shows no signs of significant wear and tear or question inducing battle scars. Behind the big block 400, the car's original M21 4-speed transmission, which wears a correct 1968 exclusive 3925660 Muncie casting number and a correct 38M279964 partial VIN, sends power to a pavement melting O Type Posi-traction rear end which spins stout 3.42 gears. Part of the new for 1968 442 trim was a standard heavy duty suspension which included beefy double A-arms with thicker coils and better shocks up front and a triangulated four link suspension with boxed lower control arms, thicker coils, better shocks and a standard sway bar in back. Braking is provided by optional power front disc and standard rear drums; and turns come courtesy of a correct, factory optioned power steering system. At the center of the car, exhaust flows through a mandrel bent true dual system to great sounding factory replacement mufflers and trumpeted stainless tips. And at the corners of the car, original 14 inch Oldsmobile stamped style two (SSII) wheels spin correct F70-14 Firestone Wide Oval Super Sport tires around NOS stainless trim rings and Oldsmobile rocket center caps. From its original, rust free floorpans to its straight frame and correct driveline and suspension, this clean 442 presents a trophy winning level of assembly line accuracy.

Inside this 442, you'll find a nicely restored Parchment Morocceen vinyl interior which is both comfortable and appealing. New stainless trimmed strato bucket seats sit in front of a vinyl rear bench on like-new black carpet which is protected by new rubber floor mats. Between those seats, a factory correct Parchment console holds attractive black and chrome trim around a correct “442” branded Hurst shifter. And at the sides of those seats, great looking black and Parchment door panels are decorated with pristine stainless trim, fresh chrome handles and chrome switches for the cars power windows. In front of the seats, a new dash pad houses an optional Rally gauge pack, which includes a tic-toc tachometer, above silver 442 trim and a correct Oldsmobile transistor AM radio. And in front of the driver, an authentic wood trimmed three spoke satin finished steering wheel is centered on a red Oldsmobile rocket logo. Behind the cockpit, underneath the matching Parchment convertible boot cover, you'll find a fully restored trunk which is correctly outfitted with fresh spatter paint, a new houndstooth mat, a correct spare tire and correct lid decals.

Documentation for this cool Oldsmobile consists of: factory paperwork which includes the cars original punch card and tags, original dealership paperwork, an original window sticker, the cars original owner's manual and warranty booklets, the cars original Protect-O-Plate, a vintage Oldsmobile ad, pictures of the car when its restoring owner found it, a CD full of photos before and during the restoration, official GM Canada paperwork, an official dyno sheet, a large display board, a Collector's Edition program from the 2010 Oldsmobile Nationals, and the First Place Plaque it won at the 2010 Oldsmobile Nationals.

Tired of the same old Chevelles and GTOs that you can find anywhere, anytime? Take a close look at this phenomenal 1968 442! Fully restored and highly documented, it's a super cool muscle car that's poised to gain value by the year. If you're an emphatic Oldsmobile collector or serious muscle car fan who wants something a little different, this rare convertible is the perfect investment!