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1969 Oldsmobile 4-4-2

When Chrysler introduced its C-300 in 1955, it represented the first production automobile with 300 horsepower since the superchargered Model J (SJ) Duesenberg of the 1930s. The industry would continue to embrace performance and when Pontiac took its Tempest Le Mans-based 394 cu. in. V-8 GTO to market in 1964, the industry hurried to transform other mid-size products into muscle cars. Oldsmobile, the sister division of Pontiac, responded with a mid-year package on its F-85/Cutlass known as the 4-4-2, becoming its own series in 1968 and remaining in production through 1971. The car's name represented the original setup consisting of a four-barrel carburetor, four-speed manual transmission, and dual exhausts. In 1965, the 4-4-2s standard transmission was a three-speed manual (along with an otpional four-speed manual and two-speed automatic) but the name remained the same. In response to criticism, Oldsmobile literature, brochures, and advertisements stated that the 4-4-2 designation was in reference to the 400 cubic-inch engine, four-barrel carburetor, and dual exhauts. The name was shortened to '442' in 1968, although the company's brochures and internal documents continued to use the '4-4-2' model designation.

1969 Oldsmobile 4-4-2 photo
Convertible
Chassis #: 344679M102977
View info and history
The 330 cubic-inch Jetfire Rocket V-8 engine delivered 210 horsepower in two-barrel form, but with the addition of the Police Apprehender package (RPO BO9), which included a four-barrel carburetor, high-compression pistons, a sportier camshaft, and a twin-snorkel air cleaner, output rose to 310 horsepower and 355 lb-ft of torque. The rest of the ($285.14) 4-4-2 package, which could be ordered on any F-85 or Cutlass except the station wagon, included a beefed-up suspension and police-duty brakes. Displacement grew to 400 cubic inches in 1965 and output rose accordingly, to 345 horsepower. In 1966, Oldsmobile introduced its first Tri-Power carburetion package since the early 1950s, topping it off with the W-30 forced-induction system.

In June of 1966, Oldsmobile enhanced 54 4-4-2s with the new W-30 Force-Air Induction system for use as NHRA drag racers. Along with different valve sizes and enhanced camshafts, the 4-4-2s covered the standing quarter-mile in 13.8 seconds at 105.2 miles per hour.

Along with performance underpinnings, the W-30 4-4-2s were given a pair of scoops mounted below the front bumper that fed fresh air through flexible hoses to a special chrome-topped air cleaner. The red, plastic front-fender liners further distinguished it from non-W-30 equipped Oldsmobiles and added to its performance persona. In 1967, General Motors outlawed the Tri-Power setup in its passenger cars, but by then the W-30 package was fixed as the most potent addition to the 442, delivering 360 HP and 440 lb-ft of torque in the 1969 442.

1969 Oldsmobile 4-4-2 photo
Convertible
Chassis #: 344679E168812
View info and history
Auction entries : 1
The 1968 through 1972 Oldsmobile 4-4-2 rested on a 112-inch wheelbase, and 1968 was the first year for side marker lights and front outboard shoulder belts, and the final year for vent windows on convertibles and hardtops. GM enforced a corporate edict banning all assembly line engines with displacement sizes exceeding 400 cubic inches in mid-size cars. So the 1968 Olds 4-4-2 continued to displace 400 cubic inches, although its 4.25-inch stroke was based on the new 455 V8, but with a smaller bore size of 3.87-inches. The base engine was still rated at 350 horsepower and was paired with the standard three-speed or optional four-speed. When equipped with automatics, the engine was rated at 325 horsepower. The W-30 option continued to be rated at 360 horsepower.

Oldsmobile teamed with Hurst Performance Research Corporation in 1968 to create the Hurst/Olds with production limited to just 515 units, including 56 Sport Coupes and 459 Holiday Coupes. They began life as 4-4-2s then further enhanced via a myriad of performance and cosmetic updates. Each of the cars received a Peruvian Silver paint scheme with black striping and white pinstripes. H/O badging, unique to the 1968 model year, was applied to the interior and exterior, along with a real walnut wood dash insert. Despite the GM's ban, the Hurst/Olds was powered by a red 455 CID engine paired with modified W-30 Turbo 400 automatic transmission. Cars without air conditioning received the W-45 engine with 3.91:1 rears, while those with A/C had the W-46 engine with 3.08:1 rears. Both the W-45 and W-46 were rated at 390 horsepower, with the W-45 engine receiving the camshaft from the W-31 and the cylinder heads from the W-30. Standard equipment included disc brakes, FE2 suspension, heavy-duty cooling, bucket seats, and a Hurst dual-gate shifter in a mini-console. Many examples were optioned with a wood-grained steering wheel and the tick-tock-tach.

