A case could be made that the rare 4-4-2 with the W30 Performance Package was the strongest muscle car in the General Motors lineup for 1971. In their October 1970 issue, Motor Trend tested pre-production examples of General Motors’ most potent A-Bodies to see how their reduced compression ratios influenced performance, and they said that the Olds seemed to be “the least [affected] of the cars [they] tested following the switch to regular fuel.” Turning in a quick 14.4-second quarter-mile time at 97 miles per hour, the W30 is not too shabby even by today’s lofty performance standards, not to mention the fact that most new cars don’t look as good as this “Bittersweet” 1971 4-4-2. Barn Finder Curvette found it on eBay in Celeste, Texas, with an asking price of $59,000 or best offer.
In addition to being 1 of 810 W30-equipped 4-4-2 Holiday Coupes built for 1971, this example has over $2,000 in options on its original window sticker. It has power windows, cruise control, air conditioning, AM/FM Stereo with tape player, and power front disc brakes in addition to that all-important W30 badge on the fender.
The W30 gave the performance-oriented Oldsmobile buyer the “special factory-blueprinted” 455 (according to the sales materials), which produced 350 gross horsepower (300 net) and 460 gross lb.-ft. of torque (410 net) with its lower 8.5:1 compression ratio. In the case of this car, that power was escorted to the rear wheels through a Turbo Hydra-matic 400, culminating in a limited-slip differential with a 3.23:1 axle ratio (in air conditioned cars). Something to note if you’re a serious buyer: The air conditioning compressor doesn’t appear to have a belt on it.
The W30’s hood was fiberglass, “with functional air scoops and chromed hood pins,” and the red front wheel wells had been a W30 trademark for several years by 1971.
The interior looks amazing. The Pontiac GTO has long received a lot of credit for its handsome interior, but the bucket seats, console, four-spoke “custom-sport steering wheel,” elegant instrument panel, and woodgrain accents speak volumes for Oldsmobile’s interior styling department in the early 1970s. The seller says that “the majority of gauges work” and the lights and wipers “work as they should.”
The undercarriage is not show-detailed, but it’s clean and solid, perfect for a driver and local car show contestant.
The 4-4-2 has been repainted in its original color and is an “awesome driver with real W30 provenance,” according to the seller’s advertisement. Is it the best of the 1971 crop of muscle cars? That’s too loaded a question to know for sure, but it must stand near the top of the list. The good Dr. Olds most certainly did his fans proud.
One of my favorite cars. My brother had the same car, but it had an older tri-power set up on it.
I don’t know if it’s the best of the 1971 crop of muscle cars but it’s my favorite. Great color, options and documentation though I’d want a working AC at this price.
And gauges!
Agree w the 2 comments above. Home run of a car from the Oldsmobile division. Enjoyed the write up Toth 👍
Sweet looking 71 W30. Low production year for the 442 also.
Love the color also!
I prefer this style of 442 /Cutlass S over the Cutlass Supreme body style from ’70 to ’72. I like the arched lines on the quarter panels. And the roof line. This one looks great.
That horsepower figure is especially impressive given the engine’s compression ratio. ’71 saw the introduction of engines that could run unleaded without detonation per EPA decree. The first shot of the malaise era had been fired and the end of the muscle car was near.
When i was young I had a 70 442 455 4 speed 3.90 posi rear. On the outside was gold paint regular hood but, had 1/4 vinyl top which had a paisley design brown. Yes it was darn fast. Oh the 4 speed was M-22 rock crusher. Every time I took off from the light in a street race. I would see the gas guage move.😂. And i would win. One time it hook up front end left the pavement but, I bent the right side rear frame!! I got it fixed. Boy… that 442 was an animal!! And i still regret selling it. Yeah.. I had to living in the Bronx it was getting hit when parked and the gas was killing me. And it really needed work. Sold it to some kid in CT. Fairfield area told me he was going to restore it. It was like this 71 with options it had AC,PB,PS,PW console same steering wheel so I hope it was restored. 1970 was the best year for the 442. I wish the next owner good luck and enjoy it. And don’t sell it!! 🇺🇸🐻
It’s not optioned with a Duel Gate, which I think is a little odd. A friend I used to work with has the same car since high school, brutal car with 4.11 gears.
I had a 71 442 once…. It was Lime Green (factory color) . It was a California car at one time. It was built in Fremont, California also. Very clean for a then mid west car. I had to drop the gas tank at one time and in between the tank and trunk floor was a Fremont, Cal. newspaper. Charles Manson was in the headlines of that paper…
The 455 in it was very impressive. Nothing to set the car sideways when you nailed the go pedal. Went through a few sets of L60 14s on that 442.
L60 14s… guess I am dating myself!!
This one’s a 9/10 for me. If it were north of the border I’d be on it. It’s been listed for a very long time, not sure why it hasn’t sold.
It’s got to be pretty obvious Motor Trend never tested GM’s 1971 Corvette LS-6 car. It would’ve blown the 442 away easily. 1970 was the highlight year of our awesome muscle cars & sports cars.
looks to be a nicely done 442. great colors as well with iron clad docs too. i would be curious to see if it still the correct “H” cylinder heads. it may not be a stick but it’s a better buy than the Chevelle listed on b/f today
Non-numbers matching engine will hold it back, along with the automatic transmission.
Nice car but, about $20K overpriced.
I had a 71 W-30 automatic, non-ac, manual disk brakes, dual gate shifter, and the aluminum W-27 rear cover (was like $40 or so on the sticker). Great car and really jumped a ton in performance when I upgraded to the 70 high compression pistons. I liked the looks of the 71 front grille better than 70.