1968 Oldsmobile 442, Original Numbers Matching, Turnpike Cruiser on 2040-cars

1968 Oldsmobile 442, very original numbers matching car, Turnpike Cruiser package, 400 engine, 400 Turbo transmission, 12 bolt rear, center console and shifter, Air Conditioning (converted to R134 and blows cold on 95 degree day), power steering, power front disc brakes.

The odometer shows 14,322, but I believe that the actual mileage is at least 114,322 or more. The odometer is in working condition and the mileage may change.

Exterior:  The paint on this car is 2 years old and really, really nice.  The vinyl top was replaced at the same time. No dings or scratches anywhere. The doors and door jams were completely repainted with the factory Willow Gold color with a 2 stage, base coat, clear coat. Everywhere the factory painted the car, the new paint was applied. The front fenders were taken off and painted as well as the inner fender wells. The sills were repainted. The trunk lid inside and out as well as the hood inside and out. (Hood is painted black underneath). The trunk received new splatter paint (the original kind, not the cheap cans that need clear coat). There is new weather stripping around the trunk and doors. The paint looks as good close up as in the pictures. The fender stripes are vinyl from Original Parts Group. You can keep them or remove them, but they have the proper factory matte finish. The bumpers are original to the car. There are some small dents in the rear bumper(see photo) where the original owner apparently would bump into his garage wall when he got older. I did not choose to replace them although new ones are available. There has been a little surface rust on them, however I used Quick-Glo and they shined right up. I like the originality and they look great anyway. The pictures show that the bumpers are OK, just not new and perfect. The left rear back up light lens is broken in the pictures; however, I installed a new one after the photos were taken.

Exhaust:  Original manifolds going to Magna Flow mufflers. The tubing is a little larger than original and ends with factory style tips from Pypes. Exhaust is in good shape, no rattles or leaks.

Interior:  The interior has been recently restored with new seat covers and foam, new door panels and water shields, new rear shelf, restored center console and more.  The seat trim is new including seat backs. The chrome seat trim is new as well. The kick panels were re-dyed. The front seat arm rest padding is new. The headliner is original and in great shape, as are the shoulder seat belts. All seat belts are there. New door jam rubber and windlaces. New lower door weather stripping. Window weather stripping is original. The dash paint and striping is original. There is some wear especially where the keys hang down from ignition, however, everything still looks good. The antenna is not hooked up, but I will install this week. The dash pad is in great shape with no cracks. I was told the car was kept in a garage since new and it shows. The second owner and I have always had it in a garage as well.

Trim:  The chrome trim on the car is original. The tin is in really nice shape, only a couple of slight blemishes. The tin around the wheel wells is nearly perfect. The rear fender rocket side markers are pitted some. The heavier trim on trunk lip is faded and pitted, but no dents or dings. Some of the photos show this if you look for it. I do not think it detracts from the cars looks, and they are absolutely original.

Brakes:  The brakes were completely redone this past year. The front disc brakes are brand new with new rotors, calipers, Grade 8 hardware, bearings, seals, hoses, dust caps, master cylinder, booster and pads. Also we installed a small auxiliary booster for added power when idiling. The rear drums were also completely redone with brand new drums, pads and a full rebuild kit on each side. A new proportioning valve was also installed. The brake parts were provided by Stainless Steel Brakes Corp. The car stops very smoothly and dead straight. They feel great!

Engine: The engine serial number matches the car’s serial number. I will be happy to let the buyer check as well (a bracket needs to be removed to see the serial number well). I just finished a complete rebuild on the original motor. The removal, rebuild and reinstall was done at Steve’s Automotive in Lebanon, TN. The machine work was completed at (...) in Ashland City, TN. The short block and cylinder heads were rebuilt. New pistons and rings were installed with a fresh bore (.030). New clevite bearings. New camshaft and bearings, lifters, pushrods. The parts were balanced at the machine shop. The heads were rebuilt. New water pump, oil pump and shaft, of course all gaskets replaced. While the motor was out  we replaced the transmission seals on the original Turbo 400. The head bolts were upgraded to ARP bolts (there is a story there if your interested). A new radiator was installed (Slight leak in original, I still have it if you want to find someone that can rebuild it properly. Usually they replace the sides with modern plastic versions, so I just purchased a new one). We installed new motor mounts. I spent more than originally intended on the rebuild; however, I have this problem where I can’t help but do things the right way. All the engine, brackets, air cleaner asssembly, accessories, etc were painted with original colors With proper care this engine should last another 50 years or more. I have put about 70 miles on the engine. The oil has been changed after the initial 30 minute break-in period. The engine ran great before the rebuild, but now it is smooth and silky with more power. We kept the camshaft specs near stock. Being a Turnpike Cruiser, we liked the torquey motor. I have receipts and you are welcome to talk with my mechanic. (I encourage you to if you intend on buying the car) The reason I take my cars to Steve is because, quite simply, he cares about doing a great job and he has the skills to do it. I can give you many more insights into the rebuild if you call me, but if you talk to my mechanic, I think you will be very confident about the quality of the car in general, and especially the motor. Just send me a message and I will forward his info to you. With the Turnpike Cruiser package, the car came with a very tall gear. (I’ve never confirmed the ratio, but I believe it is the 2.56) The car drives great on the interstate and highways. It really feels like a modern car on the road, very relaxed. It does great and the A/C makes it a pleasant trip in the summer!

