1970
1970 saw the introduction of the Olds 455 V8 as the standard 442 engine. Output was 365 hp and 500 ft•lbf, with a 370 hp W30 option available. The 365 and 370 hp (272 and 276 kW) power ratings were conservatively underrated at a lower rpm. Both engines are believed by some to produce 410 to 420 hp (306-313 kW). It was the pace car at the Indianapolis 500 race in 1970, along with the Cutlass Supreme.
In addition to the standard 442 offerings, W-30's received a W-25 fiberglass OAI (Outside Air Induction) hood to replace the bumper scoops that were on the 68 and 69 W-30's, an aluminum intake manifold, special camshaft, cylinder heads, distributor, and carburetor.
1971
The 1971 442 was available in a hardtop coupe and covertible body type. The sport coupe disappeared for the first time since 1964, only to return in 1972. Engine output was down for 1971 due to a lower compression ratio (8.5:1), which affected all of GM's engines. The base 455 was rated at 340 hp, with the W-30 achieving a rating of 350 hp.
1972
The 442 name reverted to an appearance and handling option package (option code W-29) in 1972 on the Cutlass Holiday coupe, Cutlass S sport coupe and Holiday coupe, and Cutlass Supreme convertible. The W-29 option was not available on Cutlass Supreme notchback hardtops. This package consisted of suspension upgrades (heavy duty springs & shocks, front and rear sway bars, boxed lower rear control arms, and 14 by 7 inch (356 by 178 mm) wheels), side striping, fender and decklid badging, faux hood louvers, and a unique grille. A rear bumper with cutouts for exhaust tips could be had when ordered with the optional 455 engine. An L75 455 in³ V8 was available to keep the high performance flame burning, but the smaller Oldsmobile 350 V8 came standard. A special edition Hurst/Olds paced the Indy in 1972.
If you checked off the 442 option in 1972, you could then get the famed W30 option, which included the still-potent L77 455 engine pumping out 300 hp and 410 ft•lbfs of torque while breathing through low-restriction dual exhausts. Other notable components included a lightweight aluminum intake manifold, the W25 fiberglass ram-air hood, anti-spin differential with 3.42:1 gears (3.73:1 available), and heavy duty cooling. Due to the low-vacuum at idle, air conditioning was not available, and power brakes were only available with an automatic transmission. Only 113 W30 convertibles and 659 W30 coupes were made in 1972, making this a very rare option.
Engines:
1972 L32 350 in³ 2-barrel V8, (160 hp and 275 ft•lbf in 1972) [H or J in VIN]
1972 L34 350 in³ 4-barrel V8, (180 hp and 275 ft•lbf in 1972) [K in VIN]
1972 L34 350 in³ 4-barrel V8 w/N10 dual exhaust, (200 hp and 275 ft•lbf in 1972) [M in VIN]
1972 W30 455 in³ 4-barrel V8, (300 hp and 410 ft•lbf in 1972) [X in VIN w/ TH400 and M20]
1972 L75 455 in³ 4-barrel V8, (250 hp w/ TH400 and 370 ft•lbf in 1972) [U in VIN]
1972 L75 455 in³ 4-barrel V8, (270 hp w/ M20 and 370 ft•lbf in 1972) [V in VIN] – used 2.07 valves and W30 automatic camshaft
1973-1976 231 in³ V6
1973-1976 455 in³ V8
1973-1978 350 in³ V8
1976-1978 260 in³ V8
1977-1978 403 in³ V8 (185 hp and 320 ft•lbf in 1977)
1973
This was a transitional year for this model. There was an all new body design. It featured massive 5 foot long doors and energy absorbing bumpers. The rear windows were fixed and the roof was re-inforced in anticipation of roll-over standards being imposed by the US government. These cars were a few hundred pounds heavier and slightly larger than the 1972's. The introduction was delayed by a strike in 1972. The 4-4-2 option was reduced to a handling and appearance package code W-29 available on Cutlass and Cutlass "S". It consisted of a louvered hood, FE2 suspension, specific grilles, emblems and stripes. Items like dual exhuast, Super Stock wheels etc. all had to be ordered a la-carte. This was all part of the industry wide weaning of the US from large, powerful cars. 1970 was the pinnacle year for the 4-4-2. 1971 through 1977 saw a gradual reduction of options and emphasis on performance. In 1973 you could build a "real" 4-4-2 from Olds, but you had to really study the literature and have a dealer who knew what they were doing, which was quite rare. The W-30 was officially not available, but the 1972 "V" code 455 was there, but only with the 4 speed wide ratio M-20 transmission. 1973 was also the last year of the manual transmission in the Olds "A" body. The "V" code produced 270 net HP, the "U" code 455 AT produced 250 HP, while the "K" code 350 single exhaust produced 180 HP and the "M" code 350 with duals produced 200 HP. Positraction rear ends, axle ratios, gauges, Super Stock wheels, HD cooling and many sport type options were available, but these had to be ordered. The "V" code engine was also available in the Hurst/Olds without A/C,code W-46,the W-45 "U" code was standard with A/C. Both versions used the Turbohydramatic 400 transmission.
1978
Another limited-edition 4-4-2 model was offered from 1978 through 1980. Engines varied from a base 3.8L V6 to a 305 4bbl. There was no 350 available to any 4-4-2 offered in 1978 or 1979. Oldsmobile 350 in³ V8. A special-edition Hurst/Olds was also offered in 1979.
The 1978-9 version of the 442 was an option package on the "Aeroback" Oldsmobile Cutlass Salon, which was the lower-trim version of the best-selling Cutlass model range. It was offered with all powertrains available, including the 231 c.i.d., 2V V6, the 260 c.i.d. 2V V8, and 305 c.i.d. 2V (1978) or 4V (1979) V8s. Tranmissions offered were 3-spd automatic with all engines, 5 spd manual with the 260 V8 and a 4 spd Saginaw manual with all engines.
Distinctive trim elements included contrasting striping along the rocker panels and lower doors, over both wheel wells, badging on the rear trunk, and interior emblems. All other options offered on the Cutlass Salon were available with the 442 option package.
Oldsmobile issued a limited edition "Hurst/Olds" model, based on the notchback Cutlass Calais and featuring the 350 c.i.d. 4V V8 found in the larger Delta 88 and Ninety-Eight models, coupled with a 3 spd automatic transmission. Available only in gold over white or gold over black paint, with gold cloth or vinyl upholstery, only about 2,000 units were produced.
In 1980, the 442 model moved to the notchback Oldsmobile Cutlass Calais, and included W-30 badging on the front fenders above the side marker lights, with less dramatic graphics. Otherwise, the cars had identical powertrain and other options with their more mundane siblings. There were no more 442s in 1981.
1985-1987
The 442 name was revived in 1985 on the rear-wheel drive Oldsmobile Cutlass Salon. The name was now defined as referring to the car's 4-speed 200r4 automatic transmission, 4-barrel carburetor, and 2 exhausts. Its not true dual exhaust but 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.
This 442 was retired with the RWD Cutlass in 1987.
Back: 1967-1969