1968 Oldsmobile Cutlass

All of the A-body GM cars underwent a major body restyling in 1968, and that included the F-85/Cutlass, wearing a new design courtesy of a styling department headed by Stan Wilen. This was the third major restyling bestowed upon the F-85/Cutlass since its arrival in 1961. Initially, the Cutlass was the 'sporty' version of the 'Y-body' F-85 'senior compact,' outfitted with a 185 horsepower 'power pack' drivetrain, bucket seats, a more upscale interior, and De Luxe-type exterior trim. In 1964, the F-85 was given a perimeter frame and body-on-frame construction which it shared with the 'A-body' Pontiac Tempest, Buick Special, and Chevy Chevelle.

With the redesign for 1968, the GM A-Body cars had a 112-inch wheelbase for two-door body styles and 116 inches for its four-door bodies. The 2-doors had a 201.9-inch length, the 4-doors measured 205.9 inches, and the station wagons were 212.6 inches. The previous A-body cars had a 115-inch wheelbase for their 2- and 4-door bodies, and the overall length measured 203 inches.

The base model continued to be the 'F-85,' the mid-level was the 'Cutlass S,' and the top-of-the-line trim level was the 'Cutlass Supreme.' The F-85/Cutlass-based '4-4-2' (later 442), which was previously an options became, became its own separate from in 1968. The 'Hurst/Olds (H/O)' was a limited-production 4-4-2 model that was marketed by Oldsmobile and Hurst Performance.

The standard Cutlass engine was a 250 cubic-inch inline six-cylinder unit with overhead valves, hydraulic valve lifters, a Rochester one-barrel carburetor, seven main bearings, a cast iron block, and 8.5:1 compression. It had a bore size of 3.875 inches, a stroke of 3.53 inches, and produced 155 horsepower at 4,200 RPM.

The standard eight-cylinder engine displaced 350 cubic inches and had overhead valves, hydraulic valve lifters, a four-barrel carburetor, five main bearings, and 9.0:1 compression. It had a 4.05-inch bore and a 3.39-inch stroke and produced 250 horsepower at 4,400 RPM. With 10.25:1 compression, output rose to 310 bhp at 4,800 RPM.

The 4-4-2 came with a 400 cubic-inch V8 with a four-barrel carburetor, 10.5:1 compression, and produced 350 hp at 4,800 RPM. The H/O had the 4-4-2 suspension package with a 455 cubic-inch Rocket V8 engine.

A three-speed manual transmission was standard, and an automatic transmission was optional, as was a four-speed manual. The long list of available features and options made it possible for buyers to personally design and order a unique Cutlass, tailoring the car to the buyer's specific needs. Standard equipment on the Cutlass included an energy-absorbing steering column, padded dash, four-way flashers, a Deluxe steering wheel, a vinyl or cloth interior, back-up lights, and fiberglass hood insulation.

The Cutlass Supreme came standard with the new 350 Rocket V-8 engine, a new high-performance starter, seat belts, side marker lights, a Deluxe steering wheel, four-way flashers, and back-up lights. Body styles included a coupe, a four-door town sedan, and a four-door holiday hardtop.

The 4-4-2 had a high-output 400 cubic-inch V8 engine, heavy-duty springs and shock absorbers, stabilizer bar, hood louvers, special tires (F70-14), and a paint stripe. Body styles included a Sports Coupe, Holiday Hardtop, and Convertible. The Hurst/Olds had the special 455 CID V8, special handling package, and special Black and Silver paint. A total of 515 examples were the Hurst/Olds.

1968 Production:
- 15,309 examples of the F-85
- 45,048 examples of the Cutlass
- 90,913 examples of the Cutlass S
- 54,109 examples of the Cutlass Supreme
- 33,607 examples of the 4-4-2

by Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2024