Elite Dealer

1968 Oldsmobile 442

Riverhead, New York

$37,968

Vehicle Details

Make

Oldsmobile

Model

442

Year

1968

Body Type

Convertible

Transmission

Manual

Drivetrain

RWD

Fuel Type

Gasoline

Engine

is a Tremec 5-speed manual

Condition

Good

Description

If you love the timeless look of classic muscle but want modern performance and drivability, this 1968 Oldsmobile Cutlass Convertible 442 Tribute delivers the best of both worlds. Originally born as a Cutlass, this car has been tastefully built into a 442 tribute, capturing the aggressive styling and presence of Oldsmobile's legendary muscle car while benefiting from significant modern upgrades. The result is a sharp-looking, open-top cruiser that blends vintage character with serious performance.

Under the hood sits a 6.0 liter LS V8 engine, a proven and powerful modern platform known for reliability, smooth operation, and impressive horsepower. It starts easily, idles cleanly, and pulls strong throughout the RPM range. Backing the engine is a Tremec 5-speed manual transmission, giving you a far more engaging driving experience along with the added benefit of overdrive for comfortable highway cruising.

On the road, this car runs and drives great. It has the feel and sound of a classic convertible with the confidence and usability of a modern drivetrain. Whether you're heading to a local show, taking a weekend cruise, or just enjoying a top-down drive, this car is built to be driven and enjoyed.

Visually, the car presents as a proper 442 tribute with clean lines and classic late-'60s GM A-body styling. The chrome and bumpers are in good condition, providing bright, classic contrast against the body and adding to the overall eye appeal. It's a nice, clean car that shows well and gets attention without being overdone.

This build offers the iconic look of a 442, the open-air fun of a convertible, and the reliability and performance of a modern LS-powered resto-mod. It's a smart way to enjoy classic muscle car style without being tied to 1960s mechanical limitations. If you're looking for a sharp, great-running classic that combines heritage, performance, and drivability, this 1968 Oldsmobile Cutlass Convertible 442 Tribute checks all the boxes.

While we do our best to provide the highest quality muscle cars with an honest and reliable description and realize the importance of transparency when selling vehicles. That being said, we have not built, modified, changed or personally owned this vehicle. Whether this vehicle is consigned or owned by Past & Present Motor Cars we do not know the vehicles complete history since new.

We want to be clear and try to answer any questions our customers might have prior to purchasing. Additionally, we not only welcome but we encourage 3rd party independent inspections. Please inquire prior to purchase to make sure the advertised vehicle has not already been sold.

We list our vehicles on multiple websites and a vehicle can sell at any time. If a customer chooses to purchase sight unseen (many of our customers choose this option) the customer accepts the vehicle AS IS and WHERE IS and understands we cannot address concerns after purchase. For this reason, it's important all concerns are addressed prior to purchase.

We make every effort to present accurate and reliable information, but use of this information is voluntary, and should only be deemed reliable after an independent review of its accuracy, completeness, and timeliness. It is the sole responsibility of the customer to verify the existence of options, accessories and the vehicle condition before time of sale. A Classic Car Warranty is Available for Purchase from a 3rd Party.

Please speak to our Sales Associate or Company Representative for more information. Our team is working and available anytime by Phone or Text for your convenience at 407-559-7759. Thank you for your interest!
Trim: Convertible, LS Power, 5 Speed Tremec
Condition: Used
Certified: 0
Fuel Type: Gasoline

Classic Oldsmobile 442 Buyer's Guide

Full guide

Mike Sullivan

Muscle Cars

1968–1980

~3 min read

Updated Apr 2026

Definitive buyer's guide for classic Oldsmobile 442 1968-1980. Stand-alone model authentication, W-30 verification, A-body frame inspection, current pricing for survivors and concours.

