This Olds 4×4-4-2 Looks Ready For Adventure

Have you ever wanted to take a muscle car off-road? Perhaps you’ve dreamed of following in James Garner’s footsteps and tackling the Baja peninsula in a lifted Olds 4-4-2 just like the actor/racer did in the late ’60s and early ’70s. While those fantastic desert running machines were rear-wheel-drive, this 1968 Oldsmobile 4-4-2 up for sale on Hagerty Marketplace that’s been converted into a 4×4 looks nearly as fun, and we bet it can kick up an equally impressive cloud of dirt.

Located in Peru, Indiana, about 80 miles north of Indianapolis, this 1968 Olds 4-4-2 is powered by a 455 V-8 topped by a low-profile Edelbrock Torker single-plane intake. It fits the vintage vibe of the car, but there are probably a few newer induction options that would outperform the old design. Either way, that big V-8 shouldn’t have much trouble churning all four 31-inch BFGoodrich T/A tires, especially since the engine has been overhauled once before.

In Olds parlance, 4-4-2 originally meant that the performance variant of the Cutlass was equipped with a four-speed manual, a four-barrel carb, and a dual exhaust. While the connotation of its name evolved several times and those “4s” took on several different meanings, none of them ever incorporated four-wheel-drive. According to the listing, the owner believes the original frame was modified to fit the new leaf spring suspension. Taking a look at some of the photos, it appears that a cross-member was modified to accept the oil sump of the 455, so perhaps some crossmembers were pirated from a K5 Blazer/Jimmy or similar K10 pickup chassis. That does match the front and rear leaf spring suspension and the axles, which appear to be a GM 10-bolt in the back and a Dana 44 in the front. Those axles would be appropriate for a 1/2-ton truck or SUV. The NP405 transfer case used on the Olds is a sturdy piece of equipment and was also available in a wide range of GM trucks and SUVs. Whatever was done to mount the axles on the leaf springs, the result looks great, as the tires seem well placed under the wheel arches.

The Platinum SIlver paint and the chrome on the exterior of the Olds seems to be in reasonable shape, but the interior does show some wear, with cracks in the bench seat. The dash and door panels, however, seem to have survived whatever off-road adventures the 4-4-2 has been up to. The transfer case shifter seems like it belongs there, doesn’t it?

With a week to go, bidding on the 4×4-4-2 has just begun. We’d love to see it up close and get some first-hand experience with it, and we’re sure that the new owner will have a lot of fun with this interesting creation.