A/C: The air conditioning works well. It is all original except for the pieces to convert to R134, mostly hoses, dryer, connectors and such.

Fuel: The gas gauge is not reading. This is the one thing that I haven’t fixed. It recently quit working and my mechanic tested the gauge itself and it is working, but just not getting a signal. The sending unit is getting power as well, so we have isolated the problem to the sending unit itself. A new sending unit costs $59, plus some new bolts, nuts, gaskets and sock, and the tank will have to be removed so about a $259 job (my mechanics estimate), unless you decide to take the opportunity to replace the tank. Same labor, $169 + shipping more for the tank.

Tires: Plenty of tread but the tires are over 8 years old. They seem just fine.

History: I am the third owner as far as I know. I purchased the car in Nashville, Tn in 2005. The second owner bought it from its original owner in Whittier, CA about 5 years before I acquired the car and drove it back to Nashville. I have a registration card from the original owner.

Inside and outside lights work. Windshield wipers work, although I do not drive the car in the rain, so it probably needs new rubber. I have a few spare pieces, nuts and bolts, new window crank handles, but not much. There is no spare wheel and tire, but I have the original cover (made from masonite I believe) for the spare wheel.

If I could describe this car with just a few words they would be “very well maintained and original.” This car has never been restored. Yes it has new paint and interior, but it is very original. All body panels are original, and upon inspection you can tell the car has never been wrecked. The floors are rock solid and original as is all sheetmetal. This is an original vinyl roof car, and there has never been rust anywhere on or around the roof, rain gutters, or trunk area. A great car.

I'm not an Oldsmobile expert. I bought the car because it was so solid, I just couldn't pass it up. I checked the serial # and it was correct for '68 442, then I checked the serial # on the block. That's all I knew to do when I bought it. You may view the car or send an expert to view it for you. I'm happy to show the car. I've had several people ask me if I am sure it's a Turnpike Cruiser. When I bought the car, it was represented to me as a TC.  Everything I saw satisfied me that it was an original TC, but again I am no expert. I thought the TC would devalue the car, so I negotiated it that way. The owner I bought it from also felt a TC was worth less money and obviously sold it to me. I couldn't imagine someone would fake putting on a stock 2 barrel carb, taller gears, and making a different air cleaner assembly just to sell a less valuable vehicle. So I guess I ASSUME it is a TC. I do not have, nor can I offer, proof that it is a Turnpike Cruiser. The car is what it is and I am not trying to claim anything that I don't know. It turns out, apparently, that the TC is now worth a little more than the base 442. Great. In the end I want the new owner to enjoy this car as much as I have, and with the feeling that it is a rare and solid investment. In the years that I have owned this car it has risen in value at a better rate than my retirement account. That is one of the reasons I enjoy my older cars so much. They are fun to own, but really don’t cost that much in the long term.

Please remember this is a 45 year old car. I cannot offer any warranties or guarantees on this car. I have owned about a dozen classic cars over my years, and I thoroughly enjoy making them run and drive as new, but they need fixing every now and then. I am more than happy to answer any questions, but please ask before placing your winning bid. I am happy to show the car during the auction, but I do travel so let me know as soon as possible. Call anytime, ask me anything, send message, and I will do my best to answer any questions! I'm sure I have left out some things, so call me!

I am asking for a $500 paypal deposit from the winning bidder within 24 hours of auction ending to hold the car for you. If the winning bidder does not provide the deposit within 24 hours of auction ending, then I reserve the right to sell the car to someone else. Balance will be paid at bank by Cashiers Check or Cash.

The car is available for pick up in Nashville. Any shipping arrangements will have to be made by the buyer. I will help in any way I can. If you have no feedback you need to contact me before bidding, so I will not cancel your bid. My number is 615-498-7379

Thanks, Paul