Do you know the story behind the name of the Oldsmobile 442? If you’re not familiar, you might assume it’s because the car is powered by a massive 442 cubic inch (7.2-liter) V8 engine, but that’s not the case.
In fact, these cars actually featured an even larger 455 cubic inch engine. The name actually refers to a more unusual combination of features: a four-barrel carburetor, a four-speed manual transmission, and two exhaust pipes.
While the 442 name has become legendary, the reasoning behind it is a bit odd. Carburetor barrels, gears, and exhaust pipes? It seems like a random mix of traits, but they were significant ones for sure.
There’s something oddly fun about naming cars in this way, so let’s get creative. Below are some cars that could be reimagined with numbers like the 442, along with lists of random features chosen for the names, along with some alternative names based on those features.
- AMC Pacer: Based on random features, this could be renamed something like “Rednsudivider.”
- Rolls Royce: Similarly, it could fit into this system, perhaps as “Rednsudivider Vellfire.”
- Volkswagen Beetle: In this case, “Rednsudivider Vwbeetle” might be an option.
Listing:
1970 Oldsmobile 442 W-30 Is on sale for $244,573 in Indiana listed on classic cars.com.
This 1970 Oldsmobile 442 W-30, originally sold at Ontario Motor Sales in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada, is powered by a 455/370 hp V8 engine with a 4-barrel carburetor and functional forced air induction.
It also features the original M21 close-ratio 4-speed transmission with a Hurst floor shifter, a G88 3.91 anti-spin differential, and the rare W-27 aluminum differential cover, which reduces weight by 18 pounds.
The car underwent a body-off-frame concours restoration by Mascar Classics in Costa Mesa, California, including a factory-correct black finish with white pearl stripes and white bucket seats. The W-30 version of the 455 Oldsmobile Rocket V8 was the most powerful engine in Oldsmobile’s intermediate lineup, marking the peak of the muscle-car era.
The car is documented with the original dealer shipper, Rocket Report, and GM of Canada paperwork. It won Concours Gold at MCACN in 2016, scoring a perfect 1,000 out of 1,000 points.