The 1969 Oldsmobile 4-4-2
Oldsmobile increased the 4-4-2 numerals to nearly double the previous size, and added a division tooth between the grilles, and trunk lid inlets for the tail lights. Headrests were standard on the front seats and there was a new steering lock ignition switch on the steering column. Optional twin hood stripes were offered to further personify the sporty intentions of the potent engine lurking under hood. The special 'W-30' package was based on a special 'Force-Air' inducted 360 horsepower version of the 400 CID V8. A new 'W-32' high-performance option used the base engine's milder cam, with the W-30's forced air induction system, and was paired with an automatic. A total of 297 examples were built with the W-32 package.

1969 Oldsmobile 4-4-2 photo
Hurst/Olds
Body styles on the 1969 Olds 4-4-2 included a sports coupe priced at $3,140, a Holiday Hardtop at $3,200 and a convertible at $3,395. The Holiday Hardtop was the most popular with 19,587 examples built, followed by 4,295 of the convertible and 2,475 of the sports coupe. An additional 906 examples were the two-door Hurst/Olds (plus 6 prototypes and two convertibles), priced at approximately $4,500, and finished in a cameo white and fire frost gold striped paint scheme. They had large function ram air mailbox hood scoops, European racing mirrors, rear pedestal spoiler, T3 headlights, H/O identification tags, 455 engine callouts on the scoop sides, dual bumper-inset exhaust trumpets, and 15-inch SSII chrome-plated rims. The 455 CID V8 was detuned slightly from 1968 and now offered 380 horsepower. To cope with the power, the Hurst/Olds received the F41 rear suspension, power disc brakes, and power steering. The interior had striped headrests, GM seat belts, burlwood trim accents, and a radio. The 1969 Hurst/Olds offered the largest powerplant offered by any manufacturer in a midsize car.


by Daniel Vaughan | May 2022

Related Reading : Oldsmobile 4-4-2 History

The name 442 first appeared in 1964 as an option on the F-85 and Cutlass. The 442 was technically the B09 Police Apprehender option which included the four-barrel carbureted 330 cubic-inch V8 with dual exhaust and 310 horsepower. The suspension, shocks, clutch, transmission, driveshaft, brakes, and wheels were also greatly improved. The name 4-4-2 evolved from the combination of options four-barrel....
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Related Reading : Oldsmobile 4-4-2 History

Following Pontiacs lead, Oldsmobile became the first company in the GM division to begin offering full-size muscle cars in its midsize Cutlass model. Designated the 4-4-2 package, it included the top engine available from Oldsmobile, along with a 330 cid V8 with the police package. The name represented the engines 4 barrel carb, 4 speed manual transmission, and dual exhausts. The Oldsmobile 442....
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1969 Oldsmobile 4-4-2 Vehicle Profiles

Recent Vehicle Additions

Performance and Specification Comparison

Price Comparison

4/3/1969
$4,750-$25,580
1969 Oldsmobile 4-4-2 Price Range: $3,140 - $4,750

Compare: Lower | Higher | Similar

Other 1969 Oldsmobile Models
$4,250 - $4,730

442

Specification Comparison by Year

Year
Production
Wheelbase
Engine
Prices
33,607
112.00 in.
8 cyl., 400.00 CID., 290.00hp
8 cyl., 400.00 CID., 350.00hp
8 cyl., 455.00 CID., 365.00hp
8 cyl., 455.00 CID., 375.00hp
$3,087 - $3,341
27,263
112.00 in.
8 cyl., 400.00 CID., 325.00hp
8 cyl., 350.00 CID., 350.00hp
8 cyl., 455.00 CID., 380.00hp
$3,140 - $4,750
19,330
112.00 in.
8 cyl., 455.00 CID., 365.00hp
8 cyl., 455.00 CID., 370.00hp
$3,310 - $3,565
7,589
112.00 in.
8 cyl., 455.00 CID., 340.00hp
$3,550 - $3,740
82,602
112.00 in.
8 cyl., 350.00 CID., 160.00hp
8 cyl., 350.00 CID., 180.00hp
8 cyl., 455.00 CID., 210.00hp
$3,025 - $3,090

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