Oldsmobile 442

1967-70 Oldsmobile 442

The Oldsmobile 4-4-2 (also known as the 442) is a muscle car produced by Oldsmobile.
It was produced between 1964 and 1980.
It was Introduced as an option package for US-sold F-85 and Cutlass models.
It became a model in its own right from 1968 to 1971.
It produced the formidable Hurst/Olds in 1968 and then reverted to an option through the mid-1970s.
The 4-4-2
The “4-4-2” name (pronounced “Four-four-two”) derives from the original car’s:
Four-barrel carburettor
Four-speed manual transmission
Dual exhausts
It was originally written “4-4-2” (with badging showing hyphens between the numerals).
It remained hyphenated throughout Oldsmobile’s use of the designation.

Beginning in 1965, the 4-4-2s standard transmission was a 3 speed manual along with optional 2 speed automatic or 4 speed manual, but were still badged as “4-4-2″s.

By 1968 badging was shortened to simply “442”, but Oldsmobile brochures and internal documents continued to use the “4-4-2″ model designation.
1967

For 1967 the 4-4-2’s styling and base engine remained the same, but the automatic three-speed Turbo-Hydramatic with Switch Pitch became available.
This replaced the two-speed Switch Pitch Jetaway, as was the case with the mid-sized muscle cars from other GM divisions.
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 Ed Cole’s beloved Corvette and the Corvair saw the demise of the L69 with its triple carburetors, a rare option for Olds and an icon for Pontiacs since 1957.

The W30 remained available, although the four-barrel Quadrajet carburetor replaced the tri carb 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.
Unlike in previous years which the 4-4-2 option could be ordered on either baseline F-85 or upscale Cutlass models.

The 1967 4-4-2 package was based on the top-line Cutlass Supreme series including the sport coupe (with center post), Holiday hardtop coupe and convertible.
Standard equipment on all models included:
Strato bucket seats
No-cost notchback bench seat
Full carpeting,
Expanded Morocceen vinyl upholstery
Heavy-duty suspension with rear sway bar
Wide-oval tires.
Power front disc brakes were $104, while power steering was $94.

The 4-4-2 came standard with a group of accident avoidance and protection features which included:
Energy-absorbing steering column
Safety steering wheel
Padded dash
Recessed controls
Four-way hazard flashers
A dual-circuit brake hydraulic master cylinder.

Production rallied somewhat from the previous year, rising to 24,833.

Production
1968–1972
Assembly
Lansing, Michigan
Framingham, Massachusetts
Arlington, Texas
Kansas City, Kansas
Fremont, California
Linden, New Jersey
Oshawa, Ontario
Body style
2-door Sport coupe (pillars)
2-door Holiday coupe (hardtop)
2-door convertible
Vista Cruiser station wagon (1970)

Engine
455 cu in (7.5 L) V8
400 cu in (6.6 L) 290hp V8

Transmission
4-speed manual
3-speed manual
3-speed automatic

Dimensions
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)

The 4-4-2 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).
Car Life tested a 1968 4-4-2 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.
All standard 1968 4-4-2 engines are painted a bronze–copper color, as with the 1967s, topped with a fire-red air cleaner.

W-30 option cars were equipped with:
Ram Air intake hoses leading from a chrome-topped dual snorkel black air cleaner
Under-bumper air scoops
Bright red plastic fender wells.
Turnpike Cruiser Option
In addition, a Turnpike Cruiser option was made available with a:
Two-barrel carburettor
This was previously available on the Cutlass Supreme for 1967.

1968 was the first year:
For side marker lights
Front outboard shoulder belts
It was the last year for vent windows on hardtops and convertibles
4-4-2s for ’68 had:
Unique rear bumpers
Exhaust cutouts
Special exhaust tips

Hurst Olds
In 1968 Oldsmobile partnered with Hurst Performance Research Corporation to create the Hurst/Olds rather than just adding Hurst shifters as with earlier models.
The limited regular production run of 515 Hurst/Olds (459 Holiday Coupes/56 Sport Coupes) started out as regular 4-4-2s, but were treated to numerous distinct enhancements, both cosmetic and mechanical.
Features
All Hurst/Olds:
Were painted Peruvian Silver (a Toronado color)
Had liberal black striping
White pinstripes
Exterior and interior H/O badging
Real walnut wood dash insert
Mechanically, the cars left the factory with two drive train combinations.
Red 455 CID engines were backed by modified W-30 Turbo 400 automatic transmissions.
A/C cars got a W-46 engine with a 3.08:1 rear while non-A/C cars got a W-45 engine with a 3.91:1 rear. While both engines were rated at 390 hp (291 kW), the W-45 engine received the cylinder heads from the W-30 and the camshaft from the W-31, making it more suitable for higher rpms.

