1968 Oldsmobile 442

1968 was a very big year for the 442, starting with the fact that it was finally made into its very own model. From the time that the first 442 was released in 1964 up until 1967, it had been purely a performance package that could be added to the F-85 or Cutlass midsized Oldsmobile lines. With stellar sales and growing interest in the muscle car class as a while, Olds wisely decided to put the 442 out on its own.

Also wise, if the sales numbers from the year are any indication, was the new restyle of the vehicle. The new fastback put the 442 in line with most of the other popular muscle cars of the day. It was available in three different models: Sport Coupe, Hardtop Coupe and Convertible. Though the parking lights/turn signals had split up each pair of headlights starting the year before, this was exaggerated in 1968, giving the front of the car a more aggressive look.

But it wasn’t just about looks, as 442 models that came equipped with the W-30 Force-Air induction system took in cold air from around these lights. The W-30 package, which had been first introduced at the end of the 1966 model year, had unique internal engine modifications that included special heads and a high output cam. All of this added up to the package producing 10 more horsepower than the base engine.

And that base engine, as it had been since 1965, was a 400 CID V8 that was rated at 350 horsepower. However, if the engine was coupled with the optional three-speed Turbo Hydra Matic automatic transmission, that horsepower rating was reduced to 325.

Oldsmobile also offered a Turnpike Cruising 442 option, as it had the previous year. As it’s name would suggest, this car was designed for those with long commutes, and featured a detuned, 2-barrel carb version of the 440 engine. It also had a lower compression (9:1) so it could run on regular gas. This model lowered horsepower to 290.

But for those who demanded more horsepower, there was the Hurst/Olds model, designed specifically for George Hurst, the man whose name is now (and was then) synonymous with the world’s best transmissions. The special design that included a 455 CID V8 rated at 390 horsepower was so intriguing that Oldsmobile ordered a limited edition run of the car. 515 were made during the year.

1968 Oldsmobile 442

Total production for the year stood at 33,607, which was around 9,000 more than had been produced the year before. This number included 4,282 sport coupes, 24,183 hardtop coupes and 5,142 convertibles. Every model was offered with the same standard features and options.

Competition

With the muscle car era at its peak in 1968, the Olds 442 was sometimes overlooked just because there weren’t as many on the road as some of the more popular muscle cars of the time. But it was never overlooked as far as performance and handling were concern.

The handling of the car had been given considerable praise when the 442 was introduced in 1964, and this had only increased as the years would go by. The car was commonly known as the best balance of drive and performance of any muscle car, and this continued into 1968. However, it also was being seen as more or a pure performance machine than ever with CARS magazine rating it the “Top Performance Car of the Year.”