Why Is the 1971 Oldsmobile 442 So Sought After by Collectors?

[Budi]

https://www.motorbiscuit.com/why-is-the-1971-oldsmobile-442-so-sought-after-by-collectors/

Prior to 1968 and after 1971, the 442 badge was merely the moniker for an Oldsmobile Cutlass performance configuration option consisting of a four-barrel carburetor, a four-speed manual transmission, and factory dual exhaust.


By 1971 General Motors was determined to reduce vehicle emissions and produce cars that could run on regular-grade gasoline instead of premium fuels. For the most part this industry-wide change meant the end of the muscle car era as it was known.

The Oldsmobile 442

Introduced as a stand-alone model for the first time in 1968, the Oldsmobile 442 was equipped with a 400-cubic-inch V8 backed by a manual transmission that produced 350 hp. There was also an option for a W-30 engine upgrade that added cold-air-induction and a higher performance camshaft. The W-30 package raised the horsepower of stick shift equipped 442’s to 360 hp. Performance-minded buyers preferred the manual transmission because in 1968 the 400-cubic-inch engine with an automatic transmission was configured to produce 325 hp.


Car Life Magazine hosted a real-world test between an automatic 1968 Oldsmobile 442 and its performance enhanced stablemate sporting a manual transmission and W-30 upgrades, according to Motor 1. The W-30 equipped 442 covered a quarter-mile drag strip 1.83 seconds quicker and crossed the finish line going 11.1 mph faster.

In what would be essentially a last gasp of the performance muscle car era, Oldsmobile produced its last 442 in 1971, according to records.

SNIP
1971 Oldsmobile 442s sporting the W-30 package with asking prices in the $119,500 to $159,995 range, according to Autotrader.

In 2016, Barrett Jackson sold a four-speed-manual-transmission-equipped, ebony black, convertible at auction in Scottsdale, Arizona for $185,000.
There were 1,304 convertible 442s produced in 1971, and having the original engine along with period-correct transmission and drivetrain propelled the bidding.

[LakeArenal]

1. I had one. Didn't really think it was hot.

But I loved. Kelly green with white leather.

[Ohiogal]

10. I dated a guy who drove one exactly like yours.

[LakeArenal]

28. It was a fun car. I just didn't realize it was a hot car.

Just jetted to Atlanta and now back.

Poooped.

[northlake9]

2. Wonderful

My High School girlfriend had an 1970 - Red Convertible. Great to drive and powerful.

[rickford66]

3. An automatic !!!

[Budi]

5. Really! The article tells of the test between the 68 automatic & it's manual competitor

...world test between an automatic 1968 Oldsmobile 442 and its performance enhanced stablemate sporting a manual transmission and W-30 upgrades, according to Motor 1.
The W-30 equipped 442 covered a quarter-mile drag strip 1.83 seconds quicker and crossed the finish line going 11.1 mph faster.

The manual being a clear winner ~

[rickford66]

7. Of course the 4 speed had more horses.

With an auto it's just an amusement park ride. The Torqueflite Hemis were an exception back then.

[mitch96]

22. "Torqueflite Hemis were an exception back then." I had an older version with push button

torqueflite.. We called it Jukebox drive... You could not break the thing.
I loved the 442.. a class act for a "hot rod"... Sort of a "GTO" lite.. for the country club set around where I lived..
m

[rickford66]

25. We used to salivate watching the MOPAR Super Stockers at the drags.

[Budi]

4. Reducing emissions was already a concern back in 1971

Which sadly ended the era of the beautiful muscle car ~ 😥

Wonder which muscle car of that short but awsome era was the 'best of the best'?

That's probably an individual preference, however.
What a time to come of age in, huh!

GTO
Chevelle
Corvette
Camaro
Mustang
Charger
Challenger
..etc

[Harker]

8. I owned a '66 Chevelle SS 396. 350 h.p.

Black on black.

