The 1968 model year produced a lot of notable changes for the 442 lineup, starting with its promotion to a standalone series after being offered as a Cutlass option package.
The newly-created 442 lineup included three models called Holiday Coupe, Sports Coupe, and convertible, and was available only with 400 engines. The base configuration produced 350 horsepower, but Olds also offered a detuned version with a two-barrel carburetor good for 290 horsepower.
The Holiday Coupe was the most successful version, with over 24K customers, while the convertible accounted for approximately 4.2K units of all 33,607 442s produced in 1968.
While the engine cap was bad news for people interested in performance, 1968 was also the year when the Hurst/Olds model came to be, thanks to George Gurst. The 455 V8 produced 390 horsepower, albeit only 515 customers ordered one.
The 1968 Oldsmobile 442 in these photos was recently pulled from a barn in Oklahoma, and the engine under the hood is a big surprise. It’s a “factory 455,” eBay seller Tactical Scorpion Gear claims, without explaining whether this is a real-deal Hurst/Olds or not.
The 455 is an intriguing unit and could make this barn find even more desirable despite no longer running. However, this project deserves more attention and a thorough in-person inspection, especially because it could be a rarer Hurst/Olds – let me know in the comment box after the jump if you spot any signs that this is the case.
Otherwise, it’s obvious that this Olds need a complete restoration. The car was parked in storage in the early ’80s, so it remained in the same place for nearly four decades. Saving it will require much work, including fixing the metal. The owner promises that the frame is still good, but I wouldn’t expect the undersides to come in anything other than horrible shape.
The interior is still there, though not in its best condition. However, this is good news because it’s a sign that the Olds never served as a donor for another project. You should still inspect the cabin thoroughly, as it’s hard to tell, based exclusively on these photos, if anything big is missing.
The selling price makes sense, despite a bold claim that the car could be worth $80K if restored right. While I agree with this estimate, restoring this vehicle will cost big bucks, I doubt anyone will get it to make a profit. Meanwhile, buyers can take it home for $4,700, and the price looks firm, as the Make Offer option is not available.
You can find this 442 parked in Goldsboro, North Carolina, and you will obviously need a trailer to take it home, considering its condition. The listing will expire in approximately 25 days.