Oldsmobile Muscle Cars

The Oldsmobile 442

The four-four-two was so named because of its four barrel carburettor, four speed transmission and double exhaust.

The first 442s were able to go from 0 to 60 in 7.5 seconds and top 90 miles per hour. The model was introduced late in the sales year and just short of 3,000 were sold. The early 442 engine size was limited by General Motors, the parent company of Oldsmobile, regulations on engine sizes for its intermediate size cars.

The 5.5l engine was technically a breach of those regulations. But by 1965 the rules were relaxed allowing Oldsmobile to put a power packed 6.6l engine under the bonnet.
 
Transmission was three speed, but there was an optional four speed. The 442 remained as part of the Cutlass range and in 1966, along with other cars in the range, it underwent a modest design change.

Two optional engines were on offer, the L69 and the W30, later known as the L78. The latter option offered an outside air induction system. But the 442 was not proving to be a success. Production slumped to less than 22,000 and it was providing poor competition for the Pontiac GTO.

By 1967 the 442 saw its production rise to just under 25,000 and by the following year it ceased to be an option for the Cutlass range, becoming a model in its own right and sales rose to 33,000.

1968 also saw the launch of the limited edition Hust/Olds. A 455 cid V8 from the Oldsmobile muscle cars Tornado range was put in the 442. Force Air systems and Turbo Hydromatics with Hurst Dual-Gate shifters were also incorporated. Just 515 were produced in 1968 and they are highly sort after even today.

As the 1960s ended there were further design changes for the 442.These included a minor grille design alteration, tail and headlights changes, and ignition alterations as well as a new paint scheme. Under the bonnet, the high powered W-32 was introduced.

1970 also another major change in the 442 engine with the Olds 455 V8 becoming standard. The model also offered square parking lights, set in the front bumper, and vertical tail lights. The following year, the 442 was offered both as a hard top and convertible editions.

The era of the muscle car was ending and following General Motors decree that all engines should run on unleaded petrol, the 442 was to become less powerful.

By 1972 the 442 ceased to be a model in its own right, reverting back to become part of the Cutlass range.

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