Oldsmobile was one of the oldest auto manufacturers in the United States most well known for its famous Curved Dash introduced in 1901, the Limited of the 1911-13 period and the post WWII Rocket V-8 introduced in 1949. But once into the 1960's Oldsmobile had a hand in the muscle car game that would change its company's image forever.
Although the Oldsmobile's of the 1950s and 1960s had powerful engines, they were big and heavy cars primarily sold to successful middle-class drivers. That all changed in 1964 when the 4-4-2 package came along for the F-85 Cutlass. Although the F-85 line had held a Cutlass nameplate for several years, for 1964 the wheelbase grew to 114 inches and the 215 cid V-8 gave way to the bigger 330 cid Rocket engine.
In the middle of the 1966 model year, an exciting new model came along. The new 4-4-2 offered serious performance by way of a new 310 horsepower version of the 330 cubic inch V-8 engine with a four-barrel carburetor, dual exhausts, and an available four-speed manual transmission. Suddenly, Oldsmobile had entered the muscle car wars along with its GM counterparts Pontiac and Chevrolet. A new design came in 1966 and again in 1968. Finally, the famous 4-4-2 had the looks as it would always be remembered.
The new body styling would last until 1972 with only minor detail changes. Under the hood, there were two base engines, both of which displaced 400 cid. The big block 455 cubic inch engine was also available, that produced a monstrous 500ft'lbs of torque. By 1972 the muscle car age was coming to a close and with high insurance rates and high gas prices the 1972 442s would be the last of the true performance cars from Oldsmobile.
This 1972 Oldsmobile 442 convertible is an absolutely stunning example that has been restored to perfection, possibly better than when it was new in 1972. Winning a first national prize award from the AACA in 2014 it's finished in its original color scheme of dark green with camel interior, every detail is proper and as it should be on this car including the cream stripe along the sides of the car as well as the cream stripes atop the hood scoops. Fully loaded, equipped with factory air conditioning, bucket seats, "his and hers" shifter, power brakes, power windows and the optional and powerful 455 cubic inch V-8 engine. The big 455 engine in this car runs great and the automatic transmission shifts as it should. The flared dual exhaust tips that are sculpted into the rear bumpers were only available with cars equipped with the larger 455 V-8 and tell everyone on the outside that this car means business. It is also equipped with the "FE2" suspension upgrades (heavy duty springs & shocks, front and rear sway bars, boxed lower rear control arms, and 14- by 7-in wheels). If you are looking for a nearly perfect Oldsmobile 442 convertible that has all the bells and whistles this is a car that should be considered.
