1970 Oldsmobile 442 W-30 - Never Bested!

Oldsmobile hit its pinnacle of performance in 1970 with its 442 W-30. It was the hottest muscle car that Oldsmobile ever produced. Never again would Oldsmobile (now defunct) ever produce a performance car that would match the 1970 442 W-30's sheer brute performance or its true muscle car mystique.

[@keithlane4343]

The Four Four Two was an awesome car. Here is a flashback story for you. My sister needed a car in the late '70's, and I was a 15 year old kid washing cars and doing oil changes after school at the local AMC dealer. One of the guys at work had two cars, a '68 Olds 442, and a 1970 GTO Judge. He was getting married and needed to sell one. So being the enterprising kid I was, I suggested to my sister to buy the 442 because it had a turbo 400 automatic. That, and I figured I would get to drive it when I got my license. She bought it and drove that car for almost a decade. We had great adventures with that car. We piled 6 people in that car, me, my friend Mike, and 4 girls (my sister and 3 of her friends) and drove to RI from Cape Cod to see the Beach Boys. One last great story for you. I got a '69 Camaro when I got my license. 327, 2bbl, two speed power glide, 3.23 gears / non posi 10 bolt rear. It wasn't fast, but it looked good, and sounded fast with Headman Headers and Turbo mufflers. I remember losing a street race and telling the guy, meet me back here in half an hour for a rematch. I drove over to Howard Johnson's restaurant where my sister worked as a waitress, and borrowed her 442. I blew the doors off the 390 Mustang that had beaten me earlier in the night. All my buddies have busted me ever since. "What, are you going to borrow your sister's car for this race....?" '70's / 80's was a great time to be a kid.😀

[@waltwilliamson2479]

U

[@chuckgates1171]

Keith Lane way cool story. I had 76 olds delta 88 royale 350 rocket and 87 cutlas t-tops 307.

[@babydriver8134]

Sounds fun. Dad being in the car business I got to drive lots of cars, but never a 4 4 2.

[@donaldhollums3278]

GM's number one mistake was putting Oldsmobile and Pontiac out of business. Their number two mistake was putting Saturn and Hummer into business.

[@paxhumana2015]

The Saturn Sky was not a bad vehicle and he Hummer was going to be put out to pasture and GM needed a counterpoint to the Jeep brand that Willys/AMC/Chrysler owned, @Donald Hollums.

[@donaldhollums3278]

Pax Humana as the old Jeep advert went, "There is only one Jeep". Aside from Ford's short-lived successful attempt no other manufacturer here in the States has tried to compete with the Corvette. GM was foolish to try and compete with a vehicle, such as the Jeep, with such a long and well-established heritage.

[@MrImpalaRider]

Donald Hollums but don't forget that jeep was made by Ford for a few years because Willy/AMC couldn't keep

[@donaldhollums3278]

That was mainly during the latter years of WW2 and the Korean War though, right?

[@donaldhollums3278]

Anthony Stinnett what's weirder though...and if I remember right...is that Bantam and Willy's submitted plans to the Army for the Jeep and Willy's got the contract to build it and Bantam got the contract to build the trailer the Jeep would pull.

[@DoctorRed79]

My mom owned a '70 442 W30 Holiday Coupe when her and my dad met. It was that goofy 70's blue color with matching interior and a hurst bump shifter. Part of me thinks that's why my dad married her. They sold it when my brother was born in '75. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love my brother, but I'm still not sure if I forgive him.

[@ralphgoth1260]

!

[@corvettecoupe3731]

My dad had a 69’ 442 that he conveniently sold right before I turned 16🤬 I had a restricted license from the time I was 14, so I did get to drive it accompanied...🙄

[@SD70ACE-]

You comment is classic,

[@ralphsmallblock4367]

😂

[@opera93]

Doctor Red thanks for the comments, etc. interestingly, I could not really afford fancier W/30, or GTO judge,( seen 1970 Superbird Ply,outhitting in Lafayette Indiana before I graduated PHARMACY SCHOOL, TO DRAMATIC) , did not fit in Parking spaces , etc. ... bought 70 Dodge Coronet 500/ 383/310 Horse/ auto/ deluxe INTERIOR, BUT NO ACONDITIONING,! :: for under $3100 delivered price ...the DODGE / AMC DEALER next to Pharmacy where I worked also had AMC. MACHINE ( Loaded, to extreme), Ans, a 70 Challenger 4 SPD/SE/ MAGNUM RT ,loaded all options, but a gas eater & funny Dodge Green, my wife hated greeN).... Anyways the 70 Dodge was a screamer if needed, but lasted lots of miles & some 14 years in N INDIANA ROAD SALT..

[@wayneshearon3203]

I own a 70' 442 black with gold stripes,still driveing it 30 years now.

[@dennislodge9229]

Got my drivers license in a 1970 olds 442 w30 back in 1972 , it was great !

[@stevenstoll2016]

First car was a '68 4-4-2 convertible that I got from my brother-in-law in '73 (only because my mom wouldn't let me but the '69 Baldwin Motion Camaro Z28 from our neighbor, but that's another story). 442 had M22 close-ratio rockcrusher, no power anything, and I think a 3.42 gear, so basically set up for racing. Used to race on Woodward and Gratiot in Detroit area in the early/mid '70s. Over many many races, only got beat twice. By a built 70 340 Dart, and a '69 GTO Judge. Wicked quick car.

