1971 Oldsmobile 442 W-30

1971 Oldsmobile 442 W-30

Photos By Mecum& Autoevolouton

The 442 debuted in 1964 as an option package, 442 meaning 4-speed transmission 4 barrel carb, and 2 exhausts by 1965 that meaning changed when the 330 cubic inch motor grew to 400 for the 1965 model year and those pesky people over at Pontiac introduced the GTO which is another story for another time.

By 1971 the engine grew to a whopping 455 cubic inches and the W-30 option that was introduced in 1967 model year had a revised camshaft minor head work and air scoops underneath the front bumper in 1970 the W-30 option got a cool twin scooped fiberglass hood.

Some cars received plastic inner fender wells I am not sure if this car has them but I do want to say yes. Now in 1971 you also got lower compression ratios due to the car companies phasing in unleaded fuels. I do know the gas station I worked at in the 80s during high school in Jersey 1989 was the last year you could get leaded gas.

Sadly this is an Automatic, not that it’s bad but I am a 4 speed guy and I’d love to bang all four gears with that awesome torque that Oldsmobile is known for.

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