Oldsmobile 442

Oldsmobile
	1968 (left) and 1969 (right) Oldsmobile 442
442
Sales designation:	442
Production period:	1968-1971
Class :	Sports car
Body versions :	Coupé , convertible
Engines:	Petrol engines : ; 6.5–7.5 liters ; (239–272 kW)
Length:	5121 mm
Width:	1935 mm
Height:	1340 mm
Wheelbase :	2845 mm
Empty weight :	1563-1604 kg

Oldsmobile 442

The Oldsmobile 442 was a muscle car produced by the American automobile brand Oldsmobile (General Motors) from 1964 to 1991 (with interruptions) . Its additional designation 442 originally refers to its 4-way carburetor, its 4-speed gearbox and its 2-pipe exhaust system.

The 442 was first introduced as an equipment package in model year 1964 and was based on the Oldsmobile mid-range model Oldsmobile Cutlass or its base model Oldsmobile F-85 . From 1968 to 1971 the 442 operated as an independent model series, but was then marketed again as a pure equipment package. Oldsmobile revived the name in the 1980s based on the rear-wheel drive Cutlass Supreme at the beginning of the 1990s as an equipment package on the Cutlass .

Model history

Equipment line of the F-85 (1964–1967)

1964

The 442 emerged as Oldsmobile's quick response to the Pontiac GTO , which unexpectedly had proven to be a huge success.

Due to the late start towards the end of the model year and the internally controversial configuration of the GTO (on closer inspection, it represented a violation of the corporate dogma of the time not to offer engines over 5.4 liters in the mid-range models), Oldsmobile was conscious of the technology of the 442 back. Officially, the 442 package was the B09 Police Apprehender option, i.e. a technology package for police vehicles, with a 5.4-liter V8, quadruple carburetor, double exhaust and sharper camshaft, giving the machine an output of 310 hp (gross -SAE standard) came. The maximum torque remained unchanged at 483 Nm, but was only achieved at 3600 rpm instead of 2800. Part of the package was a manual four-speed gearbox and the special police chassis with harder springs at the front and rear, harder shock absorbers, thicker front stabilizer and a rear stabilizer that was unusual at the time.

The package was called 4-4-2; that stood for quadruple carburetors, four-speed gearboxes and double exhaust. It was available for all Oldsmobile F-85s with the exception of station wagons at an additional cost of $ 285 ; but mostly it was ordered for the hardtop coupés. According to factory documents, around 10 four-door sedans were built with the B09 package.

Motor Trend magazine tested an early 4-4-2 and measured 7.5 seconds for the 1558 kilogram car to sprint from 0 to 100 km / h and 15.5 seconds over the standing quarter mile (top speed 145 km / h) and a top speed of 185.6 km / h. 2999 copies were sold.

1965

After the large-volume GTO had received official approval from the group, Oldsmobile did not hesitate to follow suit with a large-displacement 442. The B09 package was renamed 442, the price lowered to $ 190 for the F-85 Standard / Deluxe and $ 156 for the F-85 Cutlass. Oldsmobile's 6.6-liter V8 (400 cui by American standards) was now standard , and the 442 was now officially defined as a 400 cubic inch, quadruple carburetor and double exhaust. The machine developed 345 hp and 599 Nm. The series was a three-speed gearbox, four gears or Oldsmobile's two-speed automatic were available for an extra charge.

Car and Driver tested a 442 with a four-speed gearbox and achieved 15.0 seconds and 157 km / h over the quarter mile; from 0 to 100 km / h you want to have needed 5.5 seconds (not very credible). The automatic test car from Car Life completed the quarter mile in 15.5 seconds and 142 km / h and reached 100 km / h in 7.8 seconds. Sales of the 442 rose to 25,003 copies.

1966

Like all F-85 models, the 1966 model year 442 received a minor facelift. Two additional machines were available at an additional cost: the L69 with three progressive Carter double carburetors, specified with 360 hp and 599 Nm, and the rare W30 . The 442 base engine was now called the L78 and came with a quadruple carburetor to 350 hp and 599 Nm.

The W30 engine had a fresh air supply (cold air was supplied to the carburettors from the bumper via hoses) and a sharper camshaft; Nevertheless, its stated performance values officially corresponded to those of the L69. The battery was moved to the trunk to make room for the hoses; for this reason the W30 was not available for the convertible. Only 54 copies of the W30 left the factory in a 442, 97 more engines went to dealers for retrofitting.

Car Life tested a four-speed 442 with the L69 and measured 6.3 seconds for the sprint to 100 km / h and over the quarter mile 14.8 seconds and 156 km / h. Motor Trend achieved 7.2 seconds or 15.2 seconds and 155.4 km / h with a similar car.

Sales fell to 21,997 cars. The 442 represented around 10 percent of Cutlass sales, while the GTO represented almost a third of all Pontiac mid-range models sold.

