1968 Oldsmobile Olds Cutlass S W31 W-31 Ram Rod 350 in Blue & Ride - My Car Story with Lou Costabile 

I had a 1968 Olds 442 with the 4 speed. It was olive green with lime green interior, and boy was it fast. I had 3 of them altogether, 1968, 1973, and a 1972 with the hood scoops, 1968 was my favorite. Bucket seats, no power steering or brakes. Loved it.

Thank You Lou for featuring these Ram Rod Olds. These are very sneaky muscle cars.

My father had the 68 when I was a kid. This car left a lot big block owners surprised. These are very special cars. Dad had the 3:91 rears. The engine is balanced and blueprinted from the factory. The cam is special from factory and you could only have manual brakes because of lack of boost. It had a huge harmonic balancer. They were incredibly quick! Dad use to say you better know how to shift fast and clean ! I also believe they came with a heavy clutch. Mom made him get rid of it because she hated driving it. She said every time I pull away from a stop light I either stall it or I have the backend going sideways! I loved that car an hope to own one in the future.

What a fun car! Beautiful restoration as it looks like it’s straight off the showroom floor in 1968.

I had a 69 Mach 1 in 1971 and the only car I got beat by was a 68 Ram Rod with a 4 speed and a W27 rear end. Car was fast!

Fantastic! Sean has one heck of a fast and rare Olds. Stickers and all! Thanks, Lou!

WOW.. simply BEAUTIFUL! I have seen these cars (Ram Rod 350) run down the Quarter Mile Track at the Pure Stock Muscle Car Drags in Stanton, Michigan and I know for a fact, these Small Blocks are SUPER FAST! In fact, I’ve seen them beat a few Big Blocks!!!!! These Ram Rods SCREAM down the Race Track!!!!!! 🏁🏁🏁

I’m surprised you guys didn’t mention the special cam olds developed for this year which was only for w30 and w31 cars. Super aggressive 308 duration and 474 intake and exhaust I believe. It’s he reason why it was unavailable with power brakes bc it produces low vacuum. Great car, I absolutely loveee these.

Thanks for sharing! Fun fact: I've recently picked up a Johnny Lightning '68 Olds Cutlass W31 Ram Rod 350

I don't know how I missed this video. What a great restoration! I love both the exterior and interior colors. The redline tires and dog dish hubcaps are nice also. The engine sound is incredible, it sounds like four Harleys. Thanks for sharing, Lou!

Lou, With the wide ratio 4 speed and 3.42 rear end, this was the 'sensible' way to equip your Ram Rod Cutlass. ;) Note to Sean - I was so glad to hear what you said about being "engaged" in your driving. That's why I drive a manual.

Goodday Lou, Got an early start in the morning, it's 10 pm here in Melbourne, Australia & you put on a W31. You are the best, you did this for me, you know how much I love W31 Oldsmobile, especially the 1968 Ram Rod. Have to wait till the morning. Thanks heaps. Your number 1 Fan in Australia Louis Kats from Melbourne Australia ☺ 👍 ❤

$3600.00 then,, amazing,, very rare, in 1970 Olds had a yellow one called Rallye 350

Lou, made aware Sean's car via the Olds club magazine...Journey With Olds. ...truly a rare gem...'68 the best looking of the bunch....Olds finished the sixties with three versions of their 350....W-31, Standard and 500 some examples of the QB...which according to one column in said magazine "produced more than the claimed 310 HP"...

Love it! Back when they made budget muscle cars, like the Road Runner. Now every new V8 car has a MSRP of $50k+ and all the frills.

That idle.... sweet Lord, does that sound great :D

Two thumbs up from this fellow W-31 owner

You said it Lou this is a treat of a car a sleeper !

Lou, that W31 is AMAZING! This is the car NOBODY around me had! 1 buddy had a 69 W30 but had the engine replaced with a 455...he wrecked it... Another guy I know had 1971 Cutlass SX 455, with Hurst Dual gate....I just remembered the tire smoke that car would generate! But Nobody had a W31 Ram Rod....I Love Olds, and had a number of Cutlass's over the years, 1972, 1973, 1975....

Awesome video as per usual. That body style of Cutlass has always been my favorite. Thanks Lou.

nice...one of the last of the olds classics

Great car Lou, I had a '68 cutlass in high school & loved it 👍👍

I bought one of these new in southern Indiana for around $3300. I won my class at the drags every time and won stock eliminator about half the time. It had the 4:33 and I bought a 4:66 for 1/8th mile racing. It was otherwise modified for NHRA legal. Twice it was challenged and once it was accused of having illegal heads and a guy paid to have a head pulled to "prove" that I was cheating. I wasn't, of course. Absolutely amazing car. In a fit of insanity, I sold it in 1970. I located it again, completely restored, on the east coast. The guy said that he wouldn't sell it but if he did he'd want at least $100K. There were two of these in Bedford, Indiana, and a Ram Air 442. We were all buddies. Great times.

Another great Car story Lou! Thanks for everything you do. I am happy to be along for the ride.

