The Oldsmobile 4-4-2 is a muscle car produced by Oldsmobile between the 1964 and 1987 model years. 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, spawned the Hurst/Olds in 1968, then reverted to an option through the mid-1970s. The name was revived in the 1980s on the rear-wheel drive Cutlass Supreme and early 1990s as an option package for the new front-wheel drive Cutlass Calais.
The "4-4-2" name (pronounced "Four-four-two") derives from the original car's four-barrel carburetor, four-speed manual transmission, and dual exhausts.Muscle Oldsmobiles!, Thomas Bonsall, Bookman Publishing, 1985, pg 4 It was originally written "4-4-2" (with badging showing hyphens between the numerals),http://oldcarbrochures.com/new/021110/1965%20Oldsmobile%204-4-2%20Folder/1965%20Oldsmobile%204-4-2%20Folder-03.html 1965 Oldsmobile 4-4-2 Brochure and remained hyphenated throughout Oldsmobile's use of the designation. Beginning in 1965, the 4-4-2s standard transmission was a three-speed manual along with an optional two-speed automatic and four-speed manual, but were still badged as "4-4-2"s. Because of this change, from 1965 on, according to Oldsmobile brochures and advertisements, the 4-4-2 designation referred to the 400 cubic inch engine, four-barrel carburetor, and dual exhausts. By 1968, badging was shortened to simply "442", but Oldsmobile brochures and internal documents continued to use the "4-4-2" model designation.
First generation
1964
The 4-4-2 was born out of competition between Pontiac and Oldsmobile divisions of GM. The high performance GTO version of the Pontiac LeMans intermediate had proved an unexpected success midway through the 1964 model year. Oldsmobile's hasty response was to beef up their own popular Cutlass, a task given to a team led by performance enthusiast and Olds engineer John Beltz (later responsible for the distinctive and powerful Toronado), aided by Dale Smith and division chief engineer Bob Dorshimer.
Contrasted with the 1964 Tempest LeMans GTO with its 389 cubic inch V-8 (introduced in September, 1963 as an option package), the Oldsmobile offering was a conservative package. Technically the "B09 Police Apprehender Pursuit" option, the 442 used the four-barrel carbureted 330 CID (5.4 L) V8, known as L79, but with shorter valve spring retainers, longer pushrods, M400 rod and main bearings, and high lift camshaft, raising rated (SAE gross) output to 310 hp (231.3 kW) at 5,200 rpm. Torque remained , although the torque peak rose from 2800 rpm to 3600 rpm. Enhanced handling was credited to the heavy duty (HD) suspension package that included HD springs (30% higher rating), HD shocks (valving with 50% more restriction), a 15/16 diameter front and 7/8 diameter rear sway bar, and boxed lower rear control arms with denser bushings. Other standard 442 equipment included Muncie M20, heavy duty clutch with higher rate springs in the pressure plate assembly, HD manual steering ratio 20:1 versus the standard ratio 24:1, performance rear axle ratio 3.36:1, dual exhaust, 14x6 HD wheels sporting 7.5 x14 US Royal 80XP Black with red stripe tire, front fender and rear decklid 442 medallions, and a dual snorkel air cleaner. The 442 was not equipped with power brakes or steering, unless added as an option. The frame, part number 3837595, was not unique or modified for the 442 option, and could be found under F85s equipped with a manual transmission. There was an HD frame option in 1964, part number 9773002; which was boxed, but it was not standard equipment for the 442.1964 Oldsmobile Inspection Guide, 3/23/1964 Unlike the 1965 442 model built in Lansing, the 1964 442 does not have an option code on the data plate. There is documentation available showing that the 1964 442 was built in both Lansing and Fremont.
The package was dubbed 4-4-2 based on its combination of four-barrel carburetor, four-speed manual transmission, and dual exhausts. It was available on any F-85 or Cutlass model except the station wagon, although most were Cutlass hardtop coupés (Oldsmobile archives indicate that approximately 10 four-door sedans were built with the B09 option) with an optional list price of $136 ($ in dollars ), added to the MSRP of $2,663 ($ in dollars ) for the coupe and $2,773 ($ in dollars ) for the hardtop, along with additional optional equipment. A total of 2,999 were sold.
Motor Trend tested an early 1964 4-4-2 with a 3:55 rear axle (standard ratio was 3.36:1) and found that the car ran 0–60 mph (0–97 km/h) in 7.5 seconds, the standing quarter mile in 15.5 seconds at , and reached a top speed of .
1965 With the GTO receiving GM corporate sanction to receive their full-sized car's 389 V-8,One must understand that unlike the Gen2 Olds engines ALL Pontiac engines are medium blocks and are dimensionally the same from 287 to 455 Oldsmobile followed suit and replaced the 4-4-2's standard 330 CID with the new 400 CID (6.5 L). The definition of "4-4-2" was then restated as referring to 400 cubic inches, a four-barrel carburetor (a 515 cfm Rochester four-jet), and two exhausts. Output for the big engine rose to and . The standard transmission became a three-speed manual with column shifter, with a floor shifter four-speed and Oldsmobile's two-speed Jetaway automatic transmission as optional. A heavy duty three-speed with Hurst floor shifter was introduced as a mid-year option.
