Olds got into the mid-size muscle car competition in 1964 with the 4-4-2 (also known as the 442). It would be a staple in the GM division’s line-up until 1980 and then returned for 1985-87 until they switched to front-wheel-drive platforms. The 442 name (pronounced “Four-four-two”) came from the original car’s 4-barrel carburetor, 4-speed manual transmission, and twin exhausts (although some believe the ‘2’ indicated a limited-slip differential). This ’72 442 is said to be the real deal with its W-30 engine and all the trappings that came with it. Currently located in the New York area, the car will be shortly moved to Florida, so we assume that’s where the buyer will pick it up. It’s available here on craigslist for the firm price of $28,500. It will need a substantial restoration. Our thanks to Barn Finder Russell Glantz for this tip!.
Once a series of its own, the 442 was an option again in 1972 as the muscle market was cooling off. You got one with a 300 SAE net hp 455 cubic inch V8 by first clicking the W-29 option on the order sheet and then the W-30. That initial step got you some suspension upgrades, 442 badging, and a unique grille. The follow-up check of the box added the 455, a lightweight aluminum intake manifold, fiberglass ram-air hood, anti-spin differential with 3.42:1 gears (3.73:1 available), and heavy-duty cooling. The W-30 was only sold on 659 hardtops and 113 convertibles that year. The Cutlass S Holiday coupe was the most prolific at 623 copies. The W-30 wasn’t available on the Supreme notchback.
We’re told this ’72 W-30 came out of a barn after being stored for some 25 years. The seller says It’s got everything you would expect with the W-30 and a 4-speed manual transmission. The 442 is numbers matching and the car has documentation dating back to its birth year. The machine is said to run and drive but we don’t know what it took to pull that off after being in hibernation for so long. But the restoration it needs may or may not include mechanical adjustments.
We don’t see any rust on the car, but that doesn’t mean it’s not there. And the interior has witnessed better days. So, figure on dropping some bucks at the body/paint shop and with Interiors R Us. You may be able to double your initial investment on a car like this, but what will the restoration expenses add up to?
Not enough pictures of the car the seller is asking $28,500 for; I would have expected a lot more and there should be a lot more. The ask seems pretty high for a car that needs fresh paint and possibly a complete interior. The seller states the car runs and drives but no details about what was done to get it up and running after 25 years. This car may need extensive mechanical work unless the seller replaced everything necessary to ensure it’s ready for the road. Don’t get me wrong, this 442 has the potential to be a great car but will the buyer be underwater when it’s properly restored?
You are right, it needs mire pictures. It’s value depends on the amount of rust repair it needs, not it’s mechanical or cosmetics. If it truly is a matching numbers 4spd W-30 that changes the equation when compared to other muscle cars with their base on NOM engines.
Muscle cars equipped with the highest performance engine offered for a particular make, model and year sell at a substantial premium and have so for decades, that’s never going to change.
Steve R
Did they stop the red inner fenders for ’72?
No Red fender inner for the last 5 months of W-30 production This car was purchased New in mid July of 1972 Maybe one of the last W-30 to roll off the assembly line as they were tooling up for the new redesigned cutlass for the 1973 model year
yes red inner fender liners were not on the 72 W-30 not sure why
Last of the truly strong running 442’s, what, about 300 or less of these W machines came with a 4 speed. Probably less.
Despite being truly strong the all new Net horsepower ratings confused people back then, being significantly lower, plus the fact GM had lowered all compression ratios for the upcoming crappy fuel. Emissions tuning wasn’t helping sell a car like this. Throw in ridiculous insurance premiums along with a car that could not outperform your ’69 highly tuned high compression street sweeper and that new car sure looks a lot less appealing. Just my warped opinion..
Looks pretty legit from the exterior. Would be nice to see a pic of the rear notched bumper. The interior looks a little odd to me though. Why would the door cards say “S” when it’s a 442? I think they should be blank wood grain? Seat upholstery with the buttons seems more like a luxury option than a sport option you would find in a sport model…
I think the 442 reverted to an option status in ’72 rather than a standalone model. So the car is a Cutlass S with the 442 and W-30 options.
You are correct. 71 was last year.
Judging from the width of the W-30 stripes, they must have been running a sale on white paint…
No kidding the stripes are completely in correct and not original !
No offense, but $28500.? Absolutely not. Maybe 10k.
A couple of things I see, that makes me wonder if it’s a real deal W-30. It doesn’t have the aluminum 4 spoke steering wheel and the side stripe is not correct.
Before I would go throwing that much money at something that may not be, I would make sure the vin tag has an “M”
because all the W-30 cars are made in Michigan.
Jeff of all the years of the W-30 the 72 is the one to not worry about being a fake.. If the vin did not have a X in it it was a fake.
Jeff:
Don’t know for sure about the 72 but on my 71 the four spoke steering wheel was an extra cost option, AIR $45. Never saw a 442 without one though. Mine was this color as well, called “bittersweet” and you’re right about the stripe. The factory stripe for this color was black, one about 4″ wide flanked by two skinny ones, one on either side about 1/4″, down the center of the hood only. My brother had a 72 and his was green with a white stripe, same configuration as mine. And BTW, they were painted, not sticky vinyl.
IMO grossly overpriced for a car in this condition.
Well after a bit of additional research, it appears the side stripes may be correct for the 72. The factory center of the hood stripes I described were correct for the standard standard 442, but not the W30. Sorry about that.
Well after a bit of additional research, it appears the side stripes may be correct for the 72. The factory center of the hood stripes I described were correct for the standard standard 442, but not the W30. Sorry about that.
This ’72 Olds 442 would be a hoot to drive, but I think for being a NY car the Seller has deliberately taken and omitted other photos to hide the obvious. Must have been a leaky barn with all the rust on the front bumper and I guess the mice stole the Ram Air hood chrome pin twist locks for their own custom build.
another overpriced muscle (?) 72 smogger..car
Nothing says you can’t rebuild it to 1970 W-30 specs.