This guide covers

✓ 10-point inspection checklist

✓ Common issues & what to avoid

✓ In-person inspection guide

✓ Market pricing by year & condition

✓ 5 FAQs answered

✓ History & fun facts

Read the Full 442 Buyer's Guide

Oldsmobile 442 Market Overview

Based on 37 Oldsmobile 442 listings currently on ClassicCarsArena.com

Listed Now

$57,990

Avg. Asking Price

1965–1972

Year Range

Price Position on Our Site — Average Range

This car: $37,968

Low: $14,995 High: $109,895

Transmission Distribution

Automatic 59%

Manual 32% ◄

Condition Distribution

Excellent 11%

Good 11% ◄

Fair 5%

Data from ClassicCarsArena.com listings Browse all 37 listings →

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Classic Oldsmobile 442 Buyer's Guide

The Oldsmobile 442 launched as a Cutlass option package for 1964 — Oldsmobile's response to the Pontiac GTO. By 1968, the 442 had become a stand-alone Oldsmobile model with its own VIN body designation, distinct from the Cutlass line. Across thirteen years of classic-era production (1968-1980), the 442 spawned legendary high-performance variants: the W-30 (with fiberglass inner fenders, performance cam, and dual-snorkel air cleaner), the W-31 (small-block 350 performance package), and the various Hurst/Olds limited-edition partnerships. The 1968-1972 stand-alone 442 era represents the high-water mark of Oldsmobile factory performance — the 1970 442 W-30 with the 455 V8 is consistently rated among the most desirable American muscle cars ever produced. This guide covers what every buyer should verify before paying premium money for any 442 variant.

What to Check Before Buying

✓

Order PHS Documentation Report ($50-$80) — Pontiac Historic Services covers Oldsmobile A-body. Confirms original engine, transmission, axle, options.

✓

Verify 442 body code on cowl tag — 1968-1971 442 was stand-alone model. 1972+ 442 was Cutlass option. VIN body code distinguishes.

✓

Read engine stamp code on front pad — Two-letter codes identify W-30, W-31, base 442. Critical for premium-trim authentication.

✓

For W-30 claims, demand specialist authentication — Re-stamped 455 blocks well-documented. $200-$500 specialist inspection mandatory.

✓

Cross-reference engine casting numbers — Olds 350, 400, 455 V8s have specific casting numbers. Must agree with VIN engine code.

✓

Inspect A-body perimeter frame — Body mount cushions collapse. Frame rust = $1,500-$3,500 minimum repair.

✓

Verify W-30 fiberglass inner fender wells — W-30 cars came with unique fiberglass inner fenders. Replacement steel fenders reduce value.

✓

Check Hurst/Olds equipment if claimed — 1968 H/O, 1972 H/O, 1975 H/O W-25 each have specific equipment. Verify against PHS report.

✓

Magnet test rear quarters and rocker panels — Body filler is non-magnetic.

✓

Compression test all eight cylinders — Should read 145-185 PSI uniformly. W-30 cars run higher compression — 165-195 PSI.

Common Issues

442 rust patterns follow the GM A-body convention. The 1968-1972 cars rust at body mount points, lower rear quarters, trunk drop-offs, frame rails, floor pans, cowl seam, and lower fenders. The 1973-1980 cars (Colonnade and G-body) share rust patterns with similar A/G-body construction. Mechanically, Oldsmobile V8s (350, 400, 455) are bulletproof when maintained. The 350 Rocket V8 commonly exceeds 200,000 miles. Common issues include broken motor mounts on big-block cars, worn timing chains, leaky valve covers and oil pan gaskets, and tired Rochester Quadrajet carburetors. The W-30 cars used a high-performance camshaft, dual-snorkel air cleaner, fiberglass inner fender wells, and special intake manifold. Common W-30-specific issues include cam wear (the high-lift performance cam wears faster than standard cams), tired performance valve springs, and difficulty finding period-correct fiberglass inner fender replacement. The Turbo Hydra-Matic 350 and 400 transmissions are essentially indestructible. The Muncie M21 close-ratio four-speed (in W-30 and high-performance variants) is robust. The Olds 12-bolt rear axle (in 442 and W-30) is strong. Electrical issues are universal classic-car concerns. Original wiring is brittle 50+ years on. The voltage regulators on 1970-1972 cars commonly fail.

