Numbers Matching 1970 Oldsmobile 442 W-30 Auction Bound

by Brett Hatfield
— May 2, 2023

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Introduced in April of 1964 as an answer to the blinding success of corporate cousin the Pontiac GTO, the Oldsmobile 442 was a trim package for the Olds Cutlass. The 4-4-2 moniker came from the four-barrel carburetor, four-speed manual transmission, and dual exhaust. The package was based on another option pack, the B09 Police Apprehender Pursuit Pack. The B09 Police Apprehender package added twenty horsepower to the Cutlass with an aggressive cam, along with a beefed up suspension and six-inch wide wheels wrapped in redline rubber. The 4-4-2 package would remain a Cutlass trim package until the 442 became its own model in 1968.

The acme for GM muscle car power came in 1970. Stricter federal fuel economy and emissions standards were forthcoming, at the same time insurance companies were beginning to shy from covering evermore powerful versions of the boulevard brawlers. General Motors decided to give their customers a fabulous final year of big muscle in 1970, removing the internal edict of limiting mid-size passenger vehicles to 400 cubic inches of displacement, thus paving the way for a single year of hairy chested street beasts with asphalt-rippling power.

For the Oldsmobile 442, its 455 cubic-inch Big Block was rated at 365 horsepower and positively monstrous 500 pound-feet of torque. Checking the W-30 option would net you the W-25 fiberglass hood complete with functional air scoops, Select-Fit engine components including a freer-flowing air filter, a hotter cam, and a Winters aluminum intake. One could also select a close-ratio, heavy-duty four-speed manual transmission. Output with the W-30 option was factory rated at 370 horsepower, but it wasn’t uncommon to squeeze out 400 ponies with a bit of tuning. It’s worth noting that the 1969 Hurst/Olds equipped Cutlass included the 455 as part of the package.

Our feature 1970 Oldsmobile 442 W-30 has been the subject of a nut-and-bolt restoration. It is brilliant in its original shade of Sebring Yellow with black stripes over a black vinyl interior. It retains its original numbers-matching 455 cubic-inch engine and four-speed manual transmission. As part of the W-30 package, the 442 has a W-25 fiberglass hood with functioning air intake scoops. The 442 rides on Super Stock I wheels shod in Firestone Wide Oval tires.

Beneath the Oldsmobile 442’s hood resides the Rocket 455. The engine bay is well detailed, and the distinctive red plastic front fender wells are visible. The Rocket 455 is fed by a four-barrel carb through the Winters aluminum intake manifold and rated at 370 horsepower.

Inside, the Oldsmobile 442 is awash in black vinyl and carpet. The dash is finished in faux wood trim. Shifting duties are handled by the floor-mounted Hurst shifter in front of the bench seat. The 442 is equipped with power steering, a pushbutton radio and optional 8-Track player.