Other additions to the 1965 were chrome body side scoops with 4-4-2 badging, chambered dual exhaust pipes, chrome single snout air cleaner, and 4-4-2 badging on the dash. Late in the year option N98 was added, which were chrome wheels. It also offered standard bucket seats when optioned on the Cutlass and a 6,000 rpm tachometer, mounted in the optional console, more as decoration than for usefulness. Retractable front seat belts were optional. The turning diameter was 41 feet.
Modern Rod tested a 1965 F85 4-4-2 with the four-speed manual, slicks, and headers and obtained a quarter mile acceleration of 13.78 seconds at ; Car Life'''s automatic 1965 ran the quarter mile in 15.5 seconds at , with a 0 to 60 mph time of 7.8 seconds. Car and Driver tested a 1965 4-4-2 and did 0–60 mph in 5.5 seconds.
Offered in four body styles, 4-4-2 sales rose to 25,003, including 3,468 convertibles.
1966
The 1966 4-4-2 shared a modest facelift with other Cutlasses. It came with a 400 ci L78 V8 rated at and with a single four-barrel carburetor. Two new optional 400 ci engines offered even higher performance: the L69, with three two-barrel Rochester 2GC carburetors on a progressive linkage and of torque, which was priced at US$264.54,Hot Rod, 3/86, p.54. and the rare W30. Besides the convertible, the 4-4-2 option was available on both hardtop and pillared coupes, which shared the same roofline. Besides the new sweeping C pillar on coupes which featured a "flying buttress" recessed rear window, the new body had high, round rear fenders giving the car a more muscular appearance.
The W30 engine added an outside-air induction system (sending cool air to the carburetors via tubing from the front grill) and a hotter cam, under-rated as producing the same as the L69. The battery was relocated to the trunk to make room for the air hoses, which prevented the package from being ordered on convertible models. Only 54 W30s were built by the factory, although an additional 97 were produced for dealer installation.
The standard transmission was a three-speed manual with column shift and the two-speed Jetaway automatic with switch-pitch torque converter was optional. Hurst shifters became standard equipment with floor-mounted manual transmissions including the optional heavy-duty three-speed, M-20 wide-ratio four-speed or M-21 close-ratio four-speed. The standard 350-hp 400 engine could be ordered with any of the four transmissions, while only manual transmissions could be ordered with the L69 three two-barrel option.
Inside, a revised instrument panel featured two round pods for the speedometer and other instruments, replacing the horizontal sweep speedometer of 1964–65 models, but the rest of the basic dashboard designed was unchanged. F-85 models had base interiors with bench seats and rubber floor mats while the more lavish Cutlass versions came with full carpeting and featured Strato bucket seats of a new design with higher and thinner seat backs, or a no-cost bench seat option. Head rests were an option.Car Life tested an L69 4-4-2 with a four-speed transmission and obtained a 0–60 mph time of 6.3 seconds and a quarter mile of 14.8 seconds at . Motor Trend's similar test car ran 0–60 mph in 7.2 seconds, with a quarter mile time of 15.2 seconds at .
Production slumped to 21,997. The 4-4-2 still constituted only about 10 percent of Cutlass sales.
1967 For 1967 the 4-4-2's styling and base engine remained the same, save for minor trim changes, a louvered hood, and an increase in intake valve size to 2.067 from 1.99. The three-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic transmission with Switch Pitch became available, replacing the two-speed Switch Pitch Jetaway, as was the case with the mid-sized muscle cars from other GM divisions (Pontiac GTO, Chevrolet Chevelle SS396, and Buick GS400). 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.
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.
Cars tested a W30 4-4-2 with close-ratio four-speed and 4.33 rear axle (a dealer-installed only option), obtaining a quarter mile time of 14.1 seconds at in completely stock form. 0–60 mph times were between 6.5 and 6.7 seconds.
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 or no-cost notchback bench seat, full carpeting, expanded Morocceen vinyl upholstery, heavy-duty suspension with rear sway bar, and wide-oval tires.
Like all cars sold in the U.S. for 1967, the 4-4-2 came standard with a group of occupant protection and accident avoidance features mandated by Federal law. This package included an energy-absorbing steering column and safety steering wheel, padded dash, recessed controls, four-way hazard flashers, and a dual-circuit brake hydraulic master cylinder.
Production rose somewhat from the previous year, rising to 24,833.
Second generation 1968
The 4-4-2 became a separate model from 1968 through 1971. The wheelbase was , and over 33,000 were sold for 1968. Despite the engine displacement staying at 400 CID, the engine was based on the new 455 V8's 4.25 stroke, with the bore decreased (to 3.87). Torque came at 3000–3200 rpm as opposed to the early 400's 3600 rpm peak, mostly due to a milder base cam grind. 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 . Top speed was reported as . The base engine was still rated at , but only with the standard three-speed and optional four-speed; automatics were rated at . W-30s were rated again at . Car Life also tested a four-speed W-30 with a 4.33 rear end and recorded a 13.3 at .