Investment Grade Numbers Matching 442 400 V8 4 Speed

When it comes to 60s GM muscle, Oldsmobile enthusiasts often spend years searching for a clean, numbers matching car that's worthy of investment grade money. But every once in a while, a pristine rocket hits our website and causes a BIG commotion which results in a flood of calls and one lucky buyer finally cashing in on a rare opportunity. Last August we sold this sweet "W-30 442":http://www.rkmotorscharlotte.com/sales/inventory/sold#!/1970-Oldsmobile-Cutlass-442/132497 in just under a month. Back in February we sold this killer "442 convertible":http://www.rkmotorscharlotte.com/sales/inventory/sold/1968-Oldsmobile-Cutlass-442/132872 in just two weeks. And in November of 2011 we sold this rare "Hurst/Olds Cutlass":http://www.rkmotorscharlotte.com/sales/inventory/sold#!/1968-Oldsmobile-Cutlass-Hurst-Olds/132683 in eight days flat! Well, if you're a diehard Oldsmobile collector, it's time once again to stop searching and start calling. Fully documented from its factory build sheet all the way to its recent freshening, this stunning 1968 442 hardtop is an incredible, numbers matching showpiece which features original California sheetmetal and an original vinyl interior. Tired of scouring barns and backyards for an investment grade Oldsmobile that will bring home big trophies and an even bigger return? Then look no further than our RK Motors Charlotte showroom!

Included with the sale of this pristine 442 is an original build sheet which lists the following optional equipment:

* A02: Tinted windshield
* A39: Deluxe seatbelts
* A85: Deluxe front shoulder harnesses
* B18: Chrome drip rail moldings
* B30: Carpet floor covering
* B50: Foam padded front seat cushions
* B52: Foam padded rear seat cushion
* B80: Roof scallop molding
* B93: Door edge guards
* B96: Front and rear wheel well moldings
* C24: Recessed wipers
* D15: Deluxe armrests
* D34: Visor mirror
* D55: Center console
* G80: Posi-traction rear end
* M20: 4-speed manual transmission
* N30: Deluxe steering wheel
* N40: Power steering
* N81: 14 inch wheels with redline tires
* P05: Optional chrome 14 inch wheels
* U21: Rally instrumentation
* U25: Trunk lamp
* U26: Underhood lamp
* U27: Glove box lamp
* U28: Ash tray lamp
* U29: Courtesy lamp
* U63: Deluxe pushbutton radio
* W36: Rally stripe
* W37: Décor option
* W39: Deluxe belt group
* Y60: Accessory package group
* Y74: GT paint stripe delete

Assembled at GM's Fremont manufacturing facility on April 25th of 1968 and shipped half an hour down the road to Carl Nelson Oldsmobile in San Jose, California, this spectacular 442 hardtop barely had time to cool its big block engine before its first owner rushed in to shake hands and sign papers. A little over three years later, the car was sold to a gentleman by the name of Gary Urback who, through impeccable care and maintenance, kept it in pristine, original condition for the next 32 years! 2003 brought a third owner and a carefully planned and executed restoration which utilized a slick coat of correct GM code Y Saffron Yellow paint, correct black 442 rally stripes and all-original, new old stock and date code correct parts to provide a showroom fresh luster. And in 2009, the experts at Thornton Autoworks in Telford, Pennsylvania perfected the car with a few detail oriented finishing touches. Today, six owners and 44 years after its first trip down the California coast, this killer 442 is a fully documented show stopper which has never been fully disassembled, and displays a laser straight all-original body that is virtually flawless from the tip of its beaked hood to the ends of its pointed quarter panels.

Like all GM A-bodies, the 442 underwent a major restyle for the 1968 model year. It's clean and modernist lines were no doubt a play on its parent division's engineering leadership within the GM hierarchy; and the resulting design continues to weather exceptionally well. At the front of the car, a bright chrome bumper hangs below a black, stainless topped grille which centers a black inlayed “442” emblem between four clear T3 headlights and two clear parking lights. At the sides of those headlights, slick stainless trim traces both the car's fender lines and wheel openings; and behind those headlights, a moderately domed hood is topped by small, finned louvers. At the top of the car, like-new glass is framed by pristine stainless trim and correct chrome drip rails. And at the sides of the car, traditional chrome door handles perfectly complement a spotless driver's side mirror, large black-inlayed “442” fender emblems and cool Oldsmobile rocket marker lights. Out back, the car's smooth decklid hangs a black inlayed “442” emblem, a perfectly centered rocket emblem and a familiar chrome Hurst emblem above a precision “Oldsmobile” script and pristine, rocket inspired tail lights. And a broad 1968 442 exclusive chrome bumper aligns crystal clear reverse lights with polished, 442-specific trumpet exhaust tips.

