Original 1971 Oldsmobile Cutlass Project: Garage Find!
General Motor’s produced Cutlass models between 1961-1999, and the “4-4-2’s” fell in the 1968-1987 range. This particular car isn’t technically considered a “four-four-two” as it does not have the 4-speed manual transmission, or even the 400 cubic inch engine. The origins of the “Cutlass” name can be traced to two different historical objects thought to have been named after: a popular sword used during the Age of Sail, and a Navy fighter plane “Chance-Vought Cutlass.” The Cutlass name was first used on an experimental sports coupe back in 1954, which did not see mass production. It wasn’t until 1961 that Oldsmobile introduced the world to their compact car first geared towards families, which would eventually take shape and make its’ mark as a muscle car powerhouse by the end of the decade. Let the bidding commence on this white 1971 Oldsmobile located in Pennington, New Jersey, and make sure you check out more here on eBay.com.
This particular body style just has such a vibe to it you don’t get with anything else. Six cylinder options were available, but V8’s are a must. Even with the new emissions standards plaguing the industry in the 1970’s, Oldsmobile pushed out many variations of beefy Cutlass’s that remain as some of the most sought-after cars today. This car comes equipped with the small block 350 Rocket V8, pushing out somewhere around 260hp, and is most likely handled by the classic TH350 3-speed automatic transmission. Hard-core Cutlass aficionado’s will most likely scoff at the transmission choice here, but the car has so much to offer, and so much potential, that it just might still win them over.
A few things to note here. You will notice that it’s stated as having a blue exterior, but clearly blue was the intention that did not come to fruition. Another thing is under the hood. On the right side sits a broken reservoir that there is no mention of in the listing. To be honest though, this looks like a great project to finish. The bones are solid and rust-free, the body looks good enough for a nice paint choice of your liking, and the seller states that it has gone through some restoration, and generally drives great. With 108k miles on the odometer, a good deep cleaning is a must, and surely a few minor things might need replacing in the engine bay. The interior clearly needs some seat covers, but everything else looks decent enough. There is even working AC, as well as an aftermarket radio deck.
This Cutlass had one owner since it was brand new, and was garage kept before being purchased by the current seller. A few extras are available for purchase if desired, and they include: 442 grilles and moldings, new front bumper, and a nice clean, black steering wheel. The previous owner sent it out to a shop for restoration, but simply lost interest. Slap some nice seat covers on and enjoy driving this classic as you restore it and show it off. If you really felt dangerous, you could even swap out that tranny so you could proudly display some 442 badges (four-barrel carburetor, four speed manual transmission, dual exhaust). These cars demand respect driving down the street, and its’ next owner should have no shortage of care and respect to give. Is that you?
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Comments
Olds built 442s starting with the 1964 model year, not 1968. The 1968 cars were the first year that the 442 was a separate model line with a unique VIN; prior years were an option package, not a separate model. For the 1971 model year, that L74 350 4bbl was rated at 260 HP gross, but only 180 HP (single exhaust) or 200 HP (dual exhaust) under the new for 1971 SAE net rating system. In any case, the ebay listing is already ended.
I’ve heard Chevy six cylinders could have been ordered in a 68-72 Cutlass , but I’ve never seen one
The I6 was the base engine in the F85 line from 1966 through 1971. There was no six offered in the 1972 model year. The Chevy I6 was 230 cu in for 1966-67 and 250 cu in for 1968-71. The three speed column shifted manual trans was the base transmission in these years.
I owned one, ’71 black with rally wheels, auto. Great looking and running car. People were always wanting to race, saved me from getting into trouble, ha,ha!
A lot of 442s didnt have a 400 or a 4 speed. In fact most didnt, if you include all years the 442 was made. As for a 68-72 Cutlass without the 442 package, it never was made to be a muscle car, and 99% would have been Rocket 350s with a TH350 trans.
The 1964 442s were only offered with a four speed manual. Starting in 1965, the three speed manual was the base trans and an automatic was another option. Every single 442 built from 1965 through 1969 came with a 400. Every single 1970-71 442 came with a 455. 1972 was the first time since 1964 that the 442 could be ordered with a small block. Since the 1972 W29 442 package was only a “handling and appearance” package, it was available with any engine in the Cutlass line, including the L65 350 2bbl single exhaust motor with a pavement-ripping 160 HP net.
Yes, but 442s were built (although just a package) all the way to the late 1970s Metric chassis cars. The sloped back 442s were pretty anemic
The 1980 442 was the only A-body that year with a 350. The 1985-87 G-body 442s with the VIN 9 307 made 180 HP net, better than the 160 in the 1972 car with the base equipment engine.
400, 4 barrel, dual exhaust.
So what do you call the 1966 cars with 400 and 3×2 bbl induction?
642 I guess!
4-6-2 (400, 6bbl, dual exhaust)
Of course, that means that the 1972 cars were 3.5-2-1
4 barrel, 4 speed dual exhaust. The original 1964 442 had a 330 CID engine. Beginning in 1965, there were numerous variations, 3 speed manuals, 4 speed manuals, 2 speed automatics, 3 speed automatics, 400 CID and 455 CID engines, so the “442” designation was just a name.
My first car out of about 400 cars so far was a 65 442. White walls, wheel covers, a/c, pw, ps, pb. Power antenna, buckets no console. Spin around ashtray…all cutlass f-85 models as well on the ashtray. Here’s the important 442 part…at least in 65. 400, 4 bbl, dual exhaust. Powerglide. It did have a 12 bolt and 11.5 or 12.5 pistons from the factory but the 2-speed pretty much ruined the party.
Your 1965 442 had neither a Powerglide nor 11 or 12:1 compression. The only automatic offered that year was the Super Turbine 300 (called Jetaway by the Olds marketing department). Other than having two speeds, it had exactly nothing in common with the Powerglide. The only pistons offered in the 400 motor installed in every 442 that year were 10.25:1 CR.
My 68 442 came with a 400 and 3 spd manual. 3 spd was a Ford FOMOCO unit from the factory. I later swapped in a Muncie 4 spd, which fit perfectly with no changes, but it didn’t make it faster at the drag strip. 😳
If you swapped in a close ratio Muncie, it likely was SLOWER at the track, given the 2.20 first gear vs. 2.42 first gear in the Dearborn three speed. Even the wide ratio Muncie with the 2.52 first wouldn’t have made a noticeable difference. The ratios in that three speed were pretty well matched to the engine.
Mine was the wide ratio. Was fun running thru another gear but didn’t help ET.