Lou, thanks for sharing this incredible Olds Cutlass S ramrod ! That owner is one LUCKY guy ! What a fine survivor car , and that it was mostly intact. Love this olds, and it's not even a 442 ! Great channel as always Lou, thanks!

Now that OLDSMOBILE Cutlass S W31 Ram Rod 350 was a very underrated car in its day ! Which catch alot of cars off guard because of its light weight and that potent Oldsmobile made V8 engine ! And that's when GM's was put out some beautiful cars back then !! Just a beautiful car wow !!

That’s a beauty I love the cutlass

My favorite Cutless first year of that body style a rare find too ! Love those oldsmobile's from 62'- 69' ! Nice one Lou

The 442 and other Cutlass Variations are my favorite GM Muscle Cars!!

Cool 😀

Have never seen or heard about this model in Canada. Then again I would have been in grade 8 or so when this came out. What a beauty. Love your channel Lou. Keep up the good work.

Awesome Oldsmobile, thanks for sharing Lou you always manage to find the best cars to show!! Loving the channel and as always "Howdy from Texas "!!

The first vehicle I drove was 68 442 convertible. I like this Oldsmobile. From what I understand the Ram Rod 350 engine was balanced and blueprinted from the factory. Thanks

Goodday Lou, Just watched the video, far out what a sinister black or blue beauty. In my opinion the W31 especially the 1968 are the most underrated, misunderstood, what is that muscle car from the muscle car era. People wouldn't expect such a beast from Oldsmobile, they don't associated small blocks with Oldsmobile. Almost 1 Hp per cubic inch, even Ma Mopar didn't have a small block with over 300 Hp. Cudos to Sean from such an awesome Oldsmobile. Just recently at Mecum Indy my favorite muscle car was a 1970 Oldsmobile Cutless S, with the L74 option, Green in colour. Got it as a screen saver on my laptop. Thank you for showing this magnificent W31, appreciated everything you do for us crazy muscle car lovers. Your number 1 Fan in Australia Louis Kats from Melbourne Australia ☺ 👍 ❤

Very Special Lou! Fantastic restoration and you’re right you do not see these anymore. I remember 1 black ‘68 Cutless with the dog dish caps ownd by Father Brabson who was in his 80’s. For many years that car looked like new as it must of been garaged and I will be honest I love this style now but as a kid I thought it was odd looking. Now I think WOW! Love the front end. Thank You.

Awesome car, and the best part is it was purchased at Parklane Motors in Sarnia Ontario Canada. This is the same dealership that sold me a 1969 Oldsmobile F85 W31 post car. I have been looking for this car for several years and don't know if it survived. Shawn may be able to provide some advice as to how to obtain the GM Canada build sheets etc.

If I could give this car a double thumbs up, I would. Amazing. Thanks for the vid.

My parents bought a new 1968 Olds Cutlass S, bright yellow. The engine had an issue where you could turn the ignition off and it would sit there chugging away for about 15 seconds.

Amazing.. I can hear a Cam.. Oldsmobile was the best…

The ultimate "sleeper".

I had a 68 "S" about 20 years ago. Had the same colour interior with the split bench. Also mine had a two speed auto.

Brings me back to when I got my first car in 1996 it was a 72 Skylark! I wish I still had it!

What a neat car and color Lou! I have heard of these Ram Rods have seen one on the internet before been a long time. Sounded awesome and the owner was really cool and his knowledge of his car. Really a stripped down unit but boy that power sure makes up for it! I bet that one throws you back in your seat when you step on it! Thanks Lou for sharing!!

I know someone who bought one of these brand new and had a plaque on the dash that said first one west of the Mississippi.

Awesome W31 !

Thumbs Up Lou! Thanks for featuring one of Sean's cars! Sean........ great seeing you on here too!

What a slick car. Like the exhaust.

Oldsmobile in 1968 promoted its cars as "Youngmobiles", and this one surely qualifies!

Love that car sean miss my 67 442 just a tid bit lou and sean the 400 cu inch were gold also u have the same childhood memories I do my uncle had my car before me and when I turned 16 I put a 1000 dollars in his hand that i saved working at my job and that car was mine first thing my mom said was hes gonna have it around a tree in a week lol miss that idle sound mine idled the same way and when i stomped in it and those secondarys opened up u knew I was coming only crazy thing I did with car one was raceing a vete on a by pass around town that had a good straight away we both got in them and I looked down at the speedometer and it was coming off 120 and coming back around and that was moving and floating I backed out of it that was a crazy night lol

Always loved the Cutlass. A friend had one 350 rocket. Was jealous of that car.

Awesome Olds!

Hi Lou, I love Oldmobile, I prefer the 442, Fantastic !!!!

So satisfying to see such a perfect car in such good custody 🚀

My father was an Oldsmobile guy. Had a 68 four door he gave to one of my older sister in 73 as her first car. One of her girl friends through cigarette out of the car one night landed in the backseat and burned it right to the ground...I think he cried that night.

