68 Olds 442 Garage find gem!

Description for Oldsmobile 442 1968

Up for auction is a great muscle car project classic from the 60's. I purchased this 68 Olds 442 Holliday Coupe from the third owner off of a Houston Craigslist add in 2017 with full intentions of doing a quality driver restoration on a car that was very nostalgic for me. I grew up in the muscle car era graduating from high school in 1973. My very first car was a very cool ( and looking back, unique) 68 Olds Cutlass Holiday coupe with buckets, 4 speed, no power steering but A/C, power disc brakes and 4bbl Carburetor. It was, as this great 442 is, Jade gold metallic.
When I saw this car I knew I had to have it! Unfortunately I don't have the time to work on it as I am in the middle of two unfinished projects and I am tired of paying monthly storage fees not knowing when I will be able to get to it. I have decided this car needs to go to someone who has the time and resources to give it the proper restoration it deserves.
About the car. While it is not a W30 it is a true and nicely optioned original 442 as indicated by the cowl tag and VIN photos you will find here. As far as I know it has always been here in the Houston area and I purchased it from the third owner who owned it since the early 90s. It was equipped from the factory with factory A/C, PS, power disc brakes, floor shifted automatic, vinyl top and mono AM/FM radio. According to the previous owner the original matching number 400 CI engine was rebuilt sometime in the mid nineties by a local speed shop that is unfortunately no longer in business to verify the build. PO claims it was built to W30 specs and I can tell you that it sounds very healthy. I have driven it around the block a few times and it will push you back in the seat with ease. The original TH 400 was rebuilt by a renown local transmission shop at the same time and shifts like it should. The engine is original to the car but has an aftermarket Edlebrock Performer intake with a Holley carburetor on it. Exhaust manifolds and distributor appear to be original.
There is so much good about this car with great bones but like most 40 year old project cars it has some bad that has to be addressed. It is most definitely deserving of a proper restoration.Condition: It is a real and genuine 442 with low mileage, mostly unmolested, 95% rust free muscle car classic that starts, runs strong, steers straight. It's history is pretty well documented and comes with factory manuals..
The paint on the car is original so what you see is what you get. Nothing here to hide. It is very solid with rust limited to the roof ( I hate vinyl tops!) and lower fenders (due to clogged drains). Obviously the biggest issue is the roof but full roof skins are available and the fenders only need small patch panels which are also available . The car originally came with a light ivy gold top. Unfortunately the PO stored the car outside under a tarp for 4 or 5 years which exacerbated the rust issue with the top not to mention it totally ruined the original paint on the hood and deck lid as well as most of the car. Pictures tell the story. I have all but one piece of the roof trim that goes with the car. In fact there is car is compete and original with the exception of the intake manifold and carb.
The rest of the car including the quarters, trunk, doors, rockers, frame, hood, are compete rust free and rock solid. Other than the roof, the rest is a piece of cake easy restoration. How far you take it is up to you.
Mechanical and other: the car drives smooth as silk with no rattles or unusual noises other than a rattling and rusty exhaust which may be original other than the mufflers. The power brakes are not working and I can't confirm if this is due to a bad booster or the aggressive cam. While all A/C components are there the A/C will need servicing. Turn signals, lights all work but radio does not. Key buzzer occasional works. There is a power drain coming from somewhere. If I leave the battery connected it will be dead in a couple of days so that needs to be addressed.
In summary, this is clearly a very original classic GM muscle car that has great bones and deserves a proper restoration. I am listing the car with a very fair reserve as I am not looking to profit but to simply get my investment back. Please feel free to contact me via eBay email with your contact information and I will be happy to answer any questions you may have. I have included a YouTube video link below of the car running. Thanks for looking and happy bidding!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NgFd3pxkHo8