1968 Oldsmobile 442

Many believe that Oldsmobile launched the American 'muscle car' in 1949 with the Rocket V-8 engine powering the lightweight 88. In 1964, the muscle-car theme returned with the F-85 Cutlass-based 442 performance package. By this point in history, the automotive landscape had changed considerably especially with Pontiac's GTO.

For the 1968 model year, the Oldsmobile 442 (400 CI, 4 barrel carburetion, 2 exhaust pipes) was upgraded from a simple options package to its own separate model. The model is denoted by VINs that start with the digits '344'.

Standard equipment included dual master cylinder, four-way flashers, energy-absorbing steering column, padded dash, back-up lights, full fiberglass hood insulation, and
Deluxe steering wheel. Other standard equipment included heavy-duty springs, stabilizer bar, special shock absorbers, and wheels, special emblems, hood louvers, paint stripe, special tires, and a high output engine. The interior was either vinyl or cloth.

For 1968, Oldsmobile introduced the Hurst/Olds option which added special Black and Silver paint, special handling package, various luxury options, and a special 455 cubic-inch V8. In total, 515 examples of the Hurst/Olds were sold. Jack 'Don' Watson was asked to design and build a special 'executive hot rod' by George Hurst, president of Hurst-Campbell Inc. Watson's credentials included the 'Hemi Under Glass' wheelstander and twin-engine 'Hurst Hairy Oldsmobile' exhibition car. Beginning with a 442, Watson installed Oldsmobile's new 455 cubic-inch, overhead-valve V-8 engine into the engine bay, sidestepping GM's ban on engines over 400 cubic-inches powering its intermediate models. With high-performance cylinder heads, a hot camshaft, Force-Air induction, specially-machined crankshaft, and ignition and carburetor tuning, the engine delivered 390 horsepower and 5,000 RPM and 500 foot-pounds of peak torque.

Along with the dramatic modifications to the engine, Watson added heavy-duty underpinnings, a Hurst Dual-Gate shifter allowing full manual control of the modified Turbo 400 automatic transmission, wide Goodyear Polyglas tires, and comprehensive upgrades to the brakes, cooling, and drivetrain. The exterior was finished in Peruvian Silver paint, black side and hood stripes, and a black rear deck-lid, plus Hurst/Olds scripts and a hand-rubbed walnut instrument panel insert.

Hurst agreed impressed with Waton's creation, and when it was shown to Oldsmobile dealers, the requests soon followed.

Body styles included a Sports Coupe, Holiday Hardtop, and a convertible. Pricing began at $3,080 for the sports coupe and rose to $3,340 for the convertible.

The base engine was a 400 cubic-inch unit which offered 350 horsepower. Production was initially handled by Watson's friend John Demmer, at his Demmer Engineering's facilities in Lansing, Michigan, near the Oldsmobile plant. Distribution was later brought through Oldsmobile dealers with the cars retaining their factory warranty coverage. 515 examples were built for 1968, with 459 being Holiday Coupes and 56 pillared Sport Coupes. The total production run was completed in just 40 days. All began life as original 442 models and arrived at Demmer Engineering with their special 455 engines already installed.

by Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2013