[@TheUtuber999]

My grandma, rest her soul, owned a Delta 88 and had a lead foot - sometimes momentarily breaking traction when a traffic light would turn green. She's probably driving an Oldsmobile in Heaven now.

[@dv84sure]

In 1975 I bought a 1968 Delta 88 with the 455 engine from a grandma for 475 bucks. Quiet, very comfortable, and deceiving. It 😅could blow the doors off lots of muscle cars.

[@wayneshearon3203]

I was sitting in my 70'442 at tim Horton's parking lot watching this video😝

[@davidca96]

the GM cars in 1969-1970 were absolute beasts.

[@glhoelscher]

My ‘69,427,Stingray, tri-power, convertible, 4- speed Muncie, 4:11 rear end,dual-point electronic ignition, L71 never met a faster car,,,road race or drag-strip,,,,,did I mention the independent rear suspension with posi-traction! I’d pull a 2 car hole shot lead minimum!

[@JohnDoe-pv2iu]

I bought a W30 442 in 1984 for 300 bucks! There was a catch. The car had the 4 speed missing and a rod thru the side of the block. The Olds Hot Rodder I bought it from wanted 200. I got him to include a standard 455/400 motor and tranny, a standard cutlass hood and a automatic console and shifter. I rebuilt the included 455 and installed the w30 heads on it. I put a Comp cams 280 magnum cam in it and a Holley carb on top. With headers, it used to eat starters! I babied it when I first got it running. One day a guy comes up alongside me and hops his front end. I snatched the shifter back and stomped it. That car fried the back tires from 40 mph! That car could easily get away from you, if you weren't careful. Great video.

[@shanke300]

Oldsmobile made beautiful cars. Classic Americana.

[@ScottJonesphotographer]

Thank for the memory! I owned a 1970 Olds 442 it was a dream car!

[@maddpeanut6313]

Please, four forty two is like squeaky chalk on a blackboard to Olds aficionados. It's Four Four Two, always was, always will be. I've owned 2 '68s, first one in 1972 other in 1985 and 1 '72 Hurst Olds. Loved them all, wish I still had them.

[@superglidernoyb5815]

I totally agree. NEVER in my life have I heard someone refer to them as 4 forty two. That irritates me so much I can barely watch this video... lol

[@doereason]

My first new car was a 1968 willow gold 442 with THM400. I have never heard anyone call them a four forty-two, although I must admit, most people didn't know what a four four two was either.

[@777jones]

Have you made more quality car videos than fan this guy? No, right?

[@JeffDavidsonM]

Exactly. There was never any "forty" involved in the specs. Four-bbl, four-spd, dual-exhaust -- no forty-anything.

[@bookkeeper9902]

I drives me crazy when someone say”four forty two”. !!!!!!!!

[@gophersk]

My favorite was the 1968 model 442. What a beauty.

[@springwoodslasher79]

I love how people dog muscle cars because they didnt run amaxing 0 to 60 times or quarter miles. But what people dont understand is bias ply 14 inch tires gripped like they were covered in butter. I love too see what mint hemis or 455s would run like today with modern rubber and proper tire size.

[@doctorzaius4084]

Wouldn't be a huge difference. Possibly 1 second at absolute best 0-60, less for 1/4 mile, virtually the same trap speed. Modern cars have the benefit of better gearing, aerodynamics and rubber, but they're also just a lot more powerful.

[@springwoodslasher79]

doctor zaius no dipshit we dont make big blocks anymore. Every car with a big block was under rated. My friend has a stock big block camaro with orginal trypr rubber and he spins all the way through 3rd. Obviously you never drove in a big block car.

[@springwoodslasher79]

doctor zaius do you know what underrated means if you know anything about muscle cars you know for sure the LS6 at 425 horsepower was underrated by about a hundred horsepower so your numbers are way f****** off you're getting a numbers from a f****** catalog. If you think any big block car would lose to a V6 Camaro your f****** delusional and you're a f****** Fanboy of what you call modern technology the internal combustion engine hasn't changed at all except improvements in fuel injection big f****** wow.

[@davidschibilla9521]

With modern tires the fastest ones run in the high 12s. The are right around the same as todays camaros and mustangs. But the modern cars are more reliable and handle much better. Get better fuel mileage too. If you want the serious power than you have the Zl1 and such. Those cars will run tens.

[@GeorgiaBoy1961]

There is plenty of old iron making fast runs down the 1/4 mile at America's drag strips. In some cases, besting cars decades-newer.

[@chatsworth8768]

I had a 70 W30 wicked fast. Had a 71 Sx cutlass a 72 Cutlass S a 73 hurst olds that was a sweet ride. Every one in my home town called me the Olds man. I'm 60 yrs old now but the memories of them cars still brings a small to my old fart face.

