 ©2007 Publications International, Ltd. Vertical taillights were among very few changes for the 1969 Oldsmobile 4-4-2. |
Transistorized ignition was recommended for cars that racked up high mileage. An optional Rally-Pac instrument cluster included a large-dial tachometer, electric clock, speedometer, and engine gauges. Rally Striping was part of the Force-Air package, or could be ordered separately.
CARS magazine named 4-4-2 "Top Performance Car of the Year." And no wonder. Motor Trend achieved a 0-60 time of 6.7 seconds with its 1968 4-4-2, with the 350-horsepower engine. Quarter-mile time was 15.3 seconds, hitting 95 mph.
Front-end restyling for 1969 positioned those vital "4-4-2" numerals in the wide center section of a split black-out grille, setting the stage for the grille style that would be used on Oldsmobiles into the 1990s. The digits were repeated on a big badge at the cowl and on the deck. Headlight pairs were separated by a narrow vertical divider.
Claimed to make "everything else look tame," the 4-4-2 again carried a 350-horsepower engine (325 with Turbo Hydra-Matic). The emasculated Turnpike Cruising edition was dropped after a single year's service. Force-Air was back, however. Ordering that W-30 package brought the "largest factory air scoops in the business" (more than 26 square inches), as well as low-restriction dual exhausts and dual hood stripes.
Force-Air Induction also could be ordered on lesser Cutlass and F-85 models, the entire group known as the "W-Machines." Oldsmobile insisted that one of these came "as close as you can get to a blueprinted engine."
With its unique "bi-level" hood and contrasting paint stripes, the final 4-4-2 of the 1960s looked just a tad outlandish, but remained a sizzling performer. As the ads explained, owning this slick Olds just might deliver some "escape from the ordinary."
Optional five-hole brushed stainless Custom Sport wheels could add a distinctive touch. And with its alluring option list, including a broad selection of axle ratios, a 4-4-2 could be fitted to travel in accord with anyone's wishes. At $3,141 for a Sports Coupe ($3,395 for a ragtop), a 4-4-2 wasn't quite bargain-basement, but those dollars bought a healthy helping of excitement from the guys at Oldsmobile.
Check out 1968-1969 Oldsmobile 4-4-2 specifications on the next page.
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