This 1968 Oldsmobile 442 appears to have Stage 1 ignition, and it’s already a foot off the ground!   In realty, V8 Speed and Resto Shop Fabrication is creating a new transmission tunnel to house the incoming 6-speed manual transmission and custom chassis.   However, this one will be able to launch when it’s done! 

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Check out the skilled craftsmanship happening at the V8 Speed and Resto Shop! 🔥 Our talented fabrication team is hard at work welding in a brand new dashboard into a super-cool 1968 Oldsmobile 442. This one sits on a Roadster Shop chassis but retains its original appearance.

One of the challenges was to repair the rusty dashboard, but without the support of a reproduction panel made specifically for Oldsmobiles. The solution – adapt a Chevelle piece, mating it to the Olds dash to retain the Olds speaker grille and vents while eliminating the rust. The fresh new dashboard is a combination of Chevelle parts and custom-made pieces, replacing the rusty original. The result is a seamless panel that looks like we were never there.

Stay tuned for more updates on this sweet restomod project. We can’t wait to unveil the finished ride! 🏁✨ #V8SpeedandRestoShop #MuscleCarRestoration #FabricationTeam #ClassicCarRevival

1968 Oldsmobile 442 original rusty dashboard
1968 Oldsmobile 442 Dashboard fabrication
1968 Oldsmobile 442 new dashboard welded in

See the entire build photo gallery here!

Adding Modern Performance And Handling To A Classic Envelope

This cool yellow 1968 Oldsmobile 442 looks great, but the owner wanted better handling, braking, and comfort, while adding more reliable power and a smoother shifting transmission to the car without sacrificing the classic look. The solution is the installation of at Roadster Shop chassis and an LS3 V8, hooked to a Tremec TKX 5-speed manual transmission.

Restoring As Needed

This 1968 Oldsmobile 442 had been restored once, but we discovered some areas needing attention. We replaced the rusty dashboard and performed some floor pan repairs during the process. The goal was to perform the required tasks without re-restoring the entire car.

Upgrades With Drivability In Mind

The foundation is a Roadster Shop chassis, which is not only stiffer than the original GM chassis, but it also incorporates improved suspension geometry, stroger parts, and spring, shock, and steering technology over 50 years more advanced than the 1968 design. The end result is a car that drives phenomenally well while not losing the original 442 appearance.

LS3 + TKO = Way More Fun!

The nearly 500 HP all-aluminum LS3 V8 engine provides modern and reliable power while saving weight and eliminating old-design leaks. A Tremec TKx 5-speed transmission is able to handle over 600 ft-lbs of torque and adds an overdrive 5th gear, all while capable of 7500+ RPM shifts. It is geared to match the rear axle ratio and power curve of the engine, so the hydraulically-clutched 5-speed adds to the fun while being easy to drive.

Follow The Build

The photos tell the story of how the V8 Speed and Resto Shop team transformed this Olds into a road car that the driver can enjoy all day long. Our team is very experienced in building these type of Pro-Touring Muscle Cars for those who put the emphasis on driving performance. What can we build for you? Contact the V8 Speed and Resto Shop today to chat about your dream classic, Hot Rod, or Muscle Car!

This very nice 1968 Oldsmobile 442 tribute car is wearing a crisp restoration and features some modified parts intended to give this car better handling and drivability. It’s not a numbers-matching W30 car, although it looks like one. It’s got 17” American Racing wheels, Wilwood brakes with a Hydratech hydraulic brake assist unit, Hotchkis control arms and sway bars, and a few other goodies. It’s powered by a big block Olds engine, but the owner wanted increased reliability, as he drives this car on cross country trips. His solution is a GM LSA supercharged 6.2 liter V8 “Connect & Cruise Kit” which also provides an overdrive transmission. It’s not an Oldsmobile engine, but the owner has several other numbers matching 442 W30 cars, and this one is not a “numbers car”, and he likes the technology and abilities of the LSA engine and the 4L85E transmission.  

 

Continue reading “1968 Oldsmobile 442 Supercharged 6.2 L LSA V8 Driveline Swap at the V8 Speed and Resto Shop”