[@vmat1000]

Great vid!!! man, one Saturday morning, '80, i take my '69 383 mag Charger out for a spin. Encounter an Olds and get into a Stoplight run. Thought i was doing ok but he was just toying with me. Looks over at his friend, grabs a downshift and he's gone. Saw the W30 on the diff cover and trunk as he pulls away. Went home and grabbed a Hot Rod mag i had that featured vintage Muscle Cars. Lets say i learned alot that day :)

[@opera93]

g mat thanks, interestingly, I bought the 70 DODge Coronet 500, loaded , 383/4 BBL, AUTO in RALLey red..... ** my engine was Strong, though it went through spark plugs ( Champions) @6-10, 000 miles, did,switch to E,electronic distributor;: always wondered about the HORSEPOWER RATKNGS**of MY Engine: as CE,t about like a Magnum, etc. ? memory has the Magnum @330, and the regular 4 BBL @310 Horse....?. Actually almostmbought 70 Challenger Loaded 4 SPD Magnum : but to, noisy, gas eater ETC. , AS WIFE HAD LOTS OF School to Drive for yet......

[@larrywelchko6136]

Having owned 5 Oldsmobiles in my life I can say that the 1970 442 convertible is on my short list of muscle cars I would buy without hesitation

[@billthompson5644]

I had a 330 cid in my 66 F-85 4 door. It was remarkably dependable. I had a 73 Cutlass 350, and a 77 Cutlass Supreme 350, just unbelievable dependability.

[@GeorgiaBoy1961]

My first car was a 1973 Olds Cutlass Sport with 4-bl.350 ci motor. That thing ran like a top. Sold it to help pay for a 1969 Firebird convertible. In retrospect, wish I'd kept it - it is probably still running someplace.

[@robertcurrie8510]

An old friend in the early eighties owned a 442. I don’t know what year. Late 60’s or early 70’s. A few of us went for a ride with him. He gunned the car from a standstill. It burned rubber and wouldn’t stop for twenty seconds. It also felt like the car wanted to do a “wheeley”. So much power.

[@70stunes71]

ACTUALLY the first overhead valve production was the Buick 1904 model B. Also...its a slap in the face to olds owners to discuss tire smoking, but then show a '69 Hemi charger doing track burnouts. LoL.. being a Mopar guy I say thank you, but I have a lot of respect for the Olds 442 and the car that it was and is. Classic muscle, tons of torque. Very classy car

[@robertruggles6067]

Oldsmobile was a quality car because they were built in Lansing Michigan

[@kendallsmith1458]

And not Flint

[@snote1]

Mine was 'Quality' Built in Fremont,Calif in 1964. 2yrs before I was Born in 1966 near there. it was called GM Nummi Fremont,California. Today it's Toyota.

[@solomike68]

Bean counters kill all

[@daw162]

lack of desire and a higher labor cost than other makers killed GM. The bean counters didn't give away the gigantic labor costs. GM got in the habit of not having current cash and promising benefits to employees that would be payable later, putting themselves in a future hole. Nobody thinks a toyota corolla is a sexy car, but they've sold 40 million of them over the years. Remember the last really great reliable GM small car? I don't. Remember the last reliable mid-sized SUV? I don't. Remember the last really reliable cadillac? I don't.

[@michaelweizer7794]

@@daw162 They might seem big today but I certainly remember the old chevy11 novas of the 60s and 70s, it always seemed to me that when US automakers got away from what they did well that's when they had their issues!

[@Richard_K1630]

Wonder how many 442's were left behind in a barn while their owners died in Viet Nam? 1970 was a bad year for many.

[@davidjohnrupprecht414]

Tragedy. Infuriating.

[@odst_alpha_106]

Mostly none of them because the 442 was the higher performance version of the original Cutlass made to outdo the regular Cutlass so don't say 1970 was a bad year for many cuz multiple different car brands made a lot of money and made a lot of good videos out of their vehicles

[@BuzzLOLOL]

I was drafted and sent to Vietnam in 1970-71... my '65 GTO convertible tripower 400" 4 speed stayed behind in the barn... a rocket missed killing me by about 15 feet... but another rocket that night got a dozen Air Force guys...

[@82maddhatter]

Right ???

[@dannysdailys]

Yeah, I was almost one of them.

[@AnthonyT50]

A room mate in college had a 442 with the 455 CI engine. automatic with 60's on the back and 70's on the front. Another guy on campus had the Pontiac Judge and kept after my room mate to race him. Finally the day came and the 442 smoked the Judge easily. The part of the video that talks about "put you back in your seat" performance is exactly true.

[@vmat1000]

wow, the W-30. I remember taking my '69 Charger out for a spin one Sunday morning in the late '70s. Red light duel with one of these Old's. Strung me along for about a block then blew me away. The diff cover with the W-30 logo was what i saw last. Went home and thumbed thru a Muscle Car edition of Hot Rod. No wonder i lost. 383 Mag didn't have it. man, ran great all day then spun a rod bearing when leaving a friends house that afternoon. 'bye Mag :(

[@msix1836]

GM’s Oldsmobile 442 was an underrated hi performance car which was overshadowed by other luxury models manufactured by this division. 4 barrel big carb, 4 speed manual and true dual exhausts…. True American muscle car.

