In April of 1964, the Oldsmobile 442 option package was introduced for the Cutlass. The 4-4-2 moniker was derived from the option’s four-barrel carb, four-speed manual transmission, and dual exhaust. The Oldsmobile 442 was based on the B09 Police Apprehender Pursuit package that added twenty horsepower, a hotter cam, upgraded suspension, redline tires on six-inch-wide wheels, fender badges and more. The Oldsmobile 442 remained a Cutlass option package until 1968, when it became a standalone model in the Oldsmobile line.
For the 1970 model year, General Motors lifted their ban on engines in excess of four hundred cubic inches in mid-size cars. This paved the way for the 455 cubic-inch Big Block V8 to be stuffed in the Oldsmobile 442, with output rated at 365 horsepower. Other changes of note included a silver grille with vertical bars, rectangular front bumper parking lights, and vertical tail lights. It’s worth noting that the Cutlass had been equipped with a 455 cube V8 in 1969 as part of the Hurst/Olds package.
1970 marked the peak of the muscle car era. The following year, increasingly strict federal emissions standards and climbing insurance rates combined to crush the big power party. Combined with insurance companies that balked at the muscle car power ratings, the writing was on the wall. There was one last chance for the Oldsmobile 442 to make its mark in muscle car history.
Our feature Oldsmobile 442 is a survivor car that has amassed just 54,107 miles on its odometer from new. The 442 wears its factory applied Porcelain White with black hood stripes and twin pinstripes at the belt line, a white vinyl top, and black vinyl bucket seat interior. The paint has some small nicks and chips, but no more than what would be expected on a fifty-one-year-old car. Bumpers appear to be in good nick, with no overt signs of patina or pitting noted. Stainless trim is shiny, and the Oldsmobile Super Stock II wheels are wrapped with Goodyear Polyglas raised white-letter bias-plies. The original white vinyl top looks to be in exceptional condition.
The interior of the Oldsmobile 442 shows little sign of wear, save for some minor creasing on the driver’s side bucket seat. The console is home to the Hurst shifter that rows the four-speed Muncie M21 manual transmission. The 442 is equipped with a power convertible top, power brakes with front discs, power steering, and an upgraded stereo (the original is included in the sale). A black vinyl boot covers the top when lowered.
The matching-number 455 cubic-inch V8 resides in the engine bay of the Oldsmobile 442. It is equipped with the original carburetor and distributor. The engine bay appears clean and correct. The foam gasket that seals the carb to the cold air induction hood has become somewhat crushed and dried with age.
Included in the sale of this 442 is the original Protect-O-Plate, two original build sheets, partial ownership history, and service records. This exceptionally original Oldsmobile 442 is being offered by RK Motors Charlotte for $96,900.
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Comments
Very nice car. I always thought that Oldsmobile had the best over quality of all the GM brands.
Olds and Buick engines were my favorites.
It just cost a small fortune for an adjustable valvetrain if you went to a semi-radical cam.
… here is winter 0°C with snow, there is here no global warming so do not know if open so fits
Ahh, the sweet victory of having escaped “rotisserie restoration” and retaining the incomparable character and soft glow of well cared for, burnished original finishes. Too bad about the engine detailing.
Outstanding .. GM should have never killed Oldsmobile they were the innovator of many new features . GM now has no middle division for its buyers . Poor judgement what a surprise !!! Chevrolet – Oldsmobile- Cadillac ,,no need for GMC complete duplication of the Chevrolet line …
Great car. Great era.
I’ve been recording and watching the Mecum Auto Auctions on NBCSN and I’m just in awe over the beauty of 1960s and 70s GM cars. I knew they were good but I guess compared to the lameness of today, those designs truly impress. In this era GM would have a beautiful design, completely reshape it and create another stunning landmark design. The easiest example is the C2 and C3 Corvette but they did the same thing with your humble Chevrolet Chevelle from ‘67 to ‘68 too. They were both beautiful but totally different. Over and over again they would do this across five divisions. The breath and excellence of the design work, as exemplified by this 442 is staggering. Today’s gm can’t even manage to wrap the awesome C8 Corvette in a attractive package.
They are beautiful to look at but to drive they really need to be updated like Jay Leno recently did with his very rare 6 cylinder Firebird…nostalgic drives don’t need to include poor handling, steering, braking and lack of structural rigidity…
They drive beautifully as they were built. These were top of the heap cars in their day. I drive my 1970 Skylark with well over 200K miles regularly. The suspension’s never been rebuilt or altered, the engine’s never been out of the car and it’s still got the original exhaust system save for muffler replacements. The car is a pleasure to drive, comfortable as can be and It’s nice to be able to see out the windshield on a twisty road without a giant A pillar blocking your view of every turn. My ultra-low mileage 1970 Chevelle SS 396 4-spd original paint survivor drives like a dream on the rare occasion I take it out. I don’t even get it wet. Why ruin the essence of an old car turning it into a resto-mod? If you want a car that drives like a new car – buy a new car.
The 442 is a great car! I used to own a olds cutlass S, two door,350engine, and it was a great car for me. Does anyone know where I can find one?
You will find the Olds of your dreams at Barrett-Jackson, Mecum, and dozens on line…