Catherine Tejada
Sale Coordinator
LOT 12
1968 Oldsmobile 4-4-2 Convertible Chassis no. 344678M453647
Estimate: US$70,000 - US$90,000
Lot 12
1968 Oldsmobile 4-4-2 Convertible
1968 Oldsmobile 4-4-2 Convertible
Chassis no. 344678M453647
Chassis no. 344678M453647
455ci OHV V-8 Engine (*see text)
360bhp at 5,400 (originally)
Single 4-bbl Carburetor
4-Speed Manual Transmission
Independent Front Suspension, Live Rear Axle
4-Wheel Disc Brakes (*see text)
*Restored and modified by Chip Foose
*Featured on Season 4, Episode 1 of Overhaulin'
*First year for the standalone 442 model
*Based on a rust-free West Coast car
THE OLDSMOBILE 4-4-2
Oldsmobile's 4-4-2 was the product of internal competition between the closely related Pontiac and Oldsmobile divisions at GM. Pontiac had surprised everyone, including their fellow General Motors engineers, with the introduction of the mighty 389-powered Tempest LeMans GTO in 1964. Oldsmobile responded by taking their mid-sized Cutlass and adapting the high-performance "B09" police package for the street, with a beefed up 330ci V8, heavy duty suspension, and the requisite stripes and four-speed floor-shift transmission. The name – 4-4-2 – was for the four-speed manual, four-barrel carburetor, and dual exhausts.
The 4-4-2 became the prime Oldsmobile muscle car throughout the 1960s, growing in size and displacement along with the competition. While always a trim package on the Cutlass model, the 4-4-2 became a standalone model in 1968, sporting a 400ci V8 (based on the 455 block) and a plethora of options and trim bits to make sure it stood out at the local Saturday drag strip.
THE CAR OFFERED
This stunning 1968 Oldsmobile 4-4-2 is one of approximately 5,100 convertibles built, making it quite rare compared to the more than 25,000 Holiday Coupes. Rare spec aside, this car is quite special, as it was the subject of a comprehensive restoration by Chip Foose and his team from the Television series Overhaulin' (season 4, episode 1). The consignor discovered this car in a Paso Robles, California garage in 1997, reportedly being offered by the son of the original owner. Recognizing it as a rare 4-4-2 Convertible, he happily drove it despite its slightly tired original condition. At that time, the consignor was part of the creative team for Priority Records/MCA, designing album covers and advertising artwork. He recounts the car being used for official photo shoots with Snoop Dogg and Ice Cube both having ridden in the car, and that Ice T even tried to buy it!
But the bond proved too strong, and he held on to the Olds through the years in hopes of eventually restoring it. Help arrived in 2005, when it was selected by the Overhaulin' production staff for their show and went through a stunning transformation. In the hands of Foose and his crew, the Oldsmobile was extensively, yet sympathetically restored with a few choice upgrades and typical Foose attention to detail. The consignor states the original 400 block was retained but upgraded to 455 cubic inches, and it mates to a four-speed manual transmission, as originally equipped. It gained Edelbrock heads and intake, a competition cam, and more, and was detailed in the correct Oldsmobile gold engine paint. The interior was restored to its original blue vinyl and kept largely stock, per the owner's wishes. Disc brakes are fitted at all corners, and upgraded suspension with high-performance sway bars keep the body under control.
The body was refinished in a striking silver and black two-tone, with silver stripes and a black convertible top. The wheels make the car, and Foose went all-out, scanning the original factory items and scaling them up to create a one-off set of 19-inch front and 20-inch rear wheels. With the owner's experience in the recording business, a sound system was a must – and the team created a custom Boston Acoustics system, beautifully integrated into the trunk. Since the restoration was completed, the car has covered fewer than 50 miles, and recently underwent over $11,000 in service (including a cleaned and flushed fuel system, new alloy radiator, new belts and hoses, and more) in preparation for this sale.
This is a one-off opportunity to acquire this one-of-a-kind 4-4-2 that honors the original while having an utterly unique and visually arresting presence courtesy of a hot-rodding legend.
360bhp at 5,400 (originally)
Single 4-bbl Carburetor
4-Speed Manual Transmission
Independent Front Suspension, Live Rear Axle
4-Wheel Disc Brakes (*see text)
*Restored and modified by Chip Foose
*Featured on Season 4, Episode 1 of Overhaulin'
*First year for the standalone 442 model
*Based on a rust-free West Coast car
THE OLDSMOBILE 4-4-2
Oldsmobile's 4-4-2 was the product of internal competition between the closely related Pontiac and Oldsmobile divisions at GM. Pontiac had surprised everyone, including their fellow General Motors engineers, with the introduction of the mighty 389-powered Tempest LeMans GTO in 1964. Oldsmobile responded by taking their mid-sized Cutlass and adapting the high-performance "B09" police package for the street, with a beefed up 330ci V8, heavy duty suspension, and the requisite stripes and four-speed floor-shift transmission. The name – 4-4-2 – was for the four-speed manual, four-barrel carburetor, and dual exhausts.
The 4-4-2 became the prime Oldsmobile muscle car throughout the 1960s, growing in size and displacement along with the competition. While always a trim package on the Cutlass model, the 4-4-2 became a standalone model in 1968, sporting a 400ci V8 (based on the 455 block) and a plethora of options and trim bits to make sure it stood out at the local Saturday drag strip.
THE CAR OFFERED
This stunning 1968 Oldsmobile 4-4-2 is one of approximately 5,100 convertibles built, making it quite rare compared to the more than 25,000 Holiday Coupes. Rare spec aside, this car is quite special, as it was the subject of a comprehensive restoration by Chip Foose and his team from the Television series Overhaulin' (season 4, episode 1). The consignor discovered this car in a Paso Robles, California garage in 1997, reportedly being offered by the son of the original owner. Recognizing it as a rare 4-4-2 Convertible, he happily drove it despite its slightly tired original condition. At that time, the consignor was part of the creative team for Priority Records/MCA, designing album covers and advertising artwork. He recounts the car being used for official photo shoots with Snoop Dogg and Ice Cube both having ridden in the car, and that Ice T even tried to buy it!
But the bond proved too strong, and he held on to the Olds through the years in hopes of eventually restoring it. Help arrived in 2005, when it was selected by the Overhaulin' production staff for their show and went through a stunning transformation. In the hands of Foose and his crew, the Oldsmobile was extensively, yet sympathetically restored with a few choice upgrades and typical Foose attention to detail. The consignor states the original 400 block was retained but upgraded to 455 cubic inches, and it mates to a four-speed manual transmission, as originally equipped. It gained Edelbrock heads and intake, a competition cam, and more, and was detailed in the correct Oldsmobile gold engine paint. The interior was restored to its original blue vinyl and kept largely stock, per the owner's wishes. Disc brakes are fitted at all corners, and upgraded suspension with high-performance sway bars keep the body under control.
The body was refinished in a striking silver and black two-tone, with silver stripes and a black convertible top. The wheels make the car, and Foose went all-out, scanning the original factory items and scaling them up to create a one-off set of 19-inch front and 20-inch rear wheels. With the owner's experience in the recording business, a sound system was a must – and the team created a custom Boston Acoustics system, beautifully integrated into the trunk. Since the restoration was completed, the car has covered fewer than 50 miles, and recently underwent over $11,000 in service (including a cleaned and flushed fuel system, new alloy radiator, new belts and hoses, and more) in preparation for this sale.
This is a one-off opportunity to acquire this one-of-a-kind 4-4-2 that honors the original while having an utterly unique and visually arresting presence courtesy of a hot-rodding legend.
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