[@miker5502]

Drove this car in 1979 and it was a Holy Terror! The gas mileage was horrendous, and gas was no longer cheap...that said it was a blast to drive and even in 1979 very few cars were able to keep up with it. ( if you had the courage to go heavy on the right hand pedal. Lol. ) Thanks for the great video, it brought back some good memories. Cheers Mike.

[@joetallon4968]

When I was seventeen a friend of mine let me drive his car. It happened to be a Oldsmobile W30 442. Green with white strips a white spoiler and a white interior. I'm 61 now and still to this day have never driven another car that had the looks the power and was as fun as that was to drive. If before I die I could have any car, it would be one just like that one.

[@tbone4646]

Sorry to disagree, but the best (and fastest) 442 was the 1966 W-30 442. Tri-power, all were four speeds, battery in the trunk, cool air ram induction through the lower front bumper. All were balanced and blueprinted at the factory. The '66 was lighter than the '70, and would rpm through the roof. The '66 Olds W-30 won the C/S NHRA National Championship in 1966 and 1967. The '70 was excellent, but not as fast as the 1966 W-30. Only 54 1966 W-30's were produced (and numbered) at the Lansing assembly plant in June, 1966. They are the best, and most rare of Olds muscle cars.

[@killerbb51]

One of my high school friends had a younger brother who drove a 66' 4-4-2 convertible. 4 speed, tri-power and strong gear ratio. It was an absolute monster on the street.

[@michaeldowning6986]

My late older brother bought in July 1966 a new 442 w30. The Olds dealer in Covington, Ky had just accepted delivery on it and the guy that ordered it refused it because plant had forgot to put on the black vinyl top. It was red/white painted top. I was with him when he bought it. In the test drive, he grabbed 2nd gear and almost wound up in a front yard. It was the only 1966 w30 442 in greater Cincinnati. He used to get it dyno tuned at a dealer in Cincinnati, and was dyno'd at 420 hp. He had the 4.33 gear taken out and had the dealer install a 3.91 gear. From summer of 66 to 67 he never got beat in the street. 1/4 Mike at Edgewater park was 12.93, 13.10. Never ran any slower. And yes, it was a 400, 3 duces, ram air, 4 speed, battery in the trunk w30 car. Oh, also the w30 cars had chambered exhausts. I saw it, rode in it in many a street race

[@opera93]

Michael Downing thanks comments.... i heard about the 66$

[@opera93]

T Bone thanks, for your information, I heard about these, would have preferred a 70 W/30 to buy myself, but money... had to buy 70 Dodge 383/310h ,etc. CORONET 500

[@danbaumann8273]

Cool. Love the 70 but those 66's sound sweeeet. And yeah, they must be rare. Probably worth a fortune if you can even find one. I've only heard them mentioned a few times. Very, very, nice looking too imo..

[@Barchenhund]

Back in the day a good friend had a silver 1965 442. We called it the four four deuce. If we only knew what our performance cars would be worth today. I tired to get my father to buy a 427 cobra at the Koons Ford, seven corners fairfax virginia. He said I ain’t paying $7000.00 for a two seat sports car. Just before his passing we were watching Mecum Car Auction together and a 427 Cobra hammered at $500,000. He looked over at me a shrugged his shoulders. I smiled back knowing he remembered my long ago plea. No words were exchanged even though I was tempted to say, I guess I was right on that one.

[@thelake3320]

I've never seen a 1969 442 with the W25 package except for the one I owned. It was automatic with a black interior, white exterior, with that beautiful 4 spoke steering wheel. I had a 1970 442 W30 as well with full instrumentation-power everything, 4 speed, red white exterior and a white interior. The 69 was a lighter more beautiful car and my favorite. Nevertheless I searched for more 1970 W30's and found a doctor out in the country with three. One was an original purchase and the other two were pre-owned. Considering how few were made it was like finding a gold mine. At the time I was able to find over 50 magazines from the late 60's and early 70's like, Motor Trend, with original road tests of all the muscle cars including double page ads. In every road test that pitted the 70-71 442 against other brands including siblings like the Chevelle 454, it triumphed. Unlike many other cars the Olds 1/4 mile runs were always identical though between 13.9-14.3. They did one test by fitting the 1970 with slicks that ran a 12.9. Considering the unmodified 442 was in the battleship weight class ( 3855 lbs. ) with street tires, the times were impressive.

[@wardmontgomery9259]

And the 442’s didn’t blow up !

[@thelake3320]

@@wardmontgomery9259 As a matter of interest, the fastest A body time was by the Buick GS at 13.3. However, pitted head to head with GM's other models, it didn't fare so well, which indicates the time was an anomaly. The consistency of the 442 is indicative that the test cars were truly unaltered factory models without being, as I believe Motor Trend put it, driven by a midget with just enough gas to get it past the quarter mile. And the fastest factory race car (no warranty, stripped, such as no back seat, any options, etc.) was the 70 Hemi Dart which ran 11.4.

