The year was 1964 and muscle cars were getting more and more popular. Oldsmobile, fearing GM budget cuts, had to rival the Pontiac GTO. Their answer was the 442. The first thing you're going to think of is an engine. But actually, 442 was not the engine size at all. It was the name of the car. The 442 was originally fitted with a 4 speed manual gear box, a 4 barrel carburetor, and dual exhaust. 442 was originally an options package for their already popular Cutlass and the F-85, but in 1968, 442 was a model name. Available engines were the modest 330 CI V8 and my favorite, the 400 CI V8 (the longer stroke brought the torque curve higher so you could stay in the same gear a little longer before shifting, and the next gear would be that much closer to the desired spot on the torque curve).
Maybe one day, you'll find a broken down 442 in my driveway.
Have a good weekend,
Ruben
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