The Oldsmobile 4-4-2 has always had a fine reputation as the best-handling of the muscle car crop. Since 1964, it was equipped with a rear stabilizer bar and, in 1966, the W30 package was introduced to kill on the drag strip. By 1968, the 4-4-2 went from being a performance package to its own model, plus it featured a redesigned body and engine. A very special example of this car is our Pick of the Day, a 1968 Oldsmobile 4-4-2 Holiday Coupe with the W30 package. It is listed for sale on ClassicCars.com on consignment with a dealership in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Click the link to view the listing)
Oldsmobiles were advertised as “Youngmobiles” for 1968 because the youth market was king, and it seems Oldsmobile wasn’t for old people. The A-body series included F-85, Cutlass, Cutlass S, 4-4-2, and Cutlass Supreme. Front end styling was similar to 1967’s but grafted onto the new, curvy body. Coupes featured a semi-fastback roofline with, for upper trim levels, nice detailing around the wheel wells. Cutlass S and 4-4-2 models came with a hood featuring louvers. The overall effect was attractive and stylish in a model year where many cars were attractive and stylish.
The 4-4-2’s new long-stroke 400 featured undersquare proportions with a 3.87-inch bore and 4.25-inch stroke. (Contrast that with the oversquare 1965-67 400 with 4.00-inch bore 3.975-inch stroke.) Standard was 350 horsepower with a manual transmission, with automatics offering a surprising 25-horse downgrade. Opt for the Turnpike Cruiser 400 and you’d receive a 400 two-barrel offering 290 horsepower.
The W30 package returned for 1968, still rated at 360 horsepower. Thought officially known as the Force-Air Induction System, the W30 package included a wild cam with air scoops that ran from underneath the front bumper to the air cleaner via tubes. Included with the W30 package were red plastic fender wells plus pair of unique vertical Rally stripes, the latter of which was also available for regular 4-4-2s.
By the end of the model year, the 4-4-2 experienced its best sales ever with 36,642 built among the Holiday Coupe (hardtop), Sports Coupe (coupe with B-pillar), and Convertible. Of those, 1,911 were W30s and an unspecified number were Turnpike Cruisers.
This 1968 Oldsmobile 4-4-2 Holiday Coupe is one of 1,426 built with the W30 package, of which 319 were built with the TH400 automatic transmission. Though W30 numbers are far from the rarest thing out there, finding an authentic one in good condition is tough, possibly due to the difficulty in documenting a real one. What makes this under-20,000-mile example truly special is that it’s quite intact due to its original paint, top, and interior. Even more unusual is the color combination: Teal Frost paint with red W36 Rally stripe plus a black vinyl top and matching interior. “The best survivor car I have ever owned by a long shot, and I have owned many low mileage cars,” says the seller. “All eight pieces of glass are original.” Undercoating was removed by dry ice-blasting so, when you take a peek, the floor pans look as new. The fuel tank was replaced by an NOS item because the original had a dent.
The option list on this 4-4-2 is a plus as well: power windows, U21 Rocket Rally Pac, N34 Custom Sport woodgrain steering wheel, AM/FM radio with 8-track, rear window defogger, Super Stock I mags, and console. Clearly, this is THE 4-4-2 to get for the guy or gal who’s into 1968s. An original W30 with all its sheetmetal and paint? This is an extremely rare Olds, and it will cost you $110,000 for you to bring this gem home.
To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.
Love them, bought one, love them even more:)
drunk price
When sobriety kicks in, made the seller an offer.
absolutely!
Nice car,ridiculous price.
My favorite Olds. Either 4spd or the beefy th400 w\W30 pkg. The red fender stripe was a red light warning to anybody thinking they are quick.
Back when these cars ran in original condition it was on obvious that the
long stroke configuration was a downgrade in performance.
Of course Motor Trend road tested the turnpike cruiser version so 442 is imotalized as a real dog with a near 17 second quarter mile.
Now we know that 442 equals awesome!
The best I ever came across was when I met my wife in great falls mt. In1978, she had a 1969 1/2 Oldsmobile 442. It had the Hearst 4 speed on the floor with a full 1 piece seat, 400cu inch motor with a big 4 barrel, forced air induction W-30, THIS CAR OFF THELINE would lift off the ground in the front and if you wanted could pull a house off its foundation, and to this day I’ve never heard as perfect exhaust sound, the perfect rumble and depth that was unforgettal coodoos oldsmobile
A friend had one but the previous owner swapped the 400 for a 67 425. That’s the engine that should have been in it in the 1st place.