[@wardmontgomery9259]

@@thelake3320 I’ll bet that Dart’s motor wasn’t exactly stock either - but the Olds never blew up like the Chevys did ! I was working in Monterey circa 1985 remodeling a supermarket and once a week an older gentleman would pull up and park, while his wife shopped, in a 1970 Buick Skylark GS Stage 1, all stock ! He’d bought it new and it was well cared for - he was in his 70’s and I asked him if he was interested in selling it, but no he planned on keeping it …

[@thelake3320]

@@wardmontgomery9259 Of course it wasn't. The Dart was a factory race car. Thus, it's not in any way comparable. However, it's inclusion is because of the fact it could be purchased from the dealer. Perhaps one day. It would be a great buy if you could land any original owner muscle car like the GS. I had a similar opportunity around the same time. A doctor had a 1970 W30 and he was the original owner as well. He also had two others, I believe a 71+72, both W30's, but I was looking for a 70. He didn't want to part with it except for a price that was beyond my means at the time.

[@Ultrad321]

This was the muscle car my dad had as a young man in the early 70s, racing the back roads of pleasant garden, NC. Makes me think of him always

[@MBailey1977]

My buddy had a 72 cutlass that had a 455 in it. My lord that thing had some torque!

[@tk9839]

Wow, I bet the gas mileage was terrific.

[@GeorgiaBoy1961]

They don't call that Olds 455 a "stump puller" for nothing!

[@bellesogne]

My dad had one as well. White with rocket red interior. When my little sister was born he sold it and got a beige Oldsmobile Delta 88 station wagon, which he kept running like butter for the next 25 years. Man, I miss that Cutlass.

[@HiThere-sc2jr]

1971 OLDS 442 4 speed. Lime green/w spoiler on the Rear deck. Green interior, tick took tach. I LOVED THAT CAR SOOOOOO MUCH!

[@Christopher-mi6qe]

As a '70 w30 owner I can say these are amazing engines. Very smooth and powerful, much stronger than my 68 R/T Charger or '70 Buick GS.

[@LR-my2di]

I had both a 1970 GS 455 and later a 1970 W30 with the hotter "328" cam (no power brakes), TH 400 HD "OB" trans and 3.91 gears, and yes, it was definitely quicker than my very nice 1970 GS 455 with its stock 2.93 gears and "Electra-style" 455. I later up-traded it for a low-mile 1970 GS Stage 1. The Stage 1 was a bit more docile than the hotter W30 (it had power "everything") and ran .15 sec. and 1.5 mph better than the W30. But they were very close in performance. Both ran better than my buddy's 1969 RR 440-6 pack. Back then, it was very much about traction on those "skinny" tires.

[@82maddhatter]

Love the 442 W30 and GS Stage 1

[@everythingautomotiveeta5839]

this channel is just epic! i just wish yall could post more.... but i realize a lot goes into a video. keep it up!

[@fitfogey]

The thing I like most about your videos are the nostalgia comments from your viewers. Great stories along with great rides!

[@pokeytrucker5296]

Four. Four. Two.

[@Richard_K1630]

16-30.

[@brianmitchem1368]

Every time he says "four forty two" it makes my head explode. I had to stop at 3 min in.

[@tomquinn607]

Yep.

[@davidfrank6666]

@ lol. 9 forty four, is a good one, too.

[@odst_alpha_106]

@@brianmitchem1368 that's what it was called the for forty two and people just put four four two for a better name

[@clevlandblock]

I was 16 years old and remember the 1967 Chicago International Car Show. It was at the Amphitheater because McCormick had just burned down. At the Oldsmobile display they had a 442 on a turntable. I distinctly recall the lovely woman standing next to the car with a microphone saying "The four four two is right for you!". That's how GM referred to the car in 67...so there. PS The Glen Ellyn, Illinois (where I lived) police had 66 442s as their patrol cars and later switched to 68 442s. Saw one cop go full throttle one time right downtown in a 68.

[@victorjohnson7512]

The first car I bought myself was a 1968 Olds Cutlass-S (350 rocket V8) for $600 cash. Basically the same body as the 442 without a big-block V8. God I wish I still had it today...

[@mistergrandpasbakery9941]

One of my buddies had one of these in high school! Great car!!

[@jimclarke1108]

Buick, 455 toughest big block ever built in standard trim, and quickest over the quarter

[@LR-my2di]

Correct ... according to Muscle Car Reviews 50-Fastest chart printed in their Nov. 1884 issue.

[@oldsguysgarage]

its what my wife has in her 71 riveira. but i still like my built 67 olds 400 in my 72, so does she.

[@mikealbright2146]

I had a 1971 W30 442. What a great car my favorite car I ever owned.

[@joet3611]

+Greg Benwell ... You have no idea what you're talking about. Oldsmobile absolutely made both small and big block engines. The 260, 307, 330, 350, and 403 were all SMALL blocks that shared a 3.385" stroke and 9.33" deck height. The only thing that changed between them was the size of the bore. Big block Oldsmobile's had a deck height of 10.625" because of the longer stroke they had to accommodate. Mains were also increased from 2.5" to 3.0" on the big blocks, which were made in 400, 425, and 455 cubic inch varieties. Because of the taller deck height, big blocks are wider and therefore have manifolds that can be used only on them. Obviously cranks don't interchange either, because of the different main bearing sizes. The one exception would be the 350 diesel (DX) block, which has BBO Mains. Most other things, including the heads, can be used on both. To sum it up, THERE ARE BOTH BIG AND SMALL BLOCK OLDSMOBILE ENGINES.