What to Look For

PHS Documentation is the gold-standard verification for any 442. PHS covers Oldsmobile A-body production records ($50-$80 per report). The report confirms original engine, transmission, axle ratio, paint, options, and dealer destination. Without PHS documentation, treat all 442 claims as Cutlass clones with 442 trim added. For 1968-1971 stand-alone 442 claims, verify the 442 body code on the cowl tag. The 5th digit of the VIN identifies the body type — stand-alone 442 cars have a specific body designation distinct from Cutlass S, Cutlass Supreme, and base Cutlass models. Engine identification by casting numbers and stamping codes is essential. The Oldsmobile 350, 400, and 455 V8s have specific casting numbers on the back of the block. The two-letter stamp code on the front of the block (just below the cylinder head, on a flat pad) identifies the specific engine type. For W-30 claims, demand specialist authentication. The W-30 package included a hot performance camshaft, dual-snorkel air cleaner, fiberglass inner fender wells (reducing weight by approximately 30 pounds), and special intake manifold. Re-stamped 455 blocks are well-documented forgeries. Specialist inspection ($200-$500) is mandatory for any car priced over $80,000. For W-31 claims (1968-1969 350 V8 small-block performance), verify the W-31 engine stamp code and unique trim equipment. W-31 cars are dramatically less common than W-30 but command modest premium over base 442 cars. For Hurst/Olds claims, verify the Hurst-specific exterior trim package and unique badging. The 1968 H/O (Hurst Cameo White and Black two-tone), 1972 H/O (gold and white), 1975 H/O W-25 (gold and white), and 1983-1984 H/O variants each have specific equipment. PHS documentation confirms original Hurst/Olds equipment. For 1970 Pace Car Edition claims, verify the unique Pace Car decals, special paint, and trim. Approximately 220 Pace Car Edition cars were built — every chassis is documented through the marque registry. Frame inspection is the second non-negotiable. The A-body perimeter frame rusts at body mount points and front kick-up. Probe with a screwdriver. Frame replacement is $8,000-$15,000. Document the car. Photograph every panel, every cowl tag, every engine stamp, every chassis number, and every identifying tag.

Price Guide

1968 442 (first stand-alone year): driver-quality cars run $40,000-$70,000. The 1968 W-31 (350 small-block performance, only available in 1968-1969 Cutlass and 442): $48,000-$80,000 documented. 1969 442: driver-quality cars run $42,000-$72,000. Documented 1969 W-30 cars: $80,000-$160,000+. The 1969 442 W-30 convertible (rare): $120,000-$220,000+. 1970 442: driver-quality cars run $45,000-$80,000. Documented 1970 W-30 cars: $90,000-$200,000+. The 1970 Pace Car Edition: $75,000-$140,000+. The 1970 442 W-30 convertible: $130,000-$240,000+. 1971 442: driver-quality cars run $42,000-$72,000. Documented 1971 W-30 cars: $80,000-$160,000+. The 1971 model year is the final stand-alone 442. 1972 442 (Cutlass option package, with 455 V8): driver-quality cars run $32,000-$58,000. Documented 1972 W-30 cars: $50,000-$95,000. 1973-1976 442 (Colonnade-body): driver-quality cars run $18,000-$38,000. The 1975-1976 Hurst/Olds W-25 (gold and white) commands $25,000-$48,000. 1977-1980 442 (G-body): driver-quality cars run $14,000-$28,000. Convertible 442 cars (1968-1972 only) command 25-40% premium over equivalent hardtops. Project 442 cars start around $15,000-$30,000. Stripped roller candidates: $7,000-$15,000.

Did You Know?

The 1969 Oldsmobile 442 was the first American car ever offered with a "Pace Car Edition" trim package commemorating the Indianapolis 500. The 1970 Indianapolis 500 Pace Car was a 442 W-30 convertible, and Oldsmobile produced approximately 268 Y74 Indy pace-car replicas for retail customers featuring unique paint, decals, and equipment. The Pace Car Edition designation was widely copied by other GM divisions for special-edition cars throughout the 1970s and remains a notable trim package designation in modern GM marketing. The W-30 designation was originally a 1966-1972 Oldsmobile internal RPO code for high-performance equipment. The W-30 letter prefix was retained for modern Oldsmobile performance cars (the 1980s W-30 variant of the Cutlass and the 1991-1996 W-30 Cutlass Supreme), maintaining the lineage. Documented original W-30 cars across all eras command premium pricing in the collector market — the 1969-1970 W-30 cars are the high-water mark. The 442 acronym originally stood for "4-barrel carburetor, 4-speed manual, dual exhaust" — describing the actual factory equipment of the 1964 launch package. The naming convention paralleled Pontiac's GTO marketing approach. By 1968, the meaning had evolved in marketing literature ("400 cubic inch V8, 4-speed manual, 2 exhausts"), but the original three-element interpretation was historically accurate. The 442 nameplate has been revived multiple times over the decades but the original 1968-1971 stand-alone 442 remains the most desirable era.

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Elite Dealer

$37,968

1968 Oldsmobile 442

Riverhead, New York

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Model History

How the Oldsmobile 442 evolved (1964–1987) — 3 generations.

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