All cars had:
Bucket seats
A Hurst Dual-Gate shifter in a mini-console
Standard 4-4-2 Features
Regular features included:
Disc brakes
Heavy duty cooling
FE2 suspension
They shared the red fender wells and ram air setup with the W-30.
Additional Options
Additional options included the
Tic-toc-tach
Wood-grained steering wheel
Power front disc brakes were optional
The 1968 Hurst/Olds was able to do 0–60 in 5.4 sec with a top speed of 103 mph.

1969 Oldsmobile 4-4-2 convertible
1969 4-4-2s were very similar to the 1968.
The differences were:
The division tooth between the grilles
The trunk lid inlets for the tail lights
Wing windows deleted on Holiday Coupes and convertibles
Steering lock ignition switch on the steering column
Standard headrests were added to the front seats
The paint scheme
Other features included:
Twin hood stripes
Enlarged 4-4-2 numerals
Optional disc brakes with updated single-piston calipers
Exhaust manifolds featured a new center divider for better performance.
Changes to the engine
The engine changes included:
The Turnpike Cruiser option was deleted

The W32 Engine came with the Forced Air Induction plumbing
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.
They had:
A Cameo White Fire Frost Gold striped paint scheme
Outrageous functional ram air mailbox hood scoops
Rear pedestal spoiler
15” SSII chrome plated rims
European racing mirrors
A 380-horsepower 455 cid V8 that was detuned slightly from 1968.
906 production Hurst/Olds Holiday Coupes were built.
This included 6 prototypes and 2 convertibles for a total of 914 cars.
Performance for the 1969 Hurst/Olds was 0–60 in 5.9 sec
The top speed was 101 mph

1970 was the pinnacle of performance from Oldsmobile.
General Motors dropped the cap on engine size in 1970, and Oldsmobile responded by making the Olds 455 V8 the standard 4-4-2 engine.
Those seeking to experience the ultimate in performance from Lansing could order a “W-Machine” version of the 4-4-2, dubbed the W-30 package.
The 4-4-2 W-30
The 442 W-30 had:
A fiberglass hood (option W25)
Functional air scoops
Low-restriction air cleaner
Aluminum intake manifold
Special camshaft
Cylinder heads
Distributor, and carburettor
Two W-30 equipped 4-4-2 Vista Cruisers were produced by special order. Rear shoulder seat belts were optional at $23.
New options for the 1970 4-4-2 included:
GM’s Variable-ratio power steering
A console-mounted Hurst Dual/Gate shifter for use with the Turbo Hydra-matic transmission
Aluminum differential housing and cover
All Oldsmobile V8s received new Positive Valve Rotators for the 1970s to increase engine valve life.
1970 Model Year Spotting Tips
Vertical bars in silver grille
Rectangular parking lights in front bumper
Vertical tail lights.
A 1970 Oldsmobile 4-4-2 was featured in the chase scene of the movie Demolition Man starring Sylvester Stallone.

Colours

1967
Ebony Black
Turquoise Frost
Provincial White
Crystal Blue
Midnight Blue
Mimini Blue
Gold
Aspen Green
Emerald Green
Aquamarine
Turquoise
Burgundy Mist
Pewter
Spanish Red
Champagne
Cameo Ivory
Dubonnet
Antique Pewter
Sauterne
Carnet Red
Saffron
Florentine Gold

1968
Twilight Teal B C
Provincial White
Sapphire Blue
Nocturne Blue
Teal Frost
Willow Gold
Ocean Turquoise
Cinnamon Bronze
Flambeau Burgundy
Silver Green
Oldsmobile Scarlet
Jade Gold
Ivory
Juneau Gray
Silver Beige
Buckskin
Saffron
Peruvian Silver
Ebony Black

1969
Ebony Black
Saffron
Cameo
Trophy Blue
Crimson
Glade Green
Meadow Green
Sable
Palomino Gold
Topaz
Burgundy Mist
Platinum Silver
Autumn Gold
Powder Blue
Flamingo Silver
Covert Beige
Deauville Gray
Chestnut Bronze

1970
Aegean Aqua
Classic White
Platinum
Oxford Gray
Azure Blue
Gulfstream Blue
Viking Blue
Twilight Blue
Reef Turquoise
Aspen Green
Ming Jade
Sherwood Green
Bamboo
Daytona Yellow
Nugget Gold
Galleon Gold
Burnished Gold
Sandalwood
Copper Mist
Cinnamon Bronze
Rally Red
Granadier Red
Fire Red
Regency Rose
Burgundy Mist

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