[@billthompson5644]

Joe T Thanks for the most excellent educational comments. I like Olds, i didn't know a large portion of what you wrote.

[@donaldheitger6731]

It's the size of the block not the cubic inches.

[@ZeroBoostBuick]

Too many folk don't realize that those muscle cars back in 1970 running 13's down the 1/4 mile would be deep in the 12's with modern drag radials.

[@kylewestenbay9757]

Vista Cruiser with the W30, now that's really something!

[@waynejohnting2954]

Wonder if they made one.?

[@trertg7147]

@@waynejohnting2954 they did

[@CapeCodCNC]

My Dad had a 1968 442 Hurst Olds 4 speed when I was a kid. What a car it was comfortable and pretty quick in its day. Would fill the car with tire smoke no problem.

[@danbaumann8273]

Such a gorgeous machine, and just a beast. Would love to see a video on the Rallye 350. I believe they had the famous W 31 350's in them as standard equipment. I remember there was one in my home town. Another beauty.

[@SLJ2137694]

They did not have the W-31 in the Rally.

[@njmariner22]

Just bought a 442 1972 Oldsmobile The car is badass A lot done to the engine as expected before I bought it It's an original 350 Rocket and dear Lord it is just that Crazy fast

[@Bradleyco]

NEVER referred to as "Four Forty Two". ALWAYS referred to as "Four Four Two".

[@matthewronsson]

ALWAYS.

[@mercmarc]

Four barrel, four speed, two exhausts. Although, I believe a three speed was standard, and three two barrels were optional on the first year.

[@robertmcgrath2972]

Bradleyco I’ve heard people refer to them as Four “forty” two. I don’t correct them.

[@chrisjohnson1443]

3 speed auto was optional beginning in 65, 3x2 carbs were a 1 year option in 66

[@kenmelnrick9968]

They were and always will be FOUR-FOUR-TWOs. I've had four of them, including a 1970 W30. What a beast!!!

[@wadet73]

This was the vehicle sitting in the driveway at my house when I was born in 1973. A gold 1970 Cutlass Supreme Holiday coupe with P05 wheels (not a 442) same color as the one in the video. It was my mom's first brand new car. To me it was a 🚀 rocket taking off from the red lights on the new 4 lane parkways in the 70s. It was my dad's 3rd Olds, first was a 1953 Olds 88, then a 64 Cutlass. After the 1970 Cutlass, we had a 1972 Olds Custom Cruiser Wagon then 2 1979 Buick Estate Wagons that had the Olds 403 engines. Our last Oldsmobile was a 1982 98 Regency. Currently driving a well kept 2001 Dodge Durango SLT Plus

[@SSScottSS]

I have never heard anyone call them a four fourty two. It's a four four two.

[@jayman2261]

We called it a four forty two in 1965, my brother bought a new one that year with the new 400 CI for that year..I was 10 years old then...

[@gmctech]

Well, my dad has had his 1970 442 W-30 since new and has never been called anything but "THE FOUR FOURTY-TWO".......

[@matthewronsson]

Funny, I've never heard anything other than 4-4-2, and being from Michigan where they were made, too.

[@greggfridline4260]

but four forty two doesn't make any sense tho. 4 barrel 4 speed manual and duel exhaust. some said the 2 was for the positive traction rear dif but would still be called four four two. I am just saying.

[@greggfridline4260]

That was named from the original 4-4-2, plus the Oldsmobile literature was 4-4-2, people could have called it four forty two but Oldsmobile's actual name for it is four four two

[@murphys1999]

NOBODY who lived in the 60s referred to the 442 As a four forty two. This guy completely discredited himself!!!

[@phantom0456]

I love how the closed captions interpret “Oldsmobile” as “Olsen Beale.” 😂

[@trunkmonkey9417]

Originally it was "Olsen Beale". But the cost of the upper case "B" was too much for the marketing department budget, so they simply changed the name. And that's why the closed caption has it that way. I read it on the internet...

[@JohnW1711stock]

I bought a used one in 1976. Drove it to the track raced and drove it every day! Headers and slicks with 70,000 miles it ran 13.0's. It was silver with black stripes. When new with Stahl headers and professional tune, these cars ran 12.70's with ease. Mine weighed in at 3720 Lbs., with me in it.

[@johnmoser2689]

I was slightly surprised the burnout demo was an old 69 Hemi Dodge Charger instead of a 442 lol😂

[@thomasstark5381]

W30. One bad hombre !! That car would launch with the right set up !!

[@mr.pigeon9314]

All Hail Oldsmobile

[@harryt988]

Fascinating / excellent presentation! Beautiful designed cars back in the day ...

[@ITILII]

1970 Olds 442 W30 with automatic: 1/4 mile in 13.88 @ 95.84 mph. Fastest muscle car from 1962-73 is: 1969 Plymouth Road Runner, 4 speed, 440 Six Pack. 1/4 mile in 12.91 @ 111.8 mph. Fastest with an automatic was 1970 Ford Torino Cobra SJ, 429 engine, 370 hp. 1/4 mile: 13.63 @ 109 mph.

