Muscle cars were a huge part of the automotive landscape in the late 1960s and early 1970s. But three things changed all that just a few years later: rising insurance costs, increased emissions controls, and higher gas prices. One of the main players was the Oldsmobile 4-4-2 (later 442), but it was a shadow of its former self by 1978. The seller’s car looks the part and has an upgraded drivetrain for more power, but when new it was anything but a performance machine. Located in Greensboro, North Carolina, this Olds is available here on eBay where the reserve has yet to be triggered at $9,775.
Born as part of the F85/Cutlass lineup in 1964, the 4-4-2 was a capable competitor from the ranks of General Motors. The name of these fast cars is said to have stood for “four-barrel carburetor, four-speed transmission, and dual exhausts” which sounds better than “gas, tires, and oil” as the Pontiac pundits called their favorite muscle car. However, by the time the fourth generation of the 442 debuted with a new, downsized body in 1978, raw performance had gone out the window (and so did sales). The cars used the new slant-back version of the GM A-body (called “Aerobacks”) and overall Cutlass production in that configuration fell to under 32,000 units. No production records are known for 442 versions in that body style since they were an option by then, but the numbers are likely small.
This 1978 442 was built as a Cutlass Salon, the only choice that year. It differs from stock issue in that the original (and lethargic) 305 cubic-inch V8 engine has been replaced by a 350 small block Chevrolet motor that has been tricked out a bit with solid-state MSD ignition, Edelbrock intake, and a 4-barrel carburetor along with headers and a high-capacity aluminum radiator. Work didn’t stop there as more recently a 700R4 overdrive transmission came to roost in place of the factory TH-350. It’s a well-equipped automobile with all sorts of goodies including a power sunroof.
No doubt the two-tone exterior paint has been redone and everything inside and outside of the Oldsmobile looks quite tidy. The odometer reading is below 98,000 miles for the overall car. It wears five-spoke Rally wheels which were a 1978-only offering with an anodized gold finish. The seller has taken the car to several shows and says you’re not likely to see another one quite like it (due to low production numbers as the Aeroback didn’t impress long-time 442 buyers). Chances are this 442 is “not your father’s Oldsmobile.”
Looks well done; this was the “sportiest” looking Cutlass for us that were desperately looking for something that hearkened back to the real performance days…in spite of its somewhat awkward styling. This is a very nice example, and the “heart transplant” helps it out a lot!! GLWTA!! :-)
A rocket Olds 350 would’ve been extra cool 😎 upgrade. Nice Salon Cutlass 👍
Since the 305 was a Chevy motor, it would make it easier just to install a 350 Chevy.
Most people didn’t like these when new , myself included,I think they’re cool now.
The style of a hatchback without the functionality of one.
Back in the day there was a magazine cover car like this with a mid engine Oldsmobile 455. Can’t remember if it was Hot Rod, Car Craft or Popular Hot Rodding.
You mean this one?
https://bringatrailer.com/2017/06/04/1978-hot-rod-street-machine-of-the-year-mid-engined-olds-442/
I dig it.
I’m surprised any sold . The regular 78 cutlass wasn’t a bad looking car . I had a buddy who owned a black and gold 78 with W blank blank .. W30.. maybe? Can’t remember the numbers came after the w atm but it was a nice looking car with a little more power than the average 78 GM product. A Canadian car . I just can’t imagine if it was sitting beside this 442 on a showroom floor that anyone would choose the 442 that looks like the after picture of somebody stopped and somebody didnt classic rear end damage. . I think 78 was a 1 year body style for the cutlass (+ grand prix?)as well and is one of my favorites. Excluding the salon of course.
The Cadillac version of a hatch back wasn’t much better
I own a 79 Century Turbo Coupe. Looks like its been professionally done. Wish they would have stuck with a Olds engine. I’ll be watching this one to see were the price ends up.
