General Motors went all-in on mid-size muscle cars in 1964/65. That included the pioneering Pontiac GTO, Chevy Chevelle SS 396, Buick Gran Sport, and the Oldsmobile 442 (aka 4-4-2). Though cars bearing the 442-brand continued to appear through 1991, many consider the 1974 model year as being the last of the true muscle car (the last available with a 455 cubic inch V8). The seller (a dealer) has a sweet ’74 442 with the 455 that looks like a first-class survivor sans one repaint. Located in Gladstone, Oregon, this Cranberry muscle machine is available here on craigslist for $22,500.
A redesign in 1973 ushered in the era of the “Colonnade” Oldsmobile – no more pure hardtops (but the doors had frameless glass). The ‘74s were little changed except for bigger bumpers in the back to match the cowcatchers that were added up front the year before (Federal mandate). While most of the ‘74s had a 350 CI V8 as standard (180 hp), an unknown number came with the 455 CI (230 or 275 hp, depending on the source). A Turbo-Hydramatic was now the only transmission choice.
About 7,200 442s were produced in 1974 as muscle cars had largely grown out of favor. All but about 250 of them were built on the Cutlass S Coupe body style. The seller-provided VIN properly decodes as having the W-30 455 engine, and we’re told the mean machine is numbers-matching. The car’s mileage isn’t noted (odd for a dealer), and a bundle of photos is provided except for the 455 (also odd for a dealer).
The upholstery, including the swivel bucket seats, is said to be original, and the Cranberry Poly paint looks like a quality redo. If there is or was any rust on this Oregon-plated car, we certainly can’t tell. The seller conservatively rates this Olds as being a “clean driver,” though it might be a tad nicer than that. If you don’t have to have the tire-screeching common with 1960s muscle cars, would this 442 nicely fit your lifestyle? BTW, thanks for the tip, “Curvette”!
Stripe isn’t correct after repaint… Bumper fillers are needing replaced… Pontiac rally wheels on an Olds…
W30, uh no.
As Dennis stated, the stripes are wrong. They’re supposed to be split and carried thru the nose and go around the wheel wells. I like Pontiac rallyes, but on a Pontiac. Decent driver but a bit on the expensive side considering it is a ’74.
What’s all that gunk leaching from the sill-plate?
Could be rust from the fasteners. Wheels do look good on the car.
Sure would be nice to see pictures of the engine bay. I will look on MC’s website. Unfortunate that the stripes & wheels are wrong.
One of the interior pics shows the HVAC controls, and the car doesn’t have A/C, so he may be trying to hide that, hoping potential buyers will fall in love with it before finding out it doesn’t have air. The Pontiac rims take away from the car, and the carpet looks very new. I think it’s a flip, and I hope any buyers look it over and under very carefully. It does look nice from a distance, and the 455 should make it go nicely, even if it’s from 74.
I don’t think this is a W30 given the U engine code in the VIN. It’s a factory 455, but the lower performance L75 version. The higher performance L77 455 engine would have had a V code.
Given the diminished horsepower by this point, there wasn’t that much of a performance difference. I think only 20 horsepower, and the stock acceleration would not be what we would call elite in today’s time for either engine. But it is not what you would call a W30.
The craigslist ad doesn’t say W30.
No correct, but the title of this article does.
Had 1973 Cutlass S back in 1979, you could lay awake at night and hear it rust…check for bondo…
The VIN 3G37U4M212541 decodes the specific features of your 1974 Oldsmobile:
3: Oldsmobile Division
G: Cutlass S body series
37: 2-door Colonnade hardtop coupe body style
U: Engine code for the 455 cubic inch (7.5 L) Rocket V8 engine with a 4-barrel carburetor and automatic transmission, rated at approximately 250 horsepower (net)
4: Model year 1974
M: Assembly plant in Lansing, Michigan
212541: The sequential production number for the vehicle
$22.500 is a stretch for that car…
For many more pics…https://classiccars.com/listings/view/2025396/1974-oldsmobile-442-for-sale-in-gladstone-oregon-97027
it’s neat but at the ask price it better be right and it’s not. need to see what the engine looks like as they are pushing that a selling point. where do they think they are going with those lame looking Pontiac wheels. they are not even paint in the right colors. the dash has been cut for a radio. these do bring money but only when they a right
There’s so much wrong with this writeup that it isn’t even funny. No, the U-code 455 was not a “W30”. No, 1974 was not the last for the 455, which was available in the 442 and other Cutlii through the 1976 model year. Note that no where in the Craigslist ad does it claim that the engine is a “W30”.
It amazes me that the original 4 4 2 was a designation for 4 Barrel Carb
4 Speed tranny and 2 (dual) exhaust but the 442 was kept on the Cutlass body
No A/C = no sale
Also to mention, the bottom of the Dash was drilled into to add a Wiper delay module. J. C. Whitney stuff you know.
Just no to that incorrect stripe. Pontiac wheels? Put them back on the Pontiac.
When people embellish (w-30), do they know that’s really a lie? Pretending to be an expert when ignorant, can still be harmful to the unknowing buyer.
I think a w30 package was avalable only on a hurstolds! This is the last year the 455 was avalable in an A body car! But to call it a w30 is a stretch! I hate dealer! They advertise it to be something it’s not! And then jack the price up so other people see this price and think there car is worth that price!
You could get a 455 in an Olds Cutlass or 442 up to and including 1976.
I had 2 with 455s a 75 442 and 76 442.