1970 Oldsmobile 442 For Sale

Of all the A-Body intermediate muscle cars produced by GM in the 1960s and early ‘70s, the Oldsmobile 442 was best known for its winning combination of all-around performance and sophistication in addition to blistering acceleration. From relatively humble beginnings in 1964 as a civilianized version of Oldsmobile’s new “Police Apprehender Pursuit” package, the 442 was relentlessly developed into what Hot Rod magazine declared “the thinking man’s GTO.” After 1968, tightening safety and emissions regulations, rapidly rising fuel prices and stratospheric insurance rates threatened the very existence of the American performance car.

Undaunted, Oldsmobile’s product planners took full advantage of the removal of GM’s edict prohibiting its intermediate models from using engines larger than 400 CI. Accordingly, the 1970 edition of the 442 featured a 455/365 HP V-8 as standard equipment. With its 10.5:1 compression ratio, stout internals, high–flow Rochester carburetor and dual exhaust, the 455 belted out an incredible 500 lb-ft of pavement-melting torque at just 3,200 RPM. While easily capable of 14-second quarter-mile times in stock trim, the 442 was quite docile in everyday driving and, with its single carburetor and hydraulic valvetrain, surprisingly easy to maintain.