[@LR-my2di]

Actually, according to the famous (or I should say infamous) Muscle Car Review 50-Fastest Chart printed in their Nov. 1984 issue that was compiled from road tests that were printed in all of the old muscle car magazines from 1965-1972. The 1970 GS Stage 1 was the quickest muscle car right behind the two much lighter sports cars of a 427 Corvette and 427 Cobra. In other words, it was the fastest car with a back seat.

[@scubaguy007]

True story! 65-70 were the years for factory muscle. There was a guy that lived near us in the early 80's that had a black and gold 1970 442. It was meticulous! It turned my head everytime I saw it drive by. 🥰

[@sjcea0512]

GM killed Oldsmobile !! Oldsmobile did not kill themselves !!

[@richardmerriam7044]

I owned four 1964 Olds. A Cutlass, a Dynamic 88 convertible, a 98, and finally a Dynamic 88 4 door sedan. Best cars I ever owned.

[@ucanduitdude2317]

I was thinking the 1970 Buick GSX Stage 1 was a hair faster? It had the highest torque at 510 ft lbs, and held the record for many years.

[@davidschibilla9521]

I seen a magazine that tested all of the old muscle cars with modern tires. I believe it was the Buick that came in first. I know for sure the 1970 442 came in second.

[@johnbeer5242]

🤔🍺

[@johnbeer5242]

David Schibilla 🤔🍺🍺

[@clinteastwood9115]

Buick was a little faster but i like the olds better!

[@jeremythompson9895]

Those Stage 1 Buicks were fast but they were notorious for cracked engine blocks due to only using 2 bolt mains and very thinwall casting. And their oiling system sucked. Definitely not a "Hemi Killer" like many people seem to think. Personally I'd take a 70 Ram Air IV GTO over any other 1970 GM midsize car

[@b_rad5678]

my second car was a 1970 442 W30. Basically identical to the gold one in this video. Bought it in 1985.

[@valeriegriner5644]

Have you ever heard that song, "455 Rocket?" I love it!

[@kathywollam32]

Valerie Griner ..I had Two 1971 Oldsmobile 455 Rockets ,not at one time , but those babies would set you back in your seat ,when pushed to the floor !. Scared myself a couple of times !.....Loved these old cars , much better than these disposable cars of today !..

[@sammaze2103]

I bought a new 1970 Black-White Stripes 442-W30 Sports Coupe in Nov 1969 ! Became Great friends with a Olds Line Mechanic and with his experete of Olds Engines this car had F Pure Stock Record of 13.18 at Eldora Raceway in West Virginia! Yes it was a 1/4 mile track This track ran at night and with the Ram Air Induction this car dominated all the Pure Stock Class's ! In those days everyone ran a low gear ratio ! We installed 4.33 rear gear in this car and this is what made it go ! Unbelievable time for that time and the fastest car I ever had ! Bringing a car out of the hole with over 400hp (rated at 370) with factory street tires was very difficult but that is what made this car shine ! Over all these years I have had 6-1970 442 W30's and currently have a 27000 mile mostly original 1966 Olds 442-L69 (tri power car) that brings back a lot of memories !

[@Udine3]

I had a 70 442 w30 gold with white interior.. What a hand full it was... Wish I still had it !! $4900 Canadian

[@stevendenton4965]

I grew up seeing these magnificent oldsmobiles every day. I would trade my new Altima for a 442 w30 in an instant! There will never be another golden era like the muscle car era!

[@yokoshemp]

Wonder how many today could figure out where the gas goes in. I had a '68 and it was pretty standard back then but you never see it anymore.

[@tonykillingsworth9247]

Lol behind the tag it was spring loaded

[@MTrefry2]

In 2004, I got my license and my first car. As a kid, I was always obsessed with muscle cars and really loved the Cutlass. I was so extatic when my grandpa found me my first car, he didnt say anything about the year or model variant other than it was an Olds Cutless. Unfortunately when I saw the car for the first time, it was a 1993 Cutlass Ciera S with the 3.3 V6... Not exactly the fun muscle car I was hoping for.... Lol

[@poetwp975]

What a great video. Very well done the photos were eye candy and it offered such a wealth of information. I especially like the fact that you touched upon the fact that it takes a skilled driver to tame a vintage powerful muscle car, pointing out that they are not as easy to control as modern cars with advanced traction control systems.

[@kennethbode2017]

a friend of mine bought one new in 70. Orange coupe w30. still has it

[@01zipdisk]

Most beautiful muscle car ever made

[@sabrehawk-427]

yes indeed very beautiful

[@davidkirkham6497]

Agree!

[@marde55]

My worst decision was to sell my 442- but I was in college, had my fun, needed the money. I later got a ‘70 442 but it was automatic transmission with (?) engine- not the same!. Thanks for the memories :)

[@SquillyMon]

I do love the 442 but never bested? Might want to look up the Buick GS...