Awesomeness.. I wish mine were w31

Every 68 Cutlass made so many different models we're great running cars 20 even 30 years later these cars were still on the road if you change the oil and kept it tuned she would start up and run like the day you got her amazing car

This could be my favorite muscle car Lou has come across - and I'm a Mopar guy!

Love the car. A sedan to boot

Wow! Another great video Lou love watching your channel. That has to be a really rare car. I have read about them but I have never had the privilege of seeing one in person.

The S stood for supreme ... Body are the same... F-85 Deluxe. Is the same as a Cutlass Supreme just the badge... They built them in W-31 as well ... The H/O model built 515 of them and only 1 4-speed but never sold to public in '68 I do have the numbers burried somewhere ... What number is on your cylinder head on drivers side front by the plug area... It's a tic tock tack... Ya it's quarter after 4600... Nice unit I really like it that the only year I never had. Always loved that style. I had '64,. "65,. '66. Two '67's. & '70 W-30 plus a lot of parts cars..

And one of the rarest of the breed.... The W31 Ram Rod 350!!

Lou com’n you mean to tell me you didn’t know that the cutlass and the cutlass supreme were two separate body styles? The supreme was the luxury version made to compete with the Monte Carlo. Also came with a 4brl instead of a 2brl standard in the base cutlass. I still love the channel don’t worry and I will watch the commercials

Awesome car and story!! Thanks again Lou 😀👍 . Damn she sounds good!!

Nice trailer hitch.

That car is .no joke. Vaguely remember them as a child as well. Looks like it could devour the average muscle car.

Another great episode and SO much more professional without the awkward handshake routine at the start.

Only one word. NICE!!

Sounds and looks very healthy

Those poor red stripe rear tires!! LOL Sweet car! GREAT VIDEO LOU.

What a Beautiful Olds. Great Car!

Ultra rare.

Fantastic

Love the car, my husband is a olds man, thus is his dream car..love the tshirt your wearing where can I get one..

Another great video Lou. I love your channel. Thanks for doing these!

sweet !!! lou thanks for sharing this beautiful car

I agree you have about the best job i can think of Thanks for sharing Lou!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

💘 that Muscular sound!!

Just want to clarify something implicated here, which is that '68 442's did not have trumpet exhaust tips. I'm sure Lou meant "W-31's", but of course the 442 had trumpets in '68 with the dual cut-out bumper. Mine are still intact. Featured car here is fabulous!! I have several stories to tell about participating in the San Fernando Valley street racing wars in the 70's and 80's with my Olds (and some Jet cars), but it has become apparent that viewers don't much read my posts, so I guess I digress.

I had a w31 , they didn't have that sticker on it and white wall tires. took it to the strip and it turned 12:99 .

Thanks, All of you: I had not heard of this (or totally forgotten ) OPTION/ Model ...........actually was just upgrading a Burgandy Color 4 SPD/352 1966 FORD GALAXIE 500 XL . In early 1968.....

Made my day again Lou.

very cool car

Lou Feliz Natal e um próspero 2022 e continue mostrando esses carros maravilhosos para nós .

They did make these with a automatic, my mom had one of these when I waa a kid. It would really run

Learned something today....ty

68/72 Cut 442y fav Muscle

damn lou thats a cool oldsmobile you found love everything about it its perfect this would be my way of restoring a olds gota love the wheels 🇺🇸 reminds me of my 1970 tempest 😑

The Real Deal...chief!

Like I said..the Real Deal...chief!

A gorgeous 442 Ram-Rod, Rod! See her glisten, listen to her rumble and roar! Put the pedal to the metal, right through the floor! Watch the cars be passed as they fall behind., this 68 Cutless, is most sublime! Two Thumbs Up, tick-tock, tick, tock! Hear that? Its the timing of the sportscaster's clock. She beat it! She beat it good - just as any 442 really should. (okay I'm done now)

Hey Lou! I’m a huge fan of your RU-vid channel! I’m 13 Years old, and i really want to be like you when i grow up:) I know it sounds strange, but as a 13 year old, i work hard to get money to buy classic cars. I currently own a 56 Imperial, and my father owns a 53 Buick Skylark, and a 58 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham. I do have my own automotive RU-vid channel but it’s very low on subscribers. So my question is, could you do a quick review on my channel and give it a personal opinion? Thanks Bjørn:)

Goodday Lou, To all fellow My Car Story, Google Ford Falcon XA GT RPO83 Hardtop Chicken Coupe which is currently being sold on Graysonline Auction. There is a great story regarding this Hardtop which I personally consider the second greatest Australian Muscle Car, after the Chrysler VH Valiant Charger E49. Just something different

🤘😷 VAS Y MON LOU 🐺 T'ES BON BON BON 💪😜 🚙 🏁 🚙 🏁 🚙 🏁 🚙 🏁 🚙 🏁 🚙

A TRUE SLEEPER!!

Wow, whatta SLEEPER

Fortunate to have the doccumentation to nail down that it is a true W31 Ram Rod 350...

Very informative Trunk Treats...

That exhaust ❤️

My friend sold it to him. Great car, he should have never sold it.

My 442 had a gold 400