I love my 442 Cutlass

I am the type of person that will find something very interesting today and very uninteresting a week later. One thing that has kept my attention for many years was my 1972 Oldsmobile Cutlass 442 convertible. The first vehicle I ever owned was a 1972 Cutlass Supreme. This was a hand me down vehicle that had been abused by three of my older siblings. However it would prove to be my all time favorite vehicle throughout my car collecting years. Even though my first vehicle was not in the best shape, it didn’t stop my high school sweetheart (who later became my wife) from sharing a daily drive with me. The Oldsmobile Cutlass is rich in history, not only for me but it is also an icon in the muscle car era.

Oldsmobile actually started the muscle car war when they introduced the first overhead valve V-8 in a relatively light body vehicle in the 1949. The war intensified when Pontiac introduced the GTO and Oldsmobile countered with the 442. The muscle war became so intense during the late sixties and early seventies that the manufactures of these vehicles removed all corporate limits and had begun to produce virtually a street legal version of an all-out race-car. The Oldsmobile 442 was one of the leader’s in this war. Unfortunately when the 1972 production year had ended so did the muscle war.

From 1968 to 1971, the 442 considered to be a separate line that could be identified by the vehicles identification tag. The 1970 model year offered more accessories than almost any other year. Notched bumpers, a fiberglass hood with outside air induction where the only options available. Upon request a customer could request larger gears at no additional cost. However the cost of the Oldsmobile 442 was substantially more expensive than its equal counterparts, which classified it as an “executive muscle car.”

In 1972 The Oldsmobile Cutlass 442 was reduced to an option package only. It was no longer a performance option but a handling and trim package. Until 1972 you could easily identify a legitimate 442 by checking the vehicles identification number. However in 72 the 442 reverted back to an option package. In 1972 the only way to tell if the vehicle was produced as a full-blown 442 was to check the vehicles identification number to see if it contained an X. This X indicated that the car was equipped with the W-30 package, which by default gave you the 442.

Due to a strike in 1971 only minimal changes were made to the 1972 Oldsmobile Cutlass leaving the body of the 1972 Cutlass almost identical to that of the 1971. The big block 455 engines were also discontinued as a standard in 1972. The muscle car war was officially over but my love for the car never died.

Oldsmobile made several attempts to resurrect the 442 but to no avail. In April 29, 2004 as the final Oldsmobile rolled off the Lansing assembly line. The oldest automotive brand name in US history died at age 106.

Today I enjoy my 1972 OldsmobileCutlass 442 convertible just as much as I did as a child. This is probably my purest hobby. There’s so much time and effort that has to go into maintaining this vehicle, it makes it a true hobby.

My Oldsmobile Cutlass 442 is red with a white interior and a white top. It has a 455BB engine, a Turbo 400 automatic trans, headers, dual exhaust and a lot of other goodies (see picture)

I usually allow myself some type of budget every year in an effort to improve on the vehicles already pristine appearance. The vehicle is considered a driver but I do attend 3 or 4 car shows during the summer including the Detroit, Michigan Woodward Dream Cruise. Sincepurchasing this vehicle several years ago, a whole new world has opened up for me. I am meeting new friends and enjoying a different type of camaraderie then I have ever experienced with any of my other hobbies. The hobby, the car and the overall experience of owning this vehicle can all be summed up in one word…Love.