1967

The styling and base engine of the 442 remained unchanged in the 1967 model year, but the automatic turbo hydramatic, which was subject to a surcharge, now had three gears. Front disc brakes were a new addition.

A new GM dogma stipulated that multi-carburetor systems would only be allowed in the Chevrolet Corvette throughout the group ; that was the end of the L69 with its three carburetors. The W30 was still available, albeit with a Quadrajet four-way carburetor instead of the three double carburetors from the previous year. The W30 package now also included red plastic wheel arch linings. For homologation purposes as part of the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA), 502 W30 engines were created, plus an unknown number of engines for retrofitting at dealerships.

Cars tested a W30-442 with a four-speed sports transmission and 4.33 rear axle and achieved 14.1 seconds and 166 km / h over the standing quarter mile with the fully standard vehicle. 6.5 to 6.7 seconds passed from 0 to 100 km / h.

Sales of the 442 recovered somewhat and reached 24,833 units.

Own model (1968–1971)

From 1968 to 1971 the 442 ranked as a separate model series.

1968

The wheelbase of the new model from model year 1968 was 290 cm; over 33,000 copies were sold.

The displacement remained at 6.5 liters, but the bore was reduced and the stroke was extended in the interests of higher torque and lower emissions. The long stroke also reduced the revving and the performance development, and the 68 models were considered to be slower than the 67-442. The base engine was still specified with 350 hp, but only in conjunction with the standard three-speed and the optional four-speed gearbox; with automatic were called 325 hp. The W30 remained at 360 hp. All 442 base engines of the 1968 model year (like the 1967 predecessors) were painted a bronze color, with a fire-red air filter housing above them. In the W30, the ram-air cold air hoses led from special inlets below the bumper (which contrasted with the bright red plastic inserts in the wheel arches) to a black air filter housing with chrome decorations on the top. On request, the 442 was now also available with a weaker Turnpike Cruiser - (i.e. a motorway) package with double carburetors; the package was already available for the Cutlass Supreme.

In 1968, Oldsmobile first teamed up with the Hurst Performance Research Corporation; together they developed the Hurst / Olds as a sophisticated muscle car ; Previously, Oldsmobile had limited itself to equipping its sporty cars with Hurst gearshift rods and levers. The limited series of 515 Hurst / Olds (459 Holiday Hardtop Coupés and 56 Sport Coupés with B-pillar) were regular 442, which, however, were subjected to numerous optical and technical modifications. All cars were painted in Peruvian Silver (an Oldsmobile Toronado color), lush black and narrow white trim, H / O emblems inside and out (this model year only) and dashboard inserts made of real walnut wood. The Hurst / Olds was available with two different engine variants, each 7.5 liters in size, painted red and combined with a reinforced W30 Turbo 400 automatic. Cars with air conditioning received the W-46 engine and a 3.08 rear axle, while cars without air conditioning had the W-45 engine and a drive reduction of 3.91: 1. Both engines were specified with 390 hp, but the W-45 had the cylinder heads of the W-30 and the camshaft from the W-31, which was suitable for higher speeds. All cars were delivered with individual front seats and a Hurst Dual Gate circuit including a small center console; Numerous 442 extras such as disc brakes, increased cooling and the FE2 sports suspension were also standard. The red wheel arch liners and the ram air system came from the W-30. The more popular extras included a tachometer / clock combination (in the factory jargon it goes by the beautiful name tic-toc-tach) and a steering wheel with an imitation wooden wreath.

1969

442 convertible, 1969

The changes in engines and transmissions compared to the previous model year were minimal. However, the Turnpike Cruiser option was omitted. What was new, however, was another high-performance engine; This W-32 came up with the cold air supply of the W-30, but had a more civil camshaft, similar to the base engine. The W-32 was only available with automatic; 297 units were built, including 25 B-pillar coupés and convertibles.

Visually, the arrangement of the headlights in particular has been changed; the small additional headlights were omitted and there were round double headlights.

1970

Oldsmobile 442 (azure), 1970

For the 1970 model year, Oldsmobile's 7.5-liter V8 (455 cui) was standard in the 442. The power was specified with 365 PS and 681 Nm, a 370 PS strong W30 version was available for an extra charge. The performance values are likely to have been understated and measured below the real rated speed. It is believed that these machines actually made 410 to 420 horsepower. The 442 served as a pace car at the Indianapolis 500 that year, along with an Oldsmobile Cutlass .

The front bumper of the 1970 442 is offset down in the middle to allow a slightly larger air intake. This was not enough for the W30; Instead of the air inlets under the front bumper for cold air supply, which had been used in the model years 1968 and 1969, this had a special fiberglass bonnet through which the air got into the carburetors, an aluminum carburetor manifold and camshaft, cylinder heads, ignition distributor and Carburettor in special design.

In the 2007 remake of "The Hitcher" , the main characters drive a 1970 442.

1971

The 1971 model, which optically corresponds to the 1970s, was only available as a convertible or a hardtop coupé. Due to reduced compression ratios, the performance in model year 1972 was generally lower; that affected all GM engines. The base engine in the 442 was now in the catalog with 340 hp, the W30 with 350 hp.

