Oldsmobile’s entry into the 1960s mid-size muscle car market race was the 442 (aka 4-4-2). This acronym is usually considered to stand for “4-barrel carburetor, 4-speed manual transmission, and 2-exhausts”. By the mid-1970s, the car was more about image rather than performance, thanks to rising insurance premiums and lower horsepower due to detuning. This 1976 442 is said to have been sidelined since 1992, but runs and doesn’t look bad. From The Dalles in Oregon, this 49-year-old “muscle car” is available here on Facebook Marketplace for $6,000.
The 1973-77 era of the 442 (and the Cutlass it was based on) used the Colonnade platform shared by all General Motors intermediates. The ’76 442 got a facelift by using a NASCAR-inspired sloped snoot that was considered more aerodynamic. As before, the 442 was an option, but on the Cutlass S coupe, which was something of a fastback. A 350 cubic inch V8 with an automatic tranny was standard, but you could still get the 455 big block which was doing a swan song that year. The 350 was only good for 170 hp, SAE net.
This 442 is one of nearly 7,600 ordered in 1976, though the seller says the number is more like 3,000. We’re told it’s a barn find and was last registered for highway use 33 years ago. Between 1976 and 1992, 102,500 miles were added to the car, so it was not a prior garage queen. The listing tells us the Olds runs but will (at a minimum) need a power steering pump and new front inner fender wells (why were they removed?).
A basic cleaning of the interior has been done, and the carpeting extracted (worn out?). The 442 has those cool swivel bucket seats that were popular with these Colonnade autos. The seller has been trying to unload the car for the past several weeks, but the lack of a title might be scaring buyers away (he/she has the paperwork to facilitate this process).
I had one of these when I was a teenager! Mine was black with silver trim, black interior, we rebuilt it before my senior year (1990). Car was fun to drive, tho the 350 was “guttlas”. Brings back memories!!
As far as 442 goes well the base 260 was available in either a three or a five-speed manual but no 4 speed ! What irony. With 110hp to move about 3900lbs the quarter mile must’ve taken an eternity. Dr Olds was pretty much in retirement at this point. 🏁
The 350s offered adequate power, the mighty big block Dixon mentioned was less than 200hp but good tq of course, sent to a mandatory Turbo Hydramatic unit. Add in the tall hwy gears from the factory, and the Olds 442 had gone from wild to mild for good.
I had a 76 Lemans with the 260, they were slugs to drive and the gas mileage was horrible but that may have been my fault
The 260 V8 was fuel efficient that some people wanted at the time. My dad who was in his 50’s was concerned about the reliability and fuel. He bought a 76 Cutlass Supreme was was very happy about that engine. Unfortunately there were buyers that were concerned about reliability more than performance
Those decals, though OEM, look like some kid stuck them on. Really sad.
The questionable application of the graphics and the lack of a picture of the front clip (should be the sloped grille) makes me suspicious. This might be a plain ol’ Cutlass Supreme that someone added decals to back in the day.
oooo !! 👀
now THATs what ive been lookin for;
right color, condition,, does it have PW ??
THANK YOU Barn Finds
I had a 74 version of this car, only brown/white stripe. Had the swivel buckets too, but I wasn’t a big car guy since a drunk kid took out my 76 Grand Prix SJ.
I soon had it sold and moved on to a Scirroco mk1