Classic Cars and Trucks / Photos Specs Model History, Production Numbers

This beautiful 1970 Oldsmobile 442 Convertible is of the second generation. This Olds 442 is a muscle and performance car produced between 1964 and 1987. The second generation of the Oldsmobile 442 ran from 1968 to 1972.

The 4-4-2 name is derived from the number of its carburetor, transmission, and exhaust setup. The Olds 442 has a 4-barrel carburetor, a 4-speed manual transmission, and dual exhausts.

The introduction of models like the Oldsmobile 442 and the Cutlass helped establish Oldsmobile as a major player in the muscle car segment.

Oldsmobile and the Muscle Car Era

The Oldsmobile muscle cars of the 1960s and 1970s symbolize an era of fierce competition among American manufacturers, The Oldsmobile brand made a significant impact in the automotive world during the 1960s and 1970s with its muscle cars. These powerful vehicles epitomized American automotive culture, offering impressive performance paired with sleek designs. The introduction of models like the Oldsmobile 442 and the Cutlass helped establish Oldsmobile as a major player in the muscle car segment.

The 1970 Oldsmobile 442 is recognized as the very top muscle car for the Olds nameplate. It was the year when the base model 442 received the 455 Big Block V-8. The horsepower race was in full swing and to keep up with it General Motors dropped the cap on engine size in 1970. Oldsmobile’s response was by making the Oldsmobile 455 cubic inch V8 the standard 4-4-2 engine. The standard 442 engine delivered 365 HP with a 370 HP configuration available with the W30 option. The 442 was upscale, and by 1970 the 442 had arrived at its most sophisticated and powerful iteration.

Oldsmobile’s W30 Option Package

Oldsmobile had a long history of building performance cars. and the Olds W30 performance package offered quite a lot. The W30 package was offered with the Olds 442 from 1938 to 1972. What was very special with the 1970 Olds 442’s was that this was the year that the 455 cubic inch Big Block V-8 was available. The 1970 W30 package produced the ultimate high performance Oldsmobile.

The Oldsmobile W30 package also offered Forced-Air induction, a special air cleaner, aluminum intake manifold, fiberglass hood, body-side paint stripes, lightweight body insulation, manual front disc brakes, raised white letter tires and W30 emblems. The Forced-Air Induction was a design that funneled air from inlets built under the front bumper and led directly into a sealed air cleaner assembly on top of a four barrel Rochester carburetor. The 442 was renowned for its powerful performance and striking aesthetics.

1970 Oldsmobile 442 Styling

The 1970 Oldsmobile 442 is celebrated not only for its performance but also for its distinctive styling, which made it a standout model in the muscle car era. The 1970 Oldsmobile 442 Convertible is an A-Body car and is identical to that of the Cutlass Supreme convertible.

The bold front grille, characterized by its horizontal slats and prominent emblem, further accentuates the vehicle’s personality, giving it an unmistakable face on the road. Additionally, the inclusion of functional hood scoops not only adds to its aesthetic allure but also serves to enhance engine performance by allowing cool air to enter the engine compartment.

1970 Oldsmobile 442 Specifications

Standard is a 455 cubic inch Big Block V-8 with a Rochester four barrel carburetor and 365 HP. The W30 package offered the 455 V-8 with 370 HP.

Transmissions are three and four speed manuals and a three speed Turbo-Hydra-Matic automatic.

Brakes are front discs and rear drums.

Dimensions include a 112.0 inch wheelbase, 203.2 inch overall length, 76.2 inch width, 52.8 inch height. Curb weight 3,900 lbs.

In 1970 Oldsmobile sold approximately 10,000 units of it’s powerful 442 model.

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Reference material for this article includes..Setting the Pace : Oldsmobile’s First 100 Years by Helen Jones Early..Standard Catalog of Oldsmobile 1897-1997 by Ron Kowalke..Complete Book of Collectible Cars by the Editors of Consumer Guide.