Cutlass trim level (1972–1980)

1972

The 442 was reduced to the status of an optics and chassis package (order code W29), available for the Oldsmobile Cutlass as Holiday Coupé, "S" Sport Coupé and Holiday Coupé and for the Cutlass Supreme Cabriolet. The package included sports suspension (harder springs and shock absorbers, front and rear stabilizers, lower wishbones on the rear axle made of square tubes and rims in the 7Jx14 format), decorative strips on the side, emblems on the fenders and trunk lid, dummy hoods on the bonnet and a special radiator grille. When ordering the 7.5-liter, there were recesses in the rear bumper for the exhaust pipes. The 7.5-liter L75 version was optionally available, but the smaller 5.7-liter V8 (350 cui) was standard. A Hurst / Olds special model served as a pace car in Indianapolis.

Anyone who ordered a 442 in 1972 could still order the famous W30 option, which included a still potent L77 engine with a capacity of 7.5 liters with 300 net SAE hp and 558 Nm and a double sports exhaust; other features were a lightweight aluminum intake manifold, the W25 Ram Air bonnet made of fiberglass, self-locking differential with 3.42 axle drive (3.73: 1 on request) and a reinforced radiator. For technical reasons, this engine was not available in conjunction with air conditioning, and servo brakes were only available in conjunction with automatic transmissions. Although this car lived in the dusk of the muscle car era, it was definitely to be taken seriously. Only 659 W30 coupés and 113 W30 convertibles were built in the 1972 model year.

1973

The 442 remained on offer as a package for the Oldsmobile mid-range models, but sold increasingly poorly and was limited to a sportier chassis and all sorts of stripes with otherwise unchanged technology compared to the original models.

1978

From 1978 to 1980 Oldsmobile offered a limited edition of 442 special models with engines ranging from a 3.8-liter V6 to a five-liter V8 with quadruple carburetors. A 5.7 liter V8 was added in 1980. In 1979 there was also a Hurst / Olds special model in the range.

The 442 of the model years 1978/79 was based on the Oldsmobile Cutlass Salon with hatchback, thus on the lower equipment level of the successful Cutlass series. The 442 was available with all engine variants, including the 3.8-liter V6 with double carburetors, the 4.3-liter V8 with double carburetors and the five-liter V8 with double (1978) or quadruple carburetors (1979). A three-speed automatic transmission and a four-speed manual transmission from Saginaw were available for all engines, the 4.3-liter was also available with a five-speed transmission.

The external features of the 442 were decorative strips in a contrasting color on the sills and doors and around the wheel arches, as well as emblems on the trunk lid and in the interior. In connection with the 442 package, all extras available for the Cutlass Salon were also available.

Hurst / Olds 1979

In 1979 Oldsmobile offered a limited Hurst / Olds model based on the Cutlass Supreme notchback coupe. The drive was a 5.7-liter V8 with four-way carburetors from the large Oldsmobile Delta 88 and 98 models, coupled with a three-speed automatic. The Hurst / Olds were only available in gold / white or gold / black with gold-colored fabric or synthetic leather seat covers. Only about 2000 copies were built.

In model year 1980, the 442 also switched to the notchback body and received W30 emblems on the front fenders above the side marker lights, as well as less noticeable decorative stripes. Drive and extras corresponded to the other Cutlass models.

The 1980 model year marked the preliminary end of the 442.

Equipment line of the Cutlass Supreme (1985–1987)

The designation 442 was revived in 1985 for a model based on the Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme Coupé with rear-wheel drive. According to the factory, the designation now stood for the four-speed automatic, the quadruple carburetor and the double exhaust. This W42 model replaced the Hurst / Olds from model years 1983 and 1984 and made use of its LG8 five-liter. The center shift lever protruded from a center console between the seats; The standard scope of delivery also included the F41 sports suspension. Oldsmobile sold 3,000 copies in the first model year. In 1986, 4,273 units were produced, in the following model year 4208.

When the Cutlass Supreme rear-wheel drive was discontinued in 1987, the 442 disappeared - for the time being.

Cutlass Quad 442 (1990-1991)

The last time the designation 442 appeared in the early 1990s was the Quad 442 based on the front-wheel drive Oldsmobile Cutlass Calais . A 2.3-liter four-cylinder with 16 valves and two overhead camshafts, the so-called GM Quad-4 engine, was used here. The machine was trimmed with high-performance camshafts for more power at high speeds, but at the expense of an uneven idling. With a single exhaust, the engine had 183 hp and a five-speed gearbox was used. This irrevocably last 442 only existed for two years.

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James M. Flammang, Ron Kowalke: Standard Catalog of American Cars 1976-1999 . Krause Publications, Iola 1999, ISBN 0-87341-755-0

Web links

Commons : Oldsmobile 442 - Collection of pictures, videos and audio files