Left a gravel strewn mountainous highway at 60 mph, sideways, and graduated to an orange '71 VW Käfer.

[Budi]

11. Aaaaggh! That 66 was a beautuful car huh.

My 1st car was a 70 Chevelle

Damn fortunate to be young & driving at that moment in time.

Those cars were made to be fast
(sigh)

[Harker]

13. Yes, indeed. (sigh, too)

I conveniently aged into that Bug, though.

More my speed now.

[Budi]

14. Ya. Same here, but man, We. Were.There. weren't we

~

[Harker]

16. Yep! Nothing is going to take that away.

Except, maybe, dementia... but I'm not home if it comes knocking.

[mitch96]

24. "66 Chevelle SS 396". first car I went 100 mph in... You knew it meant business.. nt

[Harker]

26. I broke my speedometer.

That's business, alright.

[OriginalGeek]

15. My first car was a 1968 Firebird

I would do a lot to have it back.

I don't know who I'm kidding though. I recently sold my Grandpa's 1965 Pontiac LeMans. But at least I sold it to my son (for an amaaaaazing discount) to keep it in the family. He has far more time and money and ability to restore it. He brought it by the other day so I could drive it around the block a few times. It's coming along nicely.

[Budi]

18. That 68 Firbird was such a cool car. But the 65 LeMans is a pretty nice ride too.

My 16 yr old brother was handed down our dad's '69 Impala, when he upgraded.
That car cruised smoothly on the highway.

Visiting the family one summer, my uncle drove a 1960 Buick from Mpls to Montana, I doubt the gas mileage was something to brag about, but damn the size of the back seat!
Ha..
It looked like a tank floating down the road.
LoL

1960 Buick Electra like this except his was white. It was a really big car!

[OriginalGeek]

27. I loooove the fins!

here's the LeMans when it was in better shape. My son said his next big project is new paint but the original color.



I'll have to win the lottery to get a another muscle car from that era. I just don't have the skills for anything but very minor repair work but I would love to tool around town in something shiny and fast lol.


Heck, somewhere in my top 10 would be a '77 Smokey and the Bandit Trans-Am.

[Budi]

32. We were a fortunate young generation. That brief era will never happen again.

Damn it was fun!
🙂

[mitch96]

23. Where is the AMC AMX? Javelin? ;). nt

[Celerity]

31. 1971 Lamborghini Miura P400 SV

Not really into cars, but this is just splendid and is from the same era. Streets ahead of most all on the planet then and sexy AF.

[multigraincracker]

6. Very popular in Lansing Michigan

back then. I remember seeing them all of the time there

[kacekwl]

9. Had a 1970 W30 souped up a little.

Was and angry car. Loved it.

[Budi]

12. 'Angry car,' yup

My bil had a red & white hard top '70 442

You thought you were flying!.
I'd relive those '69, 70's years over & over if it were possible.

The cars, the rock n roll, the pot..🙂

[Harker]

17. When I have my time machine up and running...

you get 'shotgun.'

[Budi]

19. Call me! I'm ready to ride

[Harker]

20. Woo farkin' hoo... yer on!

I thought you might insist on driving.

[Budi]

21. What was that saying...'ass, grass, nobody rides for free'

Somewhere in the early 70's, I remember seeing that sticker on the glove box of a ride, me & my gf caught a ride home from a bar one night.
LOL..
Tho neither of us were asked to 'pay up', I still remember it.
Think I just laughed at it then, now its rather creepy.

Not sure where the slogan originated but maybe a George Carlin thing..

Anyway, nowdays I'm likely to show up with a Starbucks.
🙂

[Totally Tunsie]

29. Ass, gas, or grass...

We always had three options.

[Budi]

30. LOL..Yes, That's the saying. 3 options!

"Though no one is certain of the early 1970s origin, at some point the words, presumably originating in the biker world, caught on and became a common saying appearing on t-shirts and bumper stickers world-wide.

“Gas, Grass, or Ass — No one Rides for Free.”