Oldsmobile 442

The Oldsmobile 442 (pronounced four-four-two) was a muscle car produced by the Oldsmobile division of General Motors. It was introduced as an option package for F-85 and Cutlass models sold in the United States beginning with the 1964 model year. It became a model in its own right from 1968 to 1971, then reverted to an option through the mid-1970s. Oldsmobile revived the name in the 1980s on the rear-wheel drive Cutlass Supreme and early 1990s as an option package for the new front-wheel drive Cutlass.

1964

The 442 was born out of the competition between Pontiac Division and Oldsmobile. It began as a hasty response to the Pontiac Tempest GTO, which had proved to be an unexpected success midway through the 1964 model year. It was created by performance enthusiast and Oldsmobile engineer John Beltz (also responsible for the Toronado), aided by Dale Smith and Olds Chief Engineer Bob Dorshimer.^[1]
Because of its late introduction (some three-fourths of the way through the model year) and the ambiguous nature of the GTO — which was technically a violation of GM policy limiting intermediate models to 330 CID (5.4 L) — the Olds offering was a conservative package. Technically the "B09 Police Apprehender" option, it used the four-barrel carbureted 330 CID (5.4 L) V8 with heavy-duty valve gear, posi trac, and a hotter camshaft, raising rated (SAE gross) output to 310 hp (231.3 kW) at 5200 rpm. Torque remained 355 lb·ft (481 N·m), although the torque peak rose from 2800 rpm to 3600 rpm. The package also included a stiffened frame, boxed rear suspension control arms, a heavy duty clutch and four-speed manual transmission, a heavy duty driveshaft, oversized brakes and the heavy-duty police-package suspension, with heavy duty wheels, higher-rate coil springs front and rear, heavy-duty shock absorbers, a larger front anti-roll bar, and an additional rear anti-roll bar.

1965

With the GTO receiving GM corporate sanction, Oldsmobile followed suit with a big-engine 442. The B09 option was renamed 442 and the price was lowered to $190.45 for F-85s and $156.02 for Cutlasses. The new 400 CID (6.6 L) engine became standard, and the definition of "442" was restated as 400 cubic inches, 4 barrel carburetor (a 515 cfm Rochester 4-Jet),^[1] 2 exhausts. Output for the big engine rose to 345 hp (257 kW) and 440 lb·ft (597 N·m). The standard transmission became a three-speed manual with the four-speed as an option, and Oldsmobile's two-speed Jetaway automatic transmission was added as an alternative. The '65 was the first 442 to use a Hurst shifter, which was included when the HD 3 speed manual transmission was ordered. The heavy duty 3 speed was a mid year introduction and used a floor shifter, unlike the early 3 speed that used a column shifter.

1966

The 1966 442 shared a modest facelift with other Cutlasses. Its major news was the addition of two new optional engines: the L69, with three two-barrel Rochester 2GC carburetors on a progressive linkage, rated at 360 hp (268 kW) and 440 lb·ft (597 N·m) of torque, which was priced at US$264.54,^[2] and the rare W30. The standard engine, now dubbed L78, was rated 350 hp (261 kW)/440 ft·lbf with a single four-barrel carburetor.
The W30 engine added an outside-air induction system (admitting cool air to the carburetors via tubing from the front bumper) and a hotter cam, rated—or, more likely, underrated—the same as the L69. The battery was relocated to the trunk to make room for the air hoses, which prevented the package from being ordered on convertible models. Only 54 W30s were built by the factory, although an additional 97 were produced for dealer installation.

1967

For 1967 the 442's styling and base engine remained the same, save for an increase in intake valve size to 2.067 from 1.99. but the automatic three-speed Turbo-Hydramatic with Switch Pitch became available, replacing the two-speed Switch Pitch Jetaway, as was the case with the mid-sized muscle cars from other GM divisions (Pontiac GTO, Chevrolet Chevelle SS396, and Buick GS400). The heavy-duty floor-mounted three-speed manual transmission was now standard with the Muncie M-20 and M-21 four-speeds optional, all with Hurst shifters. Front Disc brakes were a new option this year.
A GM policy decision banning multiple carburetors for all vehicles except the Corvette saw the demise of the L69 with its triple carburetors. The W30 remained available, although the four-barrel Quadrajet carburetor replaced the J-2 triple two-barrel setup. New red plastic inner fender liners became part of the W30 package. 502 factory W30 engines were built to meet NHRA homologation rules, along with an unknown number of dealer-installed packages. 4-way emergency flashers became standard as it did on all new GM models for 1967.