While I can appreciate the work put into this car and the upgrade from a 305 to a 350, this car is a poor example of the legendary 442. Sure, it’s in good shape with attractive colors and a great drive train but that rear end is butt ugly. I’m curious where the reserve is on this car, but I have a feeling the seller has more money in it than he’ll get out of it.
Hard to call that an Oldsmobile 442, the addition of a Chevy 350 just icing on the cake. GM was in total disarray and performance cars were stickers and stripes. Nice colors though.
I think it’s disgraceful that Olds sold its 403 V8 to Pontiac, but didn’t put it into this car! This Olds has now had 2 different Chevy motors in it. Purists must be cringing.
If I had an extra 10K laying around, I’d bid on it! Very nice example of a model you almost never see any more, let alone in 4-4-2 trim! I’ve always regretted parting with my ‘68 (the ORIGINAL fastback 4-4-2), and while this is no fire-breather like mine was, I love the colors and the Chevy mill should definitely help. Only thing I’d change is that aftermarket steering wheel, which while cool, is way out of place in a late-‘70s anything. Put that thing in your ‘58, not your ‘78!
Nice one, Russ! I almost had one of these for my second car. Same body style, 442, but it was burgundy inside and out with gold stripes. I’ll tell this story even though it contradicts what we generally know about the ’78 Cutlass Salon. My grandparents were helping me buy the car and my Grandfather knew someone at every car dealer in the area so he was my car search project manager. This 442 looked good, though I wasn’t too sure about the fastback body, then we popped the hood and the little sticker said it was a 403 and he said “Oh, that’s too big; it will be bad on gas.” We closed the hood and that was that. I respected him too much to object, but I always wondered how that 442 would have done instead of the ’78 Phoenix I ended up with. Fast forward and today, thanks to the Internet, we know that theoretically the 305 was the top motor in the new-for-’78 mid-sized Cutlass. So either I am crazy or that was one very interesting Cutlass, or both. Olds did put a 403 in the Delta 88 and others that year, according to the brochures. If anyone can offer an explanation other than flawed memory banks I’d love to solve this mystery. The various 350s would not have been “too big,” and it might have been “401” but I think it was the “4” that made it “too big” for the old man. Thanks for the memories, Russ! https://www.lov2xlr8.no/brochures/olds/78oldmo/bilder/18.jpg
Yet here again, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I like these fast backs, but in agreement with the no votes, they sold poorly and GM went with the notch back for all Cutlass’s by 1980. I love these and the Cadillac Seville. Funny thing is that the GM stylists and management loved the design or they wouldn’t have put it into production. I would go with the GM stylists as experts as to good style over the peanut gallery.
As far as performance, this model would far exceed any of the 73-77 Colonade Cutlass’s, this weighs much less and had better handling, the Chev 350 should really make this car go fast.
Now I’m more of a import or ford guy. But I rather fancy mid size Olds . I think it’s sharp looking car. I do think sticking a improved olds engine and a 4 speed would have been better if available. Any who the design was on of the best available in 78. In my humble opinion
Go, these were horrible looking cars
I had a ’79 Olds Cutlass Supreme , 2 door, velour bench seat, and a Chevy 305 4 barrel. Got it from dad and swapped in a 400 small block Chevy with aluminum heads .Changed the suspension to a full Rancho kit. Replaced the Metric 200 trans with a Turbo 350 and changed the 2.29 rear gears to a 3.08 posi. Ran 14 flat at 100 mph through the quiet custom dual exhaust. Working A/C, power windows and seats. We nicknamed it “the Skateboard”. My fiance had a ’79 WS6 T/A and I would routinely smoke her in the straights and the twisties.
I always thought the 442 stood for 400 4 barrel dual exhaust.
What! A plebeian Chevrolet engine in my Oldsmobile??? I’m going to sue!
I like this. I saw one like it at a car show a few years ago that had a 260 V-8 and a 5-speed.
Ad ended with a bid of $13,556.