Lift the hood on this rare 1968 Oldsmobile and you'll find an original 400 cubic inch Rocket V8 which is branded with a correct, 442-specific 396026G casting number and a correct 38Z117575 partial VIN stamp. Since Oldsmobile blocks are devoid of date codes we can use that partial VIN, which translates as a 1968 (8) Oldsmobile (3) engine that was assembled in Fremont, California (Z) and installed in a car with the last six VIN digits of 117575, to authenticate this car's status as a real deal, numbers matching 442. The 1968 Rocket 400 is a super-efficient wedge head design which utilizes a standard stroke and undersquare bore to create a stout 350 horsepower and one of the meanest sounds to ever come out of an American muscle car. Stomp the throttle and the car's big Quadrajet 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, original Oldsmobile “C” heads hang above restored cast iron exhaust manifolds which make quick work of spent gases; and behind that carburetor, a correct points distributor sends fire through fresh black plug wires. Cooling is provided by reproduction GM hoses which cycle water through a correct heavy duty radiator. And charging comes courtesy of brand new V-belts which spin a fresh Delcotron alternator and a factory correct power steering pump behind a standard six blade mechanical fan. Aesthetically, the cars satin black inner fenders and correct Bronze block look fantastic against its Saffron Yellow exterior paint. And the entire engine bay, from its yellow carburetor spring and rebuilt Delco Moraine brake booster to its new washer fluid tank and reproduction Delco Energizer battery, features a full set of decals and grease marks which provide a factory 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 an original Muncie M-20 4-speed transmission, which wears a correct 1968 exclusive 3925660 casting number, a matching 117575 partial VIN and a build stamp that decodes as a Muncie (P) assembled on April (D) 1st (01) of 1968 (8), sends power to a pavement melting O Type Posi-traction rear end that's stuffed with stout 3.42 gears. Present and accounted for is the new-for-1968 442 heavy duty suspension that includes beefy double A-arms with thicker coils and better shocks up front and a triangulated four link set up with boxed lower control arms, thicker coils, better shocks and a standard sway bar in back. Braking is provided retrofitted power front discs 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 dual chamber mufflers and trumpeted stainless tips. And at the corners of the car, correct 14 inch polished Hurst wheels spin fresh G70-14 Firestone Wide Oval Super Sport redlines around pristine stainless trim rings and chrome, Hurst branded center caps. From its original, rust free floorpans to its straight frame and fully detailed driveline and suspension, this clean 442 presents a trophy winning level of assembly line accuracy.

Inside this A-body rocket, you'll find an original GM code 940 black vinyl interior which is both comfortable and appealing. Great looking stainless trimmed strato bucket seats sit in front of a vinyl rear bench on like-new black carpet which is protected by color-keyed floor mats. Between those seats, a factory optioned console frames a correct “442” branded Hurst shifter with mirror-like chrome trim. At the sides of those seats, great looking black door panels are decorated with pristine stainless trim, familiar GM armrests and chrome handles for the car's doors and windows. And in front of those seats, a straight and pliable dash hangs an optional Rally gauge pack above silver 442 trim and a correct Oldsmobile transistor AM radio. In front of the driver, a three-spoke deluxe steering wheel is spins a wood rim around a bright red Oldsmobile rocket logo. And behind the cockpit, you'll find an absolutely spotless trunk which is correctly outfitted with pristine spatter paint, a new houndstooth mat, a full-size spare tire and correct decklid decals.

Documentation for this cool Oldsmobile includes: the original build sheet highlighted above, an original dealer order form, the car's original owner's manual, original keys, a title history for five of the car's six owners, a binder full of receipts, information and notes for the car's as-needed restoration, and a copy of the May 2006 Muscle Car Enthusiast in which the car was featured.

Whether you're searching for a pristine classic that can double as an investment, a cool car to drive and enjoy or a trailer queen to win trophies with, this phenomenal 1968 442 fits the bill! Highly original 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, you simply can't go wrong with this rare rocket!