1968

Second generation

Production	1968–1972
Assembly	Lansing, Michigan Framingham, Massachusetts Arlington, Texas Kansas City, Kansas Fremont, California Linden, New Jersey
Body style	2-door coupe 2-door convertible
Platform	A-body
Engine	455 cu in (7.5 L) V8 400 cu in (6.6 L) V8 350 cu in (5.7 L) V8
Transmission	4-speed manual 3-speed manual 3-speed automatic
Wheelbase	112.0 in (2,845 mm)
Length	203.2 in (5,161 mm)
Width	76.2 in (1,935 mm)
Height	52.8 in (1,341 mm)
Curb weight	3,713 pounds (1,684 kg)
Related	Chevrolet Chevelle Chevrolet Monte Carlo Pontiac LeMans Pontiac Grand Prix Oldsmobile Cutlass

The 442 became a separate model from 1968 through 1971. The wheelbase was 112 in (2,845 mm), and over 33,000 were sold for 1968. Despite the engine displacement staying at 400 CID, the engine was based on the new 455 cranktrain (4.25 stroke) and the bore decreased (to 3.87). Torque now came at 3000–3200 rpm as opposed to the early 400's 3600 rpm peak, mostly due to a milder base cam grind. Car Life tested a 1968 442 with a 3.42:1 rear axle ratio and Hydramatic and attained 0–60 times of 7.0 seconds, and a quarter-mile time of 15.13 seconds at 92 mph (148 km/h). Top speed was reported as 115 mph (185 km/h). The base motor was still rated at 350 hp (261 kW), but only with the standard three-speed and optional four-speed; automatics were rated at 325 hp (242 kW). W-30s were rated again at 360 hp (268 kW). Car Life also tested a four-speed W-30 with 4.33 rearend gears and recorded a 13.3 at 103.30 mph (166.2 km/h), which shows the long stroke did not affect actual performance although long term durability at high (6000 plus) engine speeds might be affected.
1969 442s were very similar to the 1968 except the tooth in the grill, the tail lights, wing windows on Holiday Coupes and convertibles, the location of the ignition switch, the key, headlight setup, and paint scheme. Changes to the engine and drivetrain were minimal, but the Turnpike Cruiser option was deleted. However, another hi-po engine was offered. Called the W-32, it came with the Forced Air Induction plumbing found on the W-30s, but it had a milder cam like the base engine. It was only available with an automatic, and 297 were built, including 25 sport coupes and convertibles each. The Hurst/Olds returned, with a new regal gold and white color scheme, outrageous hood scopes and the 455 cid V8 that was detuned slightly from 1968.
Performance for the 1969 Hurst/Olds(380 hp): 0-60 in 5.9 sec, 1/4 mile in 14.03 sec @ 101 mph (163 km/h)1970 was the pinnacle of performance from Oldsmobile.^[4][5] In order to keep up in the horsepower arms-race, General Motors dropped the cap on engine size in 1970, and Oldsmobile responded by making the Olds 455 V8 the standard 442 engine. Magazine ads using an offbeat mad scientist trumpeted "Dr. Olds introduces as large a V-8 as ever bolted into a special-performance production automobile!" Output was 365 hp (272 kW) and 500 lb·ft (680 N·m), with a 370 hp (276 kW) variant available with the W30 option. A common practice of the era was to under-rate engine horsepower,^[6] and the big 455s were reported to actually dyno in excess of 400 hp (300 kW).^[7] The revised body style and increased performance resulted in the 442 being awarded pace car duties at the Indianapolis 500 race in 1970. Motor Trend praised the 442, stating that "it's probably the most identifiable super car in the GM house".The 442 name was revived in 1985 on the rear-wheel drive G-body Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme due to the demise of Oldsmobile and Hurst's official collaboration on the Hurst/Olds but Oldsmobile wanted to continue to offer a performance-oriented Cutlass model to the public. The name was now defined as referring to the car's 4-speed 200r4 automatic transmission, 4-barrel carburetor, and 2 exhausts. This W42 model replaced the 1983 and 1984 Hurst/Olds model and used the same 5.0 L LG8 V8. The shifter was mounted on the floor in a console between the front seats, and the upgraded F41 suspension package was included. 3,000 were produced in the first year, and all were sold quickly. 4,273 were produced for 1986, and 4,208 were made in 1987.

Engines

• 1972 L32 350 CID 2-barrel V8, (160 hp and 275 lb·ft (373 N·m) in 1972) [H or J in VIN]
• 1972 L34 350 CID 4-barrel V8, (180 hp and 275 lb·ft (373 N·m) in 1972) [K in VIN]
• 1972 L34 350 CID 4-barrel V8 w/N10 dual exhaust, (200 hp and 275 lb·ft (373 N·m) in 1972) [M in VIN]
• 1972 W30 455 CID 4-barrel V8, (300 hp and 410 lb·ft (556 N·m) in 1972) [X in VIN w/ TH400 and M20]
• 1972 L75 455 CID 4-barrel V8, (250 hp w/ TH400 and 370 lb·ft (502 N·m) in 1972) [U in VIN]
• 1972 L75 455 CID 4-barrel V8, (270 hp w/ M20 and 370 lb·ft (502 N·m) in 1972) [V in VIN] - used 2.07 valves and W30 automatic camshaft
• 1973-1976 455 CID V8
• 1973-1977, 1980 350 CID V8
• 1975-1976, 250 CID inline 6
• 1975-1979 260 CID V8
• 1977 403 CID V8 (185 hp and 320 lb·ft (434 N·m) in 1977)
• 1977-1979 231 CID V6
• 1978-1979 305 CID V8
• 1985-1987 307 CID V8