The 1970 Oldsmobile 442 remains a very popular classic car. The 1970 model year was a special one for the 442, with refinements in both design and engineering. The 1970 Oldsmobile 442 played a significant role particularly during America’s muscle car era, when performance was the name of the game. reigned supreme.

Bold styling and remarkable performance with it’s Big Block V-8 made the 1970 Olds 442 a real standout. In 1970 alone, Oldsmobile sold approximately 10,000 units of the 442, showcasing its appeal to a demographic that sought both power and luxury.

Current listing prices for a 1970 Olds 442 in very good to excellent condition appears to fall in a range of $49,000 to $100,000. Originality, degree of restoration, mileage and standard or W30 package will drive the sales price. Some very low production factory examples such as the convertible four speed manual have sold up in the six figures.

(Article and photos copyright Auto Museum Online)

Here is a nice looking, beautifully restored, 1949 Chevrolet 3100 Half Ton Pickup. This model was of the new Advance Design Chevy light trucks which was the first restyling after the end of WW 2. These new pickups replaced the AK lineup of trucks that ran from 1941 to 1947. General Motors was the first automaker to release the new post war truck restyling. Chevrolet introduced their new post war designed passenger cars about one year later.

1949 chevy truck — 1949 Chevrolet Half Ton

The Advance Design which spanned the 1947 through 1955 model years ushered in many major changes and upgrades to Chevy light trucks. These Advance Design light trucks played a big role in the success Chevrolet had during the decade after the war. The new Advance Design cab was wider and offered more head and leg room.

Regarding the popularity of Chevy’s Advance Design, the Chevy Division was the number one truck manufacturer during all of the Advanced Design years. Advance Design light trucks used numeral identifiers. The 3100’s were half tons, 3/4-tons were designated 3600, and one ton trucks 3800.

1949 Chevy 3100 Light Truck Styling

With its robust, squared-off silhouette and distinctive chrome grille, this pickup exuded an undeniable sense of power and capability. Under the hood, the 3100 packed a potent inline six-cylinder engine.

While the five bar grille remained unchanged for the 1949 model year, a few other features had changed. One change was moving the great shift from the floor to the column which made room for a third person in the cab.

Hood side emblems now have CHEVROLET along with the series designation (3100, 3600, etc.) THRIFTMASTER on hood side emblems discontinued. Gas tank moved to inside the cab behind seat.

The truck’s sturdy steel frame and suspension system were engineered to withstand the rigors of hard labor.

With its distinctive rounded fenders, bold chrome grille, and sturdy, utilitarian frame hood emblem becomes chrome plated steel.

Chevrolet placed their new truck basic design on most commercial vehicles. Wheelbase on the commercial truck lines ranged from 116 inches all the way to 137 inches.

The Chevy light truck design remained virtually unchanged from 1947 through 1954.

1949 Chevy 3100 Specifications

The 1949 Chevy 3100’s were built with a 216 cubic inch inline-six engine delivering 90 HP. This was the only Chevy engine available from 1929 to 1955. There were no engine options in 1949. Chevrolet had eight cylinder engines from 1917 to 1919 then went to four cylinder engines. The six cylinder power plants came back in 1929 and remained the prime offering until 1955. At that time Chevy introduced their first small block V-8.

Standard transmission is a three speed manual with an option for a four speed manual. The four speed manual was fully synchronized.

Brakes are four wheel hydraulic drums.

The 1949 Chevy Half Ton Pickup has a wheelbase of 116.0 inches. Overall length 196.6 inches. New vehicle price in 1949 was about $1,253.

Total 1949 Chevrolet production came in at 1,018 vehicles. Total 1949 Chevy truck production was 345,500 vehicles. It’s estimated that about 200,000 were half ton pickups. Chevy produced the 3100 light pickup from 1947 to 1955.

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1970 Oldsmobile 442 Convertible / Photos, Specifications, Styling Details

1949 Chevrolet 3100 Pickup / Photos, Specifications, Styling Details