ROCKET AND ROLL: Two 442s ready to shake up the auction block
March 27, 2019
Posted by Barrett-Jackson
Written by independent automotive journalist Roger C. Johnson
From the heyday of the American muscle car to the Barrett-Jackson auction block! A triple-black 1968 Oldsmobile 442 Convertible (Lot #718) and a 1970 Oldsmobile 442 W-30 Convertible (Lot #747) are certain to attract some attention at the 2019 Palm Beach event.
When GM’s Oldsmobile division invented the concept of the muscle car in 1949, with the mating of their 303ci Rocket V8 engines into the smaller and lighter “88” series models, they started a movement that would last for decades. Nineteen years later, the mastery of Oldsmobile’s engineers was still making its presences known. A half a century after that, these two striking 442s are proof-positive of the division’s lasting impact on the muscle car hobby ‒ and business.
Lot #718 – 1968 Oldsmobile 442 Convertible
Lot #718 is a professionally restored gem of a 1968 442 triple-black convertible loaded from the factory with almost all options, including power steering, brakes, windows, trunk release and the convertible top. Inside, a rosewood sport steering wheel greets you and highlights a Rallye gauge cluster, including a Tic-Toc-Tach. Bucket seats and the factory console look as inviting as anything around ‒ then or now. Front and rear speakers pass along the AM/FM stereo vibes. The factory air conditioning keeps the music cool in the summer. All glass is new, perfect and date-coded to this machine. The Ebony Black exterior paint with its W36 stripe code precisely match factory paint specs for that year.
This 442 was delivered with a super-tuned 400ci, 350hp G-block engine equipped with the higher-flowing “C” cylinder heads. A date-coded M20 Muncie 4-speed puts all the action into the palm of the driver’s hand. Out back, a 3.08 posi-traction rear end completes the mechanical link to the pavement. Rolling stock consists of SSI wheels and classic G70-14 wide oval tires. Vented disc brakes up front with a power assist will help bring any trip to a happy ending. The car rides on a 112-inch wheel base, which seems to be a magic number for this dimension, even by today’s standards.
This beautiful, fully loaded 442 is the perfect example of an upscale American muscle car. It’s the proverbial “gentleman’s hot rod.” In 1969, Car Life magazine tested a similar car, but with a Turbo 400 transmission, and scored a 15.1-second quarter-mile time with a speed of 92 mph. It’s no doubt exactly the kind of machine Harley Earl himself would have personally driven, had the stars been aligned just right. At the time of the test, editors called it “a true high-performance car, and best-handling of today’s supercars.”
From a styling perspective, the 1968 GM A-body models represented a quantum leap forward with their much smoother body lines compared to the previous more squared and angular examples. The new look was the perfect design to exit one decade and drive into a new one, and all those thereafter.
Lot #747 – 1970 Oldsmobile 442 W-30 Convertible
Lot #747 is a 1970 Olds 442 W-30 convertible that celebrates GM’s withdrawal from its self-imposed 400ci engine displacement limit on their A-body models from only 400 to a whopping 455 cubes. The power rating was also increased to a likely underrated 370 horses, and 500 ft/lbs of torque. Special high-flow heads along with a performance-oriented aluminum intake manifold are fed by a specially tuned Rochester Quadrajet 4-barrel carburetor. A more aggressive camshaft grind orchestrated the induction side of the equation. The exhaust manifolds were also designed with increased performance in mind.
But the W-30 option was more than just a King Kong engine. A fiberglass hood with two conspicuous and functioning intake scoops, two bold hood stripes and actual hood pins made for an intimidating sight in your rearview mirror. This was never the kind of car that would allow you to sneak up on someone because it’s a high-profile muscle car, no matter how you look at it.
It’s also pretty darn nice inside. After all, we are talking about an Oldsmobile. Air conditioning, power steering, brakes and windows, seats, even door locks all live up to the expected quality of the brand. A sports-oriented steering wheel, Rocket Rally Pac gauges and a speed-alert speedometer are not so subtle reminders of this machine’s purpose in life. Classic wide-oval Firestone tires seal the deal with the pavement.
Special-ordered Sebring Yellow exterior paint coexists beautifully with a white interior and convertible top. This wonderful W-30 Olds 442 was restored in part by Jeff Thornton of Thornton Motors in Pennsylvania. It represents one of only 264 convertibles made that year, and one of a mere 168 equipped with the Turbo 400 3-speed automatic operated by the famous Hurst “His and Hers” Dual-Gate shifter. All restoration receipts are included with this authentic example of Oldsmobile’s most famous supercar.
Even after the ʼ60s and early ʼ70s, when the muscle car rhythm started to fade away, the Cutlass evolved into what would go on to become America’s most popular, and cult-like, cars of the time. All the rising young urban professionals wanted to be seen driving one. What they lacked in performance, they made up for with style and prestige of the highest regard.
But if you’re looking for a historically influential muscle car for your collection, or ‒ better still ‒ one for your daily driver, this triple-black 1968 Oldsmobile 442 4-speed or the Sebring Yellow 1970 W-30 version will fill the bill nicely. And despite their luxurious appointments, these two cars remain willing and able to kick some serious tail on the open road, any time you feel the urge. Just make sure you own one, or both of these legends before that urge hits you. Music anyone?
For up-to-date information about these and other vehicles on the 2019 Palm Beach docket, click HERE.