Hi there,

I'm a newb to the Olds 442 scene as I've owned a number of '71-72 Chevelles and recently bought a 1968 442, so while I know a lot about GM A Bodies there's a lot I need to learn about 442's!

I have questions on the VIN (I did confirm it's a 344 car) and trim tag, but will post those in the right place.

Really glad I found this forum, and look forward to learning from everyone!






Stan

 

Welcome, very nice car!

 

Welcome to the site, nice car. Not to hurt your feelings but it looks like your side stripes were added in the wrong place.

 

No worries. I'm new to the 442 thing.

Not to start a debate, but wondering where the stripes should be?

Thanks

 

Beautiful 442, my favorite model year, very cool!

 

Sharp ride; Welcome! The bottom of the stripes should be centered between the bottom edge of the wheel opening and the bottom edge of the door. This places the stripe about an inch and a half rearward from where yours currently are. In addition, when the stripes are added, the 4-4-2 emblem gets centered top-to-bottom on the fender/stripe. The paint looks gorgeous! So many folks add the stripe when getting their ride updated. Unfortunately, many body/paint guys get the dimensions correct, but not the placement. Check the stripe on the '68 on the right, below. On second thought, it's pretty hard to see the front-to-back alignment of my stripe in the pic below

We look forward to seeing more pics of your ride, and providing any help and parts you may need. LOTS of great knowledge here, and the guys love to share!

 

There's nothing to debate. The emblems were relocated on cars that got the stripe from the factory. The people who feel compelled to add the stripes don't realize this. You'll find info here.

Here's a factory-painted car. Note the location of the emblems and stripe relative to the leading edge of the door.



Here is the usual incorrect stripe with the emblems in the non-stripe location.

 

Welcome to the group... Sharp looking 68... As you can see, there is plenty of information available here for your 68 442..

 

Welcome from Maple Grove, beautiful 68!

 

Stan, Welcome, from another 68 owner. Nice ride. Is the trunk trim strip replated? It looks nice. They are impossible to find nice. Dig the power antenna option too.
You will find that 68 is a one year wonder on several items, 68 GM A-bodies are all 1-year winders, vettes too. For example, last year for the non-locking steering column.

If I had to pick one year for my fav year of the muscle and all other cars of the 60s era...its 68, Chevy Ford Chrysler Merc AMC etc...its 68.

Fusicks, Year One, OPGI and others will have some of the unique parts needed...if you need something.

There are several guys here in the classified section that have the parts used.
Steve

Careful there is a couple of resto houses you should shy away from. Just ask here or search the threads.

 

Thanks Steve!

I keep waiting for the steering wheel to lock when getting in or out of the car as that's all I've had with Chevelles. Lol

I'm not sure of the history of the back Oldsmobile strip on the trunk. It is as good as it looks in the pic, so not sure if it's aftermarket or the previous owner had it replated.

I sold the '71 Malibu (even though they will always have a soft spot in my heart) because I was ready for something different, which I'm finding the '68 442' are.

 

Nice looking 442, I'm sure you will have fun with it. Is that Saffron yellow or a custom color?

 

I believe it's Safron Yellow. It looks very close to the paint swatch I found on-line.

 

Very nice looking car, welcome!

 

Thank you!

What area are you in Nebraska? My wife and I are from there and get back every couple of months or so. She's from Lincoln and I'm from the North Central part of the state. Go Huskers!

 

Steve,

I don't think that's an original power antenna. The hardtops have a "V" shaped trim piece that straddles the peak of the 1/4 panel.

 

It's not a power antenna. It will be soon when I replace it since this one rubs on the side of the trunk lid when it's open.

 

Good ole Omaha! Funny I bought my 1983 Hurst Olds from a place in watertown Minnesota I usually visit Rochester every may my son wrestles in a tournament up there, hopefully we meet in passing sometime!

 

Welcome! Big '68 fan here. Diggin' the 4-speed.

FYI, the lip trim on the trunk lid is originally painted a light grey satin something or other in the center over the chrome (the lettering and the top and bottom edges are unpainted and shiny chrome). I've seen alot of these where this detail isn't properly restored, but you can bet there is a thread on this site about it.

 

Welcome to this site! It's great for all Oldsmobiles and there are a lot of '68 people on here if you need to tap their expertise in doing any kind of work you might want to do yourself. I've tapped it several times! It's a great place to visit and learn!

Randy C.

'68 4-4-2 convertible
'69 4-4-2 convertible

 

What a beauty!

 

A really nice ride. Your air cleaner housing is for a '69. '68 housing has the vacuum actuator closer to the base. Big block has no separate piece welded around the air in opening.

 

It took me a moment to realize what I was looking at... I like the blacked-out door sills

 

Welcome. Nice looking '68 as you can see i'm partial to the 442 non stripe body.

 

HEY THERE STAN

Welcome to classicoldsland

I live just out of downtown OSSEO MINN
I have a 71 and a couple 72's I sold my 1968 a few ( over 20 ) years ago the guy who bought it still lives in MINN and is on this site ! Small world

Enjoy your car and your time here
Cheers
brian

 

Thanks Brian! So you're saying the '68 442 I bought used to belong to you over years ago? If so, let's talk!

 

What color is yours? Is that the Juneau Gray for '68?

If so, my 442 would have looked just like yours based on the body tag decoding that was done on another thread.

 

HEY STAN

Sorry for any confusion.
I sold my 1968 Cutlass Convertible to a guy named steve He goes by boese1978 on this site. I think he still has a 1968 just not the one he purchased from me

Good luck tracking down previous owners. I have had some luck with that over the years and it is cool to find out history of a car that you own now some 50 years after it was "born"

All the Best

 

I wondered about that. I figured the letters were painted black or some color to highlight them. I'll have to do some research.

Yeah, the hood grills and door sills were powder coated black by the previous owner. I like the hood grills, but will probably go back to silver door sills. He did throw in a set of new chrome hood grills if I change my mind.

Good to know. I have a red lid for it too that was included for the car, but wasn't sure if it was a '68 housing.

No worries. You're right, getting previous owner info is always a bonus.

 

Hi, Safire Blue is the color. As you can see the previous owner replaced the fender and didn't get the paint match.

 

Stan,
I'll snap you a pic of a correctly restored 68 trunk lip. Isn't difficult to do just need to pay attention to the details, and have a nice non pitted piece. Or leave it alone as it looks great.