[@VAHOSS]

My dad had a 1970 442 hardtop....and a 1971 442 convertible. We loved those cars. The hardtop was a w30 beast! He got injured in the early 80s, and had to sale them. He has regretted that decision for 35 years now

[@rickspahn4638]

ITS 4-4-2 not 4 -42 ...FOUR FOUR TWO not FOUR FORTY TWO

[@garyjohnson6858]

Your being kinda a snob

[@jamalcole1985]

@@garyjohnson6858 haha

[@maxbrazil3712]

I had one and always called it a four-forty-two

[@amordeweso]

It’s whatever tf we want to call it cause there wasn’t a 4-4-2 badge it was 442 four forty two fagal

[@beloglavisup2]

4 speed manual, 4 barrel carburetors, 2 exaust

[@elkindiosa404]

The best car I had ... and still to date will have amazing memories.1970 Cutlass SS

[@coozmokramer]

Had a 70 Cutlass SX, triple black with a W30. 11mpg. Good Times!

[@rachelk7555]

I had a 1970 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme in 1980. It was metallic green and I loved it.

[@Panterakat1]

Wasn't that a Dodge Charger smoking the tires?

[@boutcha1]

yep

[@markg7030]

Yes a very rare 1969 Charger 500 with a HEMI. Why I don't know.

[@sleekcartim]

yeah this guy was clearly reading from OLDS propaganda booklet. Olds had some bright spots in the muscle car market but mostly didnt hit the mark with most serious gear heads

[@ITPAPA69]

However that's what makes them such great finds now, if you can get an Olds W30 or 442 that is original drive train and do a B O R on it that is outstanding.

[@overcastfriday81]

Here's the kicker...in that same series of video road tests, Bud Lindemann didn't just test the Charger, he also tested the Olds 442. So OldCarMemories could have virtually the same footage to pick from, but with the appropriate car.

[@frederickjohnpicarello1909]

Regardless of what you call them they were mechanical works of art that will never be surpassed!

[@canabox7112]

What's with the Charger?

[@nickythebull82]

I owned a 1995 Oldsmobile cutlass supreme I bought it off my grandmother after my Grandpop died because she didn’t drive that was one of the best driving cars I ever owned blue paint job tan leather interior still wish I had it

[@ronlucca6954]

There is no such thing as a four fourty two. Your killin me here.4-4-2 is four four two. its been that way from the beginning.

[@timot7746]

So true, it is annoying to hear four fourty two, it is 4-4-2 and Olds have small and big block engines too.

[@ronlucca6954]

TimoT They had a 350 with the bumpers painted the sAme color as the car. I think it was the w 35 package.

[@maddpeanut6313]

It was called Ram Rod 350 in '68 and W-31 in '69 '70. In 70 there was a special model called the Rally 350 that had the painted bumpers. A buddy's dad had one when we were in high school in 1972. My buddy put it around a tree. Too bad.

[@amordeweso]

Yet not a single stamp or decal said 4-4-2 they said 442 gtfo

[@murphys1999]

@@amordeweso If you know how the name came about then you will know WHY it's never called a Four Forty Two.

[@audieconrad8995]

Terrific video. Great presentation. Man, the '68-72 GM A-body's were amongst the most beautiful GM ever had to offer...especially the Cutlass - gorgeous lines and curves.

[@AmandaHugenkiss2915]

It seems like GM puts a lot of thought and work into screwing themselves over. Again and again and again.

[@frankburns8871]

I thought they'd started turning things around in the early 2000s with the Intrigue and Alero...and the Aurora in the mid-90s was a helluva car, too. But, in typical GM fashion, just as things are starting to go right...blow it all up.

[@the_original_Bilb_Ono]

Does it drive anyone nuts hear "four- fourtyTwo" instead of 4-4-2? ITS 4-4-2 LOL I had people scream that at me so many times growing up.

[@markfout3093]

I’m 65 years old, have owned two 4-4-2’s and come from a family of Oldsmobile lovers, and I have never heard anyone say four forty two before this clown!!!!

[@bdt5788]

Bought a black 1970 442 W30 4 speed just like this one in 1980 for 300 dollars. Was my daily driver for years.What a blast we had back then

[@WilliamAbbate]

It's four four two not four forty-two!!!!

[@jshaf]

My dad had a 1970 442 gold with black stripes. thing was torque happy and an accident waiting to happen and it did twice. was only a couple years old but I remember it well :)

[@Haagr4152]

Love the Video but a cut in of Charger 500?????

[@donmarek5968]

Robert Haag no

[@69Applekrate]

very well done. very accurate , etc. this is a great history lesson or refresher. recommended.

[@bob14219]

no such thing as a four-forty-two ....was always four-four-two

[@stewartcampbell7794]

Agreed ! 400, 4- Eng / 40 , 4-Age & 2 -4 the Screami'n" Kid's ind'a Back !!! Hence [442]. Back then Math was Easy. YYZ, Rock-Crushi'n" Rat-man !

[@GeorgiaBoy1961]

4 - four-barrel carb4 - four on the floor shifter2 -dual exhaust 4-4-2! Easy, right?

[@amordeweso]

Looks like decal says 442 not 4-4-2 soooo

@@amordeweso Yes.

Give it a rest.

[@cut_lass]

had my oldsmobile 1970 442 american big block stolen from me in chilliwack , i still have the registration papers from my aunt, like 15 years ago

[@OldTerrible]

Never bested? Buick 1970 stage 1 455 Bested.

[@falconeddie1393]

Man all your videos bring back a lot of memories of growing up in the mid west seeing all these muscle cars.