Oldsmobile, sadly defunct since 2004, was once a glittering jewel in the General Motors crown, with models like the Rocket 88, Toronado, and Vista Cruiser Wagon reflecting the higher vision of the once-illustrious marque. In the muscle-car domain, the 442, made from 1968-1971 as its own designated model, was named for its four-barrel carburetor, four-speed transmission, and dual exhausts. The 4-4-2 designation was pure GM marketing spin, but the car’s performance was real. The highest-output W-30 package was powered by Old’s 455 ci V8 engine, underrated at 370 hp and 500 lb-ft of torque, but wickedly fast in its day. It was the official Indy 500 pace car for 1970 and rightly so, as it represents Oldsmobile’s ultimate performance car.
From the article by Robert Ross, Bryan Hood, Erik Shilling
